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Had to decide between hiring a new guy or buying a better pipe threader, picked the guy and now I'm kicking myself

My Ridgid 300 finally died after 12 years, so I had $1,200 set aside for a new one, but my buddy talked me into using it to hire a helper instead because we were drowning in work. Now the kid shows up late every day and I'm stuck on my knees with a hand die watching him scroll his phone. Anyone else regret choosing people over tools?

3 comments

3 Comments

price.gavin1d ago

Ridgid 300 is a beast, good luck finding another one under $2k these days. I'd fire the kid and get the tool.

mila_murphy211d ago

That kid's not gonna teach himself the trade though. You hand him a power threader and your production goes up, but then you're stuck with a guy who can only run a machine and not think on his feet.

seanjackson1d ago

Fire the kid and get the tool. @price.gavin nailed it - you could probably snag a used Ridgid 300 for way less than $2k if you look around. I've been burned by helpers who don't pull their weight, ended up spending more time babysitting than working. Your time on your knees with a hand die is costing you money, plain and simple. A good tool pays for itself, a lazy kid just eats your profits.