Your favorite money spending tips

Undertoad · 06-09-2007, 12:43 PM

(This is not a parody thread.)

My momma taught me a lot but one thing she failed to teach me was the importance of spending enough money on tools.

She was always very cheap about lawnmowing devices, power tools, and the like, and I took that attitude when I first moved out. But since then I've learned: that a shitty cheap cordless drill, for example, is not really a tool at all, but a pain in the ass that you must put up with while trying to actually get something accomplished.

I'll never forget the first weed-whacker that my momma and ex-wife colluded on forcing me to get. They demanded that cheapest available electric was fine to whack our 1/3 acre lawn. It was actually branded "clip-stik" which should have been the first clue that it was inappropriate for an actual man to wield. (And looking back, the first clue that I was systematically being feminized in the relationship...)

The correct whacker for the job cost 3 times what the cheapest one cost, but saved countless hours of pain and frustration. Since then I've come to the same conclusion about almost every tool I've owned. If you pay for the expensive one, it'll actually work, and then you'll actually use it and not throw it away in a few years.

zippyt · 06-09-2007, 12:53 PM

Yeppers ,
When Carol and I first got togather 18 + years ago , we needed a lawn mower , cash was at a low then , but we needed a mower , so I went out and bought a Toro , $350 , the wallymarto version was $75- $100 , Carol FREAKED , but ya know what that SAME mower is still working FINE !!!

Same with hand tools , buy cheap and you will replace it over and over ,
I have a phillips head screwdriver that I have used most EVERY day for the last 20 years , yes it is showing some age , but it still VERRY useable ,

Oh and THIS is my weed wacker , http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/s...10138_18652_-1

HungLikeJesus · 06-09-2007, 01:39 PM

UT -- your favorite money spending tips are really money saving tips.

Money spending tips would be like "buy a rare stamp for $3 million and use it as regular postage."

Aliantha · 06-11-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

Yeppers ,

I have a phillips head screwdriver that I have used most EVERY day for the last 20 years

You must do a lot of screwing Zippy.

zippyt · 06-11-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

You must do a lot of screwing Zippy.

Not as Much as I would like to be doing

Now as to chain saws , Haskys are a FINE choice , good saws ,
I have an ECHO
Great saw , and as to chains , well NOTHING beats a new chain , but it ain't that hard to sharpen one , you just have to treat it like a knife , shape it then sharpen it .

Weird Harold · 06-11-2007, 09:25 PM

I only buy Milwaukee, or Bosh for work. Porter Cable used to be a good tool company, I have a Porter Cable screw gun. Word is they have moved to Mexico, and are making tools as reliable as DeWalt. I have a Black and Decker sander, and a 1/2 inch drill from them. I use them once, or twice a year, and for that they are fine.

My chainsaw is a Craftman. again once, or twice a year. If money was no object I would buy a Sthill.

Speaking of chainsaws, my dad worked for the Mall Tool Company in Chicago. According to dad, the company was started by a guy who parachuted in to Germany, during WWI, or WWII, I don't remember, and stole a chain saw. It was an over head valve engine, and weighed a fraction of what we were using back then.

Griff · 06-12-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

Great saw , and as to chains , well NOTHING beats a new chain , but it ain't that hard to sharpen one , you just have to treat it like a knife , shape it then sharpen it .

Exactly right. If you go to a real saw store, they'll teach you how to do the job properly. Saws are a lot safer if they're set up right.

lumberjim · 06-09-2007, 01:41 PM

always blow your last $20 on fast food.

BigV · 06-11-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

always blow your last $20 on fast food.

When on a college road trip to Vegas, upon arrival in town you should always spend your FIRST $20 on gas for the trip home. [/voice of experience]

fargon · 06-09-2007, 02:19 PM

I'm with Undertoad on this, my dad always told me "you get what you pay for". All my hand tools are Craftsman, Power tools are Black and Decker, Skil. I use my tools on a daily basis, and can't afford to break something in the middle of a job.

TheMercenary · 06-10-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fargon

I'm with Undertoad on this, my dad always told me "you get what you pay for". All my hand tools are Craftsman, Power tools are Black and Decker, Skil. I use my tools on a daily basis, and can't afford to break something in the middle of a job.

Same here. But I will tell you that I think that craftsman power tools have gone down in quality in the last 10 years or so. Not so for the hand tools. I have moved on to DeWalt for power tools.

Another tool which you need to spend cash on for quality is a chainsaw. I am on my third one in 8 years. Only a good one will cut straight. My first was a Craftsman and last two were (is) Poulan.. I am totally dissatisfied. I am going to spring for $300 or $400 on the next one and get one that cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter.

BrianR · 06-10-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Same here. But I will tell you that I think that craftsman power tools have gone down in quality in the last 10 years or so. Not so for the hand tools. I have moved on to DeWalt for power tools.

DeWalt is the Sears premium line. Craftsman is the basic, no-frills line. Same company though. I sometimes buy DeWalt but I also buy Delta, Porter-Cable, Milwaukee and Hitatchi. It all depends on the tool and the job but I must agree that you get what you pay for. I always say, buy the quality...you'll rarely be disappointed.

Brian

jinx · 06-09-2007, 04:06 PM

Buy the good one, and only cry once.

skysidhe · 06-11-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

always blow your last $20 on fast food.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinx

Buy the good one, and only cry once.

I've learned that first rule. :LOL:

I am working on the second.

My rule is. Quality over quanity when buying groceries.
That is something I had to learn.

Cloud · 06-09-2007, 05:09 PM

certain items are worth it to spend the extra money to buy quality. I don't know from tools, but among my choices for the category are:

shoes
body jewelry (essential!)

06-09-2007, 12:43 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Your favorite money spending tips (This is not a parody thread.) My momma taught me a lot but one thing she failed to teach me was the importance of spending enough money on tools. She was always very cheap about lawnmowing devices, power tools, and the like, and I took that attitude when I first moved out. But since then I've learned: that a shitty cheap cordless drill, for example, is not really a tool at all, but a pain in the ass that you must put up with while trying to actually get something accomplished. I'll never forget the first weed-whacker that my momma and ex-wife colluded on forcing me to get. They demanded that cheapest available electric was fine to whack our 1/3 acre lawn. It was actually branded "clip-stik" which should have been the first clue that it was inappropriate for an actual man to wield. (And looking back, the first clue that I was systematically being feminized in the relationship...) The correct whacker for the job cost 3 times what the cheapest one cost, but saved countless hours of pain and frustration. Since then I've come to the same conclusion about almost every tool I've owned. If you pay for the expensive one, it'll actually work, and then you'll actually use it and not throw it away in a few years.

06-09-2007, 12:53 PM	#2
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Yeppers , When Carol and I first got togather 18 + years ago , we needed a lawn mower , cash was at a low then , but we needed a mower , so I went out and bought a Toro , $350 , the wallymarto version was $75- $100 , Carol FREAKED , but ya know what that SAME mower is still working FINE !!! Same with hand tools , buy cheap and you will replace it over and over , I have a phillips head screwdriver that I have used most EVERY day for the last 20 years , yes it is showing some age , but it still VERRY useable , Oh and THIS is my weed wacker , http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/s...10138_18652_-1 __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

06-09-2007, 01:39 PM	#3
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	UT -- your favorite money spending tips are really money saving tips. Money spending tips would be like "buy a rare stamp for $3 million and use it as regular postage." __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-11-2007, 09:25 PM	#6
Weird Harold Vice-President of Resentment Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 199	I only buy Milwaukee, or Bosh for work. Porter Cable used to be a good tool company, I have a Porter Cable screw gun. Word is they have moved to Mexico, and are making tools as reliable as DeWalt. I have a Black and Decker sander, and a 1/2 inch drill from them. I use them once, or twice a year, and for that they are fine. My chainsaw is a Craftman. again once, or twice a year. If money was no object I would buy a Sthill. Speaking of chainsaws, my dad worked for the Mall Tool Company in Chicago. According to dad, the company was started by a guy who parachuted in to Germany, during WWI, or WWII, I don't remember, and stole a chain saw. It was an over head valve engine, and weighed a fraction of what we were using back then. __________________ I don't need a whole lottsa money. I don't need a big fine car.

06-09-2007, 01:41 PM	#8
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	always blow your last $20 on fast food. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

06-09-2007, 02:19 PM	#10
fargon Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Crosse, WI Posts: 8,924	I'm with Undertoad on this, my dad always told me "you get what you pay for". All my hand tools are Craftsman, Power tools are Black and Decker, Skil. I use my tools on a daily basis, and can't afford to break something in the middle of a job. __________________ Annoy the ones that ignore you!!! I live a blessed life I Love my Country, I Fear the Government!!! Heavily medicated for the good of mankind.

06-09-2007, 04:06 PM	#13
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Buy the good one, and only cry once. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

06-09-2007, 05:09 PM	#15
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	certain items are worth it to spend the extra money to buy quality. I don't know from tools, but among my choices for the category are: shoes body jewelry (essential!) __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

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