Good set of tools for the boy?

[Sigarms]

Who wouldn't go back and buy a pre-emissions tractor at yesterday's prices if had forseen today's tractors and prices?

I'm talking about even paying todays pricing

Sometimes we over engineer things

 

[ultrarunner]

I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to tools, but I'd guess the manufacturing process with the same material back then used today would be to expensive to sell in the marketplace.

I do know what I'm talking about to some extent when it comes to HVAC, and if I could buy a brand new Singer 6 SEER unit that was made in the 1970's at the same price point as a 14.3 SEER2 2023 brand new heat pump, I'd do so in a heartbeat.

I no nothing about the tool manufacturing process, but todays manufacturing process per Government regulations for HVAC equipment almost makes it impossible for a new HVAC unit to last 15 years without some major maintenance when the older units could run 20 years without a hiccup. The money you save for energy efficient HVAC equipment is more than doubled per the maintenance fees because you have to have so many parts that can go bad, added the PSC blower motor is going to become a dinosaur because it's not energy efficient.

There has to be some correlation in the manufacturing process over time per regulations vs "quality".

We are becoming a disposable society to some extent where it's not worth fixing anything per price point.

I think the big picture is too often overlooked in a micro setting.

Widow neighbor drove her old Buick that she liked about 3000 miles a year… granddaughter talked her into a Prius to be Green… turns out Grandma wants no part of the Spaceship Prius now in the garage and it will never pencil out.

At work facing some big expenses… my Onan Turbo Cumins 125kW gensets I bought new soon will be forced into retirement for lacking emission requirements… 27 years with 600 hours of reliable emergency power is just broke in…

Just needed 27 lbs of R22 that use to be 30-40 a jug and now $2500…

HVAC was simple but now complex and expensive!

Give me reliable Carrier weathermaster from the 90’s still working on the rooftop 30 years and I buy it

 

[2manyrocks]

R-12, R22, R410 and whatever it is today because of mandates, not longevity.

If somehow one could account for all the pollution caused by premature replacement of HVAC equipment, not sure their mandates would hold up to scrunity on a life cycle basis.

Looking at a new car just because all of mine are 20 years old. I've never replaced a manual crank window assembly, but have replaced several power window assemblies. Power windows, locks, etc are now the standard along with a lot of electronic safety features that I suspect will be problematic over the next 20 years. It's nutty to me that hybrid prices are within a few thousand dollars of gas only cars when the hybrids are so much more complex and who would want to work on one in a home garage?

 

[ultrarunner]

R-12, R22, R410 and whatever it is today because of mandates, not longevity.

If somehow one could account for all the pollution caused by premature replacement of HVAC equipment, not sure their mandates would hold up to scrunity on a life cycle basis.

Looking at a new car just because all of mine are 20 years old. I've never replaced a manual crank window assembly, but have replaced several power window assemblies. Power windows, locks, etc are now the standard along with a lot of electronic safety features that I suspect will be problematic over the next 20 years. It's nutty to me that hybrid prices are within a few thousand dollars of gas only cars when the hybrids are so much more complex and who would want to work on one in a home garage?

Lots more to go wrong… $650 window regulators, $500 set tire pressure indicators, expensive airbags often exceed value if older cars…

I see some refrigeration now using propane and ice maker I picked up for work was cheap and used propane… 3 years now and would buy again compare to 4 times the cost to repair the old one.

 

[tfuller]

I don't think anyone has mentioned TEKTON yet but worth a look. TEKTON Hand Tools | Shop Sockets, Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Pliers

 

[ultrarunner]

On a side note I really have come to appreciate the aluminum handle Rigid pipe wrench I keep with tools in my truck...

Assorted tools for field work get heavy to lug around... so lighter weight and multifunction get a big plus for me...

 

[Jstpssng]

I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to tools, but I'd guess the manufacturing process with the same material back then used today would be to expensive to sell in the marketplace.

You can probably still get them, but how many people need Snap-On quality for home use? I remember going to Sears years ago to exchange a socket, and commenting how much thicker the walls of the replacement were. The salesman told me it's because they are better. Yeah, RIGHT!

 

[paulsharvey]

The Quinn set below is pretty dang good stuff, without a lot of fluff. I have the set, but I found it in the middle of the road, and the case was kinda messed up, and doesn't really hold things well anymore. I have looked for a replacement case, but the case alone is the same money as the whole set. Thinking about handing down the messed up case of Quinn sockets to my 17 yo son, and buying the same set new for my self.

 

[Sigarms]

I see some refrigeration now using propane and ice maker I picked up for work was cheap and used propane… 3 years now and would buy again compare to 4 times the cost to repair the old one.

Back around 2017 we were told by 2023 there would be a propane blend in the new refrigerant.

For unitary split product Carrier, Lennox and JCI will be using R454B. Trane and its umbrella brands R454A (the only difference between the "A" and "B" is the manufacturer). Daikin and it's umbrella brands will use R32.

For ductless mini splits, all will use R32, and I forget what VFR is using (not R32).

This refrigerant change was supposed to happen this year, and thank God they postponed it until 2025. Rating conditions had changed for all HVAC for 2023 and it has been a total fiasco going into the last quarter of 2022 because there are different guidelines and laws being enforced between heat pumps and straight AC units.

I'm telling you, wait until the IRA (inflation reduction act or as I like to call it the "Irish Republican Army" LOL) hit's the state levels. NO ONE knows how it's going to play out and each state will decided independently of each other their own guidelines (talk about a fiasco waiting to happen). What's known for certain is the less money you make, the bigger the rebate! (not to be confused with the federal tax credit which no one can explain as well LOL). I just love it when the Government uses some kind of cash incentives to dictate sales.

Apologies to the OP for derailing this thread

 

[paulsharvey]

I don't think anyone has mentioned TEKTON yet but worth a look. TEKTON Hand Tools | Shop Sockets, Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Pliers

I have a few Tekton tools, and they are nice. Thought about getting a few more, but they are a bit expensive.

I have almost everything I need, but if a mix match of random stuff, and it's dang annoying.

Craftsman old style screw drivers are still (IMO) the way to go for those, if your trying to stay in the mid-range of price vs quality.

Doyle Knipex style piers are good, for a quarter the price.

Taps/Dies, I think your better off getting the one you need, quality, rather then a cheap set. Same general with drill bits.