[mdlug] OT: DIY Geek Tools

[Peter Bart]

On Tue, 2007-06-26 at 11:57 -0400, Garry Stahl wrote:
> Jeff Hanson wrote:
> > I think we're getting a little carried away here.  A geek tool kit
> > should be based on the tools you need most, not what you can fit in a
> > large utility truck.  I have a small toolkit and a couple of CDs I
> > carry around for most PC and network fixes.  I also have a 300 piece
> > Craftsman set with some additions and a large Jensen electronics tools
> > kit (www.stanleysupplyservices.com/category.aspx?id=348).  I used to
> > carry this stuff in my car wherever I went but I found that I rarely
> > used most of it and the weight probably reduced gas mileage.  It was a
> > lot easier to make up a small kit to keep with me and have other sets
> > and power tools available for larger jobs.
> >
> > The Jensen kit was very expensive and had a lifetime warranty.  But
> > later I found the same tools elsewhere for a lot cheaper and minimal
> > warranty.  I realized that the added cost of a lifetime warranty was
> > more than a second set of tools so now I buy the cheapest stuff
> > available.  If a lifetime warranty tool breaks you still have work
> > without it until it gets replaced.  If you have 2-3 cheap tool kits
> > you always have an immediately available backup.
> >   
> 
> That is why I recommend Craftsman over all over lift time choices. 
> Craftsman is a third the price of Mac and Snap-on and Sears stores are
> common as weeds.  You walk in "it's broken", they give you another. 
> That simple.  It doesn't matter why even.  My son bend my ultra fine
> needle nose pliers trying to do heavy plier jobs with them.  I chewed
> out son as to proper tool usage and took the abused pliers to Sears. 
> Walked out with new pliers, no cost.
> 
> Second thing, I have had to do it twice in 49 years.  They are GOOD
> tools, they don't break.  I was given a cheap set of JC Penny sockets. 
> I broke those bastards right and left.  Warranty? What warranty.  I have
> never broken a Craftsman socket, and I use tools hard.
> 
> Cheap tools break, frequently.  Good tools are lifetime replaceable, and
> don't break.  Do the math.  OK, I pay twice as much for a Craftsman tool
> than some no name at Harbor Freight.  How many times will I replace the
> Harbor Freight tool?  How many times will I replace the Craftsman?
> 
> BTW, I have two copies of every wrench.  I prefer combination wrenches. 
> That is box end and open end on one tool.  Why two?  I cannot count the
> number of times I have had to turn one nut and hold a second in place
> while turning the first.  So I have two sets of English and metric wrenches.

	I second everything Gary said w/o reservation.
-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
http://petertheplumber.net