This is a great topic. I can see commiting to a battery platform in order to save on batteries. But without a battery could be any brand imaginable, I buy screwdrivers based on how they fit in my hand, pliers based on how well they cut (lets be honest, knipex all the way). Your point on buying tools from manufacturers that specialze in that specific thing should be chiseled into stone.
I'm a diesel tech, think tractors, not semi trucks. It's interesting to see the perspective from someone in the construction side, as all I really have compared to before is my coworkers and other mechanic channels. I've noticed myself much less loyal to a brand than my coworkers, I have Milwaukee 12 & 18 volt, Makita 12v, Snap-on 14.4v, and Harbor freight Hercules 20v. And at home I have Dewalt 20v. Compared to one coworker who's all Dewalt 20v, another that's all Snap-on 18 and 14.4 volt, and another that's only Milwaukee. I think it may not be exclusively brand loyalty for mechanics though, as for the Milwaukee and Dewalt coworkers I think it's a lack of research. For example, I wanted a Milwaukee 1/4 hex impact, but could get the hercules impact, battery, and charger for less than the milwaukee bare. And the Snap-on coworker isn't loyal to the tools themselves, he is loyal to the Snap-on dealer, who is a great guy. Hand tools though, a couple of my coworkers are loyal to one tool truck, while me and some others have quite the hodge-podge collection.
This is a great topic. I have no brand loyalty. As you stated, lean toward brand that specializes in something. I do have loyalty toward USA made products. That said, I also have German tools also while design and finished are great, durabilty has been an issue in my experience.
Look around people want the smallest lightest tool to do the job. 80% of the time it's a m12 surge. We use them for a reason and we don't need to put 2ft timberlocks in as electricians. I think this will effect the market for the 20v oil impulse that came out. My poor m12 surge is going on 6 years old I'm dreading it going bad because a update that fosent use a 4-40 screw for a clip would be nice. If you know your market too it helps they show m12 impacts in veto bags as the model power tool. My bosch 12v fits in my veto bag just as well but they only advertise m12s. Regardless if with brands you use it's not always this way but hard working blue collar people don't spend crazy money on m12 and knipex if there wasn't a reason. When new people ask what should I get look at what the majority of other people are using there's a reason. A few if the big comerical jobs I've seen they are using dewalt 8v gyro screwdrivers and when I got one I see why. There will always be ribbing for doing something different tool wise but say who cares and dare to be different if your so inclined.
Great video. You touched on it with the tribalism comment, but tool-brand loyalty is seemingly a symptom of a turbo -consumerism era where people have incorporated brands as character traits. Although the markets are different, tool brands are pushing the same buttons as Disney, Apple, Tesla, etc to create fanboys who go on to blindly support the brand with little pushback.
At least fine woodworking tends to be Makita/feestool dominated, Dewalt has great compatibility for bigger systems and so many construction sites buildings HOA’s, already on them it’s just easy to have a Dewalt or two around
For powertools I will always go with Makita for many reasons, but will never start buying Makita drill bits or screwdrivers. No brand will make every tool perfect. For handtools I will always choose brands like Knipex, Wiha, Wera, Piher, Pferd. Though DeWalt "make" one of the best drill bits, BUT they need to be made in Germany and they are made by 3rd party company who specialize in drill bits called BBV.
Brand loyalty is only relevant when considering cordless tools. Stick with one brand so you do not have to spend more money on multiple brand batteries and chargers.
This is a great topic. I can see commiting to a battery platform in order to save on batteries. But without a battery could be any brand imaginable, I buy screwdrivers based on how they fit in my hand, pliers based on how well they cut (lets be honest, knipex all the way). Your point on buying tools from manufacturers that specialze in that specific thing should be chiseled into stone.
I'm a diesel tech, think tractors, not semi trucks. It's interesting to see the perspective from someone in the construction side, as all I really have compared to before is my coworkers and other mechanic channels. I've noticed myself much less loyal to a brand than my coworkers, I have Milwaukee 12 & 18 volt, Makita 12v, Snap-on 14.4v, and Harbor freight Hercules 20v. And at home I have Dewalt 20v. Compared to one coworker who's all Dewalt 20v, another that's all Snap-on 18 and 14.4 volt, and another that's only Milwaukee. I think it may not be exclusively brand loyalty for mechanics though, as for the Milwaukee and Dewalt coworkers I think it's a lack of research. For example, I wanted a Milwaukee 1/4 hex impact, but could get the hercules impact, battery, and charger for less than the milwaukee bare. And the Snap-on coworker isn't loyal to the tools themselves, he is loyal to the Snap-on dealer, who is a great guy. Hand tools though, a couple of my coworkers are loyal to one tool truck, while me and some others have quite the hodge-podge collection.
This is a great topic. I have no brand loyalty. As you stated, lean toward brand that specializes in something.
I do have loyalty toward USA made products. That said, I also have German tools also while design and finished are great, durabilty has been an issue in my experience.
Look around people want the smallest lightest tool to do the job. 80% of the time it's a m12 surge. We use them for a reason and we don't need to put 2ft timberlocks in as electricians. I think this will effect the market for the 20v oil impulse that came out. My poor m12 surge is going on 6 years old I'm dreading it going bad because a update that fosent use a 4-40 screw for a clip would be nice. If you know your market too it helps they show m12 impacts in veto bags as the model power tool. My bosch 12v fits in my veto bag just as well but they only advertise m12s. Regardless if with brands you use it's not always this way but hard working blue collar people don't spend crazy money on m12 and knipex if there wasn't a reason. When new people ask what should I get look at what the majority of other people are using there's a reason. A few if the big comerical jobs I've seen they are using dewalt 8v gyro screwdrivers and when I got one I see why. There will always be ribbing for doing something different tool wise but say who cares and dare to be different if your so inclined.
Great video. You touched on it with the tribalism comment, but tool-brand loyalty is seemingly a symptom of a turbo -consumerism era where people have incorporated brands as character traits. Although the markets are different, tool brands are pushing the same buttons as Disney, Apple, Tesla, etc to create fanboys who go on to blindly support the brand with little pushback.
At least fine woodworking tends to be Makita/feestool dominated, Dewalt has great compatibility for bigger systems and so many construction sites buildings HOA’s, already on them it’s just easy to have a Dewalt or two around
For powertools I will always go with Makita for many reasons, but will never start buying Makita drill bits or screwdrivers. No brand will make every tool perfect. For handtools I will always choose brands like Knipex, Wiha, Wera, Piher, Pferd. Though DeWalt "make" one of the best drill bits, BUT they need to be made in Germany and they are made by 3rd party company who specialize in drill bits called BBV.
Lets say I go the Trade School route for electrician, what would be my next steps afterwards?
The brand loyalty should be more of a friendly rib. Once it gets serious, it is no fun.
Brand loyalty is only relevant when considering cordless tools. Stick with one brand so you do not have to spend more money on multiple brand batteries and chargers.