A year or two ago my then workshop was broken into and they robbed most of my electrical tools. Luckily the morans didn't have a clue what they were taking and so most of the ones that they got were worn-out, cheap or extremely dangerous to use. They left my most expensive tools because they didn't know what they were. The one taken that pissed me off the most was my chain saw that I used for ice carving, that had a certain sentimental value for me but it was modified and had a hair-trigger that made it extremely dangerous to use, I hope the fuckers cut their hands off. Stealing a man's tools is one of the greatest crimes in my opinion, but I digress.
I called the police and they said they would put their best man on the case. Ha, ha! I'm sure that in your country as well calling the police is more for insurance reasons than because you expect them to actually do anything. Unfortunately, I had no insurance so I don't really know why I bothered calling them. Of course, I never heard from them again.
I had to move out of my Workshop soon after, to be honest, the feeling of insecurity this break-in caused made the leaving the workshop a lot easier.
Finally, I have found a new working space and need to retool. I will probably continue to buy cheap tools as for the amount of use I give them they are perfectly grand. They also pay for themselves pretty quickly and having the idea that they could be stolen again I don't want to be investing too much at the moment until I finally get a workshop I can call my own with a moat and crocodiles surrounding it for security.
Battery of tools
One of the biggest changes I have made in my tool choice is to go battery operated as much as possible. Tripping over cables and having to have 110V electric tools anytime you go to a site means that rechargeable tools are the way to go.
In Europe, we have a chain of Supermarkets called Lidl and each week that have special deals on things for around the house. The brand of tools they sell is called Parkside and they sell a big range of rechargeable tools all based around the one Battery. They are 20V with 2ah batteries which give a nice bit of power.
With each job I usually try to buy one to complete my collection. Above is my collection so far. Some of the tools were sold with batteries and charger and once you get them the tools work out around €30 each which bring my collection to a little over €200 which is around the price of one tool from a big brand like Makita or Dewalt.
Are they any good? Overall, yes I am very happy with them. They get the job done as good as their expensive competitors. They may not last as long but for the price, I think that they really are a great set for the DIYer. The only one which I don't like is the mini vacuum cleaner. It sucks, well actually it doesn't and that the problem. But for €15 it was an impulse buy.
The last two I want to add to the mix are a circular saw and another drill but I have to wait till Lidl brings them back again which is every couple of months.
When I do finally have my own proper workshop I will probably go all-in on Mikita tools but for now, these tools allow me to make anything I want.
My new workspace feels a bit safer but I found a large box that I put a lock on just to stop my workmates for using them without asking.
I have to say I am so happy to be able to get back making in a space I can somewhat call my own and having all my tools rechargeable makes thing so much easier and freeing.
This post was not sponsored by Lidl but if they are reading please make more rechargeable tools like a router and better vacuum/ blower and send me some vouchers.
I also have some equipment from electricity or batteries, but I just hang them between the walls of the room. maybe if thieves enter my house they will easily choose the tools they like, but luck is still on my side at the moment, and it happened to me, maybe not going to the police, but going to psychics, to injure them gently. especially if I find out they are trading it for drugs. I really hate that.
but I am sure, with that incident you will definitely get better than what you previously had.
It sucks that something like that happened. One gets attached to these tools the more one uses them. Luckily, it is as you said and they took the wrong basket. Hope this new space of work doesn't get that visit again.
I like the idea of having some nice tools without high price tags and making them rechargeable is a plus.
It was like getting my arms robbed but These new ones are helping me to make stuff better than ever. I am just glad they didn't take my expensive router of drill. They seemed to have overlooked them, the dummies.
Thanks @bertrayo
!ENGAGE15
It takes experience and a keen eye to tell a good tool from others. People who are into that kind of thing don't usually steal equipment as they value theirs a lot. And thieves are too petty to get into learning about stuff.
ENGAGEtokens.Hopefully the people that stole your tools used them and injured themselves instead of the more likely thing of they sold them on to unsuspecting people x_x
You'd need a decent sized property to get a shed with a moat that can house crocodiles XD
I fiqure they were drug users trying to fund their latest fix. I really doubt ta they were planning to do any work with them. I was so angry but my new tools are helping me move on to better work and places.
I am just one lotto win away from having the castle of my dreams. (I should really play the lotto)
!ENGAGE15
On the one hand "gotta be in it to win it" on the other hand the chances are so remote, don't break the bank on it ;D
Glad the new tools are helping :)
ENGAGEtokens.We have read your post and i'll pass on the suggestions. 😅 No vouchers though. Our shit is cheap enough to pay for.
Cool, I hope you take it all the way to the top.
Your happy/ poor customer
!ENGAGE15
ENGAGEtokens.Nothing worse than having tools stolen, grrr. Better luck this time and I hope the bastards cut their hands off
Thanks for your kind words (Yes I mean the ones about cutting their hands off!)
!ENGAGE15
ENGAGEtokens.Parkside is indeed a good brand, sorry to hear about your tools being stolen. It's good to see how fast you dusted yourself off and regained power. Makita is top notch, I think most men would love owning this brand of tools.
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