old tools were not cheap and build to last forever; I got some garden tool cutters, B&D drill pretty small cord 50's and my mother still use the singer sawing machine which is heavy AF XD.
a very good saying indeed, buying cheap (and low quality) tools that will fail sooner will cost you more in the long run than high quality/well made tools
Cheap tools are great! You can lend them out ! Your friends / neighbors never ask to borrow anything from you again . If you lend them a quality tool , you will never see that tool again !
When starting out you should buy cheap tools so you have options, but if a tool breaks buy a quality tool to replace it. Still, the points about the 5 most commonly used tools above are good
@Jesus Gonzalez And a skilled plumber knows you work far faster, with better quality, and MORE SAFETY than if you use fragile cheap crap that breaks and slices your hand open the first time you try to use it. Electrician, retired. I have cheap tools. They live in the Kitchen Gadget drawer. My good tools are in the workshop.
I'm an HVAC service tech and while I don't disagree it is important to remember cheap and low quality are not the same thing. I have plenty of tools from harbor freight that have lasted me years and given me no problems (my pipe wrenches for example) but I have bought name brand stuff that a broke after only a few uses
I agree 100%!! Quality does not always correlate with price. If you know what constitutes "a quality tool" then there are definitely good finds out there!
Harbor freight pipe wrenches are complete and utter trash. A coworker has them and it was my first time using them and I could not get a good grip on a 3/4 inch adaptor. It was not fine enough of an adjustment and was either too big or too tight. I didn't have my rigid pipe wrenches on me but I know that the rigids would grip on that adaptor no problem. I've never had a problem from my rigids like I did with that harbor freight special. The harbor freight just had too much slop in the jaws.
@@jtoker9758 mine can get a bit without issue but they don't slip in the other direction well, I have a small ridgid that does 90% of my work I rarely use big pipe wrenches so for me they are good enough if I used them more I would have trashed them awhile ago but I do very little plumbing with larger pipes so it hasn't been enough of a problem for me to bother
Great and very helpful video! Spending a bit extra for tools and knowing what features you need will always save headaches down the line. I do have some comments: 1. I worked with a carpenter who needed to get his Ridgid driver repaired at an authorized Ridgid service center (it was an independent shop) under warranty. He brought in his tool, and they basically didn't do anything with it for a few weeks (I forgot if they needed to wait for parts or not, but the carpenter noted they didn't even open the driver to diagnose problems). So the ease of having Ridgid to honor their warranty will depend on what needs to be done. - If it's a tool replacement, then it's relatively easy, although you might want a cheap backup tool to use until you get the replacement in-hand. - But if it's a tool service repair, hope that your local authorized service center can turn around the repair job in a reasonable amount of time. 2. Home Depot's HDX brand is mostly garbage. - Their painter's tape doesn't stick at all - spend the extra money on 3M, even though it's almost double the price. - The head on their dollar spray bottles often breaks off. Meanwhile, I've bought dollar spray bottles from Walmart's ironing section that have lasted years. - I needed a crescent wrench for a bath faucet replacement, and Home Depot only had HDX in stock. I checked it out and felt how smooth and short the teeth were. I went online and ordered a more expensive brand that was $10 more. Its teeth were sharply cut and rough enough to actually grip plumbing nuts. It was $10 well spent. - The only thing I would trust HDX for is tools with non-moving parts. Their squeegees are probably fine for people who only use them for occasional small jobs. Their 5 gallon buckets are fine too.
Been plumbing for over 30 years. First word of advice to all my grasshoppers: buy high guality tools- Save yourself so much grief throughout your career.
Cheap tools for throw aways or emergency one time use, inexpensive tools for occasional use, best quality tools you can afford for daily use and to reduce frustration and lost time. A story about "Cheap throw away tools". In the early 70's my father, who was a steel fabricator, and his crew were on a job 100+ miles from the shop when they realized they had no small drill motor for the many pilot holes they needed in preparation for drilling bigger holes. One of the guys ran to a hardware store and picked up a cheap Black and Decker 1/4" drill motor to get the job done. After the job Dad took it home and use it around the house until his death in 2003. I continued to use it occasionally even though it smelled like it was burning up until August of 2020 when I gave it to a young man who was in a bind and needed to drill some 1/4" holes.
I'm 70 years old and have a Rigid 1/2 to 2" pipe threader that is over 85 years old and was my grandfather's. Replaced tbe cutting dies in them. Still cut great threads on black pipe.
I got some great advice starting out--buy medium quality tools at first. If you use it enough to break it, replace with high quality. It’s worked for me as I’ve tried a larger variety of tools and discovered there are lots I don’t need. Also, I appreciate a high quality tool after I’ve used a cheap one.
My dad used to say "buy cheap, buy twice." I've rarely ever had a premium tool fail on me, and even if they did, they always had a good warranty. Also, I love my knipex cobras, the locking feature is actually helpful when using 2 at once, they won't open accidently while switching grips. Keep em clean and add a little oil from time to time and you can easily adjust them with one hand. I always feel kinda badass when closing them with a flick of the wrist 😉
@@Got2Learn you do too! I like to see your content, as a plumber from germany I like to see the similarities and differences in how we work and i'm always looking for some practical tips and tricks. Keep up the good work 😉
Thanks for making a video for me to show to my wife. I believe in only paying for quality tools, and only getting tools when you actually need them. I hate when people just buy shitloads of tools that never see the light of day. Thanks for level checking tip, so simple but effective!
If a person has the money to buy shitloads of tools that never see the light of day, if that makes them happy, more power to them! It is their fucking money, they earned it, who the fuck are we to tell them what they can and can't spend it on?
i buy high end tools some of which never see the light of day because ill leave them at home and use the company crap, its not the worst spending habit i can think of
I walked into Sears with a cracked Craftsman 6-pt socket. I showed it to the clerk and he just threw it in the trash and gave me a new one from the shelf.
Fiskars makes great pruning shears, when my stopped cutting I emailed them a picture of the anvil cutter that was too worn and they sent me a new one. I didn't know they had a warranty until I saw someone talk about it online. If you're worried about the jaw coming off that wrench because it has a pin in it then pull out the handy dandy blow torch and use some acid core solder to hold it permanently in place. Some cheap tools can be modified to work better, and they are all I need being a jack of all trades at the house. If I were trying to make a living with the tools then most would be German or American.
So glad you mentioned you would, and did, suggest brands. Because it seems a lot of “cheaper” brands caught on that people were willing to spend a little more (As you suggested they do. Like myself for years) for better tools. Only to have those brands put higher prices on their cheap tools. You ended up paying more but got the same poor quality anyway… So thank you! You do great honest videos and reviews. Wish more people would learn about your channel/site. One of the few to offer both desired qualities.
Great Video. As I have explained to you before. I worked in the construction industry for over 45 years. One of the first lessons my Dad taught me (and he was in the industry for over 45 years) was buy good tools! A good tool help you do the job so much easier and better. A pipe wrench was the tool we were talking about at the time. I have and still use a Milwaukee jig saw I bought in 1982. I think they might make better saws now but I've never needed one.
Try and cordless milwaukee jig saw and get back with us on that one. I hate dealing with corded tools now. too much of a pain in the ass for all that cord.
That’s really neat. I found a tool box that belonged to my step brother’s dad. He had been a carpenter back in the day and had passed away years ago in a car accident. It had some of his old hand tools. My brother thought it was pretty special when I gave it to him.
I completely agree with you. I am a professional plumber in Europe. Ridgid isn't a common brand here but there are lot of good euro tools. For example Knipex, Rems, Rothenberger or Virax. They sure do cost a lot, but it's always been well spent money. They are more precise, durable, and usually, the manufacturer keeps spare pieces to repair them. Thanks for the video.
I’ve used knipex pliers professionally for 15 years and must say you most certainly can adjust it one handed. I’ve got to the point that it’s hard to adjust channellocks one handed. I’d say that it beats channellocks in every single aspect. Those of you that use channellocks are bias because that’s what your use too.
@@Got2Learn pliers wrench too which replaced my crescent wrench and that’s the one you had in the video so it was assumed to be cobras. Good video. I suppose I’m a fanboy but I miss those sooo much if I don’t have them.
I def agree when it comes to Adj pliers, you need to find the ones that work for your trade and daily work needs. CL work great for plumbers bc of the one-handed adjustment feature, for electricians...We are often tightening the same size connector or coupling all day so having the locking pliers from Knipex are excellent as they don't move from their adjustment in your tool pouch or pocket!
A pipe wrench worked great freeing pulleys on my snowblower this winter. Wise placement and bit of ease to reduce teeth marks, and I was able get them moving (with penetrating oil).
HI, Got2Learn! Excellent video as always! I completely agree with you on not going with the cheap tools for work on a job site, especially plumbing. I am a Milwaukee tool man myself. When I purchase Milwaukee, I know I am getting a quality product that will not fail me when I need it most. The only downside, is Milwaukee is quite expensive, but the old saying is true, you do get what you pay for. Keep up the good videos!
For some reason the medium pair in the irwin chanel lock set is the best one ive ever used. Never slips and i like the locking mechanism over the knipex
I do very similar work for a living and use almost the exact same tools and brands. Just about the only difference is I prefer the Turbo Torch that is air/acetylene, allows me to solder and braze without changing anything.
I think if you're a home owner and will only use the tool every blue moon the cheap tools are fine. I'm a landlord who do a lot of my own repairs so I've learned over the years that it's definitely better to spend the extra money for better tools. Unfortunately whenever I have other people working on my properties with me a lot of my expensive tools disappear leaving only the cheap tools. I wonder if it's because I'm a woman and they think I won't notice. Now if I give a worker keys to the property I have to take my tools with me every time I leave unless it's something big like a table saw.
It has nothing to do with you being a woman... Many people are very sloppy and they just leave the tools everywhere... But if you make them responsible for the tools and make them paid for whatever desapear things will change.
Sounds like you're letting dishonest people use your tools. I let my handyman use my tools and he has never stolen anything. Good handymen are hard to find though.
Chinese manufacturers are open-minded ppl, they won't ask you why you want a pen that doesn't write if you ask them to make it for you, the same way if you ask for pen that can write on every possible surface and underwater too :) your money will make the difference.
Not everything made in china is crap; if it's made with quality materials, tight specs and attention to detail it will be fine. The problem is all the manufacturers that are solely interested in profits and cost cutting go to china so a lot of tools from there are crap.
You can't assume that a made in USA tool is good quality, even if you do pay more for it. The reverse also holds true for Chinese manufacturers. By and large, I'd say Chinese products are getting much better in the last few years. At one time Germany and Japan made crap, today many products made in those countries set the standard for quality.
I have these, for most I have multiples. I've got good quality stuff some of it's maybe 50 years old. Yard sales. Moving sales. Estate sales. $2 pipe wrenches, 25 cent tubing cutters, $4 channel locks, two for $5 hammers, $12 Craftsman socket sets (which dozens of sockets and three sizes of ratchets), tool pouches, squares, pitchforks, shovels, rakes, drills, bits, blades, etc. My drywall texture gun was $4. You don't have to pay retail. You can find good quality stuff for not a lot of money. And you can get old stuff that's not half plastic. And you can use your crap tools, until you can find good quality tools and backups. Heck I bought a vise, it's got a civil war era patent date on it, and probably weighs 80 lb. That was around $25. That's probably less than the shipping if I go to try to find something that large of that quality And then there are sales and clearance for the cordless power tools and batteries. My smaller compressor was 75% off. A few days ago I bought an 18 volt Bosch rapid charger, the expensive one with the fan in it - not the one that comes with normal Bosch tools now. Clearance cart at Lowe's. $20. But I can't wait till I need it. If I need it now I'm going to have to go to Home Depot. And I can't wait until the one I have now walks off, gets misplaced, or breaks. If there's no backup, I still have to go to Home Depot. And pay full retail unless I get lucky with the sale. I've dropped a drill on the job and had to go to the backup. I have also had a tool battery charger burn out on the job. I didn't have a backup. Took all the Bosch tools out of commission until I could get a charger. Had a drill back up in another brand, but no backup on the saws. That caused a delay. Got lucky, there was a sale, I paid the extra $40 more than the charger would have cost me, I got the charger I needed. And the stuff I didn't need at the time: two extra batteries, another impact driver, and the drill became the backup I needed later. If I bought it 2 years ago I have it. And there's a decent chance I only spent a dollar or two, for the hand tools anyway. If you're wondering why Bosch? My original Bosch (brute tough hammer drill, impact, reciprocating, circular, with batteries, fast charger, spotlight, blades, bag) set was I think around $600, on clearance for $225. I only needed a drill immediately. That was about 10 years ago. The circular saw, reciprocating saw, and impact driver are still in use. The hammer drill I burnt out drilling concrete. They fixed it under warranty and then I set it on fire again. It's in the pile of things I might fix someday. They also sent me new batteries because they were getting weaker and I was still in the three-year Pro Vantage thing. I've since picked up a Bosch rotary hammer that was $100 off. I've still got the lighter duty Bosch, and Makita ($75 clearance) hammer drills for the small stuff. And I picked up a Makita impact driver as well, on clearance. One battery type would be ideal but, I did get an extra battery and an extra charger for the Makita. And they charge quickly. And if I'm doing a job with more than one fastener type I can have two drill/drivers and up to 3 impact drivers all with different bits laying right there. With multiple batteries for each tool and 4 chargers. That definitely beats switching drill and drive bits every 30 seconds. I don't have a backup circular saw, a cordless one anyway. Been kind of waiting and hoping on Rigid to come out with a brushless set with a circular saw that actually has the blade on the correct (left) side. I'm holding the wood in my left hand I want to be able to see the blade. That helps with accuracy and also not disemboweling myself. (Otherwise it's setting up saw horses, and all that safe stuff.) I'll pick up a set of Rigid. On sale of course. Lifetime service agreement, including the batteries that come with the tool. If the Bosch goes down before then, I may have to do retail. But there is the yard sale hand saw if I need it now. So basically after all this rambling: If you buy good stuff before you need it, you can get it at a good price.
i can vouch for all these tools except for the autocutters, their cutting wheels rust badly and i only had em for a year. I upgraded to the milkuakee close quarters tubing cutters which have chrome rollers. Hopefully will last better
Keep in mind also that almost all levels' bubbles have left and right-of-center lines that accommodate "builder's tolerances." This is another phrase for "not quite perfect." Always center the bubble exactly between these two lines if you want true precision.
I check a level by placing it on a horizontal surface and comparing the bubble position with it when flipped 180 degrees. They should match if the level is accurate.
That st-33 is a badass torch. Haven't seen it in stores often and usually it ain't got the clicker on it. I got one from a co worker but didn't know it was around $100. It puts out a bigger flame than other torches in the same size category. I love that torch.
I'm a huge fan of Knipex tools. But as a homeowner not a pro. They are painfully expensive but the quality is top notch German. The pliers wrench 86 03 300 made me never want to pick up a crescent wrench ever again. I suggest everyone buy one Knipex tool just to indulge yourself in pure quality, and then you will certainly start buying more!
Cheap tools have their place in the shop. When there is a high chance of loss cheap is better. If only used once every 10 years or a one off job cheap is good enough if they can do the job. If you use it every day for work then get quality that is easy to work with.
With the adjustable plyers, go to the Knipex brand. Once you use them, you'll never use another brand again. Leaps and bounds ahead of the game... And made in Germany.
FYI I'm a machinist and my job one day was to machine a bunch of channel locks. I had all the different kinds from the big box stores and channel lock brand by far had harder jaws and teeth than the other brands.
I just go back and fourth 3-4 times so when you go around the blade will sort of "jump" into the other side of the cut. All it takes is one ape over tightening your cutters once and that nice pair of No. 15s starts walking.
I'll 'Cheap Out' if I've forgotten a tool and it's not time effective to go back to my shop. I'll buy some shitty HDX model (or whatever the store closest by sells) and then usually toss it if it's a hand tool.
I’m a mechanic but have pipe wrenches from harbor freight and have put a 4ft piece of tubing on them for extra leverage and it has never broken. I do agree on the knipex though. Those are the best pliers. They do have them where it’s a normal slip joint instead of the lock
As an electrician, (and this goes for any trade) there is a time to spend money on tools and a time and a time you can cheap out for instance, being an electrician we need great screw drivers and Pliers like Dikes, Linesman and Wire Strippers....But, we don't need the top of the line metal file, beater screw driver or hammer...
While I agree with you in principal about this concept, I wanted to point out to you specifically because you mentioned it in the video that companies like Rigid State in their user manual that normal wear and tear is not covered under the warranty and that if the tool lasts a normal service longer than a year or so that it’s considered generally to not have manufactures defects unless you sent it in and they decide otherwise. So likely because that spring wore out in the one you have they will just say basically that you used it up and it’s time to buy another one. Because there are certain items in those units that are wear items. They also sell replacement jaws for the rigid wrenches because that is a wear item and not covered under the warranty. Basically what would be covered would be if that spring broke or the handle broke or the jaw broke soon after you bought it because of a poor casting or something like that but if it last 12 years they’re going to say you got a good life out of it and you should buy another one.
Not only a plumbing tools. It is not overstatement your life depends on your tools being used every day. I always get best I could afford which will be passed on to my kids.
In my everyday bag is the STK-99, 2-420s, 1-440, 12" aluminum Ridgid, I use the mini bandsaw for copper, carry the model 101 ridgid close quarter cutter when I need to cut something in a wall. I cheap out on levels usually buy the mid range empire, sometimes they are 2 for one for 9 bucks.
I love having a torch with a hose I can put almost anywhere bernzomatic if you're on a budget works well but has a lot of plastic so you have to be careful better is a turbo torch 👍👍👍
@@StilettoSniper yea the one I picked up from Lowes cause I needed it right away and Nobody in town had the parts for my turbo torch has a chromed tube and the rest of the handle is plastic of course this may be a Lowes or box store specific unit I know Lowes and home Depot both buy item numbers from manufacturers and have them made cheaper to come in at thier price point plumbing parts will be chromed plastic instead of brass or aluminum flooring will be thinner welders will be made with plastic parts and aluminum windings instead of cast aluminum and copper they do this on tons of products to come in at lower prices than a specialty store the one I got is a BZ8250HT don't get me wrong it's been a great lil torch for the price but the handle trigger etc is plastic 👍👍👍 I always tell people if you're buying something from box stores check to see if it's a unit everyone carries or if it was specifically made for them to get that way lower price then everyone else cause it's made cheaper
I am not a plumber, I am an electrician. I work as a facilities tech. I have all the same preferences as you for plumbing tools. They are great tools and have never let me down
Here in South Africa most Plumber use the Rothenberger line of tools. My main tools that I use everyday are Rothenberger and not one of them have ever let me down. My water pump pliers iv had since I was an apprentice and they still going strong.
I'm a Master Plumber from the Great State of Texas, I recently acquired a new Rothenberger hand threader w/1/2," 3/4", and 1" dies, it was too good of a deal to pass up, that being said, I havent even used it yet lol
I got lucky and scored all Milwaukee tools paid by the Government and I havent complained everyone is slowly looking at my tools to get for them selves! Channel Locks have a reamer edge!
My problem with cheap tools I'm more careless with them tending to misuse and break them or more prone to misplacing them. I still have all my American made sockets, allen keys that I purchased 17 years ago. Adding the functionality considerations finding a cost effective solution for your work is key. Premium, name brand tools are expensive to completely kit out and I've seen plenty of electricians and millwrights running around with more budget friendly but effective options Harbour freight impact socket they also tend to have more premium tools than your average DIY guy. There was some tribal knowledge among the craftspeople about cost effective options the older guys knew where to spend money and where they could go with a more budget friendly option.
once i worked for an company that gave me new tools if they got slightly damaged. All tools were of high quality and the tools that were broken i could use at home. right now i have 3 bags full of tools
oh, i forgot to to say: i use tools til this day that my great granddad, granddad and dad mad during their apprenticeships. my gt granddad was an engineer on the construction of the titanic and he made his own tools. my granddad was a chief designer for tanks at vickers-armstrong in the 1930's and he made his own tools. my dad was the designer for the "coupler expansion rings" for the "Iraqi super gun" and he made all his own tools. my dad passed away in 2016 aged 81 and left me all of these tools. i could not think of a better legacy. yes, it's true - buy cheap - buy twice. there should never be a need to compromise on quality. buy british! buy american! buy spanish (irega is a top quality spanish brand!) i sold their adjustable spanners for years.
My uncle made his own tools serving below decks on Canadian navy escort ships (Corvettes) criss crossing the North Atlantic during WWII. There is no Home Depot when a tool needs replacing. Engine room artificer was his trade. He had a profitable career later on as a master tool and die maker. $$$ Yet every high school kid today wants to go into IT for some reason
Nippex adjustable pliers have a thin head which enabled me to grip the pipe on radiator valves & steam trap unions in the radiator. Spud wrenches would not fit in some applications. My Nippex pliers were constructed well and lasted for many years of constant use and they are very strong too.
I wasn't a plumber but a telecom technician. The company wanted us to use the provided tools for "safety" purposes. The screwdrivers were of really poor quality as I figured it was due to cost, so I bought my own Klein screwdrivers as I've always seen electricians use these.
Very informative! Confirms my take concerning quality tools!! Pay the extra for a quality tool and if taken care of, they will last a lifetime, not to mention they are SAFER !!! I can't stress that enough! I have tools that I've had 35 - 40 years which I'll be passing down to my kids after I'm gone! Really enjoy your channel! Keep up the great work! Subbed!
The last Bernzomatic self-igniting torch head I bought at Home Depot wouldn’t turn off. So I brought it back to their customer service desk and fired it up in front of the store manager then asked him to turn it off. Instant money back.
Best copper cutters in my experience is Milwaukee m12 copper cutters gets in tight places and cuts way faster than by hand only thing I dislike about it is there’s no pipe marking blade on it
I think one advantage to a pipe cutter that comes apart is you can service it easier. For example cleaning. I was surprised that the Ridgid pipe cutter didn't have an opening stop and I would think that it had one at one time however as the stops are typically short spring pins it was probably lost.
The Ridgid pipe cutter you are referring to is an old model that is no longer available new. The newer model Ridgid #101 pipe cutter (which he mentioned briefly in his video) is much better and does not come apart as it has a stop. I love the little 101 pipe cutter when I am not working in an extremely tight space with little clearance around the pipe. The 101 is small, easy to use, parts are available almost everywhere and it makes very accurate cuts.
T torch is good, most scheap tools i don't mind rebuying or buying multiple because lets face it, I not going all the way back under that house and mud for a 5/16 socket or ratchet or pvc cutter lol... shit I deserve a raise as it is!
In the uk the better tools are rothenburger auto pipe cutters and the rothenburger turbofire 2 solder gun. For other hand tools like grips (pliers) choose bahco, durable and sturdy and take heat well.
I’ve owned Milwaukee, husky, ace, Lenox pipe wrenches in different sizes whe I was starting out in the trade. bought a 18” ridgid pipe wrench. Now that’s all I get 😂
As a plumber I'm looking to invest some money in some drain cleaning tools. What do you think can be done with most residential jobs and is the most universal ? A traditional snake machine whether it's a drum or sectional? A jetter ? Or rigids flexshaft.
Oh, I got so lucky. One day I took a load of stuff to the dump. Right where I backed in to dump I saw a cardboard box with brand new tools in it. A 14" and a 18" Rigid aluminum pipe wrench, among other top notch tools. I still have them after 20 years!
The cheapest I'll ever go is the house brand of a major store chain where they back it with a lifetime warranty. They are usually decent mid-tier tools for the price and good for the Diyers and maybe even for the pro that needs some backups or "throw aways"
I was looking to see if there was any mention whether the $5 HF pipe wrench teeth were much softer than the Ridgid. That's what I'd think it's critical, if they rounded off and slipped instead of gripping, or if the handles would bend with abuse from a cheater bar. Didn't see that mentioned, so I guess I'm okay. The roll pin retention isn't something I'd expect to be a problem, as that could be easily fixed if it actually did happen.
One major problem with new tools....they get lost or left behind. I tell my customers, sometimes you get a free pair of plyers, because I'm not crawling on my stomach 40ft to get them from your 18 inch high crawl space. Merry Christmas!
Another great informative video...Thank you so much!........I have cheap (diy) tools in abundance....but I will justify buying a good tool (General Pipe Cleaners auto cut, in my case) because I know that I will save time and the job will be easier because no matter how hard I try, I (more often than not) cut the copper pipe "out of round" when using the traditional style pipe cutters. I guess cheap tools are like cheap dates, they end up costing you more in the end. Keep up the good work!
I only buy some tools cheap like flat head screw driver I got a harbor freight Pittsburgh screwdriver for like a $1.50 and use it for prying and everything not screwing screws and it’s holding up very well only the lettering has worn off going 2 months strong
I’m left wondering why any tool manufacturer would consider leaving the leveling cylinders exposed like that? What problem did they solve with that one?
Stuff I showed in this video (amazon affiliate links)
Pipe wrenches
- amzn.to/2VZYMbW (14" RIDGID ALUMINIUM)
Level (Torpedo levels)
- amzn.to/38Lgl4D (EMPIRE 12")
Pipe cutter (copper)
- amzn.to/3faJxEw (RIDGID)
- amzn.to/38GAd8R (LENNOX)
Adjustable pliers
- amzn.to/31WxCq3 (10" CHANNELLOCK)
- amzn.to/3gC7wgc (10" KNIPEX)
Torch
- amzn.to/2Z9z9aw (TURBOTORCH ST-33)
- amzn.to/2AFC41d (BERNZOMATIC TS8000)
Amazon supports ICE kidnapping children, and you support ICE....
I would really like to hear your thoughts on the TurboTorch STK-99 (with ST-33 tip) vs the TX500 (TX-503 tip)?
@@larryseibold4287 only had the ST99, served me very well!!
my buddy still uses the 3 feet ridgid pipe wrench his grandfather used in the 1940s..
Crazyyyy
I still use 2 that are older than me
old tools were not cheap and build to last forever; I got some garden tool cutters, B&D drill pretty small cord 50's and my mother still use the singer sawing machine which is heavy AF XD.
I have two Ridgid pipe wrenches inherited from my dad, date unknown but sometime from 60's or even older. They work perfectly.
In Germany, a popular statement of craftsmen is: "I cannot afford cheap tools". (Billiges Werkzeug kann ich mir nicht leisten.)
In Finland we say: "The poor cannot afford to buy cheap."
In Lithuania we say: "I am not so rich to buy cheapest tools/things".
a very good saying indeed, buying cheap (and low quality) tools that will fail sooner will cost you more in the long run than high quality/well made tools
My grandpa said "bad workers have bad tools". Very philosophical indeed when you think about it
Cheap tools are great! You can lend them out ! Your friends / neighbors never ask to borrow anything from you again .
If you lend them a quality tool , you will never see that tool again !
Very true, sadly.
Yeah, it won't hurt if I left tools in the job site.
When starting out you should buy cheap tools so you have options, but if a tool breaks buy a quality tool to replace it. Still, the points about the 5 most commonly used tools above are good
@Jesus Gonzalez And a skilled plumber knows you work far faster, with better quality, and MORE SAFETY than if you use fragile cheap crap that breaks and slices your hand open the first time you try to use it.
Electrician, retired. I have cheap tools. They live in the Kitchen Gadget drawer. My good tools are in the workshop.
u r smart...:)
I'm an HVAC service tech and while I don't disagree it is important to remember cheap and low quality are not the same thing. I have plenty of tools from harbor freight that have lasted me years and given me no problems (my pipe wrenches for example) but I have bought name brand stuff that a broke after only a few uses
I agree harbor freight is awesome for a lot of tools
I agree 100%!! Quality does not always correlate with price. If you know what constitutes "a quality tool" then there are definitely good finds out there!
Hvac 🤝
Harbor freight pipe wrenches are complete and utter trash. A coworker has them and it was my first time using them and I could not get a good grip on a 3/4 inch adaptor. It was not fine enough of an adjustment and was either too big or too tight. I didn't have my rigid pipe wrenches on me but I know that the rigids would grip on that adaptor no problem. I've never had a problem from my rigids like I did with that harbor freight special. The harbor freight just had too much slop in the jaws.
@@jtoker9758 mine can get a bit without issue but they don't slip in the other direction well, I have a small ridgid that does 90% of my work I rarely use big pipe wrenches so for me they are good enough if I used them more I would have trashed them awhile ago but I do very little plumbing with larger pipes so it hasn't been enough of a problem for me to bother
Great and very helpful video! Spending a bit extra for tools and knowing what features you need will always save headaches down the line. I do have some comments:
1. I worked with a carpenter who needed to get his Ridgid driver repaired at an authorized Ridgid service center (it was an independent shop) under warranty. He brought in his tool, and they basically didn't do anything with it for a few weeks (I forgot if they needed to wait for parts or not, but the carpenter noted they didn't even open the driver to diagnose problems). So the ease of having Ridgid to honor their warranty will depend on what needs to be done.
- If it's a tool replacement, then it's relatively easy, although you might want a cheap backup tool to use until you get the replacement in-hand.
- But if it's a tool service repair, hope that your local authorized service center can turn around the repair job in a reasonable amount of time.
2. Home Depot's HDX brand is mostly garbage.
- Their painter's tape doesn't stick at all - spend the extra money on 3M, even though it's almost double the price.
- The head on their dollar spray bottles often breaks off. Meanwhile, I've bought dollar spray bottles from Walmart's ironing section that have lasted years.
- I needed a crescent wrench for a bath faucet replacement, and Home Depot only had HDX in stock. I checked it out and felt how smooth and short the teeth were. I went online and ordered a more expensive brand that was $10 more. Its teeth were sharply cut and rough enough to actually grip plumbing nuts. It was $10 well spent.
- The only thing I would trust HDX for is tools with non-moving parts. Their squeegees are probably fine for people who only use them for occasional small jobs. Their 5 gallon buckets are fine too.
Been plumbing for over 30 years. First word of advice to all my grasshoppers: buy high guality tools- Save yourself so much grief throughout your career.
Quality tools not only work better prevents shinned knuckles.
Cheap tools for throw aways or emergency one time use, inexpensive tools for occasional use, best quality tools you can afford for daily use and to reduce frustration and lost time.
A story about "Cheap throw away tools". In the early 70's my father, who was a steel fabricator, and his crew were on a job 100+ miles from the shop when they realized they had no small drill motor for the many pilot holes they needed in preparation for drilling bigger holes. One of the guys ran to a hardware store and picked up a cheap Black and Decker 1/4" drill motor to get the job done. After the job Dad took it home and use it around the house until his death in 2003. I continued to use it occasionally even though it smelled like it was burning up until August of 2020 when I gave it to a young man who was in a bind and needed to drill some 1/4" holes.
I'm 70 years old and have a Rigid 1/2 to 2" pipe threader that is over 85 years old and was my grandfather's. Replaced tbe cutting dies in them. Still cut great threads on black pipe.
I’m not a pro but when it comes to plumbing, I stick to Ridgid, channel lock, knipex, etc.
Husky pipe wrenches have busted rusted thread galvanized pipe at 3/4-1" fine
I’m a pipe fitter. I’ve wore out many wrenches. I only use rigid wrench’s I hang fire sprinklers and it’s all threaded steal pipe most the time.
I got some great advice starting out--buy medium quality tools at first. If you use it enough to break it, replace with high quality. It’s worked for me as I’ve tried a larger variety of tools and discovered there are lots I don’t need. Also, I appreciate a high quality tool after I’ve used a cheap one.
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My dad used to say "buy cheap, buy twice."
I've rarely ever had a premium tool fail on me, and even if they did, they always had a good warranty.
Also, I love my knipex cobras, the locking feature is actually helpful when using 2 at once, they won't open accidently while switching grips. Keep em clean and add a little oil from time to time and you can easily adjust them with one hand.
I always feel kinda badass when closing them with a flick of the wrist 😉
Nice comment, thanks Tony, have a great day!
@@Got2Learn you do too!
I like to see your content, as a plumber from germany I like to see the similarities and differences in how we work and i'm always looking for some practical tips and tricks. Keep up the good work 😉
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Thanks for making a video for me to show to my wife. I believe in only paying for quality tools, and only getting tools when you actually need them. I hate when people just buy shitloads of tools that never see the light of day.
Thanks for level checking tip, so simple but effective!
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If a person has the money to buy shitloads of tools that never see the light of day, if that makes them happy, more power to them! It is their fucking money, they earned it, who the fuck are we to tell them what they can and can't spend it on?
i buy high end tools some of which never see the light of day because ill leave them at home and use the company crap, its not the worst spending habit i can think of
Oh you mean the lifetime warranty that nobody ever claims.....
Heheee
I walked into Sears with a cracked Craftsman 6-pt socket. I showed it to the clerk and he just threw it in the trash and gave me a new one from the shelf.
Fiskars makes great pruning shears, when my stopped cutting I emailed them a picture of the anvil cutter that was too worn and they sent me a new one.
I didn't know they had a warranty until I saw someone talk about it online.
If you're worried about the jaw coming off that wrench because it has a pin in it then pull out the handy dandy blow torch and use some acid core solder to hold it permanently in place. Some cheap tools can be modified to work better, and they are all I need being a jack of all trades at the house. If I were trying to make a living with the tools then most would be German or American.
So glad you mentioned you would, and did, suggest brands. Because it seems a lot of “cheaper” brands caught on that people were willing to spend a little more (As you suggested they do. Like myself for years) for better tools. Only to have those brands put higher prices on their cheap tools. You ended up paying more but got the same poor quality anyway…
So thank you! You do great honest videos and reviews. Wish more people would learn about your channel/site. One of the few to offer both desired qualities.
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Not only some of the best plumbing videos on TH-cam but some of the best overall "how to" and informative vids for week-end warriors and pro's alike.
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Great Video. As I have explained to you before. I worked in the construction industry for over 45 years. One of the first lessons my Dad taught me (and he was in the industry for over 45 years) was buy good tools! A good tool help you do the job so much easier and better. A pipe wrench was the tool we were talking about at the time. I have and still use a Milwaukee jig saw I bought in 1982. I think they might make better saws now but I've never needed one.
Good stuff, thanks man.
Try and cordless milwaukee jig saw and get back with us on that one. I hate dealing with corded tools now. too much of a pain in the ass for all that cord.
My grandfather was a fitter on steamships in the 1940's. I still have his tools.
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That’s really neat. I found a tool box that belonged to my step brother’s dad. He had been a carpenter back in the day and had passed away years ago in a car accident. It had some of his old hand tools. My brother thought it was pretty special when I gave it to him.
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I completely agree with you. I am a professional plumber in Europe. Ridgid isn't a common brand here but there are lot of good euro tools. For example Knipex, Rems, Rothenberger or Virax.
They sure do cost a lot, but it's always been well spent money. They are more precise, durable, and usually, the manufacturer keeps spare pieces to repair them.
Thanks for the video.
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I’ve used knipex pliers professionally for 15 years and must say you most certainly can adjust it one handed. I’ve got to the point that it’s hard to adjust channellocks one handed. I’d say that it beats channellocks in every single aspect. Those of you that use channellocks are bias because that’s what your use too.
Only the cobras can be adjusted one hand.
@@Got2Learn pliers wrench too which replaced my crescent wrench and that’s the one you had in the video so it was assumed to be cobras. Good video. I suppose I’m a fanboy but I miss those sooo much if I don’t have them.
I def agree when it comes to Adj pliers, you need to find the ones that work for your trade and daily work needs. CL work great for plumbers bc of the one-handed adjustment feature, for electricians...We are often tightening the same size connector or coupling all day so having the locking pliers from Knipex are excellent as they don't move from their adjustment in your tool pouch or pocket!
A pipe wrench worked great freeing pulleys on my snowblower this winter. Wise placement and bit of ease to reduce teeth marks, and I was able get them moving (with penetrating oil).
HI, Got2Learn! Excellent video as always! I completely agree with you on not going with the cheap tools for work on a job site, especially plumbing. I am a Milwaukee tool man myself. When I purchase Milwaukee, I know I am getting a quality product that will not fail me when I need it most. The only downside, is Milwaukee is quite expensive, but the old saying is true, you do get what you pay for. Keep up the good videos!
Well said!
I always like turbo torch. My 23 year old one still works. Ho ever in tight spaces I gotta wear a ear plug 😕 very loud.
For some reason the medium pair in the irwin chanel lock set is the best one ive ever used. Never slips and i like the locking mechanism over the knipex
I do very similar work for a living and use almost the exact same tools and brands. Just about the only difference is I prefer the Turbo Torch that is air/acetylene, allows me to solder and braze without changing anything.
its a genuine pleasure working with great tools
i love knipex cobra so much, very expensive though
"Chinesium" made me laugh.
;)
Lol I was just thinking that.
Okay that was pretty awesome! I'm going to use that
Chinesium: 95% toxic heavy metal and 5% child labor.
I love the crescent self adjusting pipe wrench.
Knipex offers a slip joined design pliers too called alligators you're gonna love those
Those suck., Stick with channel lock.
Have you ever tried knipex?
I think if you're a home owner and will only use the tool every blue moon the cheap tools are fine. I'm a landlord who do a lot of my own repairs so I've learned over the years that it's definitely better to spend the extra money for better tools. Unfortunately whenever I have other people working on my properties with me a lot of my expensive tools disappear leaving only the cheap tools. I wonder if it's because I'm a woman and they think I won't notice. Now if I give a worker keys to the property I have to take my tools with me every time I leave unless it's something big like a table saw.
It has nothing to do with you being a woman... Many people are very sloppy and they just leave the tools everywhere... But if you make them responsible for the tools and make them paid for whatever desapear things will change.
Sounds like you're letting dishonest people use your tools. I let my handyman use my tools and he has never stolen anything. Good handymen are hard to find though.
I’m a union HVAC technician and have lots of expensive tools, like Milwaukee, Makita, etc. They’re all made in China.
Chinese manufacturers are open-minded ppl, they won't ask you why you want a pen that doesn't write if you ask them to make it for you, the same way if you ask for pen that can write on every possible surface and underwater too :) your money will make the difference.
Not everything made in china is crap; if it's made with quality materials, tight specs and attention to detail it will be fine. The problem is all the manufacturers that are solely interested in profits and cost cutting go to china so a lot of tools from there are crap.
@@ptester1 partially true. That is more true with electronics then tools. The problem is they use very weak metals.
@@ptester1 NO Everything made in China is SHIT!!!!!
You can't assume that a made in USA tool is good quality, even if you do pay more for it. The reverse also holds true for Chinese manufacturers. By and large, I'd say Chinese products are getting much better in the last few years.
At one time Germany and Japan made crap, today many products made in those countries set the standard for quality.
I have these, for most I have multiples. I've got good quality stuff some of it's maybe 50 years old. Yard sales. Moving sales. Estate sales. $2 pipe wrenches, 25 cent tubing cutters, $4 channel locks, two for $5 hammers, $12 Craftsman socket sets (which dozens of sockets and three sizes of ratchets), tool pouches, squares, pitchforks, shovels, rakes, drills, bits, blades, etc. My drywall texture gun was $4.
You don't have to pay retail. You can find good quality stuff for not a lot of money. And you can get old stuff that's not half plastic. And you can use your crap tools, until you can find good quality tools and backups.
Heck I bought a vise, it's got a civil war era patent date on it, and probably weighs 80 lb. That was around $25. That's probably less than the shipping if I go to try to find something that large of that quality
And then there are sales and clearance for the cordless power tools and batteries. My smaller compressor was 75% off. A few days ago I bought an 18 volt Bosch rapid charger, the expensive one with the fan in it - not the one that comes with normal Bosch tools now. Clearance cart at Lowe's. $20.
But I can't wait till I need it. If I need it now I'm going to have to go to Home Depot. And I can't wait until the one I have now walks off, gets misplaced, or breaks. If there's no backup, I still have to go to Home Depot. And pay full retail unless I get lucky with the sale.
I've dropped a drill on the job and had to go to the backup.
I have also had a tool battery charger burn out on the job. I didn't have a backup. Took all the Bosch tools out of commission until I could get a charger. Had a drill back up in another brand, but no backup on the saws. That caused a delay.
Got lucky, there was a sale, I paid the extra $40 more than the charger would have cost me, I got the charger I needed. And the stuff I didn't need at the time: two extra batteries, another impact driver, and the drill became the backup I needed later.
If I bought it 2 years ago I have it. And there's a decent chance I only spent a dollar or two, for the hand tools anyway.
If you're wondering why Bosch? My original Bosch (brute tough hammer drill, impact, reciprocating, circular, with batteries, fast charger, spotlight, blades, bag) set was I think around $600, on clearance for $225. I only needed a drill immediately. That was about 10 years ago. The circular saw, reciprocating saw, and impact driver are still in use. The hammer drill I burnt out drilling concrete. They fixed it under warranty and then I set it on fire again. It's in the pile of things I might fix someday. They also sent me new batteries because they were getting weaker and I was still in the three-year Pro Vantage thing.
I've since picked up a Bosch rotary hammer that was $100 off. I've still got the lighter duty Bosch, and Makita ($75 clearance) hammer drills for the small stuff.
And I picked up a Makita impact driver as well, on clearance. One battery type would be ideal but, I did get an extra battery and an extra charger for the Makita. And they charge quickly.
And if I'm doing a job with more than one fastener type I can have two drill/drivers and up to 3 impact drivers all with different bits laying right there. With multiple batteries for each tool and 4 chargers. That definitely beats switching drill and drive bits every 30 seconds.
I don't have a backup circular saw, a cordless one anyway. Been kind of waiting and hoping on Rigid to come out with a brushless set with a circular saw that actually has the blade on the correct (left) side. I'm holding the wood in my left hand I want to be able to see the blade. That helps with accuracy and also not disemboweling myself. (Otherwise it's setting up saw horses, and all that safe stuff.) I'll pick up a set of Rigid. On sale of course. Lifetime service agreement, including the batteries that come with the tool.
If the Bosch goes down before then, I may have to do retail. But there is the yard sale hand saw if I need it now.
So basically after all this rambling: If you buy good stuff before you need it, you can get it at a good price.
i can vouch for all these tools except for the autocutters, their cutting wheels rust badly and i only had em for a year. I upgraded to the milkuakee close quarters tubing cutters which have chrome rollers. Hopefully will last better
how has it held up?
Keep in mind also that almost all levels' bubbles have left and right-of-center lines that accommodate "builder's tolerances." This is another phrase for "not quite perfect." Always center the bubble exactly between these two lines if you want true precision.
I check a level by placing it on a horizontal surface and comparing the bubble position with it when flipped 180 degrees. They should match if the level is accurate.
That st-33 is a badass torch. Haven't seen it in stores often and usually it ain't got the clicker on it. I got one from a co worker but didn't know it was around $100. It puts out a bigger flame than other torches in the same size category. I love that torch.
Not a plumber, but up and coming hvac guy. Most of these tool brands you mentioned I've seen my seniors use. Thanks for the info!
Glad to help!!
I'm a huge fan of Knipex tools. But as a homeowner not a pro. They are painfully expensive but the quality is top notch German. The pliers wrench 86 03 300 made me never want to pick up a crescent wrench ever again. I suggest everyone buy one Knipex tool just to indulge yourself in pure quality, and then you will certainly start buying more!
I have the Knipex slip-joint Cobras as well as the automotive hose clamp Cobra pliers. Pricey, but when I need them they always deliver.
I've had my HF pipe wrench, channel locks and propane torch for over 30 years. As a do it yourselfer, they work just fine for me.
Yes!
@@Got2Learn You didn't link the cheap quality tools in description. I like to learn the hard way. Unsubscribed.
LOL.
Isn't it amazing how they can all be made in the same place, the exact same way & yet end up so diffrent?
Good tools make you money,
cheap tools just cost you money.
Great video.
Thanks
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Cheap tools have their place in the shop. When there is a high chance of loss cheap is better. If only used once every 10 years or a one off job cheap is good enough if they can do the job. If you use it every day for work then get quality that is easy to work with.
With the adjustable plyers, go to the Knipex brand. Once you use them, you'll never use another brand again. Leaps and bounds ahead of the game... And made in Germany.
FYI I'm a machinist and my job one day was to machine a bunch of channel locks. I had all the different kinds from the big box stores and channel lock brand by far had harder jaws and teeth than the other brands.
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Harder than knipex? No way
Good one! Very true. Need good tools. We always make sure to have the best at Harris
Knipex pliers with the button are the best on market. Change my mind
Knipex pliers rules! They may be a bit fidgety but they last a very long time.
I just go back and fourth 3-4 times so when you go around the blade will sort of "jump" into the other side of the cut. All it takes is one ape over tightening your cutters once and that nice pair of No. 15s starts walking.
Only cheap out on tools you know you will lose or forget.
I'll 'Cheap Out' if I've forgotten a tool and it's not time effective to go back to my shop. I'll buy some shitty HDX model (or whatever the store closest by sells) and then usually toss it if it's a hand tool.
I’m a mechanic but have pipe wrenches from harbor freight and have put a 4ft piece of tubing on them for extra leverage and it has never broken. I do agree on the knipex though. Those are the best pliers. They do have them where it’s a normal slip joint instead of the lock
The best teacher 👌🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 thanks Got2learn!!!!!
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I wasn't sure, but the "magnets" part convinced me - Rich Piana is alive and working as a plumber.
As an electrician, (and this goes for any trade) there is a time to spend money on tools and a time and a time you can cheap out for instance, being an electrician we need great screw drivers and Pliers like Dikes, Linesman and Wire Strippers....But, we don't need the top of the line metal file, beater screw driver or hammer...
True 👍
While I agree with you in principal about this concept, I wanted to point out to you specifically because you mentioned it in the video that companies like Rigid State in their user manual that normal wear and tear is not covered under the warranty and that if the tool lasts a normal service longer than a year or so that it’s considered generally to not have manufactures defects unless you sent it in and they decide otherwise. So likely because that spring wore out in the one you have they will just say basically that you used it up and it’s time to buy another one. Because there are certain items in those units that are wear items. They also sell replacement jaws for the rigid wrenches because that is a wear item and not covered under the warranty. Basically what would be covered would be if that spring broke or the handle broke or the jaw broke soon after you bought it because of a poor casting or something like that but if it last 12 years they’re going to say you got a good life out of it and you should buy another one.
Not only a plumbing tools. It is not overstatement your life depends on your tools being used every day. I always get best I could afford which will be passed on to my kids.
In my everyday bag is the STK-99, 2-420s, 1-440, 12" aluminum Ridgid, I use the mini bandsaw for copper, carry the model 101 ridgid close quarter cutter when I need to cut something in a wall. I cheap out on levels usually buy the mid range empire, sometimes they are 2 for one for 9 bucks.
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Knipex got a non-locking one the knipex Aligator its very similar to your favourite.
Yeah the Cobras are awesome!!
Knipex Cobras FTW! 💪
I love having a torch with a hose I can put almost anywhere bernzomatic if you're on a budget works well but has a lot of plastic so you have to be careful better is a turbo torch 👍👍👍
Me too, fun to have for sure!!
Funny, my Bernzomatic TS8000 is 99% cast aluminum. And my Bernzomatic pencil torches are 99% brass. The only plastic I can see are the knobs.
@@StilettoSniper yea the one I picked up from Lowes cause I needed it right away and Nobody in town had the parts for my turbo torch has a chromed tube and the rest of the handle is plastic of course this may be a Lowes or box store specific unit I know Lowes and home Depot both buy item numbers from manufacturers and have them made cheaper to come in at thier price point plumbing parts will be chromed plastic instead of brass or aluminum flooring will be thinner welders will be made with plastic parts and aluminum windings instead of cast aluminum and copper they do this on tons of products to come in at lower prices than a specialty store the one I got is a BZ8250HT don't get me wrong it's been a great lil torch for the price but the handle trigger etc is plastic 👍👍👍 I always tell people if you're buying something from box stores check to see if it's a unit everyone carries or if it was specifically made for them to get that way lower price then everyone else cause it's made cheaper
I am not a plumber, I am an electrician. I work as a facilities tech. I have all the same preferences as you for plumbing tools. They are great tools and have never let me down
Well said!
Here in South Africa most Plumber use the Rothenberger line of tools. My main tools that I use everyday are Rothenberger and not one of them have ever let me down. My water pump pliers iv had since I was an apprentice and they still going strong.
Niceee
I'm a Master Plumber from the Great State of Texas, I recently acquired a new Rothenberger hand threader w/1/2," 3/4", and 1" dies, it was too good of a deal to pass up, that being said, I havent even used it yet lol
I got lucky and scored all Milwaukee tools paid by the Government and I havent complained everyone is slowly looking at my tools to get for them selves! Channel Locks have a reamer edge!
My problem with cheap tools I'm more careless with them tending to misuse and break them or more prone to misplacing them. I still have all my American made sockets, allen keys that I purchased 17 years ago. Adding the functionality considerations finding a cost effective solution for your work is key. Premium, name brand tools are expensive to completely kit out and I've seen plenty of electricians and millwrights running around with more budget friendly but effective options Harbour freight impact socket they also tend to have more premium tools than your average DIY guy. There was some tribal knowledge among the craftspeople about cost effective options the older guys knew where to spend money and where they could go with a more budget friendly option.
Yeah, common problem heheee
once i worked for an company that gave me new tools if they got slightly damaged. All tools were of high quality and the tools that were broken i could use at home. right now i have 3 bags full of tools
Baa Baa Plumber, have you any tools?
oh, i forgot to to say: i use tools til this day that my great granddad, granddad and dad mad during their apprenticeships. my gt granddad was an engineer on the construction of the titanic and he made his own tools. my granddad was a chief designer for tanks at vickers-armstrong in the 1930's and he made his own tools. my dad was the designer for the "coupler expansion rings" for the "Iraqi super gun" and he made all his own tools. my dad passed away in 2016 aged 81 and left me all of these tools. i could not think of a better legacy. yes, it's true - buy cheap - buy twice. there should never be a need to compromise on quality. buy british! buy american! buy spanish (irega is a top quality spanish brand!) i sold their adjustable spanners for years.
My uncle made his own tools serving below decks on Canadian navy escort ships (Corvettes) criss crossing the North Atlantic during WWII. There is no Home Depot when a tool needs replacing. Engine room artificer was his trade. He had a profitable career later on as a master tool and die maker. $$$ Yet every high school kid today wants to go into IT for some reason
@@62Cristoforo That's bc no master tool and die maker ever got Zuckerberg rich, ever.
Love you post and commentary, please keep posting , fantastic work !
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Nippex adjustable pliers have a thin head which enabled me to grip the pipe on radiator valves & steam trap unions in the radiator. Spud wrenches would not fit in some applications. My Nippex pliers were constructed well and lasted for many years of constant use and they are very strong too.
They are some of the best pliers!
Agree with you 💯% at the end of the day, it’s true you get what you pay for. 👍🏽
I wasn't a plumber but a telecom technician.
The company wanted us to use the provided tools for "safety" purposes. The screwdrivers were of really poor quality as I figured it was due to cost, so I bought my own Klein screwdrivers as I've always seen electricians use these.
I love my turbotorch. Great tool.
Oh yess!
Very informative! Confirms my take concerning quality tools!! Pay the extra for a quality tool and if taken care of, they will last a lifetime, not to mention they are SAFER !!! I can't stress that enough! I have tools that I've had 35 - 40 years which I'll be passing down to my kids after I'm gone! Really enjoy your channel! Keep up the great work! Subbed!
I agree 100%, all these choices were right on point
Thanks Raymond!!
The last Bernzomatic self-igniting torch head I bought at Home Depot wouldn’t turn off. So I brought it back to their customer service desk and fired it up in front of the store manager then asked him to turn it off. Instant money back.
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Bernzomatic used to be great. Now they're diy garbage
another wonderful vid educational and enjoyable with professional advice. Merci!
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Best copper cutters in my experience is Milwaukee m12 copper cutters gets in tight places and cuts way faster than by hand only thing I dislike about it is there’s no pipe marking blade on it
I think one advantage to a pipe cutter that comes apart is you can service it easier. For example cleaning. I was surprised that the Ridgid pipe cutter didn't have an opening stop and I would think that it had one at one time however as the stops are typically short spring pins it was probably lost.
The Ridgid pipe cutter you are referring to is an old model that is no longer available new. The newer model Ridgid #101 pipe cutter (which he mentioned briefly in his video) is much better and does not come apart as it has a stop. I love the little 101 pipe cutter when I am not working in an extremely tight space with little clearance around the pipe. The 101 is small, easy to use, parts are available almost everywhere and it makes very accurate cuts.
T torch is good, most scheap tools i don't mind rebuying or buying multiple because lets face it, I not going all the way back under that house and mud for a 5/16 socket or ratchet or pvc cutter lol... shit I deserve a raise as it is!
Knipex alligator 88-250 are the best for me
12 years is not much. i have a wrench set from the 1960s still working. and i have one wrench from the 1940s still working.
This is a great channel. Thanks for the videos
You are welcome 😊
If I ever meet a plumber who does professional level work I’ll give him a link to this video. There has to be _one_ somewhere.
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A good plumber who has pride in his craft has become the unicorn of the building trades.
If he was good hed already know this stuff
Fuller was made in Canada years ago.. My pliers are Channel Lock and Klein
In the uk the better tools are rothenburger auto pipe cutters and the rothenburger turbofire 2 solder gun. For other hand tools like grips (pliers) choose bahco, durable and sturdy and take heat well.
I’ve owned Milwaukee, husky, ace, Lenox pipe wrenches in different sizes whe I was starting out in the trade. bought a 18” ridgid pipe wrench. Now that’s all I get 😂
The Husky wrench I owned broke 1st day
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Always good content.
Do you have videos on understanding electricity, and wiring in the home? as well as plaster and lath.
Only plumbing here, sorry bud!
@@Got2Learn don't you have to get to pipes in the wall though?
One video you might be interested in is this one: th-cam.com/video/8jxRn-T_LCs/w-d-xo.html
@@Got2Learn oh i've already seen that one, trying to get my unsuspecting wife to watch it with headphones.
Heheeee
As a plumber I'm looking to invest some money in some drain cleaning tools. What do you think can be done with most residential jobs and is the most universal ? A traditional snake machine whether it's a drum or sectional? A jetter ? Or rigids flexshaft.
Yes, flexshaft is good, or even the M12 snake does the job.
Great points! Also maybe not as well known but Reed makes some of the best plumbing tools in the business as well 👍
Yes they do 😇
💯💯
I have 4 out of 5 with Channel locks. I have good torch but it does have a self igniter.
Oh, I got so lucky. One day I took a load of stuff to the dump. Right where I backed in to dump I saw a cardboard box with brand new tools in it. A 14" and a 18" Rigid aluminum pipe wrench, among other top notch tools. I still have them after 20 years!
Niceee
When it comes to pipe wrenches a iron 1 is a must
The cheapest I'll ever go is the house brand of a major store chain where they back it with a lifetime warranty. They are usually decent mid-tier tools for the price and good for the Diyers and maybe even for the pro that needs some backups or "throw aways"
@Jesus Gonzalez Um, where did I talk about the worth a plumber???
I've used Goss acetylene torches for ever. (33+ years). Changed the hose a couple times.
Wouldn't use a torch without a hose for any reason.
I have some plumbing tools bought in Harbor Freight and it works for me
I was looking to see if there was any mention whether the $5 HF pipe wrench teeth were much softer than the Ridgid. That's what I'd think it's critical, if they rounded off and slipped instead of gripping, or if the handles would bend with abuse from a cheater bar. Didn't see that mentioned, so I guess I'm okay. The roll pin retention isn't something I'd expect to be a problem, as that could be easily fixed if it actually did happen.
@@wingerrrrrrrrr I do have a pipe wrench from harbor freight and it works good 😌
One major problem with new tools....they get lost or left behind. I tell my customers, sometimes you get a free pair of plyers, because I'm not crawling on my stomach 40ft to get them from your 18 inch high crawl space. Merry Christmas!
🤣🤣🤣
I found a free sawzall in the crawl space! But it was Shitobi (Ryobi). So in the trash it went
Do you tell them the brand so they can decide if it's worth crawling 40 feet through a crawl space to retrieve? 😉
@@wingerrrrrrrrr I buy cheap hand tools depending on what I use them for. The brand is CHINESE CHEAP. LOL
Another great informative video...Thank you so much!........I have cheap (diy) tools in abundance....but I will justify buying a good tool (General Pipe Cleaners auto cut, in my case) because I know that I will save time and the job will be easier because no matter how hard I try, I (more often than not) cut the copper pipe "out of round" when using the traditional style pipe cutters. I guess cheap tools are like cheap dates, they end up costing you more in the end. Keep up the good work!
You are so welcome!!
I only buy some tools cheap like flat head screw driver I got a harbor freight Pittsburgh screwdriver for like a $1.50 and use it for prying and everything not screwing screws and it’s holding up very well only the lettering has worn off going 2 months strong
I’m left wondering why any tool manufacturer would consider leaving the leveling cylinders exposed like that? What problem did they solve with that one?
Visibility.