If you had to pick one type of tool that you would never buy cheap again what would it be? I would say screwdrivers, nothing makes me more angry than twisting the tip off a cheap *** screwdriver. I know klein are not the top shelf but since I bought a set of them I threw away all the harbor freight and other misc screwdrivers I had and have since added proto, wright, and a few older brands to my selection.
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Tools you dont buy cheap
- Thread starter bobIN
- Start date
mreisner
Well-known member
Number one I'd say is flare nut wrenches. Number two is an adjustable wrench. After having cheap generic ones for a long time I got my hands on a Snap-On I'm amazed that an adjustable wrench could actually be that good. Third would be a good set of pliers.
chris142
Well-known member
Side cutters,dykes whatever you want to call them. If they wont cut a cotter pin they are frustrating. Also electrical crimp tools.
cycle61
Well-known member
Condoms
jayemm
Well-known member
OK. well this IS a TOOL forum.Condoms
four.cycle
Well-known member
drill bits
Debcrow
Well-known member
lineman hot sticks......
It depends on your trade. When I was a carpenter/builder/cabinetmaker I always bought what I thought was the best I could afford by researching, shopping and talking to fellow tradesmen. My garage type tools (if you will) weren't nearly as important to me because I wasn't earning with them or using them daily. I suspect the average auto tech wouldn't be as fussy about a nail set or dovetail saw as he would his 3/8" ratchet or combination wrenches.
cycle61
Well-known member
I don’t even know where to buy those cheaply.lineman hot sticks......
I’ll agree with the earlier post about electrical crimping tools. We work on high voltage systems, and the number of failures I see on the control wiring because of cheap tools used on assembly is staggering. Yep, it’s a 24 volt DC circuit with 14 gauge wire. But it controls and protects a substation that powers half the city. Spend the extra time and money to do it right.
mreisner
Well-known member
First and foremost I should have put your best 3/8 ratchet, the ones you're going to use all the time. Don't skimp on that. Both your blood pressure and your knuckles will thank you.
At one time my signature line read "I can't afford cheap tools". That is the the truth. Any tool that fails in the course of normal use has now become an expensive tool. That failed tool is now costing you downtime at the least and/or physical damage to the thing it was applied to or your body.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
Flare nut wrenches.If you had to pick one type of tool that you would never buy cheap again what would it be? I would say screwdrivers, nothing makes me more angry than twisting the tip off a cheap *** screwdriver. I know klein are not the top shelf but since I bought a set of them I threw away all the harbor freight and other misc screwdrivers I had and have since added proto, wright, and a few older brands to my selection.
seber
Well-known member
Claw hammer and pliers.
Never heard of them....Condoms
The answer to this question is based on your needs for the tool. If you are going to use the tool once or twice and it sits for years, buying cheap might be okay. If you're going to make a living with the tool or use it multiple times throughout the year, I would agree that you want to spend more on the tool.
bassJAM
Well-known member
For me it's screwdrivers. I have a nice set of Grace hollow ground I use on my guns. A few years ago I replaced all my 90's craftsman and newer Kobalt screwdrivers in the garage with a set from Williams. I still smile every time I use them, they're such a joy!
jsmeece
Well-known member
Router bits
jayemm
Well-known member
Gear pullers. Vise grips (most pliers actually). Soldering iron.
I avoid cheap angle grinders that can experience loss of control when the cheap plastic handle breaks away from the little capscrew that is lightly molded into the handle.
I avoid cheap angle grinders that can experience loss of control when the cheap plastic handle breaks away from the little capscrew that is lightly molded into the handle.
TopFuel
Well-known member
At one time my signature line read "I can't afford cheap tools". That is the the truth. Any tool that fails in the course of normal use has now become an expensive tool. That failed tool is now costing you downtime at the least and/or physical damage to the thing it was applied to or your body.
For a very long time my mantra has been "A poor man can only afford the best". A quality tool will allow a competent person to do a good job. A cheap tool will usually need to be replaced, along with the things it has worked on, when its realized just how ineffective it is. I can't afford to go cheap on pretty much any tool used for a fastener. I hate ruining perfectly good hardware and parts because the cheap tool's fit was weak. I also can't afford the time and frustration of using low quality tools or the crazy amount of time and effort needed to find replacement hardware or parts because the tool failed. When I grab the right tool I can stay focused on the job and not on whether this is the time the tool will fail or ruin something. So screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, etc.. Buy a quality tool once and always enjoy using it and it will also save the day.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
Going to go with the copout "it depends".
I have no use for **** tools, but I have inexpensive tools that are fine. The first post highlights this with screw drivers, some of my favorite screwdrivers are Home Depot bargain bin specials, I think $1.99 each (black handles, with red or blue highlights indicating standard or Phillips). They work, and are cheap enough that I can have them stashed all over the house. If I lose one, whatever, $2 will get me another. I have not had one fail to breakage.
Something that will get a lot of use, or heavy use when it gets used, I go more expensive.
I think one area where I tend to default higher is electrical tools. I don't do a ton of electrical work, but the difference between cheap and higher end (hand) tools for electrical is often noticeable. I also don't need a lot of them so the expense to buy better is quite manageable.
I have no use for **** tools, but I have inexpensive tools that are fine. The first post highlights this with screw drivers, some of my favorite screwdrivers are Home Depot bargain bin specials, I think $1.99 each (black handles, with red or blue highlights indicating standard or Phillips). They work, and are cheap enough that I can have them stashed all over the house. If I lose one, whatever, $2 will get me another. I have not had one fail to breakage.
Something that will get a lot of use, or heavy use when it gets used, I go more expensive.
I think one area where I tend to default higher is electrical tools. I don't do a ton of electrical work, but the difference between cheap and higher end (hand) tools for electrical is often noticeable. I also don't need a lot of them so the expense to buy better is quite manageable.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
A lot of tools fall into that category. It depends what your time, project down time, and frustration from issues is worth to you.
I get paid for completion, not working hard. And me going over on this thermostat housing means I may miss that brake job ticket. So not only did I waste time, I lost opportunity for gravy work. That's a whole different deal than DIY Joe who has a second car and can wait for Amazon to bring something, run to the auto parts store, take a break whenever, etc. I'm not getting paid for any collateral damage or issues, thus I'm VERY motivated to not have issues.
If I had to pick a top nominee- drill bits.
I get paid for completion, not working hard. And me going over on this thermostat housing means I may miss that brake job ticket. So not only did I waste time, I lost opportunity for gravy work. That's a whole different deal than DIY Joe who has a second car and can wait for Amazon to bring something, run to the auto parts store, take a break whenever, etc. I'm not getting paid for any collateral damage or issues, thus I'm VERY motivated to not have issues.
If I had to pick a top nominee- drill bits.
First and foremost I should have put your best 3/8 ratchet, the ones you're going to use all the time. Don't skimp on that. Both your blood pressure and your knuckles will thank you.
Ratchet would actually be further down on my list. Maybe different 20-30 years ago but some of the cheap ratchets can be ridiculously good today. Maybe not the absolute cheapest you can find, but you certainly can get you some very dependable ratchets for under 40$.
For a very long time my mantra has been "A poor man can only afford the best"
Reminds me of the "Sam Vimes "Boots" theory of socioeconomic unfairness", from the Discworld book series from Terry Prachett:
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. ... A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.
The cost of poverty that traps so many...
Depends on a persons stage of life. Someone starting out in life HF or equivalent is going to be leagues ahead financially of not having anything and having to hire it out.
But when trying to do quality woodworking it seems cheap tools can make the job almost impossible, that’s my vote. Beginning or experienced cheap woodworking power tools ****.
But when trying to do quality woodworking it seems cheap tools can make the job almost impossible, that’s my vote. Beginning or experienced cheap woodworking power tools ****.
Dave455
Well-known member
Drill bits, hacksaw blades, angle grinders, angle grinder discs, screwdrivers, punches, bit sockets, wood chisels, planes - I’ve tried to use cheap versions of most of ‘em, and results vary from hard work / unenjoyable through to impossible / dangerous.
bwringer
Well-known member
Screwdrivers may be a bad example; I've had cheap screwdrivers that work weirdly, wonderfully well.
I won't put up with crappy tools, no matter the price, but cheap tools that work great are fine by me.
To give an example fitting the thread topic, hex wrenches ("Allen" wrenches) are well worth spending a few extra bucks for high quality, and cheapos will ruin your day and your machinery.
My personal favorite hex tools are Wera Hex-Plus; that weird shape honestly, truly, really does dig in and turn the otherwise un-turnable, as advertised.
As noted above, consumables, abrasives, and cutting tools are another area where you just have to spend the bucks. The cheap stuff just plain doesn't get the job done. I've never found any "cheap but good" consumables.
I won't put up with crappy tools, no matter the price, but cheap tools that work great are fine by me.
To give an example fitting the thread topic, hex wrenches ("Allen" wrenches) are well worth spending a few extra bucks for high quality, and cheapos will ruin your day and your machinery.
My personal favorite hex tools are Wera Hex-Plus; that weird shape honestly, truly, really does dig in and turn the otherwise un-turnable, as advertised.
As noted above, consumables, abrasives, and cutting tools are another area where you just have to spend the bucks. The cheap stuff just plain doesn't get the job done. I've never found any "cheap but good" consumables.
dclark2171
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2024
- Messages
- 186
Ratchets and anything that needs grip. I have purchased cheap sockets that would slip on the bolts due to not tight enough tolerances from the factory. Torx and Hex bits -----cheap ones can be super soft and actually make things worse.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Belt grinder belts
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Line (flare nut) wrenches. Snap-on or nothing for those for me. At least at work I’ve got cheaper ones at home but I don’t like to use them.
I like nice ratchets too. By nice I mean like Snap-on, Matco and the parts stores because they all have great ratchets especially Advance Auto.
I like nice ratchets too. By nice I mean like Snap-on, Matco and the parts stores because they all have great ratchets especially Advance Auto.
Bob Peach
Well-known member
I`m a signcarver. Pfeil carving tools, expensive but worth it ! Most of my woodworking handtools are top quality, used to be a yacht carpenter. It is possible to do good work with poor tools, but it`s easier with the good stuff.
I used to work with an old guy with a wooden leg. Old Coop kept his tools in a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes he would leave it on a boat at the dock . He would dump out the water in the morning and do some of the best joinery I have ever seen. No straight lines on boats.
I used to work with an old guy with a wooden leg. Old Coop kept his tools in a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes he would leave it on a boat at the dock . He would dump out the water in the morning and do some of the best joinery I have ever seen. No straight lines on boats.
I wish my boots were only $50 and lasted 10 years.Ratchet would actually be further down on my list. Maybe different 20-30 years ago but some of the cheap ratchets can be ridiculously good today. Maybe not the absolute cheapest you can find, but you certainly can get you some very dependable ratchets for under 40$.
Reminds me of the "Sam Vimes "Boots" theory of socioeconomic unfairness", from the Discworld book series from Terry Prachett:
The cost of poverty that traps so many...
More like $100 and 2.
cycle61
Well-known member
Those numbers have evolved somewhat over the ensuing decades. Try 10xI wish my boots were only $50 and lasted 10 years.
More like $100 and 2.
Coincidentally, 50$ in 1993 (when the book came out) would be 103$ today when adjusted for inflation. But I agree, it is a struggle to find anything somewhat decent for 100$. I really like my Jim Green boots though, very good value.I wish my boots were only $50 and lasted 10 years.
More like $100 and 2.
johnre
Well-known member
Mitre / bevel saw crosscut blades.
I'd feel like I was stealing if I got 10 years out of my boots.Coincidentally, 50$ in 1993 (when the book came out) would be 103$ today when adjusted for inflation. But I agree, it is a struggle to find anything somewhat decent for 100$. I really like my Jim Green boots though, very good value.
They're worth the money as is though. Just wish the soles lasted longer.
automotive:
Bit sockets
combination wrenches
jack stands
machine shop:
precision squares
parallels
indicators, indicator arms
machinery! Been there done that
woodshop/carpentry:
saw blades
levels
Tape measures (I like Komelon, or Tajima.)
Driver bits
Bit sockets
combination wrenches
jack stands
machine shop:
precision squares
parallels
indicators, indicator arms
machinery! Been there done that
woodshop/carpentry:
saw blades
levels
Tape measures (I like Komelon, or Tajima.)
Driver bits
bwringer
Well-known member
Ya know, tape measures are one of those areas where high quality doesn't actually cost all that much. Komelon tapes (and some other brands) are fantastic for the money....Tape measures (I like Komelon, or Tajima.)
I have a bunch of Komelon tapes scattered around so I can always find one when I need it.
That's because if you don't have enough, the tape measure gnomes hide them. Fact. If you keep buying them, eventually the gnomes have enough to satisfy their mysterious motivations and you have a fighting chance to find one when you need it.
Same goes for their cousins, the Phillips screwdriver gnomes. When you get to a couple dozen in the average garage, your odds of laying hands on one when you need it become much better.
I'm still fighting the local populations of carpenter's pencil and 10mm gnomes...
Same for screwdrivers, sometimes quality made ones are cheaper than ****** ones. Vessel Crystaline are great quality and just 4-6$ per screwdriver, for example.Ya know, tape measures are one of those areas where high quality doesn't actually cost all that much. Komelon tapes (and some other brands) are fantastic for the money.
KSJeff
Well-known member
Grinding and cutting media. Had no idea what I was missing until I switched to 3m Cubitron grinding discs and Weiler wire wheels. Good dril bits and good cutting blades. Just can't do cheap with those anymore.