Tool Reviews In The D.I.Y Tool Shed

 Hey folks! It's the D.I.Y guy Tony S here to talk about future tool reviews here in the Tool Shed.  I've got one review done on our YouTube channel covering the Worx ExacTrack circular saw.  Go check it out, I'll wait...

So, doing that review got me to thinking that I wasn't satisfied with that review.  I mean, it was all right, it was a decent introduction to the tool, but I can't really say that I can look at it and be satisfied with it as an actual review.  No.

Now, I like reviews to be "real world" and demonstrate how a tool performs dlingbthings that a person typically will actually use the tool for and does it meet the need.  I also don't like the typical identifications of tools as "beginner/entry level", "Homeuser/D.I.Y", or "Pro/Expert".

To me, a tool is best defined for what it's best use case is, not the degree of skill or experience of the user.  Can the tool be best used in a variety of use cases.  So, going fotward, I'll do reviews identifying tools as; 

"Hobby/Entry" which are used in generally low demand situations and sporadically.

"Home/D.I.Y" which are used in medium to high demand and used in intermittent butts of activity more often.

"Jobsite" tools will be those identified as tools that need to be relied upon all day, every day. Very high demand and consistent use are what these tools have to live up to.

Many brands are pre-determined by the companies that make/sell them as targeted to a certain use market.  For example, Word brand is targeted to the Home/D.I.Y market in general and their marketing makes that pretty obvious.  Other brands are marketed specifically to jobsite use like Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Bosch.

Many brands aren't as obviously marketed though and can be a bit confusing, sometimes deliberately so, as to the best use market.  This is where especially where having reviews of a variety of tools and brands becomes useful to people who want to know if a brand or specific tool they are considering will meet the need so they don't waste their money.

To be honest, the hobby/entry category is also just as best known for being the "entry level" in regards to pricing and quality.  These are the brands and tools that one typically gives to youth or someone picks up for a single use task or because its simply all they can afford when starting a new job.

These are not the tools one wants to rely on for long or to risk losing too much investment if they break.  These are for kids building bird houses and to assemble kits with more often than not.  Sometimes a tool in this low price category can surprise you though, often a pleasant surprise.

The Home/D.I.Y category can range in price from low to high, often typically in the middle range between obvious jobsite and hobby tools.  These are typically used for work in and around one's own home as needed or for use in extensive craftwork or maybe a sideline gig that one does on weekends or for limited, specific use a few times a week or month.  While these need to be reliable, they need to also meet the price range for someone who doesn't need a high quality, beat-it-to-death-and-still-work tool.

Lastly, the jobsite category.  Like I said above, these should be tools that can be relied on for consistent use all day, every day.  These tools are made to take the abuse of constantly being in hand and take it.  The price usually reflects that and hopefully meets the "pay for what you get" line and isn't just over-priced, over-hyped junk which does happen.  

As I do future tool reviews, I'll strive to present you with real use case uses, if they meet or exceed the category expectations and if they are priced fairly or otherwise.

One thing that a D.I.Yer needs to keep in mind.  It is NOT a competition in buying tools.  Buy the tools that meet or slightly exceed your needs and forget about tool brand fanboyism.  Just because someone else might have bought a high-end jobsite category tool doesn't make what you use something to be ashamed of.  Don't let what others brag about push you to buy something that's overkill and over priced.  Get the tool that you need.  Just make sure it's a tool you can use use and afford.