Author Topic: The importance of decent tools  (Read 6250 times)

norvilion

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The importance of decent tools
« on: December 19, 2013, 08:52:07 AM »
Over the past few days I have learned that while it may not be imperative to have the absolute best of every tool it is still important to have the right tools and tools of passable quality.

Two days ago I got parts to change the spark plugs on my car (yay, new skill to learn!). Not knowing I already had a spark plug socket in my generic ratchet set I purchased one along with the other necessary items, though somehow I remembered that I had an extension arm for the ratchet. I got home, waited for the engine to cool, and started to take off the retainer bolts for the coil packs (my car doesn't use traditional spark plug wires). Try as I might I could not get any of the bolts off. It actually got so bad that my 10mm socket got stripped. You read that right- bolt had not a scratch on it and the socket got badly damaged. At this point I pretty much give up on it for the night and decide to get some different tools the next day.

I went by the hardware store after work the next day and got a new 10mm socket and a small breaker bar. I figured the bolts were probably rusted in or something so I expected a real fight to get them loosened. Nope, with the breaker bar's ability to not force a 90 degree angle while turning I'm able to get a solid grip on the bolt with room to turn it, and by the feel of it I didn't even need to do it with the engine still hot. All four were cake to get off and no damage to either the socket or the bolt.

I waited a few hours and began replacing the first spark plug using the new spark plug socket. At this point I'd found that the space back there was so tight I could only really do anything with the breaker bar- I'm sure I'll use the torque wrench I grabbed some time or another though. After I got the socket attached to the old spark plug I realized I wasn't sure how easy it would be to remove the socket once I put the new one in. I pulled and fond that the extension had no grip and pulled away from the socket WAY more easily than the socket pulled away from the spark plug. I got a bit nervous at that point until I remembered that I still had the other spark plug socket and if the extension bar was rubbish there's a good chance the socket was rubbish too! After I got the old plug out and detached from the new socket I tested it out against the other socket. Sure enough the thing was so poorly built that the rubber ring separated from the socket and got stuck on the spark plug as I tried to pull it out. Didn't really have much of a choice in the matter so I left the ring out and used the rubbish socket (as I started calling it) to put in the new spark plugs, while getting out the old ones with the new one.

Probably not prime situation for the new plugs to slide into place, but nothing got damaged or cross threaded and this morning the engine is running better than I've felt it in quite some time. In hind sight I should have probably known the quality of my tools considering the large ratchet got completely destroyed last time I tried changing the rotors, but I'm glad to know now at least to be on the look out for some tools that aren't made out of tin foil.

Nate R

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2013, 09:08:19 AM »
Good story. I've also learned that if I'm going to invest in tools, going at leat mid-range is often worth it, as I often end up replacing the cheap stuff (power tools or hand tools) before I otherwise would. I went through 2 garbage miter saws before I bit the bullet and bought a name-brand one. And boy was it nice to have a more accurate, more user friendly saw when I needed it! In the long run, I would've spent less if I'd bought the better one to begin with. I can repeat that story for other tools as well, and I think I've finally learned. :-)

Posthumane

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2013, 09:34:12 AM »
I've always taken out the rubber ring from spark plug sockets when putting spark plugs in on engines with long, inaccessible spark plug recesses. Otherwise what you describe happens almost all the time: either the extension comes off the socket and the socket stays behind, or the socket comes out and the rubber ring stays behind.

Quality tools do make a big difference. That being said, make sure you are using them properly. I've seen a number of people wreck bolts and tools by careless ham-fisting. Make sure that when you are using an extension you support the pivot end of the ratchet/bar with your other hand or against a firm object so that you are actually turning the whole assembly, not just pushing on the end of the handle. Also, I recommend using six point sockets on any stubborn bolts rather than 12 point ones.

jba302

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2013, 09:53:45 AM »
Good story. I've also learned that if I'm going to invest in tools, going at leat mid-range is often worth it, as I often end up replacing the cheap stuff (power tools or hand tools) before I otherwise would. I went through 2 garbage miter saws before I bit the bullet and bought a name-brand one. And boy was it nice to have a more accurate, more user friendly saw when I needed it!

I have went through enough tool hardship to understand that "buy it nice or buy it twice" is great advice for tools. I know some people say you can do just as good with Target / Walmart tools but after a certain amount of knuckle skin loss I just can't buy them anymore.

dantownehall

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2013, 11:28:55 AM »
In my opinion/experience, both the lowest-priced tools and highest-priced tools are wastes of money.

Posthumane

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2013, 11:43:37 AM »
In my opinion/experience, both the lowest-priced tools and highest-priced tools are wastes of money.
Very good point. There are definitely diminishing returns as you move up the price range, up past quality into bling territory (aka Snap-On). In fact, the best tools are usually free, as those are the ones that get passed down from one generation to the next.

abhe8

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2013, 01:29:18 PM »
In my opinion/experience, both the lowest-priced tools and highest-priced tools are wastes of money.

meaning something mid-range price is usually best? (or you just dont' buy tools at all?)

schimt

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2013, 01:45:54 PM »
i have always used one of these when i can't get the sparkplug to come out with the rubber in the sparkplug tool.


And agreed that a quality tool is worth the extra cost, especially if there will be any repeat use of the tool in question.

MrsPete

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2013, 10:18:17 AM »
Something I read in an article years ago that resounded with me: 

Spend on the things that you'll use on a regular basis.  The example they gave was, How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner? 

121 Seconds

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2013, 05:21:00 PM »
How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner?

Solution - Get the husband to vacuum and that cleaner will be upgraded in a flash!

But yeah, you make a very good point. I'll be keeping this advice in mind.

ArcticaMT6

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2013, 05:23:36 PM »
Something I read in an article years ago that resounded with me: 

Spend on the things that you'll use on a regular basis.  The example they gave was, How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner?

I spend a lot more money on woodworking tools than my vacuum cleaner. Then again, I'm averaging probably 20 hours in the shop per week working on stuff, and the vacuum cleaner gets used maybe once every 2-3 weeks for like 20 min?


FYI: The "Mid-range" tools aren't going to be the middle of the range priced tools at Sears/Lowes/Home Depot. They are typically the most expensive ones at the big box stores, especially with power tools. The real high end stuff is only sold at specialty stores/online (i.e. Festool, Snap-On, Mac, etc).

For hand tools like in this instance, the high end stuff gets delivered by truck. They don't have stores.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2013, 05:27:38 PM by ArcticaMT6 »

CanuckExpat

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2013, 06:25:32 PM »
Something I read in an article years ago that resounded with me: 

Spend on the things that you'll use on a regular basis.  The example they gave was, How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner?

If they are happy with outdated gender roles, why not be happy with an outdated vacuum cleaner?

MrsPete

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2013, 07:18:13 AM »
Something I read in an article years ago that resounded with me: 

Spend on the things that you'll use on a regular basis.  The example they gave was, How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner?

If they are happy with outdated gender roles, why not be happy with an outdated vacuum cleaner?
Missing the point. 

_JT

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2013, 11:28:34 AM »
norvilion: I'm also in Nash. Holler if you want to get together at some point.

norvilion

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2013, 12:34:58 PM »
Awesome, might have to arrange a meet up some time once the weather turns not-so-cold (though aside from the storms last couple of days have been nice). Similarly if you run into any projects could use a second hand with feel free to give me a holler.

_JT

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2013, 01:11:01 PM »
I've been building a recording studio in my garage, so I have projects up to my eyeballs!

Longwaytogo

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #16 on: December 24, 2013, 08:29:36 AM »
I work in construction so am used to "professional" quality tools. Especially power tools but as I have been building my own collection I have definitely learned you get what you pay for.

Eric

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Re: The importance of decent tools
« Reply #17 on: December 24, 2013, 09:40:14 AM »
Something I read in an article years ago that resounded with me: 

Spend on the things that you'll use on a regular basis.  The example they gave was, How many people spend $$$$ on a fancy woodworking tool for a husband's hobby, which is used once or twice a year, while the wife is constantly struggling with her aged vacuum cleaner?

If they are happy with outdated gender roles, why not be happy with an outdated vacuum cleaner?
Missing the point.

I thought it was funny