Reposting this XKCD#3233 because the bots over here have horribly wrong alt text.
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@paul_ipv6 @W6KME @intrepidhero As nice at the people are at corporate at Harbor Freight (they donated a bunch of generators for our radio folks here for wildfire season), there have been a few unwise tool purchases there....
@ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @W6KME @intrepidhero Yeah, I've been surprised by Harbor Freight.
#HarborFreight has really have moved up to be competitive with the well known brands (and probably made on the same assembly lines in China). The Hercules and Icon lines of products are particularly good.
Of course there are always some losers…
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@ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @W6KME @intrepidhero Yeah, I've been surprised by Harbor Freight.
#HarborFreight has really have moved up to be competitive with the well known brands (and probably made on the same assembly lines in China). The Hercules and Icon lines of products are particularly good.
Of course there are always some losers…
@rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @W6KME @intrepidhero
I wish I had the cite handy, but I recently watched something called like, why all your tools are getting worse, and it was talking about how it’s only like three companies still making tools, or three companies that own all the tools makers, and Milwaukee came out to be a better tool, using American die and workers, for a whole lot of tools. Which really surprised me, cause in my head I always considered them mid-shelf, rather than top, and passed them over for other tools. No personal experience with the brand, but in case its a useful data point for y’all.
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@rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @W6KME @intrepidhero
I wish I had the cite handy, but I recently watched something called like, why all your tools are getting worse, and it was talking about how it’s only like three companies still making tools, or three companies that own all the tools makers, and Milwaukee came out to be a better tool, using American die and workers, for a whole lot of tools. Which really surprised me, cause in my head I always considered them mid-shelf, rather than top, and passed them over for other tools. No personal experience with the brand, but in case its a useful data point for y’all.
@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
There are very few corporations controlling a huge number of brands. And other brands that order their wares from OEM makers, not their own factories, meaning you need to know the TOOL, not just the BRAND (HF is one example).
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@intrepidhero @ai6yr I 100% do this all the time. Much to my wife's despair.
When a vehicle needs $1,000 worth of maintenance, I see that as an opportunity to buy another $1,000 worth of tools and equipment, and do the work myself. It escalated to a new level when I bought my own hydraulic vehicle lift.
Now I need a new workshop to fit all the equipment in.
@TeeCeeGee @intrepidhero @ai6yr
Just think of how much money you'll be saving. -
@TeeCeeGee @intrepidhero @ai6yr
Just think of how much money you'll be saving.@OrdRadical @TeeCeeGee @intrepidhero @ai6yr
You've also gained the knowledge of how to fix the vehicle, which is very valuable in itself (and even the aches and pains can be worth it for the sense of achievement)
I do it as much because there's a 5 week waiting list for repairs at the decent repair garages (there's one literally next door to my workplace!) than saving money - and if I lived in a larger country or a house with more space I'd definitely have a full size workshop with ramps/lift (I've already got the book from the Australian chap about how to set up)
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@OrdRadical @TeeCeeGee @intrepidhero @ai6yr
You've also gained the knowledge of how to fix the vehicle, which is very valuable in itself (and even the aches and pains can be worth it for the sense of achievement)
I do it as much because there's a 5 week waiting list for repairs at the decent repair garages (there's one literally next door to my workplace!) than saving money - and if I lived in a larger country or a house with more space I'd definitely have a full size workshop with ramps/lift (I've already got the book from the Australian chap about how to set up)
@vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr Absolutely! The way I look at it, I could pay someone $1,000, get my vehicle fixed, and that's it. Or, I can spend $1,000, get some shiny new toys, learn how to use them for multiple jobs, lock in future savings, AND get my vehicle fixed.
It's a no-brainer. -
@vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr Absolutely! The way I look at it, I could pay someone $1,000, get my vehicle fixed, and that's it. Or, I can spend $1,000, get some shiny new toys, learn how to use them for multiple jobs, lock in future savings, AND get my vehicle fixed.
It's a no-brainer.@TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr we installed a standing seam metal roof on our new building last year. In the end it was financially a wash with the cheapest quote we got, yet took us about 4 weekends. But in the process we acquired some tools, learned some skills and not only ended up with a really high quality result (no doubt better than the cheap quote) but now we know so much more for next time.
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@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
There are very few corporations controlling a huge number of brands. And other brands that order their wares from OEM makers, not their own factories, meaning you need to know the TOOL, not just the BRAND (HF is one example).
@W6KME
Glad to see Makita which is my tool brand of choice is all by itself.
@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero -
@TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr we installed a standing seam metal roof on our new building last year. In the end it was financially a wash with the cheapest quote we got, yet took us about 4 weekends. But in the process we acquired some tools, learned some skills and not only ended up with a really high quality result (no doubt better than the cheap quote) but now we know so much more for next time.
@matt @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero This is generally the case with construction projects. It was sad to see the quality of workmanship the contractors here doing our flood rebuild were trying to pass off... I was basically foreman and calling them out everyday on what they had done wrong.
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@matt @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero This is generally the case with construction projects. It was sad to see the quality of workmanship the contractors here doing our flood rebuild were trying to pass off... I was basically foreman and calling them out everyday on what they had done wrong.
@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero exactly. Especially when they just want to get done with yours and move onto the next job. In our case we wanted it done right. We used heavier gauge steel than some quotes. Double rolled seams that not all would have done. Backer rod to minimize oil canning. Details matter.
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@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero exactly. Especially when they just want to get done with yours and move onto the next job. In our case we wanted it done right. We used heavier gauge steel than some quotes. Double rolled seams that not all would have done. Backer rod to minimize oil canning. Details matter.
@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero we had to change our well pump last week (our plans changed and we needed a pump with more head). Since we installed the last one, it was an easy job. Took a few hours from start to finish. We had all the tools to pull the old one, remove it, wire and plumb in the new one, drop it down, and shock the well. No contractors. No scheduling. No hassle.
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@W6KME
Glad to see Makita which is my tool brand of choice is all by itself.
@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero@justin @W6KME @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
I took a metal sculpture class years ago at a community art center, and she recommended we own some power tools so we weren’t waiting to share the shop’s, and for a power drill to run wire brushes and really clean metal before and after welding, she said Makita. That drill has served me for 20 years, three houses and two tornadoes. Damn fine piece of equipment.
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@justin @W6KME @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
I took a metal sculpture class years ago at a community art center, and she recommended we own some power tools so we weren’t waiting to share the shop’s, and for a power drill to run wire brushes and really clean metal before and after welding, she said Makita. That drill has served me for 20 years, three houses and two tornadoes. Damn fine piece of equipment.
@MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero I need to take a metal sculpture class....
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@MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero I need to take a metal sculpture class....
@ai6yr @MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
at one point in my life, i was taking a bunch of jewelry/goldsmithing courses. the surprise pleasure course for me was silver smithing. it had never occurred to me before to try it but it was way fun and satisfying.
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@ai6yr @MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
at one point in my life, i was taking a bunch of jewelry/goldsmithing courses. the surprise pleasure course for me was silver smithing. it had never occurred to me before to try it but it was way fun and satisfying.
@paul_ipv6 @ai6yr @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
Dallas has an Arts Center that has been around probably as long or longer than I’ve been alive. There is this astonishing crew of world class artists that teach classes in everything from photography to jewelry to glass blowing and metal sculpture. It’s always different classes, depending on who is free for six weeks to teach. The metal lab is amazing. Classes run from free for workshops to half a grand for stuff that requires a lot of in place equipment, like metal sculpture and glass work. I think I paid $300ish for six weeks of welding classes, which is a steal, considering all the oxygen/acet tanks I used. It’s a couple hours away now, but I’m gonna see if they have a pottery class anytime soon. I don’t know how to do that.
My friends in Denver and Boston report similar Centers, so maybe there’s one in a big city near you?
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@intrepidhero @ai6yr I have never opened a tool chest and found myself regretting having the tools inside. I don't think any tool I have ever bought proved to be a waste of money.
I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
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I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
@MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr Hoping to see a picture...this is one of my favorite passtimes, identifying antique tools.
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@MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr Hoping to see a picture...this is one of my favorite passtimes, identifying antique tools.
@W6KME @MissConstrue @ai6yr me too! I don't know much but I love learning about them.
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I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
@MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
" the small block mechanic attached to my daughter"
What an interesting description. 🥰 -
@MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
" the small block mechanic attached to my daughter"
What an interesting description. 🥰@Dougfir @MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
LOL.
i do admit i am now trying to picture how a large block mechanic and small block mechanic differ in appearance...
