Which tools are worth spending extra on?

[rocklobster]

Yeah, come to think of it cedarlow I did notice robertson fasteners used on the outhouses when I was hiking in the grand canyon.

And all I can say is it is about time... Whenever I buy something for the house that comes with phillips screws I ditch them and grab ol Robbys. Much less frustration.

 

[volunteers]

Ratcheting screwdriver. A huge difference between the Husky Pro one and the GW set I got last year. The GW is my go to driver. Looking at the SO one next.
.

I bought GW ratcheting screwdriver set last year and I agree the it is very good. I doubt I will buy the SO one since it is way too expensive at around $70

 

[volunteers]

Jack ... did you find this handle design better?

Thanks

IMO, this handle design is definitely better. With this handle, your hand is closer to the working piece and you feel more stable and comfortable.
I had experience with several other jigsaws and this one is good.

 

[uart]

In Canada we use Robertson (Square recess) fasteners everywhere around the house and unlike Phillips the Robertson has 4 solid points of contact instead of 2

That's interesting. I don't think I've ever seen the square drive robinson's in any "around the house" applications here in Australia. They may have some niche uses but I haven't yet struck any. My bit set has 4 of them, (S0,S1,S2,S3) but I've never once used them. The most common recessed stuff here seems to be hex.

Back on topic. I know this is sacrilege here, but I think budget wrenches ratchets and socket sets (carefully chosen of course, not just any cheap ****) can be quite ok for non profession usage. If I was working to a limited budget I'd much rather have a good variety of lower end wrenches (combo, deep offset box, ratcheting) and sockets (good size coverage, deep and regular types) than have a very limited selection of top of the range stuff.

The things I'd pay extra for are the tools with a cutting edge, drill bits in particular.

 

[crewchief888]

upgrade the tools that see the most use, they are probably the ones that "fail" 1st.

general mechanical work will probably see ratchets, and torx bits fail at the worst times.
el-cheapo filter wrenches have a tendency to bend with a moderately tight filter.

DIY, 'round the house will probably be store branded power tools, crappy screwdrivers, cheap "channelocks", pipe wrenches, wire cutters/strippers/ crimpers.

even as a "pro" const eq mechanic, and some fairly extensive fab work building off road trucks/jeeps, there are certain tools that i've got from a tool truck that i wouldnt do without, and others from HF, and other such places, that have done a surprisingly good job for me.

nothing is more frustrating than having a tool not perform to it's expected "standard".

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Surgical and dentist tools...If you ever go into your doctors/dentist office and see Pittsburg tools, run like hell..

 

[american lockpicker]

Surgical and dentist tools...If you ever go into your doctors/dentist office and see Pittsburg tools, run like hell..

I've noticed doctors and dentists use USA/German tools/equipment while the hospital in town uses pakistani tools and throws them away after using once...

 

[rodm1]

Air compressor, All hard line tools.

You can always buy HF stuff if you have no tools then upgrade as needed. HF dues have some good deals mixed in with the junk. Check this board for the good quality stuff.

 

[BFBOB]

Holy cow!
You just described my entire life!

I just got a really nice ratchet that belonged to my Dad; Mom never used it. On the other hand, she let it be know NOBODY is getting his 1953 Craftsman table saw til she's through with it.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

while the hospital in town uses pakistani tools and throws them away after using once...

No way..Thats crazy..

 

[TheChanMan]

if you're looking for pliers of any sort, try NWS. Ash is often on this board, has extremely reasonable prices and the tools are top notch. I have embarrassed a couple of the tool truck guys with the quality of NWS vs their stuff.

 

[MD11]

if you're looking for pliers of any sort, try NWS. Ash is often on this board, has extremely reasonable prices and the tools are top notch. I have embarrassed a couple of the tool truck guys with the quality of NWS vs their stuff.

I agree NWS or Knipex are my 1st choice, followed by US Made Klein which are as expensive but IMHO not quite as well made.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack ... did you find this handle design better?

Thanks

I haven't owned a Bosch with the regular handle, so it's hard to say. I decided on the barrel handle type after reading reviews. It makes sense that it's better, since your hand is closer to the blade.

 

[ls1dreams]

Thanks for the info so far guys - keep it coming!

I'm thinking about putting together a tool "hierarchy" thread. I've seen this on a few other forums that review products that can be pretty helpful. We could do it on a tool-by-tool basis.

Basically, you stick brand names in something like this:

The best - expensive but will last forever
i.e. Snap-On

Very good - considerably less expensive than the best, but at 90% the quality
i.e. S&K maybe?

The OK - products that will get the job done and aren't that great, but their price is cheap so they aren't bad

i.e. Craftsman

The Bad - products that are either so low quality that they shouldn't be bought at any price, or are so expensive that another product at a lesser cost makes much more sense

 

[matthew]

I'm thinking about putting together a tool "hierarchy" thread.

What that heirarchy is, and what price level is between brands varies by tool, and by user preference. But your classifications is basically what I use when picking out what to buy...

...I've noticed pricing goes up by factors of about 2-3 between the tiers. A 'bad' set of pliers might cost $5. An 'OK' set of Craftsman or Stanley maybe $10. A 'good' set of Channellock maybe $20. And the 'best' Knipex or NWS might be $50. For a non-professional users the best value is probably the 'OK' category. Although if you can buy the 'good' stuff on sale for the same price as the 'OK' it's even better (hey, we're tool enthusiasts, good enough isn't good enough...)

 

[kippieland]

Thanks for the info so far guys - keep it coming!

I'm thinking about putting together a tool "hierarchy" thread. I've seen this on a few other forums that review products that can be pretty helpful. We could do it on a tool-by-tool basis.

Basically, you stick brand names in something like this:

The best - expensive but will last forever
i.e. Snap-On

Very good - considerably less expensive than the best, but at 90% the quality
i.e. S&K maybe?

The OK - products that will get the job done and aren't that great, but their price is cheap so they aren't bad

i.e. Craftsman

The Bad - products that are either so low quality that they shouldn't be bought at any price, or are so expensive that another product at a lesser cost makes much more sense

I agree with every bit of advise you have gotten. I do think you are confused on this list.

Truck brands are very expensive and top of the line, but don't think SK, Armstrong, Proto, and Willams are less quality for because of the price. Truck brands carry a name and are more focused on mechanics etc. These industrial brands are not as well known and harder to find, but are nearly same quality and some share the same parts (matco and armstrong 88)....however, they don't offer the same inventory of speciality tools as the truck brands.

Unfortunatly, the world is not that simple.....as much as I don't like HF, their ratchets ($15) are better then Craftsman raised panels ratchet......combination wrenchs are ****.....Tool box at HF are pretty good....debatable about the Craftsman boxes.....pliers Craftsman have to be better......The orange handles one at HF are complete ****.

Since you have some time, read a lot of the posts hear and you will start find out what tools are good for the dollars and what which ones ****. Just keep your ears/eyes open and ask a lot of questions!

 

[ls1dreams]

I agree with every bit of advise you have gotten. I do think you are confused on this list.

Truck brands are very expensive and top of the line, but don't think SK, Armstrong, Proto, and Willams are less quality for because of the price. Truck brands carry a name and are more focused on mechanics etc. These industrial brands are not as well known and harder to find, but are nearly same quality and some share the same parts (matco and armstrong 88)....however, they don't offer the same inventory of speciality tools as the truck brands.

Agree completely! Those are the types of brands I am trying to find - the ones that have very high quality but not the price because of brand name.

Also, the good news is that I'm not in a rush to buy anything, so my plan is to slowly collect tools as I see killer sales. (As mentioned above, I'm hoping to find the "good" tools for "ok" tool prices).

I would be particularly interested in a list of tools that are known to have shared internals such as the armstrong 88 - has anyone compiled a list like this?

 

[volunteers]

What that heirarchy is, and what price level is between brands varies by tool, and by user preference. But your classifications is basically what I use when picking out what to buy...

...I've noticed pricing goes up by factors of about 2-3 between the tiers. A 'bad' set of pliers might cost $5. An 'OK' set of Craftsman or Stanley maybe $10. A 'good' set of Channellock maybe $20. And the 'best' Knipex or NWS might be $50. For a non-professional users the best value is probably the 'OK' category. Although if you can buy the 'good' stuff on sale for the same price as the 'OK' it's even better (hey, we're tool enthusiasts, good enough isn't good enough...)

Aha, right now the Channellock pliers in HD for $10 is an example of 'good' stuff with 'OK' price.

 

[USMCdodge]

1. Get a SO adjustable wrench. chrome, not soft handle. the bottom jaw fits nice and tight. doesn't move around.

2. needle nose pliers. a set you can twist without the jaws getting messed up.

3. drill.

 

[volunteers]

Jig saw.

I saw on the new Handy Man magazine that Jack Olsen won the "best garage"
Jack, is that you?

 

[ajchien]

As a homeowner DIYer, I just looked at the tools I use more often than i think. I do think the things you use most should be better quality.

Home use: hammers, picks, pliers, scrapers, vise, screwdrivers, impact driver, drill, table saw, circular saw, drill press, shop vac, extension cords, step stool, nail and center punches, tape measure, level, clamps, Allen wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, utility knife

Car DIY: dash trim tools, breaker bars, ramps, nutdrivers, torque wrenches


Things I use less than I think:
Homeowner: jigsaw, reciprocating saw, bench grinder, angle grinder, drill press vise, tin snips, pry bars, hand vises, adjustable wrenches
Car DIY: specialty pliers (hose clamp, hose pinch off, snap ring), speeders, sliding t handles, thumbwheel ratchet, pullers

Those things that i dont use much but im sure glad to have: screw extractors, the really big channellock 460s, hand impact driver, 3 lb hammer, 25" breaker bar, router, angle grinder, Bench grinder, bit brace!

 

[4x4gearhead]

I think the handtools you will use most should be of decent quality. Things like ratchets screwdrivers and wrenches. You are on the right track wanting high quality ratchets. There is nothing worse than having a ratchet that fights you all the time.