I’ve really come to hate cheap hand tools. I bought an cheap japanese style backsaw. I was learning to cut dovetails, (still practicing…), and wanted something right now. I figured it was good enough to start learning with. I’ve cut some really rubbishy dovetail joints, (maybe a dozen?), and a few tenons, and the damned thing is dull. I was fitting some wood today for a new doorframe and I had to force the saw through the wood.
I’ve bought a few other inexpensive one-time-use type tools and find that they really are one-time-use. Sometimes they don’t work out of the package. Why do people buy this junk? I know why I did; I didn’t know any better.
Sigh, I’m not going to kid myself. I’ll probably still buy the occasional cheap tool. But not for important tools; ones that get used eveyday…
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When I was in college and became interested in woodworking (after seeing issues of FWW in the college library, I might add) Christmastime loomed ahead and I got the usual panicked phone call from my Mother wondering what I might like for a gift. I mailed her down the Woodcraft catalog and mentioned in the note that I especially wanted a good set of bench chisels. I really wanted the Woodcraft Bench Chisels, but the Marples blue chip set (with the plastic handles) would be less expensive and would be fine.
So Christmas morning came and what I got was a set of four chisels (I hesitate to call them chisels really). They had brightly-colored plastic handles, (just like I said I wanted), the blades were short, not beveled, thin and chrome plated. Made in China and purchased at the local five and dime. She mentioned that they weren't from that expensive catalog that I'd mailed down, and were ,"probably not exactly what you wanted," but they were chisels, less expensive, "and much prettier."
I was gracious and said they were just fine and that I knew "just what to do with them!"
Years later when she visited and saw me working in my shop, using my Woodcraft bench chisels, she asked me where was the set that she had given me. Thinking quickly, I lied and said, "I keep those in my tool box for when I am on the road."
"Oh, " she said, "I'd think you would want to keep your really nice tools at the bench where they wouldn't get damaged." I smiled.
I always wondered about those "tools", and the rest of the junk that the dimestores (now Dollar stores) sell. Did the people who designed them understand their use? I guess at some point tools for the general populace became commodities for commerce like hair brushes and travel soap dishes, subject to manufacturing shortcuts, designed to look pretty on the display rack, for sale and profit, and not for use.
The same thing is happening on a different scale even with the sellers of "good" tools, a few years ago I bought a set of French saws (Gent's, open-handled dovetail, tenon, etc.) from a very well respected mail order house. They looked so "pretty" in the catalog, and were a good price. But they were essentially junk; ill-fitted handles, loose backs, sloppy tooth cutting and setting, a real dissappointment.
I was duped, just like my Mother was.
Choosing the best tools for the money is no easy task. But I've found that in general, with new, high quality hand tools, you get pretty much what you pay for.
You can always cut the blade up into card scrapers when you get a better saw.
Best Regards,
David C
In the shop, or on the road, you'll always see a useless little 10" Stanley Sharptooth saw packed in with my Lie-Nielsens.
My 5-yr old daughter bought it for me with her own money, because it had a picture of a shark on it.
I'll sell my Bedrocks before that thing.The older I get, the better I was....
LOVE that story...
I sold my Bedrocks to get Lie-Nielsens, never regretted that.J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
With the experience you mentioned you now know better than to EVER buy cheap tools......of any kind.
Not only do they not perform well, break down, and cause all kinds of frustration but they can be downright dangerous.
A finely tuned hand plane, a scalpel sharp quality chisel, a perfectly balanced mallet...I could go on but you get the idea, I am certain. Nothing beats the pleasure and the fine workmanship you will develop with the use of fine hand tools..(and for that matter, the same applies to power tools).
Good luck
Good thoughts. I wouldn't make a blanket rule however. I certainly appreciate fine quality tools, and most always go with them, BUT, there are times where the savings on a cheap tool may provide the extra resources for a fine one. I bought a heat gun at [ahem] Harbor Freight for $10 on sale. It has performed flawlessly - how badly can a heat gun perform? Just one example of when it's good to break one's usual rules. But would I buy a saw there? nuh-uh.Ken Werner
Hamilton, NY
If you profit dollar wise from your wood working endeavors then remember that all hand tools are 100% tax deductible in their year of purchase. So, why not buy the best! That's like getting a 15% to 33% discount depending on your tax rate.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Mike, that is a good point. However one may be in a cash flow squeeze, yet be needing a certain tool all of a sudden.....
There is one item that I will make an exception on in the future, and that is the CORDLESS DRILL as used in cabinet making i.e not very heavy use as in building. These thinkgs are now ridiculously cheap- I have seen 12 volters as low as N.Z$13-although I have a couple of Dewalts I am tempted to get a herd of el cheapos and keep them fitted with those items that one keeps having to fit, like countersinks and various drivers etc.
The above is especially applicable after a recent experience with a new Dewalt.Philip Marcou
I think that's the point I was trying to make, that certain cheap tools do a very adequate job. But then again, I'm not sure a heat gun or cordless drill is a "hand tool" in the same sense that a chisel is, even though all are operated by holding in one's hands.Ken Werner
Hamilton, NY
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