Are cheap budget repair kits worth the $

I’ve never bought one of those kits. I’d be leery of them anyways.

I’ve always been a firm believer of buying the right proper quality tools the first, and usually only time you need to purchase them.

If you already have nice electronics screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, mini files, various cutters and pliers, and a couple of machinists rules and feeler gauges, you are all set and don’t need a specific kit.

If you want to go the extra length, you can always later buy a fret crowning file and radius gauges.

Seriously, I have machinist tools that I purchased almost forty years ago, and they still pass calibration tests. With tools, in most cases you get what you pay for. Yeah, the price can be steep at times, but after you’ve bought it and it still works after ten years, you’ll be happy that you bought it. If it breaks a year later because you bought something cheap, you’ll be pissed buying it a second time.
 
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Personally, I wouldn't. In my own experience there is nothing that is a better value over time than buying pro-quality tools, whether for your car or for your guitar. When you buy quality you pay for it once and it lasts a lifetime - buy budget tools and you will replace them multiple times (and they may not work that great even when new) and in the long run you end up spending more.
 
I am making a second video that shows some items working and others well not of any use at all !!

to sum up, it’s worth it but only a few tools are useful. As said above best to suppliment a kit like this with quality tools
 
SG John said:
I’ve never bought one of those kits. I’d be leery of them anyways.

I’ve always been a firm believer of buying the right proper quality tools the first, and usually only time you need to purchase them.

If you already have nice electronics screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, mini files, various cutters and pliers, and a couple of machinists rules and feeler gauges, you are all set and don’t need a specific kit.

If you want to go the extra length, you can always later buy a fret crowning file and radius gauges.

Seriously, I have machinist tools that I purchased almost forty years ago, and they still pass calibration tests. With tools, in most cases you get what you pay for. Yeah, the price can be steep at times, but after you’ve bought it and it still works after ten years, you’ll be happy that you bought it. If it breaks a year later because you bought something cheap, you’ll be pissed buying it a second time.
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I have a full set of Snap-On that is at least 30 years old. Looks and works like I bought the stuff last week.
 
gball said:
I have a full set of Snap-On that is at least 30 years old. Looks and works like I bought the stuff last week.
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Same here.

For my mechanics and field service hand tools:
Snap-On, Stahlwille, Hazet, Mac, (old US made) Craftsman, Wera, Knipex, Wiha, Proto

Machinist tools:
Starrett, Mahr, Browne and Sharpe, Interapid, Blake, Mitutoyo

The stuff that's 40+ years old performs like new.
 
SG John said:
Same here.

For my mechanics and field service hand tools:
Snap-On, Stahlwille, Hazet, Mac, (old US made) Craftsman, Wera, Knipex, Wiha, Proto

Machinist tools:
Starrett, Mahr, Browne and Sharpe, Interapid, Blake, Mitutoyo

The stuff that's 40+ years old performs like new.
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i have a set of snap on sockets and ratchet I got when I had a motorcycle repair shop in U.K. in the 80’s. I still have that set now in Canada
 
These are useful items that came in the kit. There is a full set of radius gauges but Ninja King has borrowed them for a while :)

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Some things I use very little are just not worth spending big bucks on. I bought a cheap watch repair kit on Amazon. All of the
tools in it do just what I need them to. They are not the best, but they work and I don't run a watch repair business so no need
for a huge $$$ investment in tools.

On the other hand, I used to do serious work on my cars. In that case I invested in the good tools. Same with carpentry tools.
I do EVERYTHING at my house. I have never called for someone to repair anything in my house. That is the reason for the best
tools possible.

If you use them a lot get the best. If it's a once in a while thing get the best for the money you are willing to spend...
 
I think a cheap guitar-specific toolkit is a great idea, provided:
A) you don't already have most of the items, and
B) you don't run a shop or do a lot of work.

I already have plenty of screwdrivers large & small. And Allen wrenches. And nut drivers. Along with a good soldering iron.
But for someone who doesn't have a toolbox already, a kit makes a lot of sense.

There are a few specialty items handy for guitar work that most folks don't have already, like a fret rocker and a concave file for fret ends. Fret protectors too.

An action height card can be helpful for first-time setups & ballpark pickup height adjustment, and feeler gauges are nice for setting your neck relief.
Still, those aren't strictly necessary, merely convenient. I never saw radius gauges as vital; I'm not making or leveling fretboards - I just use them.

As far as quality vs cheap tools, I agree in principle that it's best to go with high quality. But professional grade tools are seriously expensive, and for the amount of use they're going to get, cheap ones won't wear out anytime soon. You don't need to spend $90 on a nut slot file set from Stew-Mac if you aren't cutting nuts from scratch. Sure, real nut files could be handy, but I get by with a set of welder's tip cleaning files that were $6 at Harbor Freight.
 
I agree guys, if I was opening a repair shop this is a kit I would not even consider buying

But for casual use, maybe a string change a few times a year then it’s perfect TBH.
 
eSGEe said:
GREAT VIDEO-- BASICALLY i FOUND A SIMILAR KIT TO BE EQUALLY AS GOOD/BAD.... some things useful some rubbish the whole kit cost as much as 1 tool from stew mac....so I chalked it up to a "win"

by the Leeds -- great SHORTS! -- ;)
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What do you mean great shorts Adrian, didn't you check out that great T-shirt, now that's quality right there me Boy!;)
 
Session 5 said:
What do you mean great shorts Adrian, didn't you check out that great T-shirt, now that's quality right there me Boy!;)
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Ah yeh, Washago, so story goes like this

I was working on Washago and it’s A nice place for sure. Then I went home

The next week I was then Working North Bay Area. And like I always do I went to a Value Village Thrift store in North Bay

Well I found that Washago tee shirt there so thought, why not lol I’ve been there I have earned it :). 100% true story
 
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