Sickest tools evar!

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

Is spending the $500 itself part of the enjoyment? Possibly. I like buying tools and other things that will last me forever. If the average stuff was good enough, there simply wouldn't be a market for the high-end.
It's like shooting a rifle. I have a very accurate bolt action rifle. It hits where I aim every time. 2-3" grouping at 200yds, every time. It was far from expensive, in fact when it was made it was considered one of the most under appreciated rifles on the market for the simple reason that it was over looked by most because of its very low price (about $250 IIRC, it's been close to 14 years since I got it). My stepmom gave my dad a really nice Styer rifle for Christmas 2-3 years ago and I got to shoot it. The price was close to 5 times that of my rifle. It wasn't any more accurate. But it was an absolute joy to shoot. It was balanced better. The trigger pull was smoother. The action was smoother. My rifle is not deficent in any of those areas but this one was just nicer.

Some people like to have nice things for their hobbies. It's the nature of a hobby.

No no, I'm with you 100% on the hobby aspect, but I was referring to using tools for money. Can you justify spending more money on something because it's better, when you won't see the returns?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

No no, I'm with you 100% on the hobby aspect, but I was referring to using tools for money. Can you justify spending more money on something because it's better, when you won't see the returns?

If you know that you'll only ever have to buy it once, how could you afford not too? Why do so many mechanics swear by Snap-On and Matco tools? You can't only look at returns in the short term. If you use a tool constantly a lesser tool will wear out. As it starts to wear the quality of the work it will produce will decrease up until the point it has to be replaced. If a tool costs 3x as much and lasts 3x as long or more, it's a bargain. Especially if it doesn't begin to wear to the point that it affects the work until just before it dies. There are tools out there older than I am that are still turning out phenomenal work and have been used constantly sine they were new. On the other hand I have worn out the collet on a Skil router in only a few years of occasional use and I'm going to have to replace it soon. Had I bought a better one the first time I would probably be ahead overall from a cost standpoint.

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

See, it's interesting, I agree with you, but I assume that I cannot justify outrageous prices because I don't use them to make a living, plus I'm still a highschooler and can't use them everyday for years to see if they last forever. But I'm with you on the fact that you should buy for quality, but where is the point of diminishing returns?

 

[2wheeler 10+ year member]

See, it's interesting, I agree with you, but I assume that I cannot justify outrageous prices because I don't use them to make a living, plus I'm still a highschooler and can't use them everyday for years to see if they last forever. But I'm with you on the fact that you should buy for quality, but where is the point of diminishing returns?

I've always followed the 60/90 rule. If the very best, mass produced gizmo costs $100 dollars then the $60 dollar gizmo will provide at least 90% of the performance of the $100 dollar gizmo. Another way to say it is at 60% of the cost, you will normally get 90%+ of the possible performance.

As a young guy, you have the most to gain by getting good stuff now. I have tools that I bought 25+ years ago that still work perfectly. You'll be saying the same thing in 2032 if you get good stuff now...