looking round the 'shop' I feel the need to reply in a somewhat different vein.
there's a 35 year old B&D drill (orange/metal) that's still running fine
a MacAllistair combination mitre/table saw that, at £99 and 2Kw has sawn a lot of timber in it's time at little cost and, importantly to many, small space requirements (and yes the mitre guage/track could be a lot better - but the fence is surprisingly good)
an ancient Bosch POF 500 that probably manages an in-between rating, but it's no Makita or Trend
the pillar drill does what the marketing department promised, at a price I could afford at the time, the bench top planner manages the same, as does the B&D badged Pro whatever sanding unit that has manged to chew through many belts and discs as well as a belt (not to mention the sawdust!).
There are at least another 15 items with motors that have performed 'as sold' - so far.
So I don't think it's fair to label, directly or by implication, all this 'stuff' as junk.
Having said that I will admit to being lured to a Power Pro Bandsaw on the basis or price and size - and after a lot of hours returning it. I may, or may not, have used the word junk on that day #-o In fairness it was clear the box had previously been opened so it may have been a stock management issue - but the 6 year old Kitty I recently acquired from a gentleman on here is obviously in a different class (and price bracket).
As some have already alluded, price and value are very different issues. Some cheaper items are good value for an individuals needs in the same way as a quality item might represent poor value (ignoring the potential for resale).
Buying the best you can afford, and including SH items in your consideration, is definitely good advice - but cheap isn't necessarily junk, in the same way as expensive doesn't necessarily guarantee well designed and manufactured.
there's a 35 year old B&D drill (orange/metal) that's still running fine
a MacAllistair combination mitre/table saw that, at £99 and 2Kw has sawn a lot of timber in it's time at little cost and, importantly to many, small space requirements (and yes the mitre guage/track could be a lot better - but the fence is surprisingly good)
an ancient Bosch POF 500 that probably manages an in-between rating, but it's no Makita or Trend
the pillar drill does what the marketing department promised, at a price I could afford at the time, the bench top planner manages the same, as does the B&D badged Pro whatever sanding unit that has manged to chew through many belts and discs as well as a belt (not to mention the sawdust!).
There are at least another 15 items with motors that have performed 'as sold' - so far.
So I don't think it's fair to label, directly or by implication, all this 'stuff' as junk.
Having said that I will admit to being lured to a Power Pro Bandsaw on the basis or price and size - and after a lot of hours returning it. I may, or may not, have used the word junk on that day #-o In fairness it was clear the box had previously been opened so it may have been a stock management issue - but the 6 year old Kitty I recently acquired from a gentleman on here is obviously in a different class (and price bracket).
As some have already alluded, price and value are very different issues. Some cheaper items are good value for an individuals needs in the same way as a quality item might represent poor value (ignoring the potential for resale).
Buying the best you can afford, and including SH items in your consideration, is definitely good advice - but cheap isn't necessarily junk, in the same way as expensive doesn't necessarily guarantee well designed and manufactured.
