Photocopy them, they last then!Quote:
Originally Posted by underfoot
Printable View
Photocopy them, they last then!Quote:
Originally Posted by underfoot
Only if you use a laser photocopier. If you use a bubblejet copier (many home types) the ink will fade over time.
Just thought I would point out that if everyone secumbs to buying ????, the quality manufactureres cant compete, wont be long until ALL you can buy is ????.
My 20YO Makita drill just packed up. I spent only 200 on a new one, their still top range but there's somthing about it that feels cheaper.:?
Please dont buy crap unless you REALly cant afford better.( I spent the profit of my last job on this drill:rolleyes:)
Its bad for the economy in the long run.
Bad for the environment too.
Astrid
I have read the previous posts and I think that what is lost in the comments is simple. It is the family budgets that dictate what you can buy not the cheap price of the product.I purchased an Ozito drop saw from bunnings for $38 (was $55). I looked at the other brands and would gladly buy one.
However, being the father of two (one 15yr, the other 3months old) and the only bread winner, the ozito brand allows me to build things that I would normally not be able to.
It would take me years to save up the money to buy an expensive brand.
I have an ozito corldess drill, had it for 3 or so years now, it gets just as much use as my Bosch cordless and both still work fine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SJDarknight
I am in total agreeance here. I am buying tools that I need for my hobby, but at the same time, I need value for money. I know that if something is a lot cheaper than an equivalent name brand, theres a reason for it. But, it allows me to have a hobby.
The tool snobs loose track of that fact of life
I've got some Makita, some Bosch, some Ryobi, some GMC, and some Ozito. And some other various brands.
I use an Ozito hammer drill sometimes at work and I'm always impressed at the thought that went into the pack.
Apart from the masonry bits there's a hammer to push the rawl plugs in, a cutter to trim them, bits to drive in the screws, and pliers to pull things out and start again. Like it.
I also use an Ozito cordless drill at work for the occasional job and it's always performed faultlessly.
On the other hand, I used an Ozito third sheet sander last week. On the first sheet change the spring holder gave up the ghost. Took it back for a refund, bought a Makita.
Still willing to buy Ozito though because apart from the sander I've never had a problem with their products. (Makita and their compadres, although enjoying a higher reputation for quality, don't offer a three-year warranty.)
If you like buying expensive tools, that's fine. If you think there's value in buying cheap tools, that's also fine. There isn't an eleventh commandment about it, and pontificating is for popes not for woodworkers. (Smiley face supposed to go in here, but I don't know how to do it.)
Michael
Let me see, I buy a $70 ozito angle grinder, instead of the $280 makita one - so about $30 of my money goes to china, and I get to spend $210 on a couple of dinners out that employ aussies, home grown ingredients etc, Seems a lot better for the economy to me than no dinner spend, $150 goes to the US or Japan???? :UQuote:
Originally Posted by astrid
I dont know about the environment, but for sure, cheap tools is bad for Kennards hire....
My experiences with cheap tools is normally positive (except one GMC Drill - where the battery died after 6 months).
I have an Ozito hammer drill - used it to pull up slate - worked wonders. My 18v Ryobi drill came with 2 batteries and a radio for under $100, and has never missed a beat. The batteries last forever, and the radio was worth the money alone (runs of the batteries). I just used it to clad my shed with cement sheeting, and was very impressed.
My cheap Ryobi drop saw is farily good, and still chugs along
Dont get me wrong - I have a Hitachi saw, but the rest of my tools are cheapies, and work well so far . . . . . .
I have been watching this thread for a while and because i don't have any ozito tools ignored it ,but was in bunnings today and they had on sale 184mm circular saws for $55 and because i have 2 makita's and 1 triton saw can't justify buying a ozito ,but if i was in the market for another saw i'd give ozito a go at that price just to see how they go.Lloyd.:bike3:
My feeling is that it depends on the tool. I am not surprised that the ozito angle grinders have lasted, and that someone is happy with them. The working part of the tool does not need to be inherently accurate, and doesn't operate relative to any kind of guide such as a fence, it just needs to spin extremely fast.
The failings of these cheap tools come in to play in several areas IMO
Cordless tools:
-Ozito and Ryobi cordless tools in my experience about a tenth as long as bosch tools which might only be twice as expensive. They also never have the same peak power output, which can mean they are completely useless.
Machines:
Whilst an angle grinder could be thought of as a motor and a gear train in a plastic case, with a few switches - none of which needs to be calibrated, machines require all the parts to be accurate relative to one another i.e. work surface true, saw blade true to work surface, saw blade perpendicular to motor axle, fence parallel to blade etc. etc.
If I was buying a machine such as a thicknesser or a compound mitre saw, I wouldn't shoot myself in the foot with tools I could never trust to be accurate.
I've got 2 Ozito tools, a standard $39 power drill, and a $69 hammer drill...both have been copping random abuse from me every few weekends for about 4 years now and still going strong...they occasionally blow some electrical smoke and the hammer action isn't as powerful as it used to be but they live on! I've had much less luck with GMC, had 3 circular saws in a row that refused to cut a straight line (even against a guide) - now replaced with a Bosch Blue...and 2 GMC digital levels that refused to go at all (I tried the second one at bunnings before I took it - broken!).
I'd happily buy a Ozito product for an odd job before I'd get a GMC...but its true you get what you pay for... and I'm a happy Bosch customer so far!
One question? all the higher end (expensive tools) what sort of warranty do they offer?
If its the same (around 3 years) then how can we trust it. I would hope that the expensive named brands have really long warranties ..
the best thing about ozito is the return policy a quick swap . its the time and travelling that cost . not to mention the inconvience . if its home duties dont expect a long life and you wont be disapointed . if its pro use you bought the wrong tool . cheers bob
I have had an Ozito 18V cordless drill for about 5 years and have used it in making patterns for castings in a foundry for 2 years.The only problems I have had with it is when I dropped it and busted the clips that hold the battery in, a bit of bog fixed that.
I have found it doesn't have the same torque as the big brand names.
pal
Went to one of those travelling tool auctions a couple of years ago.
Saw in amazement, as a young block plugged an Ozito drill in and pulled the trigger to see how it went before possibly bidding,the drill burst into flames in his hand.
After letting go of the trigger and dropping the drill, the only way to stop the flames was rip the extension lead out of the wall before it burnt the pavilion down.
Cheap tools --- love em or hate em --- but the look on that blokes face always comes to mind when i am in the market for new tooling.
I will keep my opinion of these #@** tools to myself if thats ok with everyone.:C
Another ozito story. Needed to drill a 120 mm hole in a besser block retaining wall, 200 deep and concrete/bluemetal filled on the weekend.
Bought the 800W $89 ozito rotary hammer drill and a set of 600 mm masonry bits for another $25. I was probably inefficient in drilling the hols as I started with the small 8 mm bit to position the holes round the edge accurately, then opened them to 12 mm before using the 600 drill to go right through. Then I chiselled out the core. Took about 1 1/2 hours but the result was as good as I could have done with a hilti. The plumber has had one for about a year never missed a beat. Very good machine for the job.
Be aware the 1100W ozito is about twice the weight.
I bought my first Ozito product this week. I have a workshop full of blue-chip, brand names that I've used for yonks. The industrial vacuum cleaner I was using for my dust "control" finally said it was time to depart this life, and promptly refused to wake up one day not too long ago. I shopped around for a dust extractor and found units from $1K+ down to around $360. I looked at Gasweld, Mitre 10 and another large tool supplier in my town. Then on the way home I dropped in to Bunnies and saw an Ozito unit for $199 with a 3 years warranty. Decided to bite the bullet and buy the damned thing. Brought it home and set it up. Works fine and dandy, despite the fact I keep expecting it to start saying, "Warning Will Robinson. Danger Will Robinson." Has a number of step-up/step-down adapters for various size exhaust hoses. I run a Ryobi compound saw, a thicknesser/planer, a Triton saw table, a Triton router table and a wood lathe to mention just a few dust and shavings creations. I won't be flogging it every day and fully expect it last well beyond 3 years. If it doesn't I'll just return it for replacement. If it does, I'll be happy with a cleaner workshop.
I bought the random orbital sander, Its a great tool for launching sandin disks into random orbits
i have 2 ozito tools,
-belt sander, that my dad bought because it was cheap,
iv used my makita belt sander for 8 years or so and its never missed a beat....
first time i plugged in the ozito it broke 3 belts in a row... so it now rests up on a shelf and will never be touched again, mind you they use smaller stupid belts....
-random orbital sander, now this tool is a good one.....
i like it alot,
i own two makita random orbitals and have had constant problems with both (bad disk to motor coupling design...) have had to replace the disks about 3 times on each...
i beat the crap out of the ozito while i was restoring a 3 metre church pew and it proved itself.....
so i use it often now :)
as for what someone said above about launching disks...
in 15 years i have had about 4 disks launch and that was due to the backs of them being no good and/or sawdust clogging the hook-loops......
You assume that all warranties are the same. If one of my "high end" tool craps out (it hasnt happened yet) and I have to make a warranty claim I usually just take it back to the shop I bought it from and they'll fix or replace it straight away. I dont get some spotty young nerd suggesting that the failure of the tool is my fault and I dont get sent on a trip across the other side to a service centre or end up posting the tool to another part of Australia.
As far as Ozito goes....I had an Ozito router which I only bought because it was so cheap even if it was dog (which it was) I had nothing to lose. The shaft had more wobble than a hula hoop and the machine wouldnt hold depth settings. I used it once and then stuck it where it belonged...in the rubbish skip outside my garage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Fairlane
I think you will get a rude shock if any of your "high end" tools ever do break. Unless it failed on the first use, it is unlikely that a retailer will replace if for you on the spot ... and they surely wouldn't fix it on the spot either. Chances are it would be sent to the nearest service centre to get inspected/fixed ... probably similar to what would happen if it was a "cheap" tool.Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwigeo
We shall see.....if and when one of my "high end" tools breaks down.
I do however doubt Bunnings would give the the same warranty (and non-warranty) service that you get from Lee Valley, Lie Nielson and other reputable tool suppliers.
But that is not really comparing apples with apples. Bunnings is purely a retailer, while the other two you mention are manufacturers (for the most part). Comparing GMC (say) to LV and/or LN is probably more appropriate.Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwigeo
I know from my one warranty issue I've had with GMC, it was handled well and I was extermely happy with the outcome. I would imagine LV and LN would probably handle a warranty issue in a similar manner.
I have an Ozito Belt Sander,and an Ozito Planer. $80 and $60 or something like that. I only use them occasionally and they both have a three year warranty.They work fine.
Being a long way from home, I borrowed a 10" Ozito circular saw two years ago for two minutes of ripping an 8 ft bit of one inch pine down the centre.
Halfway along, it threw flames out of the air holes and died in a big 'pop'.
It was brand new, apparently.
I used to have a Ryobi 170 or 180mm circular saw- absolute junk-repetitive accuracy impossible.
It was bought to replace a well-loved Makita that died/burned out after 16 years of hard work-and the service place said it was not feasible to rewire the rotor.
Now have a little Bosch circ saw-terrific.
yes its mandatory
and gmc ,anything bunnies brings in , all kmart products ,target ,dimmeys stores, Amart ,chinese goods ,imported fruit and vegies I suppose I've missed a few
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Ned
The reason you get a three year warenty sp? is that it is a statuary requirement for this type of product.
Also with 'planned obsalecence' (sp??) most uesers of the elcheepo ( me) machines will not use the tool the required amount of time before it wears out and becomes kaput therefore requirering replacement at the owners expense. As someone else has stated we live in a consumerist mentality society. We have become brainwashed that it is ok to buy , use till broke and then buy again. I suggest that if people are really wanting to 'get into the market' of tools is to find out what tools you can 'get away with' inthe elcheepo varity to tide you over till you can afford to buy a quality tool OR realise that you really dont need an $8000 tool.
Also find out what you really need to have a quality tool as a non negotiable. For me a non negotiable quality tool are jap saws , qulaity hammer, qulaity plane, screwdrivers square. I have got away with a crappy cordless drill and sander but will be upgrading once I get a better paying job. I have a very mediocre lathe and will also upgrade tha once I can afford it.
ALSO you need not be subject to anyone elses opinions as gospel as long as you can look in the mirror and see someone who you think is a good sensible bloke(tte). If you can justify HONESTLY to your self then that is all the matters.
Getting advice is good but do not listen to those who say you MUST .... they have their own issues too deal with.
by the way ... my Ozito orbital sander lasted two weeks out of warenty and I was really pizzed off! But it was horendesly cheep.....$29. You will notice that it has no disc on the bottom ..... it just shatits self and I did try to fix it but ...... cheep is as cheep does. I have now cut of the plug end so young boyo does not plug it and zap him self and he ahs a BALL playing handy man n the shed with me.
Cheers.
I went and had a look at bunnies and saw they are having some big specials but I could not find a single Ozito in the shop.
Have they stopped selling them or do you think they just ran out??
I could not ask because the spotty face little sales 'assistant' was nowhere to be seen....as per usual with bunnies! :((
Bunnies up this way don't seem to stock Ozito any longer either, maybe they got sick of the the amount of warranty returns that had to do.
Still advertising them in their latest on line catalog
Harold
My Ozito thicknesser is still going strong after about 4 years.
Ozito and lower quality brands do their jobs, if you want precision and a brand that thinks about every single moving part like it was a swiss watch - then the price will increase given its harder to mass produce. If you want something for a quick job that has around 70% accuracy and are ok with the said item not having a long life - go for the lower brands.
I've got both, and i would say that the lower brands are hit or miss.. like this week i grabbed a Ryobi SCMS ..turned it on 2mins into usage one of the coils blew ..pop + smoke = ?
Took it back to bunnings and they swore it was the first they've seen it ;) i said "you should check out woodworkforums.com and you'll see its not isolated?" but credit to them they replaced it no questions asked and were keen to ensure I had a good experience.
So on one hand sure, selling mediocre products is bad i guess for those who aren't in the mood to research what they just bought (ie average joe may expect laser precision cuts and a motor that lasts 20years for their $50.00 - but in reality that's just natural selection at work as they'll soon realize "oh wait, ozito etc aren't a good brand..so i didn't get a bargain afterall). Bunnings though may sell them but they are always focused on customer service - some drop the ball, but others are quickly to pick it up should you complain a little louder (not much).
Microsoft sells mediocre products (I used to work at Microsoft in US) where as Apple sell higher quality products that have a prescribed experience. Point is, some sell some don't.. you the consumer need to research thats the only ask now days..research :) - forums like this help that out!.
Microsoft have about 96% of the personal computer software market so I guess one would expect to hear more complaints about them due to the astronomical amount of software they sell.Quote:
Originally Posted by mossyblog
Ozito have sold millions of their cheap products; it is only commonsense to expect more complaints about the products they manufacture.
At present I only have one Ozito machine and as mentioned earlier has served me well. I am not stupid enough to think this machine will do the job better than one of the more expensive machines or that it will last for 20 years. I have had some of the more expensive machines in my time and like all mechanical or electrical pieces of equipment; they break down and sometimes after being in service for only a short time. I think it is unfair to compare the top name brands and cheaper brands with each other; the cheaper brands are not in competition with the more professional expensive tools.
The dump fees were probably costing them a packet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
Like most woodworkers I've had cheap power tools last for ages, and expensive presents to myself blow up with little use (and vice versa).
I've also had the expensive ones go missing on building sites (ouch!)
I now go for the cheaper end, including Ozito, but am careful of two things:
1. Don't use it for so long or so hard that the motor casing warms up
I suspect that the cheaper brands have either poorer wiring, wiring insulation or ventilation, hence a higher rate of burnout
If you need to keep working after the tool gets hot, get another one and swap back and forth - buying two will still be cheaper than a high end brand. You'll also have a spare "just in case".
2. Take them apart now and then and lubricate even "sealed for life" bearings, and especially plain bearings seen of some cheap routers.
Since doing the above, I haven't had one failure (in two years house building)
In regards to Bunnings and the 3 year warranty on Ozito, I have proved that both are honoring the deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Ned
I had a Swing arm MITRE saw by Ozito, cost $200.00. In the 21/2 years that I had it, i I was generally happy with the machine. I too, am a small time hobby woodie, and in the same financial boat as you.
I was talking to the Toolie at Bunnings, Coffs Harbour, and told him the saw was having little faults show up, like the plastic guard had worn through near the saw center, and would sometimes jam, a couple of other minor things as well.
He said if it is under 3 years bring it back and ".........We will replace it".
I took it back that afternoon, not wanting to miss the bloke that said to, and it turned out that they did not have anymore of the one I had purchased, instead they had a better (Two Arm) swing saw with a slightly larger motor and a couple of other refinements, and I could have that one for an extra $30.00.
"Not my fault that you haven't got the same saw to replace".
"OK you can have ti his one as a clear replacement" said he.
"What about the new warranty?" I questioned "This is a different model to the one I am replacing so I should have a new Warranty of 3 years".
"Oh! All right" he blurted, "Anything else?"
(Silly man) "What about pain and suffering?" I innocently asked.
"Get out, garn' get".
So I garn' and got. With the new saw, of course.
I think I may have written about this in another thread, but here goes anyway.
I have an1100W Ozito drill. Large and heavy but with lots of grunt. I bought it to finish a fence I was building because my faithful25yo. B&D cashed its chips in. The Ozito would not move from reverse after I had Drilled 35 pilot holes and thendriven 4" batten screws into them. Went back to Bunnies - no problem, grab a new one is stillgoing strong. It does not work that well in hammer mode and is inclined ( when in hammer mode) to loosen the chuck's grip.It came with a label that clearly states it is NOT for trade or continuous use. Stick with that and you are right as rain. Cost was $99.
I needed to drill some holes in concrete to put in some Chemset bolts. I knew the "ordinary" drill would not do the job. I had seen a mate's Ozito Rotary Hammer at work, so off to Bunnies and :o $89!! later walked out with one. Talk about do the job!! I figured this way - $80 to hire one. For the extra $9 I drilled the necessary 16 holes and still had the machine. I have used it since for other jobs and expect it to be part of my kit for some time yet.
Would I suggest others buy these tools? Yes, BUT use them as they are intended.
I understand the need for cheap tools for the rare use they are designed for. But for every Ozito tool I have bought in the past, I have ended up buying a more expensive replacement for better function and accuracy.
The cordless drill was a stand out. Gutless, and wouldn't hold the charge for more than a day or so.