For "Home Use" Vs "Pro Use"

[Spudland_Dave]

Something that gets said on here many times over, specifically when talking storage, benches, tables, or similar items is:

"For Home use its fine"

How is home use any different then professional/commercial/industrial/etc type uses? Why would a person want thin azz sheet metal cabinets or a wobbly work bench at home OR at work? Ok so I understand that my boxes don't get opened or closed nearly as much as a Professional Technician's do, so that's a slide quality thing. Whether or not my box is being opened or closed 100x a day doesn't change the fact that Home or Pro, we probably have the same amount of weight in a drawer.

We never once hear on here "Oh, for home use a Milwaukee Fuel is overkill" or "The DeWalt 20v Max is meant for Pro's" but some how when it comes to garage organization and tool storage, flimsy thin sheet metal is somehow given a pass and justified.

Now before we get the "not everybody needs a SO box" posts, I'll say right off the bat I agree, But as an example, where I'm going with this post is illustrated best in the HF 44" Box. I've looked at it myself, excellent box, well built, great price. And I think we could all agree it would serve someone well in a professional capacity for quite a while. I've said it here before, and I'll say it again, but I'd love for HF to offer a 24-26" Deep Lista/Vidmar type cabinets for use as a built in workbench with a toe-kick vs casters. I'd buy some right away assuming it was of the same quality as the 44".

Instead of justifying foil thin sheet metal as OK for home use, we should be demanding more quality in the budget goods. If HF can sell a good box at a great price, you would think all the other guys with just as much if not more buying power could come to the table with something a little better then the Tin-Foil boxes that are deemed "Good Enough for Home"..

 

[sberry]

Well that sums up a lot of stuff. Most people think they are way more rugged than they are and 95% of the stuff at work sits 95% of the time. I am a professional mechanic and a reasonable set of snap ring pliers work fine. There are 3 or for places for specialty when needed but despite how much someone thinks they use a tool it is not the same as production where minor difference would make a bunch of difference. Same with a tool box.

You can overload something and it may last if its not used. The drawers in mine have been worn out for 20 yrs, at the current rate,, I took a few things out and they will last 20 more.

A professional with any kind of service cart couldn't wear out a HF either. All other things being = could never return on investment for buying a 10K box. Only way is if pride in it are a great enough motivation to afford it and you make extra where the cost of the box becomes insignificant.

I seen a wonderful mechanic try self employment, he would have been well served to sell off half the truck tools at half value and add on a bay with hoist. He advertised routine work and should have paid 10K to a consultant to tell him to maket drivability to the extreme on Fords where he was a top dog 80 hrs a week for some massive dealerships and factory for a couple tours.

You can do a ball joint brake job as they come along but should have just slammed the tech.

 

[arcane73]

I agree. I've left the auto/motorcycle industry and entered the IT field but I still enjoy wrenching on things in my spare time. (my own, my wife's, friends, etc)
A friend asked me "why did you have a $500 floor jack when something cheaper would work?". My response was "because I want it to do what I want, when I want." I could take that jack, go outside and, with the proper leverage, flip most full size delivery vans on their noses.
Was it necessary for 'home' use? No.
Will it make me feel better knowing that I have a beastly tool that will perform as expected? Yes.
And it's blue.....so there's always that plus.

But at the same time, don't think that I will turn my nose up at an off-brand tool or box. I'll likely buy several pieces that aren't the top-of-the-line as I'm restocking my garage. But it all depends on their intended use and $$ involved. If I can spend less for a tool that will suit a need and use the money saved to put towards something that will see more abuse, then I'll do it.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

But at the same time, don't think that I will turn my nose up at an off-brand tool or box. I'll likely buy several pieces that aren't the top-of-the-line as I'm restocking my garage. But it all depends on their intended use and $$ involved. If I can spend less for a tool that will suit a need and use the money saved to put towards something that will see more abuse, then I'll do it.

I knew this was gonna come up even though I tried to address it in the OP...I don't mean turning up your/my nose to any particular brand or what have you, but just more along the lines of using the "for home use its fine" line...

What really got me to thinking it was the Home Depot 56" box which is/was on sale. Few threads here where people clearly saying "sheet metal is thin as hell, quite flimsy, but for home its fine" IMO what does home use have to do with it? 250 lbs of tools in a drawer are 250 lbs of tools no matter where you park or use the box.
I don't care what emblem is on the box or tool. I look at the HF tool carts as an another example...99 bucks or 150 bucks depending on which one you want, and both are well built for the money and both come highly recommended on many forums. Its not fair to compare them to a KRSC46 or what have you, but at the end of the day its a good product be it in a pro shop or home garage.

 

[Stuey]

For personal use, it often comes down to money and justification.

We are a minority. Not a lot of DIYers, weekend warriors, or hobbyists care about having better quality. For the most part, not a lot of them even realize what they're missing out on.

A tin foil toolbox to us is a fine and dandy toolbox to most other consumers. They want to spend $100 on a toolbox to hold their $200 worth of tools. The toolbox will only be opened once every other month anyways.

Look at this from outside the box.

Over at a pen aficionado forum, there must be a thread somewhere where they discuss how anyone would use a $0.25 BIC pen when there are better pens out there.

We can demand better quality from budget tools and equipment, but it's not going to happen. Better quality = higher cost, and there are plenty of people who offer their money in support of how things are.

 

[arcane73]

I knew this was gonna come up even though I tried to address it in the OP...I don't mean turning up your/my nose to any particular brand or what have you, but just more along the lines of using the "for home use its fine" line...

I didn't mean it as being brand-picky or being particular. I was just using it as a general term But we're on the same page. I wouldn't avoid using something that was generally considered a 'home-use" piece if I planned on giving it a thorough workout. I may not be articulating this well but I agree with the points you've made.

 

[byoungblood]

I've noticed a lack of true middle ground items not only in tools, but in appliances, electronics, etc. Too many times you either are left with big box store, light duty junk, or have to pay out the nose for a near top of the line item that is overkill for what you need.

As far as tools were concerned, I thought that was the niche that Craftsman had carved out for themselves until they decided to start cutting quality and ultimately outsourcing their product. Not pro grade, but durable enough and at a price point that made them good for more than occasional use tools.

 

[sberry]

The reason I got what I need is to get what I need and found tossing $ at things do not directly change function and or enjoyment.

I've noticed a lack of true middle ground items not only in tools, but in appliances, electronics, etc. Too many times you either are left with big box store, light duty junk, or have to pay out the nose for a near top of the line item that is overkill for what you need.

Go look at hand can openers at Walmart. The cheapest is in the middle and the bottom is the same as the best which has a different grip. A lot of tool blanks are like that, the price to them is near the same but the value is marking it up with a brand.

THIS IS THE CONCEPT SEARS MISSED, they allowed the brand to slip where now they are price competing with cheap imports, they should have doubled the price instead and been just below SK. They would have lost a few sales but would have driven up the value of every one they sold and increased margins huge, in the 10X numbers.

Must be ran by some farmers.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Over at a pen aficionado forum, there must be a thread somewhere where they discuss how anyone would use a $0.25 BIC pen when there are better pens out there.

LOL Stuey.

I own several Mont Blanc's and still like the old skool Staedler Mars Roller balls in the std. set up as a daily tool.

As for tools, go price out Snap-On, IR Industrial, Dynabrade, etc. and you will come to learn why you pay big prices for good tools.

Down time, longetivty and parts replacement all come into play.

In industry, it's all about cost vs. productivity vs. longevity vs. cycle use.

Having a crew sitting idle with a broken tool costs lots of money. A home user can have a beer, watch a football game and then go get a new one or look into replacement. No real money lost there . Just the DIY'er's time. If he/she is all about time, then they will buy big-boy tools.

Home owners buy Ryobi saws perhaps. Wood shops drop $3k or $4k min. on Delta Uni-saws. And added $$$ on a dust collection system.

Thus we are back to "pro" vs. "home user"

Based on the OP I just assumed that everyone you know has a 2 post or 4 post lift in thier garage?

That's what the "everyone" has ,right?

Not my world but I guess yours.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I think there is another category here, the home guys that buy used. I like good quality and it can be had at low prices if you have patience.

My KR1000 has overspray, dings and dents, and even a little rust, but it's WAY better than even the coveted HF 44" box, and it cost me 700 bucks. Close enough in price to that HF box (would probably take 2 to equal storage capacity), not pretty, but WAY better in quality.
None of my SO stuff is the same pretty matching color, as almost all has been sourced used.

Good stuff can be had at good prices, you just can't expect it to look pretty or have that new "smell". I don't think "value" or wasting money for a "lowly" DIY/side work guy like myself applies only to new stuff.

 

[Banjorear]

A professional with any kind of service cart couldn't wear out a HF either. All other things being = could never return on investment for buying a 10K box. Only way is if pride in it are a great enough motivation to afford it and you make extra where the cost of the box becomes insignificant.


My buddy and I call this Tool Box Wars. No one can be outdone by someone else's toolbox. I'm always amazed how much guys will go into debt just to have a bigger box than the next guy. Freudian in it's truest form.

Do you really need a flat screen TV built into the lid of your top box? Oh, so you can see the scanner better? BS!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Based on the OP I just assumed that everyone you know has a 2 post or 4 post lift in thier garage?

That's what the "everyone" has ,right?

Not my world but I guess yours.

Frik no...would be nice if that were the case, I'd head over there tonight instead of having a hot date with my creeper and a set of ramps.

This isn't about boxes specifically, or new vs. used...its about something which isn't really up to par to doing its job....but justified as being OK if its for home use.

 

[Gmonkee]

Playing into Stuey's comments, mostly, he makes a lot of sense.

I was a full time 60 hours a week mechanic and went from 'good enough' tools for home stuff to needing and getting the best I could of what I used the most. And it made sense as the jobs became easier with better tools. I spent a small fortune too.

Having left that to persue other lines of work I am selling off stuff. The 2nd line kit, a lot of the specialty tools and all the duplicates. I kept the best stuff and what applies to the new trade.

Again I face the same battle to get 'the best' of something for that or get something more affordable. We'll see if it will serve long term or better is required. So far I've gone the 'starter set' route and will get the better model if that fails somehow.

Its hard to know what you'll use the heaviest just starting out. I made bad investments for automotive work, later for the diesel work ( but far less costly unused tools at least ) and hope to avoid this entirely now.

Homeowner grade tools mixed with a few key professional grade tools seems to be the safest route for me again. Having better is always nice but will the uses justify the cost in 5 years? Will it be outdated or obsolete as well as being unused in 5 years? My OBD II code reader is.

 

[woody 73]

From an early start on the GJ guys would start chiming in "Oh my gosh that is out of my budget". Or "what a load of ****, never going too happen".

So I learned rather early on talk about middle of the road prices on the GJ.
The only GJ member that comes too mind is Monte and all of his posts are geared at high end German tools.

 

[Nick Danger]

Mrs Danger sells her photographs. She doesn't use her cellphone to take pictures. But a cellphone camera is adequate for most people's uses, and they don't have to spend $1k on a lens.

I wish that I could afford to purchase high-end-consumer merchandise for everything I use, but I can't. Something's got to be lower priority. For a lot of people, it's the toolbox.

 

[sberry]

There is no excuse not to buy something you need in todays world. Its as good as a trip to the casino but I can pay for a wrench set in 1 use at the cost world pricing has driven tooling to.

The 14$ toaster at Menards is the exact same as the 89$ one in 2 models. The ATD adjustable wrench is the same Irwin on dealer shelves.

 

[PT Doc]

I knew this was gonna come up even though I tried to address it in the OP...I don't mean turning up your/my nose to any particular brand or what have you, but just more along the lines of using the "for home use its fine" line...

What really got me to thinking it was the Home Depot 56" box which is/was on sale. Few threads here where people clearly saying "sheet metal is thin as hell, quite flimsy, but for home its fine" IMO what does home use have to do with it? 250 lbs of tools in a drawer are 250 lbs of tools no matter where you park or use the box.
I don't care what emblem is on the box or tool. I look at the HF tool carts as an another example...99 bucks or 150 bucks depending on which one you want, and both are well built for the money and both come highly recommended on many forums. Its not fair to compare them to a KRSC46 or what have you, but at the end of the day its a good product be it in a pro shop or home garage.

the 56" box is garbage for home or work. the red hf cart is awesome for both work and home.

if it is a poorly built, a work environment will create problems quicker. right? and your statement about 250#: that hd would not hold it.

if you don't get it, then buy the hd box and then regret the purchase when you realize the quality is not there in the casters, sheet metal, and slides. it's actually pretty straight forward. how many times do you want to buy something to replace the previous piece of ****.

 

[bobcatdan]

When it comes to home use, I think a person can cheap out on a lot of things. The one thing a person shouldn't is a bench and preferably a vise. I don't know how many garages and "shops" I have been and the bench was so rickety I would trust it supporting my lunch on it let alone work off of it. Even try to cut something clamped in a vise and the bench wobbles right along with the saw strokes? As for a tool box, if it holds tools and it is isn't a struggle to open and close the drawers, it is doing what it suppose to. Finally with hand tools, buy what every you like and works. More often then not, in a home garage, it is the total lack of then tool the quality of the tool.

 

[arcane73]

The one thing a person shouldn't is a bench and preferably a vise.

Which is why i plan on building a sturdy bench and trying to find a quality vice.....because I tend to beat on a lot of stuff and I don't want anything falling on me in the process.

 

[Stokes_]

At work I put a beating on tools for 8-14 hours a day, they have to be durable and comfortable, the ratchets need more teeth, and they need warranties. At home when I'm dicking around for a few hours on the weekend or installing a new door knob, It's not necessary. I do move a lot of great tools back home, in fact they are quality for thebmost part, but I dont spend $200+ on a wrench set to use at home.

 

[85camaro]

I've seen pro's with Craftsman boxes, and diy's with Snappy boxes. Although the balance certainly leans the other way.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. To each his own. Happy wrenching no matter what brand of box you use. Diy or pro.

 

[Stokes_]

A professional with any kind of service cart couldn't wear out a HF either. All other things being = could never return on investment for buying a 10K box. Only way is if pride in it are a great enough motivation to afford it and you make extra where the cost of the box becomes insignificant.


My buddy and I call this Tool Box Wars. No one can be outdone by someone else's toolbox. I'm always amazed how much guys will go into debt just to have a bigger box than the next guy. Freudian in it's truest form.

Do you really need a flat screen TV built into the lid of your top box? Oh, so you can see the scanner better? BS!

Not to knock anyone, but for the life of me, I couldn't imagine spending over $700 on a tool box, let alone $4000. You can build an entire garage with that.

 

[Gmonkee]

If storage is the point of focus I spend very little. Buying any roller cabinet never crossed my mind while I was in the battle. They are pretty but.....

I currently have an old repurposed gym locker and a 5 drawer home made cabinet made of wood scraps. Tool bags or tool rolls serve for outside the home shop area jobs. One is commercial the others made to my specs locally. The tool storage fashion show never hit anywhere I've worked, it was getting the jobs out that mattered.

 

[72Anthony]

Interesting discussion.

I am just a DIY guy and spend more money on tools that support my main interests. I like woodworking and have gotten into some Festool machines that make the work a lot easier/enjoyable. Contrast that with my wrenches and sockets; I have a mix of craftsman, Northern Tool, and no name imports. I can appreciate the high end tool brands, but for me I would rather spend my money elsewhere.

It does seem that some tools really have diverged into crappy brands on the bottom end and high end/professional on the other.

Another thing with professional grade tools is that when the person using them doesn't own them, the tools tend to get abused. There is a pro tool store and Milwaukee factory store that I frequent and I see contractors bringing in tools for warranty/service and they are just beat to hell. I will push some of my tools hard, but never drop them, drag them, occasionally wipe them down, etc.

On tool boxes I think the difference is the number of times it is getting opened and closed as the wear comes from drawer accelerating and decelerating. Im sure you could put 300 pounds in budget box with 100 pound slides as long as you opened/closed them slowly only a couple times a week and have them last forever. On the other hand, put 150 pounds in the drawer and open/close it 50 times a day with a few of them being slammed shut and the life span will be drastically reduced.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

We can demand better quality from budget tools and equipment, but it's not going to happen. Better quality = higher cost, and there are plenty of people who offer their money in support of how things are.

I dunno about that....Lets look at hand tools....lets say Ratchets. 20 years ago, imported rats were junk...nobody wanted them, they didn't last. Today prices are cheaper if you account for inflation and we got some REALLY nice rats from Kobalt and Harbor Freight.....got my son one of those HF Composite Rats the other day and I'll admit I was impressed.

My FIL gave my wife a really cheap azz "Chick Tool Set" when she went to college, you know the ones with the cast zinc 6 oz hammer and today you could buy a REALLY nice Kobalt/Pittsburg/Stanley setup for the same price I bet. To get a truly Cheap worthless tool set these days you pretty much have to go shopping at the dollar store, even WalMart has decent tools.

Another thing touched upon by byoungblood is middle ground...there is none We go from "Homeowner" boxes from Sears, Kobalt, HF, etc.. then the next step is Pro Boxes from Extreme/Montezuma/Tool Trucks. Nothing in between. The same could be said for many tool types. Cordless tools have the benefit of being bundled differently...so instead of 3.0ah batteries you get 1.5ah batteries, maybe even only one. So you can be into a "Pro Grade" Milwaukee brushed Drill for very reasonable money. You want a brushless with 2-3.0ah batt's, and Side handle in the hard case...no probleemo...just order the right SKU.

Having an entry level 26" Box is easily understandable (and due to the relatively small drawers, relatively easy to make a sturdy & affordable unit)...I'm no marketing/demographic genius but I'd say the kind of person buying a 56" box probably has tools to fill it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Homeowner, budget, bargain basement, el-cheapo, bottom of the barrel, entry level, beginner..... Several names that fit the tool and toolbox needs of many people.. Good enough for allot of folks.... Even a cheapo toolbox is a good gathering point for a few basic tools, goggles and leather gloves... May even be room for a few garden tools and a paint brush...

 

[nicksnothereman]

Something that gets said on here many times over, specifically when talking storage, benches, tables, or similar items is:

"For Home use its fine"

How is home use any different then professional/commercial/industrial/etc type uses? Why would a person want thin azz sheet metal cabinets or a wobbly work bench at home OR at work? Ok so I understand that my boxes don't get opened or closed nearly as much as a Professional Technician's do, so that's a slide quality thing. Whether or not my box is being opened or closed 100x a day doesn't change the fact that Home or Pro, we probably have the same amount of weight in a drawer.

We never once hear on here "Oh, for home use a Milwaukee Fuel is overkill" or "The DeWalt 20v Max is meant for Pro's" but some how when it comes to garage organization and tool storage, flimsy thin sheet metal is somehow given a pass and justified.

Now before we get the "not everybody needs a SO box" posts, I'll say right off the bat I agree, But as an example, where I'm going with this post is illustrated best in the HF 44" Box. I've looked at it myself, excellent box, well built, great price. And I think we could all agree it would serve someone well in a professional capacity for quite a while. I've said it here before, and I'll say it again, but I'd love for HF to offer a 24-26" Deep Lista/Vidmar type cabinets for use as a built in workbench with a toe-kick vs casters. I'd buy some right away assuming it was of the same quality as the 44".

Instead of justifying foil thin sheet metal as OK for home use, we should be demanding more quality in the budget goods. If HF can sell a good box at a great price, you would think all the other guys with just as much if not more buying power could come to the table with something a little better then the Tin-Foil boxes that are deemed "Good Enough for Home"..

ALL THE TIME (professional) vs. ONCE IN A WHILE (home). That's what I mean when I say it. It's not necessarily valid unless the stresses the tool is encountering are different from vehicle to vehicle which often happens when you're working on other people's vehicles but rarely on your own. Torque varies, rust varies, over-torque varies. So...professional grade would be able to tolerate higher levels of torque without failing.

 

[gagreen]

Not all pro's use their boxes the same or in the same environment. I work in a hangar that has limited bench space and a constantly changing work area based on the airplanes we have crammed in it. I tried making it with a cheap but nice roll around (montezuma), then tried a tool cart, and am now in a kra2422. It's way more than I would need if it were at home, but any less at work is just unacceptable. My roller is my work bench, home to my vise, and easy to maneuver around hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of airplanes made out of thin aluminum. All these silly little things separate my definition of home use and pro use boxes.

A home use box in my opinion is a bargain. A box that doesn't have to take the beating of drawers being constantly used, doesn't need to carry the weight my pro box does. In a home environment I don't have to worry about having everything tucked and locked up at night so heavier tools can go on a shelf a vice on a bench etc.. It's all personal preference but I doubt the average home user will put 250lbs in a drawer and if you do you are probably wrenching at a level that would put you far above the average user.

As much as I'd love to I doubt I'll have a full snap on set at home like at work. I don't demand as much at home during a project as my boss and customers demand from me at work. I'm not a flat rate mechanic, and I work in a shop where the owners are the only other employees. A broken tool means down time, down time means my I'm costing my employer money rather than making them money. I can't stand that feeling. Aircraft fasteners are also extremely expensive so a tool that doesn't fit right is also taking money out of my employers pocket. Snap on happens to be the only truck that stops at the shop so snap on is what I buy if I'm using it more than a few times. I have learned about cheaping out on specialty tools. Snap ring pliers that break at the tip could mean a pricey rebuild if the tip cannot be retrieved from a component, even tho I hardly use them I have a few pairs of snap on knipex snap ring pliers. At home I am getting a set of tekton for a few bucks off amazon. (best cheap tool warranty in the game)

I guess I see the difference in home and pro use and am ok with it. I would grab a hf roll cab for home, or another montezuma. I wouldn't touch the new craftsman from the quality I've seen in the stores, but most people buying tool boxes for their garage are more worried about looks over quality or square inches unlike a lot of us tool snobs who spend hours reading and talking about tools in our off time, we are definitely the minority of consumers when it comes to tools.

Also if you are demanding professional use levels (250lbs in a drawer) your going to have to sack up and buy a professional use tool box. etc... Most hobby users will rarely exceed 300lbs total in tools. So a cheap craftsman will last them a while.

The average home tool user can get away with a lot less than a hf roll cab.

 

[cburnscrx]

Something that gets said on here many times over, specifically when talking storage, benches, tables, or similar items is:

"For Home use its fine"

How is home use any different then professional/commercial/industrial/etc type uses?

I think I am a good target audience for this question. I have a HF 44" and a Craftsman 26" that I use in my garage. I consider myself a semi-pro. I've done some work as a contractor, worked as a maintenance technician (factory) and even automotive repair (independently).

The HF 44" would hold up in a professional factory environment, but the 26" Craftsman...um, no. That said, I am going to buy more of the Craftsman because they are a great space vs. cash outlay. I can store light items like clamps, kneepads, expendables, blow molded cases, electronics, ect and since they don't get abused in my personal garage, I suspect they'll last a lifetime. No need to spend more than the $129 for that type of storage. Additionally, as is the case in my 26" Craftsman, there are things you can do to firm up the box and make it a good home owner box. In my example, I used bolts instead of screws for the handle and the casters. I riveted the drawer slides on both the box and the drawers, and I plan on bolting a solid top to it for more strength.

Long story long, it's a good home box that will suit my intended purpose very nicely.

 

[wafrederick]

Toolboxes,any toolbox from Sears,Lowes and Home Depot won't cut it for pro use.Only good for home use,will last 6 monthes to a year if you attempt to use for pro use.I had used tool carts,a cheapo and a Mac.It was time to upgrade and I went with a Matco 4S toolbox in outlaw black with chrome trim.Bottom box will be a year old in a couple weeks and my top chest will be a year old in Febuary.Been a great toolbox for work so far,the keys are the same.Used the same key combination for the top toolbox going off the key code for my bottom box.I keep the extra keys in my gunsafe at home just in case.

 

[DieselSaves]

Must be ran by some farmers.

Really? Farmers? That's the best trade you could think of to disparage? Ranchers maybe, but farmers, that's crossing the line.

 

[Heavy tech]

Instead of justifying foil thin sheet metal as OK for home use, we should be demanding more quality in the budget goods. If HF can sell a good box at a great price, you would think all the other guys with just as much if not more buying power could come to the table with something a little better then the Tin-Foil boxes that are deemed "Good Enough for Home"..

Good quality for the dollar can be found, but you need to shop around for it.

I believe there is a slim market for mid range tool storage because the "average" tool box buyer is dad from suburbia in a sweater vest that needs someplace to put 10 years worth of Father's Day multi tools and gimmicks. They would look at you like you had 2 heads at the mention of sheet metal gauge.

My Father in law is a perfect example of this. Despite being a fairly talented wood worker, he has a garage full of mechanic's tool that he has gained over the years, with extremely limited mechanical knowledge or ability.

Junk boxes are fine for home use because the mentality of the "average" home user is; "it's colour and size I want, and it's the cheapest one in town". Big box stores only care about their margins and sales, and we're outnumbered. There are more of them than there are of us, so that's the target audience. It doesn't help that the last of the mom and pop stores that actually cared about not selling trash, is all but dead.

It does appear that us Canucks have less trash on the market. I have read multiple times on here about how Princess Auto is better than HF. Napa has decent boxes, too.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

Instead of justifying foil thin sheet metal as OK for home use, we should be demanding more quality in the budget goods.

That is an oxymoron. Like "jumbo shrimp" and "government intelligence".

I think your point is when companies substitute lesser quality/durability parts/construction and still charge the same price.

I am guilt for using homeowner vs. professional comparison. Do homeowner who use a power tool once a month REALLY need brushless and Li-ion ? NO ! Now that doesn't mean go buy some odd ball stuff.

We all are lured by low prices. Benjamin Franklin said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

Remember, "You get what you pay for !" The problem is many time it is difficult to judge "quality".

 

[adam728]

As said, its all about priorities. The average homeowner probably isn't going to open their toolbox 6 times a year. And some people just accept they can't afford high end. I'd love a nice toolbox, but when I was buing a pair of $100 rickety bases was better than totes and cardboard boxes. 8 years later I'd love to upgrade, but I can live with the crappy draws, far more family priorities over a nice tool box.

Same goes in many catagories. Most guys here would think I am nuts for spending $700 on a bicycle. Other guys i ride with can't imagine spending less than $3-4k on a bike. It can be applied to anything, tools, cars, tires, clothes, shoes, home fixtures, purses, baby stuff, where you eat out, grills, seats at the game, etc. We can't all afford to have the best of everything, and "for home use" generally implies its not top priority and paying your bills.


Just my opinion.

Sent via morse code

 

[Revere Cycles]

I would say the bulk of my tools for home and hobby use are professional quality. Honestly, I can't see myself buying anything else. For starters, I buy a lot of it is used and get smoking deals, but even when I buy new, I'm making educated purchases to find the tool that best fits my needs. Most of my tool purchases are influenced by what I see and use in the field, I may think "well I don't need one that big, or powerful" so I may go a model or two down in the line. In general, cheap tools don't appeal to me; even if I think I will use something only a handful of times. To me, it is all about how it operates, feels in the hand, and long term durability or serviceability.

You know what they say, buy cheap, buy twice...

 

[crewchief888]

As said, its all about priorities. The average homeowner probably isn't going to open their toolbox 6 times a year. And some people just accept they can't afford high end. I'd love a nice toolbox, but when I was buing a pair of $100 rickety bases was better than totes and cardboard boxes. 8 years later I'd love to upgrade, but I can live with the crappy draws, far more family priorities over a nice tool box.

Same goes in many catagories. Most guys here would think I am nuts for spending $700 on a bicycle. Other guys i ride with can't imagine spending less than $3-4k on a bike. It can be applied to anything, tools, cars, tires, clothes, shoes, home fixtures, purses, baby stuff, where you eat out, grills, seats at the game, etc. We can't all afford to have the best of everything, and "for home use" generally implies its not top priority and paying your bills.


Just my opinion.

Sent via morse code

well said....

as a 30 year pro wrench, and 8 years as a machinist before that...

my work tools make me money, and i've spent a LOT of it (money) to get what i have...
i have what some would call an extensive "collection" of tools in the garage.
some pro quality
some decent middle of the road quailty
and some real low budget tools.

all depends on what it's intended use is, and how much it will be used,
need it all day every day? probably gonna come off the SO truck
need it once to dink around with my s-10?
watch out sears, lowes, HD or HF here i come

i've been fortunate over the years to have purchased good quality toolboxes, some new, some used, and really am glad i dont have to use a "tinfoil" toolbox

 

[Danglerb]

The way it was explained to me was with drills, roller bearing vs sleeve bearing, sleeve bearings are fine for shorter periods and MUCH shorter overall lives, but that is usually plenty for most non commercial use. For commercial use the reliability and short life make the sleeve bearing too expensive to use from downtime.

 

[NWphotog]

As said, its all about priorities. The average homeowner probably isn't going to open their toolbox 6 times a year. And some people just accept they can't afford high end. I'd love a nice toolbox, but when I was buing a pair of $100 rickety bases was better than totes and cardboard boxes. 8 years later I'd love to upgrade, but I can live with the crappy draws, far more family priorities over a nice tool box.

Same goes in many catagories. Most guys here would think I am nuts for spending $700 on a bicycle. Other guys i ride with can't imagine spending less than $3-4k on a bike. It can be applied to anything, tools, cars, tires, clothes, shoes, home fixtures, purses, baby stuff, where you eat out, grills, seats at the game, etc. We can't all afford to have the best of everything, and "for home use" generally implies its not top priority and paying your bills.


Just my opinion.

Sent via morse code

Nailed it. It is all about making wise choices with your money vs letting your ego get the better of you.

 

[arms1970]

I think there is another category here, the home guys that buy used. I like good quality and it can be had at low prices if you have patience.

My KR1000 has overspray, dings and dents, and even a little rust, but it's WAY better than even the coveted HF 44" box, and it cost me 700 bucks. Close enough in price to that HF box (would probably take 2 to equal storage capacity), not pretty, but WAY better in quality.
None of my SO stuff is the same pretty matching color, as almost all has been sourced used.

Good stuff can be had at good prices, you just can't expect it to look pretty or have that new "smell". I don't think "value" or wasting money for a "lowly" DIY/side work guy like myself applies only to new stuff.

Well said. I only buy used boxes, and you can get great tools at good prices. I just got a snap on ball joint kit for a 100 bucks.

 

[sberry]

I wonder how some have such good luck with the HF box and others don't? I see a lot making the claim it wont last but didn't say they actually worn one out. I saw one here someone had rigged up in shipping container and truck transport and it was very heavily loaded, hauled all over the world and seemed fine.