Originally Posted by Tim Hancock (Post 11476542)

I have built and restored more projects than most here over the years and I probably own more tools than most here. (I have built or restored multiple airplanes, cars, boats, motorcycles, musical instruments etc etc) I have done it all using a wide variety of both expensive, cheap and handmade tools (MAC, Snapon, Craftsman and quite a few lowly HF power and hand tools) I have collected over the years. As a mechanical engineer, I have a pretty good understanding of what items I can use that are cheap and what items I need to spend a bit more on.

If every tool I owned was the top notch most expensive brand, I would not have been able to have bought and completed so many projects over the years. I will put my quality of workmanship up against anyone's whether I completed the job with one of my homemade, HF or SnapOn tools. ;)

With that said.... if it makes you "feel" better to buy the most expensive tool for every job then by all means knock yourself out. :)

Originally Posted by aigel (Post 11477984)

So, do you have a HF welder? HF auto darkening helmet?

I totally get what you are saying. I also own HF tools, I just keep it with the simpler items that don't have too many moving parts or electricity involved. Unfortunately there are some tools you can't even get from a US made source. I do have to say, as I get older and have more money, I often go with the tool that's made in the western world (not just quality but also political and environmental reasons). Sometimes you need to put your money where your mouth is.

G