See, that's the crux of the issue. I would rather hire a job out than buy cheap tools. I would rather not have the tool than own a cheap one. If I can't justify owning a good one, I can't really justify one at all and am better off either renting or hiring out.
If I'm going to bother doing it, I want good tools. If I can't afford the tools, I hire the job done. I get immense satisfaction from owning good quality things.
Some guys would rather putter around with the cheap stuff, and that's fine. I don't have the patience for that. Life's too short to be mad at my stuff for not working like I want.
Every time I've bought the cheap stuff, I've regretted it. Every time. Even the "ok" stuff I have from HF or wherever irritates me every time I use it. I'm willing to admit that most cheap things function. Some of it pretty well. And the value is probably pretty good. But it still leaves me wanting. I want that extra little bit of fit and finish. The small extra gain in performance. The long tail of the bell curve on diminishing returns. The pride of owning the good one.
I don't wear a watch because I can't justify the Omega I would really want. I'd rather not wear a watch than wear a Timex, even though the Timex is a perfectly fine watch. It's just not an Omega. But someday, when I have a bit of extra unspoken for cash, I might just splurge on that nice watch.
Obviously there are compromises made every day or I'd be constantly broke or have nothing. I kinda have to pick my battles. But in things I consider "heirloom" possessions, I like to get stuff that I'm proud to own and pass on someday. I have my great grandfather's Snap-on socket set he bought right after WWII ended, and they will be still able to be used when I pass them on someday.
Most people aren't built like me I've determined. And that's fine. My solution isn't for everyone. But I feel like there needs to be an argument made occasionally for people like me. I don't think any less of the guys who can't or won't justify the extra spend for the nicer stuff. That's their choice in this free world. The bulk of the world doesn't think like me.
I just like what I like, and folks can feel free to ignore my free advice.
