When are inexpensive tools "good enough"?

[Dakotadadv8]

30 years ago spent more on best construction power and hand tools that I can afford first since home ownership. Bought Craftsman basic hand tool set from Sears less than $100 (Lowes now) for new vehicle purchase. As time passes by invested more and better hand tools (Snap on) for vehicles as they age and have multiple vehicles. Over that period easily have $10K of tools $333 per year, not a lot of money spent on tools per year. I would guess non Pros on GJ probably have $20K or more of tools over 30 years, not including collectors.

 

[fatfillup]

Lisle is a decent brand and their stuff is usually pretty good.

I will agree with you for the most part BUT, their torx sockets are ****. I have a lot of tools pass through my hands every week and almost never get a set of Lilse torx sockets that some aren't broke or twisted. Have seen that at least 30 times if not more.

 

[finn]

I agree. My primary socket set is one of those big 100+ piece "mechanics" sets sold at Lowes under the Kobalt name. I've had it for at least a dozen years. I probably paid less than 100 bucks for it back then.

I've had no desire to upgrade it, but I've had to expand beyond it.

Unless the sockets start breaking left and right I don't see the point in replacing just for replacements sake.

But they don’t all match, and there are skips!
And someone might think you’re not being “professional”.


The shame of it all!

 

[finn]

I will agree with you for the most part BUT, their torx sockets are ****. I have a lot of tools pass through my hands every week and almost never get a set of Lilse torx sockets that some aren't broke or twisted. Have seen that at least 30 times if not more.

My Lisle torx bits, in the little soft plastic/rubber holder, are at least 25 years old, if not older.

Funny thing is that, in all those years, I have never lost or misplaced one of those bits. That’s some sort of record, for me, at least.

 

[mikedodge]

I will agree with you for the most part BUT, their torx sockets are ****. I have a lot of tools pass through my hands every week and almost never get a set of Lilse torx sockets that some aren't broke or twisted. Have seen that at least 30 times if not more.

Thats why I said usually pretty good.
Torx bits were part of one of my full sets.. I don't think I have any from Lisle.

 

[dchawk81]

But they don’t all match, and there are skips!
And someone might think you’re not being “professional”.


The shame of it all!

They match...and there are no skips that I'm aware of.

Unless you mean the expanding beyond. It's mostly bigger drive anyway so it doesn't have to match the original set.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I will agree with you for the most part BUT, their torx sockets are ****. I have a lot of tools pass through my hands every week and almost never get a set of Lilse torx sockets that some aren't broke or twisted. Have seen that at least 30 times if not more.

Some of that is the fault of torx. I can't think of a brand I havent broken or twisted.

VIM, snap on, blue point, HF, tekton, OTC, Koken, whoever. They all die.

 

[qqzj]

When are inexpensive tools good enough?
My answer: always!

The only tools that I have had that would qualify as 'best', in the common imprecise sense, is the set of Snap On flare nut wrenches. I bought it 2nd hand but in like new condition. I put them up on eBay after they sit in my tool cart drawer for 6 months doing nothing (I am in California and I don't work on brake lines anyway.) It took a while before they were sold and I am very happy. Almost doubled my cost.

Seriously, nowadays there are a lot of options and tool quality is hardly correlated with price, the correct answer should be 'almost always'.

 

[ecotec]

.

 

[finn]

They match...and there are no skips that I'm aware of.

Unless you mean the expanding beyond. It's mostly bigger drive anyway so it doesn't have to match the original set.

That was my poor attempt at sarcasm. Guess you have to read some of the other threads to get it.

The wench comment over on the trailer site went over more than a few people’s head, too.

Guess I should stop with that type of post.

 

[qqzj]

I always get a kick out of someone talking about higher resale value on tools, guns, or cars/trucks as a justification to buy the higher priced or higher optioned one.

If you spend 50 dollars on one tool and 100 on the other initially, and when you sell them they devalue by 50 percent. Then yes the expensive tool has more resale value (25 dollars vs 50 dollars) However the 50 dollar tool you spent 25 total dollars on and the expensive one 50 total dollars on.

You still lost more money (and most times always will) with the more expensive option. That doesn't mean there isn't times that you should spend more money on one option, its just that typically (except in rare circumstances) resale value shouldn't be part of the equation.

It should and it should bias the purchase decision against more expensive ones.

 

[qqzj]

I spent 3 years on and off a Snap On truck with pro mechanics. Anecdotal: Unless they were in a bind, they almost never paid retail. Even big industry doesn’t pay retail.

A lot of techs get the SEP 50% discount for most common stuff. They shop the sales thereafter. There are monthly BOGO deals.

So let’s throw some numbers out there. A set of 3/8” drive metric sockets from Icon are $40 minus whatever discount you can get. The price is so low and shopping so convenient, I doubt there will ever be much of a used market for icon sockets* And they are ok, but not great tools.

Williams USA are $60 for the same set.

Snap on are $250.

I paid about $100 for my set a while ago, which was half off then. I’ll bet I could get $100 for my set today.

If you bought a set today at half off ($125) and sold them for $100 shortly thereafter, using the world’s best sockets would have cost you $25. Everybodies’ financial situation is different, but to me that’s nothing, it’s a trip to McDonalds.

My KR 761 toolbox was probably $1200 new 25yrs ago. I paid $800 for it 5 years ago. It could be worth $1500 or more now. Similar boxes retail for nearly $8000.

If you got a great deal for an Icon box and they kept making them and increasing the price with inflation, that could be similar. As they are, I think they are a lot of money for a chest that will in all likelihood lose their value. You can literally buy used Snap On for icon box prices.

If you can get the $250 Snap On for $100, you should get them every year or more often. You claim 50% deduction on the tax form, so your true cost is only $50. Then you can sell them on Craigslist for $150. That is why I am puzzled that I don't see more such tools for sale on CL.

 

[fatfillup]

Some of that is the fault of torx. I can't think of a brand I havent broken or twisted.

VIM, snap on, blue point, HF, tekton, OTC, Koken, whoever. They all die.

Gotta agree on torx design being some of the fault but Lisle's are the worst I see on a regular basis

 

[techkelly]

If you turn wrenches for a living Torx and Phillips bits are consumables. They will all
twist, break and wear out. Some sooner than others.

I have used Snap-on, VIM, Gearwrench, Tekton and Lisle. The first 2 lasted the longest.

 

[Toomanytools?]

50% off is fairly easy as Snap On frequently offers buy one get one on popular sets. 75% off earns you a deserved “you ****”.

I’ve rarely been that lucky, but some tools….

I bought this set of wrenches on eBay for $100. I think it was missing the 13mm (easily sourced). They were dirty, rusty crusty but undamaged. I dunked them in oxpho blue. A little oil and my crayon trick and I think I could find a buyer for these (not offering). They are fairly rare FD+.

Not sure what this set would cost new. My guess is a lot.

What is the "Crayon Trick"?
Ok I searched it and as I thought you rub a crayon of contrasting color on the tool. Cool.