What is the "best" tool you have ever acquired? The worst? Any horror stories of a new tool that everyone was touting, but proved worthless for you?

 

For me, the best is an oscillating multi tool from HF; I've had to repair it once (wire came out of the switch) but it's been a trooper. While I don't use it all the time, there are jobs it will do that nothing else can touch. When it needs replacement I'll spend some real money for a mainstream brand, but for now... it works.

 

The worst? The early Dremel add-ons that required adapters to make them work, used a couple of times and then forgotten.

 

Don't really have any horror stories because I am very careful about what I buy (I don't have a lot of discretionary money).

Good topic, I will have to ponder on this a little.

Right off the top of my head, I would say screw extractors are the worst - never have been able to get a screw extracted with them

The best tool(s) I ever bought are my Shopsmiths. I get a warm feeling each time I use one.

The worst one was a Crapsman RAS that would never stay aligned.

The worst is easy: a PC Profile Sander. What a piece of junk! The best is a lot harder, and a lot of ways to judge "best". Im not sure I have one I'd consider best.

47 minutes ago, Chips N Dust said:

Good topic, I will have to ponder on this a little.

Right off the top of my head, I would say screw extractors are the worst - never have been able to get a screw extracted with them

Yeah...those, too.

I don't know that I have any best or worst tools! I have a lot of tools that have given me fantastic service over the years. I don't really know which one I would pick as "best". Conversely, I have bought some real dogs, but which one(s) are the worst? Like the good tools it is hard to choose.

 

If I really have to name a good tool, that has always done the job for me within its capabilities, with the longest service, I would have to say that it is a variable speed Dremel (no attachments). I have had it for 40+ years and it is still going strong. I use it frequently but it is starting to cut out occasionally. It may just need new brushes or the rheostat is toast. When it finally quits then I'll see if it is worth the time. I sure would not want one of the new ones!

 

As for the worst, I'll second Gene and Kelly on the screw extractors. I have tried using the cheap ones and been frustrated to no end. The good quality ones are a joy to use, but can get kind of pricey for a one or two time tool.

 

However, like the commercial TV, says, "...that tool you buy to do the job in five minutes and finish up five hours later". I think that we have all had one or two of those. When a tool is bad, it's all bad.

Worst:

1) HF angle grinder. I sent it back the day I got it.

2) one of those rotozip tools.

 

Best tools. Well there's hand tools and then power.

 

Power

All my Hammar  & Felder equipment. Just don't look to Felder for  customer service  their customer service guy is little more than a high pressure  gaslighter. He hands you excuses redirects blame to you, even redirects blame to imaginary people who don't exist, and tells you absolute lies,  and can go on for hours.  When you finally get sick of him he starts calling you names, criticizes your life choices, and tells you how  it's all your fault that your "relationship" with Felder is tarnished.   You  literally have to hang up on the moron.  It's like a long play version of  Loretta  Lynch explain how their consent decree  on ICE doesn't say what it actually says.

 

My walker Turner DP

My Aggazani 20" BS

My made in the USA Milwaukee drills I got the old ones made right here.

My metabo angle grinder

My shop made miller mortiser

I should include my old  Crapsman table saw because  with good  aftermarket fences and a Dayton 3/4 HP motor, it served me well for  nearly 40 years

 

Hand tools

Plumb Hammer

lie nielson A2 socket Chisels

All the turned mallets I made from a fallen apple tree

 

 

 

Worst tool- the one that just broke when I needed it most.

 

Best tool- the one that hasn't broken, yet.

17 minutes ago, lew said:

Worst tool- the one that just broke when I needed it most.

 

Best tool- the one that hasn't broken, yet.

 That's good! (and so true).

Worst.. history...

Best... all of them that didn't become history...

 

gotta agree on the PC detail sander..

Best tool  Rockwell 10" contractor saw.

Worst tool  Craftsman quick change drill bit set.

6 hours ago, lew said:

Worst tool- the one that just broke when I needed it most.

 

Best tool- the one that hasn't broken, yet.

Sounds like a winner to me.

My worst tool?  I have to get on board with the PC detail sander, but not because the tool is junk, but because the sandpaper marketed by Klingspoor as specifically for that tool will not stay on the profiles.  I end up using the profiles by hand so that I can hold the paper on, by hand.

 

Best tool? A low angle block plane from Lee Valley, Veritas brand.  Also, whatever my next tool is that I haven't gotten yet because I can't yet afford it.  Like in the military, your worst duty station was the one you just left, and the best is the one you're going to next.  Got off on a tangent.  I do that sometimes.

Worst ... Drill bits that wont drill.

Best. Maybe not my favorite but lasted the longest is my

grandfathers 1917 Black&Decker 3/4" hand drill.

Still going strong today...

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Kevin Beitz said:

Maybe not my favorite but lasted the longest is my

grandfathers 1917 Black&Decker 3/4" hand drill.

Still going strong today...

The pin in my wrist and arm are oscillating like a piano tuning fork just thinking about picking that beast up.   

1 minute ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

The pin in my wrist and arm are oscillating like a piano tuning fork just thinking about picking that beast up.  

Let alone the pain when the bit snags and that beast keeps keeps turning. 

1 minute ago, Gene Howe said:

Let alone the pain when the bit snags and that beast keeps keeps turning. 

I was already dealing with the tingly feeling just from seeing that beast.  Then you had to bring that up. 

 

You trying to make my arm fall off completely.  

1 hour ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I was already dealing with the tingly feeling just from seeing that beast.  Then you had to bring that up. 

 

You trying to make my arm fall off completely.  

 I was feeling that tingly feeling looking at that cord. ZOOWIE!!!!!

If that does not give you a charge I got a 1" hand drill...

 

 

The on/off switch on the first one is a real killer.

Pull once = on. Pull again = off.