This is a cool concept, I actually have a “budget” version of my work bag that I let helpers use if they don’t have tools. But most of the stuff was just my old tools lol
Yeah, I have given away older tools at times to friends, co-workers and such but that is a great thing to have a bag to loan out... don't let them touch the nice stuff until they prove themselves.
If you’re patient, I think buying used tools is a good way to go to build up a collection like this or replace/upgrade as you go or need to. Flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops, Facebook marketplace, eBay, etc. especially if you aren’t afraid to cleanup a tool that has a little rust you can find many quality tools at a much lower price. Many times they’re better quality tools than a lot of the Chinese stuff out there, you can find a USA, Japanese, and European made tool. Definitely not crapping on Harbor Freight either. I have a lot of good/good enough tools from there. I don’t have a problem saving money, especially on a tool that I don’t use as often.
My premium bag: I have many Knipex pliers, and I know why they are #1 in this category for a reason! For electrical tools, I have Klein. Same with screwdrivers. For ratchets, sockets and combination wrenches, I have Snap On. However, my "budgets " tools were the real surprise to me: Icon tools are 90% as good as my Snap On tools for combination wrenches, ratchets and sockets! Doyle pliers are 85-90% as good as Knipex, and their electrical tools and screwdrivers are 90-95% as good as my Klein. Harbor Freight has shocked me with the quality of those two tool lines.
I have really liked the icon ratchets that I have used. So far they have all been great. I’ll have to try out the Doyle water pump pliers. I’ve been meaning to.
It would easy to be critical for the sake of criticism, but I think that would be missing the point. I think what you've done here, presenting high and minimal options, is an excellent approach . I've also had decent results with Husky tools, including getting a broken one swapped out with zero hassle. For myself, I discovered Veto bags at the beginning of the year, and am done farting around with cheap tool bags. I've used some Husky, and they are far from terrible, but Veto bags are amazing. I can't pay $65 for a Milwaukee flashlight when I can get a Sofirn IF24 (or IF23) for less than half that. Other tools needed include a multimeter and a non-contact voltage tester; Kaweets/Centech vs. Klein/Fieldpiece/Fluke for the minimal vs. high.
I love the made in usa Milwaukee ecx screwdriver and linemans . And that structured tote you got is awesome. Im a Milwaukee man 100%.. i feel like Milwaukee may be trying to get some of that veto market. They recently came out with more of those veto style bags. Its seems that not even veto is safe from the Milwaukee machine. Great video thanks
I started my career 40 years ago - right from the start I spent the extra money to buy the best there was - Snap on . After 35 yrs working with the same tools - nothing broke - nothing wore out . Moral of the story - spend the money - buy the best quality American made tools and you will save money by not having to replace them .
Yeah, Snap-on prices are definitely up there... and while I think you can get good quality tools that will last from other brands too, I think you do get a quality product for them.
I use dedicated Wera Phillips and flathead drivers in my bag and they are definitively noticeably better than cheaper drivers at dealing with stripped screws. It’s a good capability to have. Knipex wire strippers are definitely amazing. I use them for most electrical work. No need for lineman pliers with those (IMO. I'm not an electrician though and have never used lineman's much). Or if you use wago lever nuts. Those make electrical work a lot easier.
I have them. And in the unedited version of the video I did briefly mention them but mainly in a sense that they are still $20. While the knipex are normally high 20s you can routinely get them cheaper so it didn’t feel like it was a big enough discount to go with that.
I got the Husky 10in for >$50 at Home Depot. The Milwaukee is almost $250. That means that I can beat the Husky to death, and every 5 years have a new Husky bag. Meanwhile, if I treat the Milwaukee the same way, its going to need a replacement in ~10 years. That means I'm still ahead $150. Easy call.
For the Knipex Twin Grip pliers a budget alternative could be the Engineer brand PZ-58 Screw removal pliers, all be it not a perfect alternative for all functions of the Twin Grips.
I have the engineers, and probably should have thought to bring them into the bag. But I do also think that you won't have every iteration of every tool in a more budget friendly option.
I love Milwaukee, but I love a lot of other companies as well. This being a Milwaukee bag, there are tools that gravitate towards it in my mind, but I also appreciate a lot of of other great brands as well.
As long as they have the tools you need then I think they are a decent brand to invest in. They have a lot of great pro grade tools they just don’t get much promotion in the brick and mortar stores I find them in
I don’t remember if it made the final edit of the video but husky is just a representation of the budget brands. I think the husky Bags are the way to go but ask for tools you could choose a variety of brands and obviously mix and match to get a good budget option.
Nothing but love for Veto bags. I currently own three but have owned another one as well that I gifted to my brother. I rotate through them and if I had to guess, I will be rocking a new veto bag of some sort in conjunction with next year's spring promo.
This is a cool concept, I actually have a “budget” version of my work bag that I let helpers use if they don’t have tools. But most of the stuff was just my old tools lol
Yeah, I have given away older tools at times to friends, co-workers and such but that is a great thing to have a bag to loan out... don't let them touch the nice stuff until they prove themselves.
Same here. As I bought newer stuff for myself, I threw the old tools in another bag that I give to people to use.
If you’re patient, I think buying used tools is a good way to go to build up a collection like this or replace/upgrade as you go or need to. Flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops, Facebook marketplace, eBay, etc. especially if you aren’t afraid to cleanup a tool that has a little rust you can find many quality tools at a much lower price. Many times they’re better quality tools than a lot of the Chinese stuff out there, you can find a USA, Japanese, and European made tool.
Definitely not crapping on Harbor Freight either. I have a lot of good/good enough tools from there. I don’t have a problem saving money, especially on a tool that I don’t use as often.
You make a valid point. And I would simply add to it if you can be patient buying new tools you can find great sales there as well.
My premium bag: I have many Knipex pliers, and I know why they are #1 in this category for a reason! For electrical tools, I have Klein. Same with screwdrivers. For ratchets, sockets and combination wrenches, I have Snap On.
However, my "budgets " tools were the real surprise to me: Icon tools are 90% as good as my Snap On tools for combination wrenches, ratchets and sockets! Doyle pliers are 85-90% as good as Knipex, and their electrical tools and screwdrivers are 90-95% as good as my Klein. Harbor Freight has shocked me with the quality of those two tool lines.
I have really liked the icon ratchets that I have used. So far they have all been great. I’ll have to try out the Doyle water pump pliers. I’ve been meaning to.
Excellent video. I do think these two examples are just a Mid-grade and a Budget set. Real Premium would be even more $$ and the best tools.
It would easy to be critical for the sake of criticism, but I think that would be missing the point. I think what you've done here, presenting high and minimal options, is an excellent approach . I've also had decent results with Husky tools, including getting a broken one swapped out with zero hassle.
For myself, I discovered Veto bags at the beginning of the year, and am done farting around with cheap tool bags. I've used some Husky, and they are far from terrible, but Veto bags are amazing.
I can't pay $65 for a Milwaukee flashlight when I can get a Sofirn IF24 (or IF23) for less than half that.
Other tools needed include a multimeter and a non-contact voltage tester; Kaweets/Centech vs. Klein/Fieldpiece/Fluke for the minimal vs. high.
I appreciate the input!
I love the made in usa Milwaukee ecx screwdriver and linemans . And that structured tote you got is awesome. Im a Milwaukee man 100%.. i feel like Milwaukee may be trying to get some of that veto market. They recently came out with more of those veto style bags. Its seems that not even veto is safe from the Milwaukee machine. Great video thanks
When you do the math its amazing how much money you are actually carrying around in a tool bag. Great video.
Thanks!
I started my career 40 years ago - right from the start I spent the extra money to buy the best there was - Snap on . After 35 yrs working with the same tools - nothing broke - nothing wore out . Moral of the story - spend the money - buy the best quality American made tools and you will save money by not having to replace them .
And by the way - my tool box cost more than your whole premium kit
Yeah, Snap-on prices are definitely up there... and while I think you can get good quality tools that will last from other brands too, I think you do get a quality product for them.
I use dedicated Wera Phillips and flathead drivers in my bag and they are definitively noticeably better than cheaper drivers at dealing with stripped screws. It’s a good capability to have.
Knipex wire strippers are definitely amazing. I use them for most electrical work. No need for lineman pliers with those (IMO. I'm not an electrician though and have never used lineman's much). Or if you use wago lever nuts. Those make electrical work a lot easier.
I appreciate you sharing your experience with them.
@@TinkerWithTools Sure, thanks for the great recommendations in the video as well!
I would have considered the “budget” equivalent of the Knipex Twin Grip and Pliers Wrench would be the Icon clones.
I have them. And in the unedited version of the video I did briefly mention them but mainly in a sense that they are still $20. While the knipex are normally high 20s you can routinely get them cheaper so it didn’t feel like it was a big enough discount to go with that.
Right On! 🙌 Great video!
Milwaukee hand tools are way over priced for what they are, IMO. Measuring and leveling tools too, for that matter.
I have like the Made in the USA tools and even a few of their foreign made tools as well. I wouldn't call them cheap but they have worked well so far.
I got the Husky 10in for >$50 at Home Depot.
The Milwaukee is almost $250.
That means that I can beat the Husky to death, and every 5 years have a new Husky bag. Meanwhile, if I treat the Milwaukee the same way, its going to need a replacement in ~10 years.
That means I'm still ahead $150.
Easy call.
You just won’t be able to attach a $30 box to the bottom of the husky
For the Knipex Twin Grip pliers a budget alternative could be the Engineer brand PZ-58 Screw removal pliers, all be it not a perfect alternative for all functions of the Twin Grips.
I have the engineers, and probably should have thought to bring them into the bag. But I do also think that you won't have every iteration of every tool in a more budget friendly option.
I really don't think that the Milwaukee hand tools are that great I prefer a Klein
Klein makes great stuff too!
I used to have a bag like the husky like 20 years ago
I have used several Husky bags over the years. Each time I have moved on to something else, but not because it wore out.
Lowes has two bags that are worthy compared to Milwaukee, Klein ($99)and toughbuilt ($89) 👍
I have looked at both of them and they are decent bags for sure but both are a larger style tote more comparable to the 15” tote from Milwaukee.
Good reviews. Honestly thought when the first few tools came out was “ here we go with another Milwaukee fan boy video”.
I love Milwaukee, but I love a lot of other companies as well. This being a Milwaukee bag, there are tools that gravitate towards it in my mind, but I also appreciate a lot of of other great brands as well.
@7:24 I have the Irwin version that work really well
Irwin Vise Grip pliers are definitely a solid budget option.
As an apprentice electrician, I’m still trying to find a brand of power tools to invest in, is the TH HPT the way to go?
If you are referring to Metabo HPT I think their drills and impacts are solid. What other tools do you see yourself needing?
@@TinkerWithTools probably bandsaw, multi tool, sawzal. All from metabo if they are good.
As long as they have the tools you need then I think they are a decent brand to invest in. They have a lot of great pro grade tools they just don’t get much promotion in the brick and mortar stores I find them in
The only Thing from Milwaukee that was not shit were there recip. blades AX and Torch
Every pair of pliers he showed in his high-end bag is available at harbor freight for half the price if he's looking for value.
I don’t remember if it made the final edit of the video but husky is just a representation of the budget brands. I think the husky Bags are the way to go but ask for tools you could choose a variety of brands and obviously mix and match to get a good budget option.
Veto mafia looks down upon this video
Nothing but love for Veto bags. I currently own three but have owned another one as well that I gifted to my brother. I rotate through them and if I had to guess, I will be rocking a new veto bag of some sort in conjunction with next year's spring promo.