What's your best "worst" investment as far as tools?

[sld]

I use the gas leaf blower to clean a lot of things. Garage floor, driveway, deck, cobwebs off the house, etc...even me sometimes.

I have always blown the clippings off the mower when done and to also cool the engine some. It backfires if I shut it off when it's still hot.

I also have a short heavy duty extension cord. Very handy item.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I bought a 955 years ago and bought a front end loader for it. I figured I would use it once in a while for moving a few things etc. One of the neighbors asked me to clean out his corrals so I did. I wasn't to impressed with the materials bucket on the loader so I built a manure bucket that's basically teeth with a rear plate to push manure against. This turned into a good money maker as my small tractor doesn't wreak corrals. It doesn't tear up the dirt like a Bobcat and it's small enough to get into all the tight spots. I never saw that coming when I bought the loader. In fact I debated if I really needed it or not and it's essentially paid for itself.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I use the gas leaf blower to clean a lot of things. Garage floor, driveway, deck, cobwebs off the house, etc...even me sometimes.

I have always blown the clippings off the mower when done and to also cool the engine some. It backfires if I shut it off when it's still hot.

I also have a short heavy duty extension cord. Very handy item.

:laughing: I could never get my shop clean without my blower! My Daughter gave me a gas-powered blower for Father's Day and as my Dad would say, "It's the Berries!" I can clean my driveway (it's a bit less than 100' long) before I can even get the cord for my electric blower unwound.

 

[/pine]

Not sure about being the "best"...But...
After going through an untold number of lousy NiCad batteries for cordless drills...upgrading to L I batteries was definately worth it...

Would not call them the worst (they served their purpose) but I have spent a fair amount on specialty tools (mostly automotive) that I may or may not use again...

 

[RobertBrown]

I bought a Dremmel tool about 25 years ago. Only once have I used it that I was not disappointed with it. It is awkward to use and has no power. I always wind up shaking my head and putting it back in the cabinet, wondering why I don't throw it in the trash, mostly because the plastic coupler has rotted away and needs to be replaced....again. Not because of use, the coupler rots away over time whether you use the tool or not, then you have to order another coupler.....from Dremmel.
I suppose that the tools has a usefulness.....I just haven't found it yet

 

[/pine]

I bought a Dremmel tool about 25 years ago. Only once have I used it that I was not disappointed with it. It is awkward to use and has no power. I always wind up shaking my head and putting it back in the cabinet, wondering why I don't throw it in the trash, mostly because the plastic coupler has rotted away and needs to be replaced....again. Not because of use, the coupler rots away over time whether you use the tool or not, then you have to order another coupler.....from Dremmel.
I suppose that the tools has a usefulness.....I just haven't found it yet

The power of a Dremel tool is its speed (similar to a router) and using the proper bit etc. for the task...I would be lost without mine...especially the flexible extension...

One out of the ordinary things I've used my Dremel for was cutting off a large nail that somehow got driven down through the top of a pocket door pocket that prevented the door from opening all the way...I taped the Dremel (with the flex. ext.) to a stick and reached in and cut the nail off...problem solved...the only other alternative would be busting into the already plastered and painted wall etc. etc...

 

[tcreeley]

Years ago I bought a roll sander from Grizzly, to run my freshly planed paneling through - for the satin look my wife wanted. It was mis-aligned somehow, it could never keep the sand paper attached.
-One of those projects I am still going to tackle- fixing it. Looks nice, but that's all. I just keep the knives sharp on the planer.

 

[GeneD14]

Worst tools I have bought: made in China angle grinders that burn up after about an hour's use. Cheapo adjustable wrench that won't hold their adjustment long enough to tighten a bolt.

Best tools: Craftsman screw driver set that I've had for 40 years. 6 1/2" worm drive Skilsaw that I've had for over 30 years. Stihl 361 chainsaw, Kubota M95 and Kawasaki Mule 610.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Worst tools I have bought: made in China angle grinders that burn up after about an hour's use. Cheapo adjustable wrench that won't hold their adjustment long enough to tighten a bolt.

Best tools: Craftsman screw driver set that I've had for 40 years. 6 1/2" worm drive Skilsaw that I've had for over 30 years. Stihl 361 chainsaw, Kubota M95 and Kawasaki Mule 610.

I still have most of my Craftsman screw driver set that wife bought me for Christmas 25 years ago and they were a good investment.
As for the Chinese made grinders, I have 3 of them and one Dewalt (origin unknown) that I bought 20 years ago and they all work well. The Chinese guys will run a bit hot if you load them to heavy with a wire brush, but I have never had any issues with them and most are over 4 years old. I use the Chinese about as much as the Dewalt. I think I may have nearly as much in the 3 Chinese grinders combined as the one Dewalt. For the cost, they are good HF bargains.
FWIW, nearly all electrical tools formerly USA brands are now made in China.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I was thinking about this the other day.

Years ago spent some big dollars on a leaf blower for 8 acres around the house due to the leaves that kept piling up.

Last 6 years haven't used that leaf blower one time for leafs (mulching kit on one mower works great or I just "let em go" LOL).

However, that leaf blower has been invaluable (instead of using my compressor) for cleaning off my mowers from debris and getting some burn piles going strong.

Made me think that leaf blower was the best darn "worst" buy I've ever made

Anyone else spend money on a tool and end up using it for something completely different than you'd thought you'd use it for?

I hardly ever use my leaf blower for blowing leaves unless they are in the garage or shop. I have gas and electric types. The electric one I keep in my shop for cleaning the tables, floors and lawnmowers, blowing off water etc. My gasoline one, is at my house and I use it to keep dust and leaves blown from the garage, blow off the water when I wash the cars (very rare) and the best thing I found for it is removing the water from my 2 ornamental ponds. I was using a wet vacuum to suck out the water when it needed cleaning and one day I was blowing off the patio and just tried blowing out the water from the little pond. It worked like a charm and takes maybe one third the time as sucking it out with a vacuum AND gets it much cleaner as I can really stir up the leaves and grass in there and it blows everything out.