[Doug Ridley]

An old horse trader told me a long time ago, "Son, if you want first quality oats you have to pay the price. If you are willing to settle for oats that have already been run through the horse, they come a little cheaper."
There have been several times that I wish I had followed his advice. I might not have that drawer full of junk tools in the shop.
Doug

[JIM QUILICI]

Originally Posted by Doug Ridley

An old horse trader told me a long time ago, "Son, if you want first quality oats you have to pay the price. If you are willing to settle for oats that have already been run through the horse, they come a little cheaper."
There have been several times that I wish I had followed his advice. I might not have that drawer full of junk tools in the shop.
Doug

doug ,
I don't care who you are ....that's funny.
Jim

[Eddy Smiles]

No argument here Jim!

[bulldog]

I always went with the" Buy the best you can afford" thing and have some very nice tools. But it's your experiance in knowing what to do with the tools and be able to work within thier limitations. I find it very humbling to go to my local carving club and see some guys working with box cutter type utility knives and modified pocket knives and turn out pieces I could'nt even come close to with my high priced, top shelf tools. Well, I haven't been at this for very long sooooooo...maybe some day I'll wake up and actually have some talent. For me, catching on to this carving thing has been a really tough grind.
KEEP BARKIN

[Eddy Smiles]

Bulldog! I'll second that!

[Claude]

Way back in 1980, I had a two sons and was involved in a Scout troop that did a lot of driving to campouts and hikes. I needed to get a vehicle that would handle lots of youth and their backpacks. After careful researching vans for several weeks, I settled on a VW Vanagon, new that year. VW vans were the ultimate old reliable. I looked at Fords, Chevies, and Dodges - all required the addition of windows, seats, interior finishing, etc. The cost was roughly equivalent to the VW, after refinishing, but the VW had the reputation. Boy, was I wrong. Over the next 6 years, I paid for the Vanagon twice, by replacing the engine, the transmission, the airconditioner, the fuel pump, and lots of other parts. Meanwhile, my old Ford Pinto I bought in 1973 because of the gas crunch, got 135,000 miles on the first clutch, and just ran great.

What is my point? Well, sometimes buying the "expensive, top of the line model" isn't the best idea after all. For carving tools, it really depends, I think, on the type of carving you do. For example, I usually carve small figures from basswood, so I primarily use Flexcut chisels: sharp out of the box, hold an edge well, easy to sharpen, etc. But, if I was carving large objects out of walnut, the Flexcut chisels would be totally inappropriate - I'd need the larger chisels, such as the full sized Pfiel chisels. The Pfiel chisels are more expensive than the Flexcut, but for what I need chisels and gouges, the flexcut are more appropriate.

Bottom line: The more expensive tools may not be better than a mid-range price set in the long run, depending on the use to which you put the tools.

Claude

[Eddy Smiles]

Claude...

I had the same experience with a VW Van, only 6-years earlier. It was the second year after VW came out with their "New Improved" model. New improved my #@$! I took it on a trip up north with less that 25,000 on it and it broke down no less than 4 times with internal engine problems. Needless to say I dumped it when I returned home. Bought a Dodge Van, refitted it myself and drove it for 11-years. I'd still have it today except the old girl just died of natural causes!

[Hugh P.]

I like the answers given to this question, quality vs price. My suggestion for buying tools is to ask, research, to see what tools are lasting. Often recommendations come from people that are backed by tool makers?????? Busy Bee, and Craftsman are two through experience, that I stay away from.
Foredom & Gesswein carving tools are top rated in my book. I had problems with my Foredom, and with Susie Q's advice contacted the company, they used me first rate.
Service is everything. Does made in China have a service depot in Canada or the US. grin.

[brianh]

Some of my favorite detail chisels are forged sheet rock screws and concrete nails they really hold an edge properly temperd.

As to the harbor freight chicago electric, it can be hit and miss I have some routers and die grinders that are great but the chop saw I bought was junk.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by jartzh

Is it just me or not, but I have NEVER found when a cheaper tool was actually less expensive in the long run. ( I have the worlds most expensive electric chain saw $700 to prove it. I bought & broke a $50 craftman, $200 milwalkee before I bought a $450 stihl. I would have saved $250 if I would have bought the right tool the first time)

Its what I have told my wife and myself. Is that your experience?

Well??? last week I had to replace one of my trusted Dremel tools, and so I bought a new 300 model, paid 47.16 and tax. But.....alas, this new Dremel is NOT of the quality that the 395s were. Have only been using it a few days and already it's making odd noises.....and yes I blow the dust out of it every day. I'd say that they've gone to really cheap bearings now to add more to their bottom line....even though this one was made in Mexico, I'd say it won't last near as long as the last one.