Whether you’re following your DIY dreams, buying tools for business or simply doing emergency repairs, having the right tools for the job is essential. Buying tools requires a bit of budgeting, some technical know-how and research in order to avoid getting ripped off. Here are some handy tips that may help you when shopping for tools.
Buy combo kits
You can sometimes save up to 30% on costs when buying a combo kit as opposed to individual tools. Most combo kits will only store the essentials, from here you can branch out and buy the more niche tools for your needs. Occasionally, some combo kits may throw in items you don’t need like cheap work lights or some other new form of fandangle that the tool company wants to promote. Try to avoid these toolkits as you may be paying for items you’ll never use.
Read reviews
Bigger tools can be expensive, so make sure you read up on all the specs, as well as researching into reliability. Product review sites are ideal for this, offering professional criticism and comparisons. For example, this site could be handy when looking for the best drill press. You may also be able to ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.
Get familiar with a brand
Shopping around, you may be able to find individual tools at a cheaper price. But keeping loyal to a brand can have its perks. Machinery of the same brand will generally use similar parts, and certain functions and settings may be the same allowing you to easily familiarize yourself instead of having to read up on the manual each time. Cordless operated tools of the same make may all use the same battery and charger too. This could save costs as well as the confusion of multiple batteries and chargers.
Shop at the right time of the year
Certain times of the year can be great for deals, with tools sometimes reaching discounts of up to 60%. This may allow you to buy more tools at once, or buy quality models usually out of your price range. The best times include the lead up to Christmas, the January sales and just before Father’s day. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are particular days to look out for. Also try buying certain tools out of season (some outdoor tools such as trimmers and mowers may be less expensive in the winter when the demand isn’t as high and companies are eager to shift stock).
Going cheap can be expensive
This might seem like a confusing contradiction, but buying cheap tools may work out pricier in the long run. This is because cheaper tools generally aren’t made to last, and will need to be repaired and replaced more regularly. Unless you don’t think you’ll be using these tools often, you should look to invest in durable tools. This doesn’t mean having to shell out on a top-of-the-range industrial model, but similarly you shouldn’t skimp out on a second-hand machine from the 70s if you’re going to be using it on a regular basis.
Hope some of these tips help! See you soon!
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