With reference to recent threads mostly about power tools and the price verses value issues that always seem to arise I thought I would put down a few words and it isn't pro or anti any one person just a few observations in general
The constant things in these threads is, is there a need to go for the best as in specs or best as in value for money
The answer is there isn't one simple answer
If specs were the be all and end all then why do Makita/Dewalt still sell
9.6 volt tools when there are higher spec'd 24 volt ones around. Why do they make different rated tools in each voltage band, why do some come with 1.3 ah batts when 3.3 ah batts are availableIf all you do Diy wise is the odd shelf or putting up hanging basket brackets than a 300 quid plus Makita cordless isn't the tool for you. That's more like a job for a 20 quid powerdevil from Argos hell its will even probably come with a selection of wall plugs ,drills and screws for you to do the jobs with! That doesn't mean that the mak can't do the job it just not the most sensible purchase in that instance
If you have a 10' by 10' lawn in the back garden you don't buy a sit on lawnmower
If you have to polyfiller a few holes in the plaster before you paint then you don't need a random orbit or belt sander
If you have to cut up a few battens for a shelf in an alcove then a sliding compound mitre saw isn't needed
Conversely going on price
If you are building a kitchen extension a power devil drill wont last long
Cutting an acre of lawn isn't a job for a flymo
If you are going to have to sand down a whole house worth of doors skirtings etc you aint going to do it with a sanding block
If you are going to be putting down a hardwood floor with wide boards you are not going to use a 30 quid mitre saw from b+q
If drilling a hole in a wall for a wall plug then a power devil is going to be easier than doing it with a handdrill, an 800 watt drill will do it quicker than a 400 watt one , a challenge sds drill will do it quicker than a
800 watt, and an under £80 jcb, bosch etc is an lot easier to use than a challenge, and a top of the range dewalt /Makita will again be lighter and easier to useDoes than mean if you don't own a dewalt/Makita SDS that you can't drill holes in walls?
I suppose it comes down to why you DIY
Some people do it to save money get the job done as simply and cheaply as possible, and some do it themselves so that they can have a real top notch job done with the highest spec'd items. and every variation inbetween. It doesnt make one approach better or worse than another it's just a different approach the one the suits that persons needs or wallet at the time.
I have a performance power 1/4" router and have for many years, has it fallen apart no, can it trim 3/8" from the bottom of a hardwood door yes, ok I may have to take more passes then a 1/2" trend but then its was a fraction of the price, it certain mortised out for the hinges a hell of a lot quicker than doing it with a chisel, would I like a 1/2" inch trend yes for sure who wouldn't but until I need one I'll keep the PP one
On the opposite side I have a 30 quid 12v cordless drill that now isn't up to the jobs I would like to do with it so am looking around for something beefier
For wood chisels I have several good ones that take a good keen edge and a few from poundland. I use the ones from poundland for rough work and doing things where I wouldn't risk a good one does it make the poundland ones that will not hold an edge crap no , does it make the better ones to highly specified no, you use the tool that is appropriate for the job.
Well that's my tuppence worth
Steve
I know this post has been posted before had problems since switching to broadband with newservers and on checking google found the posts couldnt be seen