[mdlug] OT: DIY Geek Tools

[Joseph Vartanian]

On 6/26/07, Garry Stahl <tesral at comcast.net> 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 would say both of you are right in a way.  I'm personally sick of
cheap tools failing when I need them.  It just doesn't seem right when
a screw strips your screwdriver.  It should be the other way around.
At the same time I'm not rich and I don't make my living off my tools,
so I can't justify getting a full set of expensive tools.  I would say
the best approach would be to get the quality stuff on the tools one
needs most (like the titanium spork), and get the cheap stuff for the
things you need less often.

-Joseph