Thread: Quality vs Budget powertools

Originally Posted by fatty500

I just wanted to know what the performance differences are between high and low end gear. Circular saws for example, can be had at bunnings for 'bout $50, but then there's better brands for 100-120, and I've seen Hitachi's for $300.
Is it a matter of longevity, precision, warranties etc. What's the deal? The features are more or less the same.
With bandsaws, a 12" german branded one goes for 900, but a chinese one is 300.
What is it about the premium versions that justify paying 2x/3x/10x more than equipment that appears (at least on the outside) to be the same?

All of the above, precision, longevity, sometimes unique features but also importantly safety. I started with the budget brands but experience has taught me that most of the time, unless you plan on using the tool once or rarely you are much better off spending your money on a decent tool.

Good tools also have a reasonable resale value, try selling some of the "budget" tools on ebay...

There are some budget tools that will not do what they are supposed to. Have you ever used one of those $99 mitre saws? I think over the years I went though 2 or 3 of these, until one day I took the plunge (pardon the pan) and bought a Bosch. For the first time I had a mitre saw that would cut straight and would retain its accuracy.

Routers are another good example. Some of the cheapies out there are DANGEROUS. I started with 2 cheapie routers and once again after doing lots of work on the house (hence SWMBO would not complain about the spending) I bought a Triton router. I had hesitated a long time before I bought it but I have not regretted that purchase since.

In summanry but the best you can afford and you will not regret it. For me this has sometimes meant buying good quality second hand tools, but this is a much better investment than a new crappy tool.

I hope that has helped.

regards

Marios

There is quite a difference between cheap and expensive.If your using the tool day in day out ,then there is now comparison The dearer tool usually always work out far cheaper in the long run.

Not only that but you feel far less fatigued using well balanced and well made tools at the end of the day.

Finally ,The end result of your work will be more precise using tools with little runout ect.

But cheaper tools have there place..

If you'll only use that type of tool rarely or need a tool on a type of job that you know will be damaging to a tool.

I buy mine on the amount of use they will receive .I own around eight circular saws for example from GMC to hitachi and each was has its place..

I hope this helps.

until I can afford otherwise, and probably afterwards, cheap power tools will always have a place in my workshop. Many places in fact
I have a boat, and do a lot of work out on the water (with a genny) so there are good reasons use a ozito instead of a festool out there.
Quite a few cheapies I am more than happy with. Some things I would want at least a mid-level tool (Ryobi at least- or Makita/Hitachi for eg). Nothing at the moment can make me justify buying a Festool.
I know there are arguments (good ones) that a higher quality tool will do a better job, and be easier to use... but then, as power tools get better and better, are the finished pieces we produce getting any better?
Just think about what the craftsmen/women of a couple of centuries ago could do with a bunch of tools only from GMC/Ozito/etc...
Somehow I think we are a little spoilt nowadays, and place too much emphasis on the need for the best tools for the best job.

Personally unless one falls off the back of a truck into my lap I will probably not own anything like a festool in the next 10 yrs.

I am happy making the most of my cheaper power tools, and cheap reincarnated old quality hand tools (on my cheap/free recycled timber).

1 vote to budget. (with the exception of useless ones that cost time and money.... how to distinguish? I dunno... luck of the draw)

As a rule, I would advise against buying any cheap high reving tools. These include:

• Saws
• Routers
• Planers
• Angle grinders
• Bickie Jointers

The reason is cheap bearings, cheap construction and cheap allignment. This ultimately leads to vibration which leads to increased user/tool fatigue, innacuracy and safety issues. Cheap tools also have cheap wiring and while usually not a safety issue, it is instrumental in the life of any tool.

In general, low revings tools don't pose as much danger should they fail. These include tools such as:

• Orbital/belt sanders
• Battery drills
• Jigsaws
• Rotary hammers

Having said all that, the issue of cost should be divided into two categories:

1. Initial
2. Long-term

While the initail cost of cheap tools is often far less, they are often designed to last not much longer than their guarantees. Many don't make it this far - even with home use. When they break, the parts are often not available as the repairs cost more than the tool. Most people simply buy another machine.

A classic example to demonstrate the ecconomics is the Makita 3600 BR - a fairly common 1/2" workhorse. This machine will give most people 20 years of maintenance free, accurate, vibrationless routing. When/if it does start to play up, it's normally a case of changing two bearings for less than 20 bucks.
How many cheap machines will you go through in 20 years and what compromises to safety/accuracy/comfort did you have to make?

I do understand and sympathise with those on limited budgets. If you must scrimp on the tools, believe me, you DON'T want to scrimp on the safety gear!

Damien

Yep I do agree with alot that you have said,You can do an excellent job with cheaper tools.No doubt about it .

Its just that as a sub contractor and someone who has some pride in their finished job,you need to do a good job quickly.As time passes and tools improve ,what you could work with earlier ,you now find that you Need certain tools to do you job efficiently .Flush nailers for example , when they were first introduced , it was a luxury to own and use. Now it is a necessity to have because of the speed in which you need to do your job . Sure you still can nail things by hand but not at the prices you are being paid.

As someone who has been the owner of cheap powertools (Ryobi, GMC, brands I havnt heard of etc) for the past ten years and not much experience, I can say they have had their place in my shed. Although they have served me well for what I have done with them, I know that the quality is just not there, and they will not be around for the long haul. Accuracy can be a problem, not to mention safety as well as non quality components. Depends what you want to do with them I suppose, and the money your prepared to spend.
I am currently looking to upgrade my tools, and some advice I recieved at Carbetec today was to buy quality if you can afford it as sometimes that can end up being cheaper in the long run, as well as less stress when your actually working with them.
Good luck with it, hope all that dribble helps. I'm learning about this as well at the moment. Cheers,

Ben.

G'day,

Very simply you get what you pay for. Always qulaity over budget which of course is limited by what you can afford.

The turning point for me was a door in my first house. They laid the carpet and the door wouldn't clear it so I had to trim it. I had never done that and had not had much luck cutting straight lines with my Circular saw. So I got smart and clamped a guide to the door and let the shoe of the saw slide along. Instant straight line!

NO SO! Turned out the shoe of the saw was not in line and by the time I realized it the saw was in a bind. The door was ruined and I was mad! Shortly after that I bought my first really expensive/good power tool. The difference was amazing!!

Now the only time I buy cheap ones, is when it's something I need for a one time job or something I will use 2-3 times a year. Otherwise I learned it pays to be quality.

Originally Posted by hansp77

but then, as power tools get better and better, are the finished pieces we produce getting any better?

Just think about what the craftsmen/women of a couple of centuries ago could do with a bunch of tools only from GMC/Ozito/etc...

Good questions. The answer to number one is yes. For the hobbyist, good power tools often mean the difference between a decent end result and a bodgy effort. One of the best examples of this difference is the common jig saw. A cheap jig saw will leave you frustrated and swearing (if you are so inclined) as it often won't stay 90 degrees true, the blade wanders, and decent curved cuts are simply impossible.

Home WWers seldom have the time or energy to devote to learning the craft the old way, so good tools help them a lot, while cheap tools (in some cases) simply discourage them from continuing. Which is why . . .

Number two is related. Those craftsmen would have done much worse with those power tools than by hand. They spent years perfecting their techniques and building was a slow process. That was okay then, because everyone did it the same way. But think of the economic disadvantage they would be in now if they didn't speed up production. The fact is, professionals almost always buy expensive tools because they want to maintain that high level of craftsmanship and know it cannot be done quickly enough to turn a profit with inaccurate tools.

Of course, everyone is on a budget of some sort. But sometimes a good hand tool can be better than a cheap power tool if quality is required.

Due to buget constraints I will occasionally buy a less than top quality tool. However, if my intention is to find out if this tool will do what I need it to do or I know that my skills are such that the accuracy is not an issue, I will go with a better quality cheap tool. Generally though I just keep my eyes open and the item I want in good quality will show up at a pawn or garage sale, so I wait. In the meantime I develop methods to work around not having that tool and gain much experience and often discover I didn't really need that particular tool after all.

If you have the money then buy the better tools and If you don't save up and still buy the better tools. They will last longer and make woodworking easier and more enjoyable!

Fatty,
Is there a difference between a Daewoo sedan and Mercedes sedan?

Its the same answer for tools.

the most often used "tool" in woodwork is not something you can buy.....and you can't borrow it either .....coupled with experiance, and knowledge it works really well.....its called PATIENCE....those who use this tool wisely get better results ....those who dont, usually get frustrated and give up .....my advice when buying tools ....get some patience first ......and the rest ...just falls into place.

I agree with most of the above.

Cheapies are fine but understand their limitations, if you are prepared to tolerate these limitations then buy the cheapies. Don't pretend these tools are the ants pants, many are good value for their money but their performance, accuracy and longevity is by no means the world's best.

Cheap tools might be a good way to see if you have a future in woodwork without breaking the bank. If you and woodwork have a future then understand that the cheapies will eventually have to be replaced with better tools, if woodwork and you don't have a future then you haven't wasted too many $$$$$$$'s.

Have a play with some good tools and see for yourself the difference. If the difference is important to you then go the extra mile if and when you can afford it.

Some people continue to seek the miracle bargain but I don't believe it exists just like I don't believe there are any get rich quick schemes.