Replies

1. 
   CA_Bill_Houghton_Sebastopol | May 29, 2001 06:28am | #1

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   Speaking as a weekend warrior who has purchased both consumer-grade and pro-grade tools, I'd say there's another reason besides tool lust to buy the pro stuff: it works.

   I have yet to walk out of a tool show $40,000 poorer; as a life-long bottom feeder, I tend to get most of my pro-grade tools used, sometimes in need of medical attention, like new bearings. But my $35 Elu router (similar to DeWalt DW610), even with bad bearings, outperforms the Black and Decker router that was my first; my Porter-Cable bayonet saw is a real saw that cuts straight up and down kerfs, not like the dog-chewed cuts all my prior saber saws cut; my Makita reciprocating saw and its Craftsman predecessor aren't even on the same planet. I could go on and on.

   I've been working on my 1890 house for more years than I care to mention, and if I'd had pro-grade tools at the very beginning, I would probably have saved a year's time by now in increased efficiency.

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   Brian_Piccioni | May 29, 2001 10:46pm | #2

   *I agree with you, Bill. Speaking as somebody who works on the Street (not that street, for an investment bank) I know the WSJ should write about trends like that so investors can know about them. What I don't get is the implied criticism of those of use who like to buy good tools, instead of the crap that somebody thinks should be good enough. ("What does the homeowner need some of these tools for?"). I wonder if that applies to cars too? Who needs anything better than a Neon?I figure anybody who does carpentry, etc., probably makes the mistake of buying garbage like Black & Decker, maybe graduates to Craftsmen (labouring under the misapprehension they are the best) and eventually throws in the towel and buys the best they can afford. Its not that you want to spend money, but there is a reason I have a dead B&D drill and circular saw, a sick Craftsman drill and dead Craftsman circular saw and router. In fact the oldest power tool I have was a B&D professional (now Dewalt) grinder, which cost a bundle. Oddly enough, the only professional quality power tools I have ever had to replace were a Dewalt cordless drill (dropped 18 feet onto concrete, and a Makita hammer drill which was defective (lousy brushes). I see a trend here. My useless Craftsman table saw (which cost me $600) can’t rip a 2x4, while my $2,000 Unisaw can (at 45 degrees, and asks for more), and that makes a big difference. I actually figured I got ripped off too the tune of $600 - one costly useless saw. So it may bother somebody when I buy a Dewalt, Makita, Porter Cable, etc., especially when I come in wearing a suit. So like you, Bill, I have been working on my house for quite a while (3 years non-stop and counting), and I find it much easier to do the work with the right tools. Saves time too. Don't have to go to the store and buy replacements quite so often.

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   RJT_ | May 30, 2001 03:48am | #3

   *More than likely the article was written by a cynical nerd that was getting grief by his wife because of the splendid remodeling job that was taking place next door by the lawyer/doctor/dentist or whatever,off hours remodeler. A similar article was recently aired about novices buying motorcycles and hitting the road with their iron. What's wrong with that? Is it better for them to die on the couch watching those stupid 'news' programs that criticize people for doing something exciting and different?

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   RJT_ | May 30, 2001 03:48am | #4

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   http://homes.wsj.com/n/SB928503255875700913-improve.html