Thread: Absolute junk

That's ridiculous.

I would actually be tempted (if I were you) to drop a note in to their head office.

They are clearly not fit for purpose (one buys a brad point drill to drill, and moreover, do so accurately).

Explain nicely that the store of purchase is too far away - you never know, they may just make good on this in some way.

Work bought a set of Frost brad points years ago with half the points off centre. No biggie, I can just re-grind them...except the flutes weren't equal depth, so the web was about 2mm off centre

If you know how to grind them yourself, just buy cheap(ish) regular twist drills; they seem to be at least useable.

95% of the aldi tools are junk

Its the reason they are priced accordingly, that should have been your first hint

Bother. I haven't used mine yet.......and I bought 2 sets because they were such a "good" deal.

It's like most of Aldi's product. The outside looks like a product you already know and trust. Sometimes what's inside is just as good or better, other's - meh. You pay a little and take a gamble.

The good stuff is good, the bad stuff - appalling. Most of it is the same as the generic stuff available somewhere else but in prettier packaging.

I bought a set of brad point bits with countersinks and a set of masonry bits a year or two back. The brad point bits were good, the masonry bits couldn't even drill a single hole without disintegrating. Meh.

And then there are Aldi apple strudels.

I regret the Aldi effect has forced Colesworth to reduce the inventory they carry in order to compete. When was the last time you saw Camellia oil on the shelf in Coles?

I have to say the hole saw and ratchet spanner sets I bought from Aldi years ago have been fantastic. Sometimes you win on the cheap stuff, sometimes you don't

Yes I agree. I brought a pair of ratcheting Loppers quite a few year ago and they have been fantastic.

Been there and made that mistake once different generic brand.
Just be fully aware that dull junk drill bits will eventually destroy an electric drill motor over time.
Cheap brad point drill bits are usually dull the entire spiral length and will burn their way through the wood before they ever cut.
I purchased more expensive name brand brad point drill bits.
I smile and laugh about it later. The name brand performs excellent and I have never been tempted to buy junk again.
I prefer the smell of wood being drilled and not burned when drilling a simple hole.

Their wood chisels are very good steel.

Aldi is not alone, i have bought a crap set from Bunnings.

Originally Posted by Pagie

Their wood chisels are very good steel.

I have not seen those good chisels for a long time. I missed the last sale and gave up watching the annual tool sale. The last lt of chisels I saw were a rubbish butt chisel set, nit the lice wooden handle set. The pessimist in me says that found out how good the chisels were and discontinued the deal on principle!
Bruce

Got stung the same way with the "forstner bits"
The plastic box is the only usable thing.
Fair enough from lidl , at least i could see those in aldi were the same crude lumps.

Can't knock some of the stuff though...
I buy a few of the big f clamps when there in, the heavy ones with chunky handles.
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This wee welder is great for 50 euros, tiny and heavy (good sign) will do small half hour sessions of 5mm angle iron, just about.
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And i couldn't find a shop photo of this wee thing, it had a hard life when i used it and still going strong.
price seems to have jumped on these, but i'm getting it for my dad's shop after i test it out.
I WILL BE OPENING THE BOX AND LOOKING FOR CASTING FLAWS.
all 3 pictured should be in soon in lidl i believe , as not seen them whilst weekly shopping.
(in ireland anyway)
seems like this vice might be in within a month or so.

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I still buy the 5 quid titanium nitride bits sometimes, some need sharpening, nice to have cheapies for rough work.
Those are some things i consider bargains, most other things are so so for the money....
BUT WHO THE HELL IS IN CHARGE OF THOSE WOOD CUTTING BITS!!!

Tom

I'm sorry but I laughed. Being warped as badly as they are totally defeats the purpose of brad point drill bits.

I think you've all missed the excellence of the Aldi brad points. They've clearly created a niche product that makes enlarged/elongated/artisinal holes to allow for wood movement.