I finally admitted my dad was right about buying cheap tools

Last month I was trying to fix a leaky pipe under my kitchen sink in Austin. I bought a $12 wrench from the discount store and it snapped after three turns. I drove to his house, borrowed his old Craftsman wrench, and it worked first try without any problem. Has anyone else had a cheap tool break at the worst possible moment?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant.felix5h ago

Man, I snapped a dollar store screwdriver trying to open a paint can once. I finally just gave in and bought a set from the hardware store, never had that happen since.

the_jennifer3h ago

Dollar store stuff is usually just a gamble on whether it lasts five minutes or five years.

bell.felix5h ago

Gotta add to that screwdriver story - I once tried to use a cheap socket wrench to change a tire on the side of the highway near Dallas. The thing stripped the bolt head completely. Had to call a tow truck and everything. My old Snap-on set from my dad has never done me dirty like that. It's not even about being fancy, it's about the metal quality. Cheap tools are made from that soft recycled steel that bends and snaps. Spending just twenty bucks extra upfront saves you hours of frustration and probably some injuries too.