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What is something you SHOULD cheap out on? (feddit.nl)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by neidu2@feddit.nl to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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....to a reasonable degree, at least.

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[-] towerful@programming.dev 51 points 2 months ago

The first round of tools for any hobby or DIY project.
If you don't know what you want from a screwdriver, snips, circular saw etc. then there is no point in buying the super primo bells & whistles expensive stuff.
Once you've used a tool and learned what you don't like about it, or what you actually use it for, or how often you actually use it... Then you can make the informed decision to just buy another cheap one, or splash out on something that's actually fun to use.

Buy the 2nd last tool you will ever need.

There are rare occasions where "buy once cry once" apply. But it's rare

[-] ikidd@lemmy.world 14 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

My attitude has become to buy high-end tools because even if I don't use them again, I got the best possible experience when I did to decide whether it was worth it, and chances are I can resell it (keeping the box and all accessories) for barely enough discount to have rented some piece of shit that I couldn't choose to keep if I wanted to.

And bad tools make bad products. A tablesaw that can't cut a straight line and starts to wobble after 10 uses doesn't make you want to keep doing that. When I've replaced a bad tool with a good one, I like the feeling I get when it just works properly.

I've bought enough cheap-shit tools over the years to change my attitude entirely on this. I've gotten lucky sometimes, but usually you pay for what you get.

[-] pahlimur@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Power tools are sometimes the exception to the rule of buying cheap tools. Saws are probably the biggest exception. My cheap corded ryobi saw is awful because it's so flimsy, and the deck bends. The makita saw I replaced it with is 100x easier to use, more accurate, and safer.

Buying cheap tools applies to hand tools, air tools, hydraulic stuff, etc.

[-] Soggy@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah I got a cheap Harbor Freight jigsaw and I hate it. Cut line indicator is useless, blade slips out of the roller guide so the cut doesnt stay square or straight, the keyless clamp is so inflexible I'd rather just have the classic screw-tight mechanism...

I put it away and used a circular saw, coping saw, and japanese pull saw to finish the project rather than keep fighting with it.

[-] sntx@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

I like this approach, it reduces waste significantly.

[-] LrdThndr@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago

I call it the Harbor Freight rule - If I need to buy a tool for the first time, I buy the cheapass Harbor Freight version. If I then use the cheapass version enough to kill it (or make me wish I was dead instead), then I spring for the expensive version.

[-] Cornflake_Dog@lemmy.wtf 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

"Buy once cry once" seems to apply very well to wire cutters. (Link is to a YouTube video about how terrible most wire cutters actually are)

this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024

250 points (97.3% liked)

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