I used to think that. I picked up a 1/4 sheet sander from Habor Freight using the philosophy of “it just needs to vibrate — how much better could the expensive ones be?”

Well, it vibrates, all right. It vibrates every bone and joint in my hand and forearm. It’s pretty painful to use. If you tried to use it in a production setting I’m confident it would cause joint injury in fairly short order.

I also buy good quality specialized tools this way (like a Bostitch flooring stapler) instead of renting them. When I’m done I’ll put them back onto CraigsList. It ends up being cheaper and less hurried than renting.

But if I were a contractor or professional I would buy the high quality tools, because they will see more use in a year than my tools will in a lifetime.

Note That $20 dollar saw will probably be about $30 in 5 years.
and we’re not mentioning all the time you’ll spend on trips to the store and the easier time you’ll have using the quality saw.

4 of these saws will never equal 1 Bosch. My mechanics like to know that the blade will not defelect and wander in a cut - even in 8/4 oak - and that the tool can be relied on for both rough cutting and finish work. We use our bosch barrel grips with a coping foot all of the time to create molding copes where the joint line is nearly invisible - maybe if we were making backyard decorative cutouts - close enough would be good enough - but its not for us.

Presumably you’re going to strive to create long lasting, high quality products with this tool. (Sure, some jobs are going to be rougher or more temporary than others, but this is generally true, I’d imagine.) Shouldn’t you be valuing the same principles of design and manufacture in your tools that you value in your own work?

(I would feel bad and kind of ashamed if a cabinet or a chair I made was thoughtlessly tossed away because it broke due to shoddy materials or craftsmanship.)

“oh well, it was only $20.00. If it breaks in a few months or so I can always afford to buy another….”

Mass producing cheap crap just seems like a waste of material. especially with so many “green” issues going on in our planet. Don’t you think its time we do things more efficiently? everthing counts..

Make it well, price it accordingly and stand by your product.

You don’t have to buy the best but you should at least buy good when it comes to power tools.

It’s probably 50 years old and will surely outlive me, though at some point my son may have to open it up and put in new brushes.

It’s 50% heavier than my cheap plastic one (which minimizes vibration) and VASTLY more powerful.

I’m an industrial designer, and I get a cold chill reading these arguments in favor of the cheapo throw-away jig saw.

You wore out the cheap one, you are obviously using the tool enough that a higher quality unit will make a difference in A) Your project outcome or B) Your pleasure in using the tool.

I say, do the research, and buy the best you can afford. Look for one with replaceable parts (bearings, brushes, and Cords).

Notice I said “best” and not “most expensive”. Those two are not always the same.

it’s hard to know whether a “quality,” more expensive tool is really going to last you longer. though i would hope that it would last longer than a year, it’s a valid question. things these days are made with planned obsolescence in mind so it’s reasonable to question how much more use you’re going to get out of the expensive, higher quality tool versus the cheaper, lower quality one.

believe me, there are a lot of people out there asking this very question and are trying to get as much money out of you and me on this question. it’s a mix of buying philosophy, brand loyalty, marketing, and price points. i don’t think there’s one answer to your question. i am pretty sure it depends on the tool and which particular cheap and expensive tools you’re comparing.