Are cheaper tools BETTER then the big brands?!

[@mikehinson4062]

I started woodworking about 2 yrs ago. I bought really cheap tools. Some were worthless, but I learned how to use them and what I needed to look for in a replacement. If I need a specific tool for a project, I look for a deal, read reviews (some are written by idiots) and decide how much I want to spend. Is 1 project worth the cost? Am I going to use it often? Is the cheaper tool good enough for me to learn on? I think I need to buy better chisels also. But at what price? Will I use and enjoy them more if I have better ones? Still pondering.

[@Greyotterstudio]

I like that approach, sounds very similar to mine! Although its always scary to pull the trigger on shelling out for a new tool!

[@CP23_]

Fair point! No point investing ££££ if two months later you decide you don’t like the hobby!

[@Greyotterstudio]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@TheWeekendWoodshop]

I whole heartedly agree with your philosophy here. None of the tools in my shop were expensive and they all work well. I slowly upgrade when needed. Great video 😁

[@Greyotterstudio]

Thanks very much! Seems like we both have the same idea! Please stick around for future videos!

[@henryrossouw930]

Fully agree with you.Got most of my tools at auctions, flee markets and from friends.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Sounds like a great approach to building your tool collection!

[@matthewwakeling4918]

For me as a beginner I went down the pre-owned route (car boot sales, pawn shops etc) and stuck to the same brand battery powered power tools to cut the cost down even further as only a couple of batteries required.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Seems like a smart way of doing it! Which brand did you go with in the end?

[@matthewwakeling4918]

Makita 18v LXT brushed lots of spares, preowned and oem batteries.

[@michaelh5699]

You mean stolen.

[@mrwaffles1394]

I think you are right here, with the exception of layout and measuring tools. You don't need starrett and woodpecker, but you do need good accurate ones.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Very true! I made the mistake early on from having an "out of square" square and a wobbly marking gauge. If the initial measurments are wrong it can throw off the whole project!

[@kevinwillis6707]

The draper engineers square is accurate, good for setting up saws and checking timber, but most squares sold at diy stores aren't even square, Banggood sell a couple of accurate 90 and 45 degree squares for a bargain price. Dennis from hooked on wood channel does good reviews of Banggood tools and I've found his verdicts trustworthy. I've got some good stuff on there, they often have flash sales, the only drawback is delivery times are weeks not days.

[@projectrebuild908]

So this is an odd one as its up there in luxury item band. I have a Parf guide system. I use the drill guide as my fence in my cutting station. I hate tools with one functionality.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Multi-functionality is the way forwards! Its one of the reasons I love my hand planes so much, so versatile!

[@keithhooper6123]

Found Parkside and Titan perfectly good. EBay used/new tools,Facebook marketplace,local sales groups.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Wasn’t a fun of the titan chopsaw but I’ve used some of their other stuff with no issues! I also still use a super cheap £25 jigsaw and it’s doing great!

[@ckeller07]

I have a set a harbor freight $6 chisels that I've probably owned for 20 years. They still work well, I occasionally sharpen but I don't mine beating on them for time to time to do something abusive.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Exactly the same viewpoint as me haha, I'd rather smack my cheap chisels into something then risk damaging the edge of my nice ones!

[@tobeforgottenisworsethande8995]

I'm not even a DeWalt fan really but I have noticed that DeWalt has the best resale price and pawn shops are charging almost as much as retail stores are so if I was going to invest in a brand I would invest into wall just because if I don't like it I can make almost my money back. Plus some solid tools never hurt to have around

[@Greyotterstudio]

Very fair points!

[@kevinwillis6707]

It all depends how much work you do with them, theres a difference netween diy and pro tools. In my own experience i reckon the ryobi cordless saw is fine if you put a decent blade in it, a triton router is fine and a third of the price of a festool or dewalt. Cheap cordless drills arent worth it, but if you only put a shelf up once or twice a year they are ok. Eventually if you carry on you end up upgrading. Picking up old stanley planes is getting harder because of etsy resellers snapping them up, but sometimes you get lucky. I wouldnt get a cheap tracksaw if you plan on building a kitchen, but for occasional use they are ok. its worth spending a bit more on decent sawblades and router bits, they give better results, and some( not all) of the chinese tools from banggood are as good as their pricier western cousins. Lots of reviews of them on the yootubes.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Those are all really good points Kevin, thanks for sharing them!

[@startmaking1]

Great video and I have to say that I agree with the sentiment. Thank you Alex

[@Greyotterstudio]

Thanks Mark.

[@michaelwillson6847]

Think your absaloutley on point with this video m8. I started off with mix of good tools and cheap tools and must say still have some the cheap ones. Parkside belt sander done me a treat for about 2 years and was only 30 quid the router from them mentioned before 35 quid and for what a need router for not bad. If your looking for a uk brand relatively well priced but amazing quality lumberjack. Ive had load there stuff recently and ive battered some of there stuff and holds up amazing. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Greyotterstudio]

Thanks for the comment bud, glad to hear some of the super cheap ones have worked out really well for you! I'm still on the hunt for a router, going to have to just commit soon I think!

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@Greyotterstudio well as say the parkside one has done me well so far and it comes with 6 bits aswell bonus granted don't expect they'll last if constant use but might get u started. Lumberjack ones 70 quid with bits but u can get the Makita red range from Screwfix (semi professional range for 60) or 80 for Bosch or if your on a battery platform look at that and u can get batteries that are non branded that will fit them just a thought. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍