What tools do you regret not spending more money on?

I am looking for a cheap hand mixer and came across a post of nearly this same name on reddit: "What kitchen tools do you regret not spending more money on?" and since I care more about real tools I thought I'd come here and pose the question.

I am a parts replacer not a mechanic so I typically buy something cheaply at the local parts store as I suddenly discover I need it, so I don't even know what I don't know about when something is too sucky for my own good. Probably my only real example is my 5 lb wooden handled sledge I got from a yard sale for $5 and the head keeps threatening to come off, but that one's obvious.

Good thread idea!  first one I can think of is snap ring pliers. The cheap ones have enough play that they suck to use. I bought a nice Channel Lock brand set and don't shoot c clips across the shp any more. Well, much less often.

Come to think of it, pliers in general. The well made ones don't slip off stuff nearly as easily.

Brake flaring tools. There's a massive difference in the quality of the flare between the super-cheap ones and the good ones, especially when dealing with factory Mazda brake line. Which is why I spent real money the second time.

Generally, I tend to buy good tools instead of the cheapest because I hate it when I can't depend on them.

Broken bolt/LH drill bits/extractors

It's a job that sucks when you have to do it.  Subpar recovery tools don't help.  Thanks to someone here I bought a set of real-deal Snap-On via eBay and the difference was spectacular.  EXDL10 was the set number

Vacations

Brake piston retracting tool (spreader). 

I've used everything from a gloved hand to C-clamps to a repurposed brake drum puller. Finally ordered the actual tool the other day, and I don't know why I've waited this long. 

Boats

Edit, my Cuisinart hand mixer model hm-90s is a tank. Wasn't cheap compared to other hand mixers but I got tired of burning them out because they didn't have enough power.

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

Good thread idea!  first one I can think of is snap ring pliers. The cheap ones have enough play that they suck to use. I bought a nice Channel Lock brand set and don't shoot c clips across the shp any more. Well, much less often.

Come to think of it, pliers in general. The well made ones don't slip off stuff nearly as easily.

A rocket motor manufacturer turned me on to Knipex snap ring pliers. He tests dozens (hundreds?) of motors a year with 1" to 3" snap rings.  OMG! When you need them they are worth their weight in gold.

Mulling it over over lunch I just thought of a couple for myself.

1. Channel lock pliers - cheap ones always skip a rung

2. Crescent wrench - I only discovered that they can be a useful tool that doesn't just round things off once I inherited my grandpa's

3. Vice grips - same as above. Funny thing about his old Craftsman is that they have a sleeve insert where the threads are. That's otherwise been the point of failure. Surely there are better brands out there than even this old Craftsman but I've had it for years - and he had it for decades

Torx bits.

I loath torx head fasteners, and haven't found a perfect tool yet.  My answer has been to replace torx fasteners with traditional hex or socket head fasteners if needed.

I have found that the eBay sourced Blue-Point 3/8" drive torx sockets I bought are a much better tool than the random assortment of Amazon, Autozone, Tractor Supply, etc. Chinesium torx sockets I've had in the past.  I've still managed to destroy torx head bolts fasteners with the Blue-Points, but so far I haven't destroyed or twisted the Blue-Point sockets.

I wish I hadn't wasted any money on cheap multi-meters. When I finally caved and bought a Fluke it was a life changing experience.

Toolbox

Tap & Die sets. 

30 years ago I bought H-F sets thinking they would be fine. Until some 10 years later and I needed to cut threads into a new bike frame I'd bought and the tap wouldn't start to purchase into the hole.  After futzing with it for 30 min, I finally gave up and went to Sears to buy a small tap set. Back when the Sears sets were still made in the USA (by Vermont American, IIRC). That tap cut threads into the frame pretty much instantly. The H-F sets went into the trash and were eventually replaced with good USA sets.

If you've never used a GOOD tap you don't know what you're missing. I have a garage business machining parts for other hobbies. Every time I need a tap I buy a good one (usually two) from the machine tool supply shop near my work. I'm talking OSG, Balax, etc. Compared to the hardware store taps they cut metal like butter.

Grandpa was a machinist and a Mitutoyo fan, that rubbed off on me.

Most of my precision measuring stuff is Mitutoyo, Starrett, or SPI, I've got some cheaper Fowler stuff too.  I've never been upset about having good calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, or feeler gauges. 

I did go with cheap iGaging DROs on the mini mill though, I have my limits.

The berking drill press. I hate my cheap drill press. 

My divorce lawyer

My welder. I bought cheapest the first time. Now that ive used mid range equipment,  it makes my $89 special pretty frustrating. 

Wire strippers and crimpers: but the best you can afford. 

Can't think of anything.

All my garbage tools have been replaced over the years.

I'm too cheap to buy crap tools.

ShawnG said:

Can't think of anything.

All my garbage tools have been replaced over the years.

I'm too cheap to buy crap tools.

So, basically EVERYTHING you bought the first time around. LOL!

Brake flaring tool, snap ring pliers, and a nearly endless parade of 3/8” drive Craftsman ratchets (although I only ever bought one, the first one that is).

In reply to CAinCA :

Yup, had to learn my lesson.

My first table saw; I think it was on sale for about $100 at Canadian Tire 15 years ago. The guide fence had so much slop it could be off by 1/4" between the front and back, the safety guards were so flimsy that the anti-kickback knives bent and the blade cover actually hit the blade once, the motor would bog down with 3/4" plywood.  I stopped using it because it was so scary to use, but it was cheap!  A couple of years ago I bought Dewalt's really nice contractor saw and it was shocking how much more nice it was to use, and how much easier it is to make things.

harmonic balancer install tool, the universal rentals are not worth the hassle and everyone breaks them so its more lost time for back and forth to different auto repair places that just annoys me...

P3PPY said:

Mulling it over over lunch I just thought of a couple for myself.

1. Channel lock pliers - cheap ones always skip a rung

2. Crescent wrench - I only discovered that they can be a useful tool that doesn't just round things off once I inherited my grandpa's

3. Vice grips - same as above. Funny thing about his old Craftsman is that they have a sleeve insert where the threads are. That's otherwise been the point of failure. Surely there are better brands out there than even this old Craftsman but I've had it for years - and he had it for decades

 

 

 

I recently discovered and purchased a crescent wrench that has a "locking pliers" style lock and it has changed my life.

What I need that I haven't purchased is probably a tool cart. My organization at the moment kind of sucks.