# Don't buy crappy tools as gifts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279 "2011-11-17T22:21:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/21 "2011-11-18T17:27:17Z")
The same applies to sex toys. Get the good stuff people! ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/22 "2011-11-18T17:48:50Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > To my mind, this is a spot where a gift certificate can be appropriate. Include a note “I wanted to get you something for X hobby, but I’m not an expert. Please use this towards your hobby.” This. I _ **LOVE** _ getting gift cards with instructions to use them towards hobby stuff, I don’t find it impersonal at all. Shopping for the stuff that I want is half the fun! Then once I find it my first project is making a thank-you for the gift giver. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/23 "2011-11-18T19:30:34Z")
This reminds me of the argument I had with my father-in-law a couple of years ago. You see, we own our own home and my husband has become quite handy. We do most of our own work around the house. My husband had a cordless drill. It was fine when it was charged and you were doing a small job. Fact is, we could waste time just waiting for the damn thing to charge and then discover it did not have enough power to do the job. So, when my in-laws asked for gift ideas for my husband I said he wanted a corded drill which could be converted to a hammer drill. He actually went out and bought ANOTHER cordless drill. (He is not the handiest of men, he has had to replace a faucet for ten years and is waiting to pay someone to do ti.) Dammit! It just isn’t as powerful. After binning the second drill, I explained to my dad the situation. For his birthday, he got the corded drill he wanted and all the drillbits for the things we were wanting to do. (There was also an instruction session but I really think that is because my dad wanted to play with my husband’s new toy). ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/24 "2011-11-18T20:21:59Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > The same applies to sex toys. Get the good stuff people! Were the ones made in the 40’s and 50’s made of solid bulletproof metal? Will people still be using them 100 years from now? ---
**Author:** ![dotchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@dotchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dotchan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/25 "2011-11-18T20:41:41Z")
Also, if you’re going to buy a video game, it might be better to just ask the recipient point blank what they want because most places that sell games won’t allow for cash refunds once the packaging is open–they _may_ give store credit or allow exchanges of equivalent value, but even then it really depends on the store and it’s a tremendous hassle. And ask someone who knows about video games to give you a breakdown of what the game is like beyond what the blurb on the box can give you. Some games are exclusive to certain consoles; some games require extra peripherals; some game brands have very deeply entrenched rivalries with other brands that result in their fans being exclusively attached to one franchise; and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/26 "2011-11-18T20:57:25Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Were the ones made in the 40’s and 50’s made of solid bulletproof metal? Will people still be using them 100 years from now? When my grandfather died I inherited his cast iron pebble finish condom. After having a local machine shop remove the corrosion it’s working as good as new. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/27 "2011-11-19T20:14:24Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > So, when my in-laws asked for gift ideas for my husband I said he wanted a corded drill which could be converted to a hammer drill. He actually went out and bought ANOTHER cordless drill. (He is not the handiest of men, he has had to replace a faucet for ten years and is waiting to pay someone to do ti.) > > Dammit! It just isn’t as powerful. > > After binning the second drill, I explained to my dad the situation. For his birthday, he got the corded drill he wanted and all the drillbits for the things we were wanting to do. (There was also an instruction session but I really think that is because my dad wanted to play with my husband’s new toy). Exactly. I don’t own a cordless drill, while my brother loves his 36 volt DeWalt set. I’m never going to work any place that doesn’t have electricity, and if it doesn’t yet have electricity, I’m probably in the process of making it have electricity. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > My dad has a shelf full of old (corded) Milwaukee and Craftsman power tools. It’s U.S.-made hardware that was made in the 1940s and 1950s. Those things are _bulletproof_. But that was then, and this is now. Today, Craftsman tools are complete junk. At least the things with motors on them. > > When I was fixing up my basement last year, I needed a right-angle drill to drill holes in the studs for wiring and plumbing. I wanted a good one, and research indicated DeWalt made the best ones. I paid $250 for a \*used \*DeWalt right-angle drill. But it was worth every penny. It’s an awesome drill. > > I also have a 3/8 Milwaukee hand drill I bought 20 years ago. It’s been a good drill. Not sure if Milwaukee still makes good drills. The brand might have gone to crap in recent years, like Rigid. But I have a not particularly old right angle Milwaukee that I use to bore holes through studs and it _rocks_! Put a 1/2" wood auger on that sucker and make a hole through a pine 2x4 in about 2 seconds. My straight drill is a 1/2" Bosch and the only drill I’ve encountered more powerful is a [Milwaukee Hole Hawg](http://www.toolup.com/milwaukee_1675-6_12-hole-hawg-drill.aspx?&utm_source=CAfroogle&utm_medium=CA&CAWELAID=631502177). One tool that most craftsmen lack that would be well-appreciated is a bit sharpener. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/28 "2011-11-19T20:39:23Z")
I asked my husband…no, he doesn’t have a power corded drill, his died a few years ago. Guess what he’s getting for Xmas? ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/29 "2011-11-19T21:29:46Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > To my mind, this is a spot where a gift certificate can be appropriate. For anyone over 15 a gift certificate is always appropriate. As a general rule my thought on Christmas and birthdays gifts is, “If I wanted one of those I’d have already bought one.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/30 "2011-11-19T21:52:52Z")
A plea for anybody thinking of buying electrical tools. My policy is: if it ain’t Klein, it ain’t mine. Cheap electrical tools are the worst. They have inadequate leverage and they don’t stay sharp. And stay completely away from voltmeters unless you know exactly what to look for. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/31 "2011-11-20T01:01:29Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > When my grandfather died I inherited his cast iron pebble finish condom. After having a local machine shop remove the corrosion it’s working as good as new. And being reminded of your grandparents every time you’re having sex enhances the contraceptive factor. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/32 "2011-11-20T01:59:34Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > A plea for anybody thinking of buying electrical tools. My policy is: if it ain’t Klein, it ain’t mine. I loves me my [Klein 10 in 1 screwdriver](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100630687&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100630687&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D27X-_-100630687&locStoreNum=1950). ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/33 "2011-11-20T02:16:01Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > If you’re giving tools as gifts this year, try to get the nicest tools you can. A good tool will be a joy to use every time. A crappy tool will be a crappy tool every time it is used. You’ll get what you’re given, young lady. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279/34 "2011-11-20T04:30:35Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I loves me my [Klein 10 in 1 screwdriver](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100630687&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100630687&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D27X-_-100630687&locStoreNum=1950). 9" high leverage sidecutters: yeah, baby. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-buy-crappy-tools-as-gifts/603279.md?page=1)