Lifetime Warranty Tools Vs. Cheap Disposable Tools

[slowtwitch73]

Seems like they could just rattlecan their yellow/red/blue tools... save some hassle, kill the resale.

 

[finn]

As a DIYer I generally try to aim for "value" over cheap or any kind of warranty promises. The definition of "value" definitely has a wide range and depends on the tool, how often I use it, what it's intended purpose is, etc. Value to me is a tool that performs it's intended purpose well, without breaking or stripping fasteners or otherwise screwing things up, for the least amount of money.

I found out early on that the cheapest stuff isn't good value, because it doesn't meet the criteria of performing the function I wanted well or without breaking constantly. I got lots of cheap stuff on sale at Princess Auto (Canadian HF type store) that didn't last long or left me frustrated, so learned that lesson quickly.

But then the most expensive options also aren't usually the best value for me either, because there are lots of mid range options that will do what I need them to do for a lot less money. That doesn't mean those tools might not be "best value" for someone else, but they aren't for me. If you work full time in a shop then suddenly tool truck access can provide a lot of value.

Hand tools I have a mashup of different mid-tier brands like Tekton, Gearwrench, Sunex, Astro, Mastercraft Maximum, Craftsman, etc that have worked really well for me. But then I also spent a little more money on a set of Wright combo wrenches, because I was tired of my mid-grade open ends spreading and stripping fasteners. So at that point it made a lot of sense value-wise to spend a little more to get Wrightgrip open ends and save the hassle. However I've yet to have any issues with my Taiwan impact sockets, so the value there has been great for me.

Other tools have proven to provide more value to me at the higher end of the price range. Mostly tools whose main function is precision. I have DeWalt mitre and table saws because their whole purpose is to make precise cuts, so why would I waste money on a saw that can't do that? Similar story on cordless tools, if it's something like an air inflator I'll buy it in Ryobi green. If it's a tool that requires precision or power, I'll buy it in DeWalt yellow or Milwaukee red.

Just blindly buying the most expensive of everything just because it has the best warranty is a great way to waste money.

I agree with you on this.

The phrase “buy once-cry once” creates an involuntary gag reaction for me. It’s sort of a code for “buy the most expensive out there”, without regard for price or marginal utility.

Having said that, I have a fair selection of Snapon, but I don’t thing they are really more useful to me than my old Craftsman, Gearwrench, or other “popular priced” brands.

The other end of the spectrum is the crappy Japanese tools I ordered, as a nine year old, from the back of Popular Mechanics magazine around 1960. After running out to the mailbox every day in anticipation of my first tools arriving, I finally got a package with the absolutely cheapest stamped wrenches one could imagine. Total ****.

It took me another try to learn my lesson, though. I ordered a set of wood handled screwdrivers. They were unusable junk too.

I am still bitter about that junk nearly sixty two years later, and can’t bring myself to buy a Japanese car because of that experience. (My Deere Excavtor is made by Hitachi, and is excellent—maybe I am coming around..I have also been burned at Harbor Freight and rarely shop there anymore.

 

[chuck356]

Just depends on your usage and expectations. I wrenched for a living for over 40 years, those tools are mostly Snap-on as I needed the best. I still have all those tools, but the very few tools I need to purchase late in life don't always have to be the best because more than likely they will only be used for very few jobs. I have bought a few things from Harbor Freight, I've had more good luck than bad, however I don't use them often.

 

[rslaback]

My philosophy is that I want my tools to wear out or break at the exact same time that I do. How much I am spending on a tool is determined as a cost/quality analysis to get the cheapest tool that will last as long as I do. Something like a set of A/C gauges that I will use maybe 10 times in my life, I'm ok with "cheap."

Also, I always thought the "If I break a tool I just give it to the tool truck guy" thing was bull. When I break a tool it is in the middle of a job I want done. I can't wait a few days for Joe to show back up. So you have a backup. Paying for your backup tool to sit in a drawer isn't much different than paying to run across town for a new tool.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Wow!! And to think- I'm still using my dad's Craftsman power sander and hand jigsaw that my dad bought and used back in the 1950s and 1960s. And they (and others) still work great for me.

Your lucky.

Back then, that's when things in the U.S. (tools, appliance's, etc.) were built with quality in mind and built to last.

Not anymore.

Those days are long gone.

 

[silkman]

As a DIYer, with some premium tools you can do the job faster and easier, example a good ratchet. Or sockets with good knurling which will help you turn them with an oily hand and will fit well.

Then there is the middle of the road. Experience and asking around will help you identify if the 1/3 or 1/2 price tool to the premium one will do 85 to 90% of the job.
Some examples:
BAD
I have a 1/2" Stanley ratchet. Its 72 teeth, good and strong. But the direction lever protrudes so much that when working in tight spaces you always accidentally reverse the direction. For this reason I haven't touched it in years.

GOOD
This impact screwdriver has good reviews, includes 5/16 bits that last and anyone who has used it has no complaints. Its 18 euros, no need to buy the 100 eur Gedore equivalent that comes with no bits and need to buy these extra.


I generally will buy the lesser version if its a lot less than 1/2 price. If the lesser version is more than 1/2 price, I buy the premium tool. And I buy premium tools only at a deal or discount.

Ofcourse chinesium (ultra cheap tools the likes of dollarshop, poundland or amtech ****) are always out of the question. Always.

 

[PelicanPines]

If you use a "Life Time" tool differently... because it's "Life Time". you probably should not be allowed to use tools. Skills should be used instead of Warranties.

That said. It's less Life Time vs Cheap and more QUALITY. I go for the best quality I can afford. If cheap tools could perform and feel as good as Life Time tools then its a no brainer. Cheap. There is a fine balance with price and quality. It's one reason I prefer German or Japan tools.

 

[Mr. D]

As a DIYer 80% of my toolbox is Snap On and Craftsman. I consider myself a tool ***** so when I do buy a tool I tend to buy quality over cost. My Craftsman tools are a collection of many years past but today I would pass on that brand as there are too many other options. Haven't checked out the ICON brand yet but from what I have read its worth a trip to HF.

 

[rancherbill]

This thread needs some reality therapy.

Snapon does not have unconditional lifetime warranty.

Princess Auto (HarborFreight) does have. I am amazed at the abuse and maltreated stuff they take back. Craftsman used to, but I don't know if it's still that way.

How strong do you have to be to break a quality US, German or Taiwan hand tool? I do not think there are many men on earth that have the forearm strength to break tools.

Try to get warranty on a Snapon with cheater marks.

 

[zendriver]

Your lucky.

Back then, that's when things in the U.S. (tools, appliance's, etc.) were built with quality in mind and built to last.

Not anymore.

Those days are long gone.

Back in the day, there were more than enough independent and factory shops that repaired power tools, so maybe the notion that they just lasted forever is some fantasy. I’ll occasionally pick some up cheap at estate auctions and many are not really all that, even though they don’t even look like they were barely used.

Mom had Speed Queen W/D for 30+ years. They held up good, but not without the repairman visit now and then, when those items ere repaired.

I have some Chinese Cman 19.2V sets that are over 12 years working fine.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Back in the day, there were more than enough independent and factory shops that repaired power tools, so maybe the notion that they just lasted forever is some fantasy. I’ll occasionally pick some up cheap at estate auctions and many are not really all that, even though they don’t even look like they were barely used.

Mom had Speed Queen W/D for 30+ years. They held up good, but not without the repairman visit now and then, when those items ere repaired.

I have some Chinese Cman 19.2V sets that are over 12 years working fine.

Dude comment whatever you want......it's only your opinion.

Though I do know for a fact that most of todays product's are definitely not produced with quality in mind and not built to last as when product's were produced in the U.S. way back in the day.

Why?......because we now live in a throw-away society.

But please don't even try to make a comparison or justify todays 3C ( Cheap Chinese Crap ) as good quality produced stuff to what used to be produced in the U.S. back in the day.

Yes I even have a few 3C tools, Harbor Freight tools, etc. that I would use whenever the time calls for it (or loan out) but they are definitely not my go-for-use tools and I would never compare them to my good quality durable tools... no way.

 

[finn]

Dude comment whatever you want......it's only your opinion.

Though I do know for a fact that most of todays product's are definitely not produced with quality in mind and not built to last as when product's were produced in the U.S. way back in the day.

Why?......because we now live in a throw-away society.

But please don't even try to make a comparison or justify todays C3 ( Cheap Chinese Crap ) as good quality produced stuff to what used to be produced in the U.S. back in the day.

Yes I even have a few C3 tools, Harbor Freight tools, etc. that I would use whenever the time calls for it (or loan out) but they are definitely not my go-for-use tools and I would never compare them to my good quality durable tools... no way.

I don’t agree. I have dozens of cheap, low quality tools in my possession , both hand tools and power tools, that originally belonged to my grandfather my wife’s grandfather, my father in law, my father, and my uncle. Those tools were produced in the thirties, forties, fifties, and up to the eighties.

Most are total ****, mixed in with a few SK, Plomb, Stanley, and some Montgomery Ward and Craftsman that I would consider decent.
A lot of the **** stuff is worse than the most marginal Amazon Chinese stuff we see now.

Why I hang onto that junk, I will never know. These were tools purchased mostly for home and farm use, from the local hardware and mail order outlets and stores that serviced the mining industry, loggers, and homeowners.

Many here look at the past with rose colored glasses, I guess.

 

[G McKay]

Your lucky.

Back then, that's when things in the U.S. (tools, appliance's, etc.) were built with quality in mind and built to last.

Not anymore.

Those days are long gone.

How right you are!

 

[dstblj52]

Dude comment whatever you want......it's only your opinion.

Though I do know for a fact that most of todays product's are definitely not produced with quality in mind and not built to last as when product's were produced in the U.S. way back in the day.

Why?......because we now live in a throw-away society.

But please don't even try to make a comparison or justify todays C3 ( Cheap Chinese Crap ) as good quality produced stuff to what used to be produced in the U.S. back in the day.

Yes I even have a few C3 tools, Harbor Freight tools, etc. that I would use whenever the time calls for it (or loan out) but they are definitely not my go-for-use tools and I would never compare them to my good quality durable tools... no way.

I totally can and do your looking at survivorship bias

 

[rancherbill]

Again there needs to be some reality therapy.

Just because you know one example of an appliance that lasted 30 years you CANNOT EXTAPOLATE to all appliances. There was and is a big business repairing appliances. It is not because they are quality and worth saving it is because their value warrants repair. If appliances lasted forever the appliance manufacturers would have been out of business a long time ago.

 

[lkjk]

Back in the day, there were more than enough independent and factory shops that repaired power tools, so maybe the notion that they just lasted forever is some fantasy. I’ll occasionally pick some up cheap at estate auctions and many are not really all that, even though they don’t even look like they were barely used.

Mom had Speed Queen W/D for 30+ years. They held up good, but not without the repairman visit now and then, when those items ere repaired.

I have some Chinese Cman 19.2V sets that are over 12 years working fine.

Agree on the false pretense that things lasted forever back in the day, simply not true at all. Stuff back in the day was pretty simple, less parts, less technology, but most importantly less capable as a result.

older w/d would last forever because there's not much to go wrong with them, and if they did they are cheap parts. On new ones if anything goes wrong it's usually in the electronics, at which point it makes sense financially to just buy a new one. Old ones use more energy, water, and have 1/10th of the features as new ones.

I'm sure i'll get **** for this but it's like toyotas and hondas and their "reliability". They have always made very simple vehicles with very underpowered engines with very few electronics. Obviously they are going to be more reliable, because the engines aren't working very hard and there aren't many parts to break. It's a fine strategy but comparing their reliability to cars that have a ton of bells and whistles or are trying to squeeze out all the performance possible out of an engine is incorrect.

 

[corn chip]

I'm sure i'll get **** for this but it's like toyotas and hondas and their "reliability". They have always made very simple vehicles with very underpowered engines with very few electronics. Obviously they are going to be more reliable, because the engines aren't working very hard and there aren't many parts to break. It's a fine strategy but comparing their reliability to cars that have a ton of bells and whistles or are trying to squeeze out all the performance possible out of an engine is incorrect.

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

 

[Aileron]

That Harbor Freight tools are not "cheap tools" only inexpensive.

If someone is constantly busting them (or any tool), perhaps they are not using them right.

I have to disagree with this. I had a Harbor freight 3/8" extension that the end twisted off with a 6" ratchet. It should have flexed but not torn in two. Its was too soft. They can lifetime warranty it all they want it isn't worth it when its **** metal to begin with.

 

[Citation]

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

Let me help you. The air filter isn't in that picture. It's just to the left of the image.

 

[JeepYJ]

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

Looks pretty simple if compared to a smogged out V8 Bronco from late 70s-early 80s with miles of vacuum hoses and plug wires and smog pumps.

 

[lardy1]

I may be in the minority here.....but I don't give a rats *** where anyone else buys their tools or how they use them.

I never understood how these threads evoke so much personal angst. If you buy your tools from the aisle ends at Dollar General and use screwdrivers for pry bars, someone would need to explain to me how that has any bearing on what I buy, where I buy it or how I use it.

SMH

 

[bobg03]

Your lucky.

Back then, that's when things in the U.S. (tools, appliance's, etc.) were built with quality in mind and built to last.

Not anymore.

Those days are long gone.

It's not that they were built to last, they were well made and could actually be repaired at a reasonable cost so that they could last. Most of the generation that purchased those tools brand new were alive during the great depression, and were taught to buy things that could be fixed instead of throwing it in the trash. Both my Father and Mother, born 1918 and 1919 respectfully were like that with any purchase they made. Japan and China equated in their mind to cheap junk.

 

[corn chip]

Let me help you. The air filter isn't in that picture. It's just to the left of the image.

oh them clever buggers. maybe they arent as dumb as i first thought lol

all bets are off with the spark plugs though

 

[finn]

oh them clever buggers. maybe they arent as dumb as i first thought lol

all bets are off with the spark plugs though

The spark plugs are good for 150k + miles. They’ll be changed maybe once in the life of the vehicle.

It’s not 1962 anymore, when a plug change was an annual ritual.

 

[kelpaso1]

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

Wow that really is a cluster. Looks like it would be a 2 day job just to do valve cover gaskets. I am so glad I got out of the trade over 10 years ago. As much as I like tough, challenging jobs, that does NOT look like something I would want to do.

 

[corn chip]

The spark plugs are good for 150k + miles. They’ll be changed maybe once in the life of the vehicle.

It’s not 1962 anymore, when a plug change was an annual ritual.

what about the waterpump. is it one of them internal style like other ford emgines that turns the oil pan into a milkshake when they go bad ?

 

[qqzj]

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

Fully aware that RWD cars are more 'politically' correct ...
But I always thought an FWD 4 cylinder car' engine bay is just plain nicer to look at or work on

 

[qqzj]

The amount of plastic parts in that Bronco is amazing. Maybe the new Toyota's are the same nowadays?

 

[bobg03]

umm ya give me the toyota

heres the new ford bronco. cant even see the airfilter in that horrid cluster **** of a mess. resembels the engine bay of most everything theyve made in the last 30yrs

I had a good friend who was a gearhead and owned a successful independant repair facilty, he was an good with an old flathead as well as a stroked small block...
A mutual friend of the two of us sent his wife to have some kind of mid 90s Pontiac a factory performance car tuned up, she came to get it and paid the bill. The next day her husband our (friend called) saying that was way too much money for a simple tune up. The owner said stop here after work and we'll discuss it.
He then takes all the needed tools to only expose the spark plugs where you could see them and waits.
When our friend arrived he put the car in a bay with no lift opened the hood, rolled the cart over and said if you can find the plugs in 3 hours or less, I will give you all your money back.
He gave up after 20 minutes...priceless.

 

[Al Borland]

It's not that they were built to last, they were well made and could actually be repaired at a reasonable cost so that they could last. Most of the generation that purchased those tools brand new were alive during the great depression, and were taught to buy things that could be fixed instead of throwing it in the trash. Both my Father and Mother, born 1918 and 1919 respectfully were like that with any purchase they made. Japan and China equated in their mind to cheap junk.

Beyond that, the **** tools from those years was deposited in a landfill long ago. Only the useful stuff survived for you to see and be amazed with.

 

[zendriver]

I may be in the minority here.....but I don't give a rats *** where anyone else buys their tools or how they use them.

I never understood how these threads evoke so much personal angst. If you buy your tools from the aisle ends at Dollar General and use screwdrivers for pry bars, someone would need to explain to me how that has any bearing on what I buy, where I buy it or how I use it.

SMH

My way is the right way, so if you don't do it my way, you are doing it the wrong way. How's that?

Just another opportunity to argue about tools and take a swing as HF. All in fun.

Personally, I'd have all Snap On, Honda, Quincy, etc, if I could buy at the same prices as Harbor Freight.

Oh well.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I buy tools from HF all the time. The secret is to turn over the package and see where it was made. If it is China, then I put it back unless there's no alternative. If it is Taiwan, then it's more than likely going to be a quality item. Their brands are more or less meaningless to me.

I buy tools from Amazon all the time, but I stick to brands I know and trust. All those random-letter "brands" are often complete junk that will break on the first use, possibly resulting in injury. Not to mention there is no way to tell what they are actually made of. (Lead, radioactive contaminants?)

For stuff that I use more often, or daily, I like the quality name brand stuff, and industrial brands, and I want USA, German or Japanese if possible. I don't bother with truck brands, since they generally don't care about DIY guys, and the premium price is simply not worth it.

I do love to find old tools from yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and even antique stores. A little rust doesn't bother me.

 

[Ton ton]

I may be in the minority here.....but I don't give a rats *** where anyone else buys their tools or how they use them.

I never understood how these threads evoke so much personal angst. If you buy your tools from the aisle ends at Dollar General and use screwdrivers for pry bars, someone would need to explain to me how that has any bearing on what I buy, where I buy it or how I use it.

SMH

Well said, lardy1.

 

[bubinga]

I used to be one who bought cheap tools thinking “there’s no difference” etc etc. But at this point in my career cheap means very little to me, I’d rather pay more for something good that will last or is easily warrantied. It’s a pain for me to run to Lowe’s/Harbor Freight etc after work to get a tool swapped out and I’d rather not have to deal with that. For most things it’s easier to hand it to the tool truck and have it fixed or replaced than to take time out of my free time to do so. And because of that ease and the service you pay more for tools.

Which brings me to the point of the thread, which is others balking at the notion of paying more for good tools. I’ve heard many times “why would I buy snap on when I can buy the same tool 6 times over from Harbor Freight/etc?” Well IMO if I had to buy a replacement 6 times it was a POS tool to begin with, not even considering the time I wasted running back and forth to the store 6 times as well as the downtime having a cheap tool break in the middle of the job causes.

Cheap tools have their place but I’m over bargain shopping for tools. IMO it wastes more time and money than forking over the money for something good. Buy once, cry once. A very wise person said once that “It can be very expensive to be cheap” and that lesson has been cemented in my head from life experiences.

What do you guys think?

I think Brands such as Williams, right proto can

 

[bubinga]

I used to be one who bought cheap tools thinking “there’s no difference” etc etc. But at this point in my career cheap means very little to me, I’d rather pay more for something good that will last or is easily warrantied. It’s a pain for me to run to Lowe’s/Harbor Freight etc after work to get a tool swapped out and I’d rather not have to deal with that. For most things it’s easier to hand it to the tool truck and have it fixed or replaced than to take time out of my free time to do so. And because of that ease and the service you pay more for tools.

Which brings me to the point of the thread, which is others balking at the notion of paying more for good tools. I’ve heard many times “why would I buy snap on when I can buy the same tool 6 times over from Harbor Freight/etc?” Well IMO if I had to buy a replacement 6 times it was a POS tool to begin with, not even considering the time I wasted running back and forth to the store 6 times as well as the downtime having a cheap tool break in the middle of the job causes.

Cheap tools have their place but I’m over bargain shopping for tools. IMO it wastes more time and money than forking over the money for something good. Buy once, cry once. A very wise person said once that “It can be very expensive to be cheap” and that lesson has been cemented in my head from life experiences.

What do you guys t

I used to be one who bought cheap tools thinking “there’s no difference” etc etc. But at this point in my career cheap means very little to me, I’d rather pay more for something good that will last or is easily warrantied. It’s a pain for me to run to Lowe’s/Harbor Freight etc after work to get a tool swapped out and I’d rather not have to deal with that. For most things it’s easier to hand it to the tool truck and have it fixed or replaced than to take time out of my free time to do so. And because of that ease and the service you pay more for tools.

Which brings me to the point of the thread, which is others balking at the notion of paying more for good tools. I’ve heard many times “why would I buy snap on when I can buy the same tool 6 times over from Harbor Freight/etc?” Well IMO if I had to buy a replacement 6 times it was a POS tool to begin with, not even considering the time I wasted running back and forth to the store 6 times as well as the downtime having a cheap tool break in the middle of the job causes.

Cheap tools have their place but I’m over bargain shopping for tools. IMO it wastes more time and money than forking over the money for something good. Buy once, cry once. A very wise person said once that “It can be very expensive to be cheap” and that lesson has been cemented in my head from life experiences.

What do you guys think?

I understand your position and your point but some garages I've worked at we could not even get a tool man to come there.
Tekton, for example we'll have a new tool to your door usually in about 4 days.
The tool truck man only comes around once a week he might not even have it in stock.
Williams tools are good too.
They are snap-on industrial. I've had Williams tools and never had a problem with them and they are half of what step on is.
Wright, gray pneumatic, sunex, Capri, plus several other lines are all very good tools also.

 

[bubinga]

I used to be one who bought cheap tools thinking “there’s no difference” etc etc. But at this point in my career cheap means very little to me, I’d rather pay more for something good that will last or is easily warrantied. It’s a pain for me to run to Lowe’s/Harbor Freight etc after work to get a tool swapped out and I’d rather not have to deal with that. For most things it’s easier to hand it to the tool truck and have it fixed or replaced than to take time out of my free time to do so. And because of that ease and the service you pay more for tools.

Which brings me to the point of the thread, which is others balking at the notion of paying more for good tools. I’ve heard many times “why would I buy snap on when I can buy the same tool 6 times over from Harbor Freight/etc?” Well IMO if I had to buy a replacement 6 times it was a POS tool to begin with, not even considering the time I wasted running back and forth to the store 6 times as well as the downtime having a cheap tool break in the middle of the job causes.

Cheap tools have their place but I’m over bargain shopping for tools. IMO it wastes more time and money than forking over the money for something good. Buy once, cry once. A very wise person said once that “It can be very expensive to be cheap” and that lesson has been cemented in my head from life experiences.

What do you guys think?

Look into Williams for one as I mentioned above they are snap-on industrial and I understand are made by the same company.
In my experience they are very durable tools!

 

[bubinga]

I only buy tools good enough for my need. It would be super stupid for me to buy snap on etc, or German tools. My China Taiwan tools work very well. If I have spare money to burn, I buy nos Craftsman tool just for collection and price appreciation. Return wise, they beat the sh$t out of snap on.

I've had good luck with tekton also! Their customer service is second to none.

 

[bubinga]

I've never cried over any of my tool purchases, but if using them professionally, it probably does make sense to get professional tools.

Why would you consider HF hand tools "disposable" if most of them have a lifetime warranty?

You know the funny thing I mean I know I've used them, but I don't find myself using an open-end wrench very often?

 

[qqzj]

I avoid using wrenches at all, though I have all kinds of wrenches. If a normal ratchet+socket doesn't work, I have low profile ratchet+socket, still not enough? I have pass thru ratchet+socket, still not enough? I use GearWrench serpentine belt tool. Still too thick? (Which is very rare) six point combo wrench. Not enough angle? 6 point tekton ratcheting wrenches. I have never been forced to use a regular 12 point wrench, even I have several sets.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

You know the funny thing I mean I know I've used them, but I don't find myself using an open-end wrench very often?

You know, it’s something that always makes me think harder about this type of discussion. I use a lot of stuff at work that is basically useless for the modern DYI guy or mechanic. But because I need to use them so often at work I spend big bucks on top quality stuff. All the time I know I’ll probably never get anything back if/when I sell them — DOE wrenches being one of those items. So I find myself in this weird spot where I have high quality basic stuff at home with the same items being just meh quality at work. And then I’ll have high quality oddball stuff for work that I wouldn’t probably even bother paying cheap prices for at the home. Hence why it’s hard to really say what’s right in discussions like this.