I’ve been doing a lot of things lately – catching up on hands-on tool testing for reviews, trying to clean my workspaces to facilitate faster and quicker project progress, and ordering parts and supplies for the next rounds of projects.
The Spring Cleaning aspect has been horrific.
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We moved to a new place somewhat recently (not really, but saying this makes me feel better), and I have not yet fully set up any of my workspaces.
There’s a storage space, where I can do some work, but the environment makes it limiting; a dirty work workspace where I can leave projects in-progress without having to clean up all the sawdust, chips, etc; and an office and clean work workspace where I plan to do a lot of work, as well as photography.
I can’t get a single space set up perfectly. I need maybe 2 weeks to get things done, but I don’t have 2 weeks.
I haven’t even ordered the parts to start building a corner-hugging workbench for my office workspace. That project was brainstormed back at the end of December! (Thanks to an insightful discussion with Visbert in the comments of that post, I’m set on going with 2020 80/20 aluminum extrusions.)
But this got me thinking:
When there is a need that needs to be filled,
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Do I throw time at it?
Effort? (Which I suppose goes hand in hand with time.)
Money?
Whenever the subject of workbenches come up, there seem to be 2 camps: those that buy, and those that build.
But just because I can build something, should I? If I can build something, when is that the right option?
This is where the photo at the top of the page comes into play. Here it is again:
This is the smaller KC Tool precision screwdriver stand, which holds up to 25 screwdrivers. It’s priced fairly reasonably – $26. It’s made in the USA, and the quality is top-notch.
I didn’t pay for this – this was a review sample provided by KC Tool – but it seems to fit this discussion nicely.
I can use a precision screwdriver stand. The screwdrivers shown in the photo aren’t my main precision drivers, these are my micro hex drivers that were sitting in a small Sortainer drawer until a project called for them. When needing a few sizes, I’d dump them onto the table. Or I’d take out the one I needed and keep the rest in a drawer.
My other precision drivers are in a toolbox drawer, which has grown a bit crowded. And after I work on a project, the tools don’t always make it back to their drawer in a timely manner, they sit on my workbench and get buried under stuff.
If all I wanted was a precision screwdriver stand that could handle being used in different environments, this one would be perfect.
But what if I want to throw in a different style of screwdriver? This stand can handle all of my precision screwdrivers and their various handle styles. But throw in a smaller sized Wera Kraftform, and the regular screwdriver does one of two things – it either settles down after some wobbling, or it titles to the side. It does this because the regular handle isn’t tapered, the handle has a large – but not very large – flat.
What if this was 10 years ago and $27 on a tool storage accessory would have been a greater financial hardship? I’m sure I’d have been able to build something with close-enough functionality quickly and cheaply. Heck, cardboard and foam-core board would have done the trick.
What if I want a stand that holds a mix of screwdriver styles? Well, this wouldn’t cut it, but I could adapt the style to my needs. Would it have the same level of quality? No. I currently lack the means to tumble-finish aluminum parts.
KC Tool built it with beveled holes, chamfered edges, perfect alignment, and a very nice finish. I can’t mimic that, not for $26.
I threw together some ideas for making one out of wood. Or maybe plastic.
10-15 years ago, I had more time and effort than money to spend on tools and projects. Now, time is the more limiting factor.
This KC Tool rack is fantastic for my precision screwdrivers. But want if I want one narrower? Something similar for my smaller sized regular styled screwdrivers? That’s where the DIY project planning comes into play.
Ideally, KC Tool would build upon this design, maybe coming up with a modular or customizable design.
When I have the chance I might mod this stand – or the larger one that they also sent over for review – with a mid-level shelf to help keep non-tapered-handle screwdrivers from wobbling and settling off-kilter.
Whenever I post about things that could potentially be built oneself, there are comments along those lines. “Why buy when you could DIY?”
Well, not everyone has the skills, tools, time, or know-how for certain projects.
For my office workbench, I could go with 2x4s, but it’s not idea for the space. Right now I have a commercial workbench in there (Gladiator), but it has proven to be a little too deep and not flexible enough. I went with one DIY idea, and halfway I realized I liked it but wanted to springboard into a different solution for the space.
For the screwdriver stand, I like the KC Tool because it fills a need and is better than one I could do myself. And it takes trial and error out of the process. They did the testing to see which hole size works best for most precision screwdrivers.
It’s a near-instant solution, and it works.
But I now want something similar for my other frequently-used screwdrivers, but there’s no perfect store-bought solution. I want something customized to my needs, and so I’ll be going to DIY route to make the complementing driver holder.
So I guess it comes down to this, for me:
– Will the store-bought solution work better, and can I afford it?
– Will the DIY version work better for my needs, and can I afford the time, effort, and cost?
I mention cost because DIY doesn’t always mean “cheaper.” Consider the office workbench I keep talking about. That’s going to cost more than slapping 2 store-bought workbenches together in an L-shape.
Were there any projects where you faced this choice – do I buy or do I build? Tell us about it!
I’m giving myself the weekend to tackle at least one workspace, or section of a workspace. There are too many reviews and projects on hold!
I did make some nice progress this week, just not enough.
Emma
So I was going to say “hell no just make that yourself”, even though time to me is more valuable then money on something priced this low, but then I saw that it was aluminum. MUST BUY NOW.
The yeti
Seems I have about 200 screwdrivers .. of different sizes and shapes . I commonly use 3 of them . Am I the only one .
RC Ward
No, you’re not
glenn
Definitely not on your own there.
KL
I’m in the same boat. 10 years ago, more time than money. Now, more money and less time.
I enjoy some shop organization projects but anymore if I can buy something at a reasonable price I do that. I can make more than the cost of the part with paying work in the same amount of time.
I’m all about the pride of building things myself but I’m more about the pride of running a successful business and satisfying my clients – dumb to push them to the back burner so I can build something like a screwdriver rack.
Nathan
TO your main question I start with a few questions.
1) do I have the tools to the job/task/product correctly.
2) Is the cost of not doing it my self prohibitive
3) if I pay someone to do it and the screw it up will the time to fix be that much worse (including but not limited to calling them back in, or sending something back etc)
finally
4) If I smurf it up royally will it cost significantly to fix my issue – vs paying someone that is liable.
5) Do I want to make the time for the job.
Take pruning the tall trees near my house. As of today I don’t own the right tools for that job – but I could buy then and well I halfway want them. So strike 1. I’ve also never cut limbs from 20+ft in the air and they could fall on the house – so per question 4 – I’d pay to do the job.
Thus even thought expensive I will pay someone to do this for now.
Vs – Step stool for the daughter to use the bathroom sink. She’s 2.35 years old and a tick or so at 3ft tall – so she needs a bit of help with our new higher bathroom cabinets.
1) I have the tools, 2) I could buy one easily, 3)if I bought one and it broke I’d take it back minor hassle sure, 4) one I build won’t break, 5) I absolutely want to do this.
So I’m making one this weekend if nothing interrupts. OR I’ll take a day off next week.
Mike aka Fazzman
Paying $26 for $2 of aluminum with holes drilled in it just doesnt fit with me. Guess im jaded on that because I have a machine shop and materials are easy to get.
To answer this question legitimately is hard because everyone is different and depends on availability of materials,cost factor etc etc. Personally for me I just like building stuff where I can but always look for deals.
In my garage I use gladiator garageworks rails and hooks which arent always the cheapest but they look nice and would take alot more time and money to make myself. They usually are decently priced on Amazon.
ca
I was going to say the same thing. $26 for that thing is absurd.
Stuart
If I ordered from McMaster Carr, just the aluminum would run me $14, plus maybe $6 or more for shipping.
Speedy Metals wants $38.
I plan to buy a larger bench top mill that could handle projects like this, but not anytime soon.
Technically I could manage with aluminum and the tools I have, but $26 is not a lot compared to how much it would cost me in time.
I have some Delrin on the way to make something quick and easy.
Don
I used to have more time but less money, so I’d make it myself. Now I have less time and more money. Now I buy.
firefly
I believe there is another attractive option, have what you need custom made.
As far as cost and convenient, personally I have found that off the shelf product are almost always cheaper. They might not fit the bill perfectly but they are usually good enough. Then again whatever solution that we come up with DIY might not fit our need perfectly either because our need changes or we might not anticipate all the requirements upfront.
I think it’s best first go with off the shelf product. That way we have a good feel how the new space will be used. Then slowly change them over with the DIY/custom made route. Don’t give me wrong DIY is a great option to acquire tool and skills. It’s fun and challenging at the same time. However like you have already point it out. DIY route isn’t always feasible. Even large manufacturing company have the need to outsource. Personally I have found that some DIY along custom made part usually work best. So don’t be shy to reach out to reach out to the local machine or carpentry shop…
Stuart
I’ve had parts made by a machine shop back when I worked at a lab. I knew exactly what I needed. I threw together a CAD drawing, met with the machinist to describe the needs and which aspects needed higher tolerance, and the results were great.
Sometimes with personal projects, I know exactly what I need, and build to spec. But for something like a screwdriver holder, a project might take me through multiple iterations and even materials before I’m done. You can’t do that easily, quickly, or cheaply when hiring out a local or web-based machine shop.
Matt
Well, I don’t have much time but I don’t have much money either so it’s certainly a balancing act… Last year I needed a work bench in the garage. I really wanted to build something neat that would last. Something to be proud of too. I went out shopping for materials and by the time I added everything up, I just couldn’t justify the cost of doing it myself. So I looked for workbenches already made. The only problem there was the ones I liked were about on par in terms of price with what I would spend building one. Of course, many were far more expensive. I eventually just settled on a lesser pre-built unit that would get me down the road a year or two until I had the money to do it right.
This year I’m in the same boat finding a workbench for the basement. Money needs to be put aside to redo the deck and put up a fence though so I need to remind myself to keep priorities in order. There’s times that extra money and extra time would really be nice but I can’t complain. Life’s good…
Mike McFalls
I say invite the toolguyd community over, offer refreshments and unleash us on your shop!
Good luck this weekend
Hang Fire
There’s no dilemma here. Prototype in cheaper materials. Remake it several times until it’s just right. Then make the ultimate version. Or not. You may find that penultimate good enough that your attention goes elsewhere, to greater needs.
Graham Howe
I may be somewhat of an opposing viewpoint. 10 years ago I used tools out of necessity, usually fix something that was broken to avoid paying someone to do it. I therefore purchased tools and storage to put them in, not really considering at all whether I could make the storage or even the tool myself.
Now DIY, especially woodworking, is my main hobby, I am constantly looking for opportunity to make something myself, even if it would be cheaper to buy it. It is the process of creating something, the use of the tools and the challenge of learning that have become my main motivation rather than any financial benefit.
My current long term build is the perfect example. It is a computer armoire which I am making from solid cherry. It will replace a desk that I already have and that works well, so I have no need. The rough sawn wood alone is about $1200, so there are certainly much cheaper options. It will take well over 100 hours of my labour over many months. I have never built something this size, complexity or what I’m hoping will be fine furniture quality, so there is a high risk of failure. In short there is not one logical reason for me to do this other than I enjoy the process and relish the challenge.
Toolfreak
Unless you have a full shop set-up, it’s generally VERY difficult to make everything yourself. You have to start somewhere, and often that means buying things until you’re at the point where you have the tools and the space and the time to make something you need.
I generally limit myself to buying stuff I really, really want. That I want so much that it bugs me and I’m better off making the purchase than going crazy thinking about how much I’ll regret not getting whatever it is and then wishing I had it later on after wasting a ton of time and effort due to not having it.
There’s also an in-between option of buying stuff then doing some light DIY to customize to your needs, so you save a lot of time on gathering materials and initial fabrication, but still end up with something that really works well for you.
If it’s been a long period of time and you still don’t have a shop set up, then that should tell you that you’re better off just buying some prefab tool storage or workbenches or whatever it is you need, rather than continue to not have a shop, not have organized tools, not have areas to get any work done, and you just wind up in a cycle of nothing getting done because nothing gets started. This applies to lots of things. It’s one thing if you don’t have the funds to buy whatever you need to get started, but if it’s just a matter of spending money vs. the time to make things yourself, and you have the money, it often is better to splurge and get something really awesome, so you can not just get started, but enjoy whatever it is you’re doing that much more.
James
I’m building a Split Top Roubo workbench. That Lie Nielsen bench seemed super expensive at $2500. But even if I bill my own time at minimum wage, this Roubo owes me triple that, between time, hardware, and fancy lumber.
RKA
Nice! I’m looking forward to the same one day. I cringed at those prices, but I know I’ll have more than that into materials before the first cut. But having a core tool like that built by my hands is too hard to pass up. That bench will serve you well and survive generations (or keep some fool really warm for a few weeks). 🙂
RKA
I’ve given up on saving money with the DIY route, it never happens when I’m building something. Usually, I’m buying better materials, over building the project or adding nice to have features that push up the cost. This is especially true if I’m acquiring new tools (which I don’t mind at all). Time is usually the limiting factor. If I can invest the time, I’ll do it, if not, buy something. And often times I burn that time up front thinking and designing or doing research and the actual building process is comparatively small, unless I make a mistake (then more time and money come into play). The motivation is building something better, whether it’s stronger, more functional or both. And sometimes there is the pride or a new skill learned. So if the motivations aren’t enough to justify the time, it’s not worth DIYing for me.
I’m slowly applying that to home projects. Things just wait until I can get to them. It takes work to let go of that DIY mentality. And it is satisfying knowing the project or task got done even if it wasn’t by my hands. And frankly, some of those projects aren’t rewarding, so if time is limited, why should I spend the time I have doing something I don’t enjoy. (Most of us have to, that’s life, but it’s a good question to ponder from time to time). Painting is something I hate, but I have yet to hire a painter. It’s hard to get used to the idea of paying someone to do this, and even harder if that person can’t produce work at least as good as mine.
ktash
Yes, I started with DIY when I couldn’t find people to do the small jobs I needed that could do at least as well as I could. But then I had a desk job at that time and liked making things I could see.
Michael
I just retired so way more time than money. Sooooooo
Eric B
Although I have much more money than time, I end up DIYing many of our projects around the house. Sometimes I come out massively ahead, other times I am certain it would be cheaper to farm it out. However, when I do projects on my own, I know they are done correctly and to our specs. Having repaired some unbelievably bad subcontractor work in my mortgage-crisis era custom build house (I bought the house later, I was not involved in the build), I am reluctant to hire out anything I cannot watch being done.
I consider two different categories, “repair” and “non-essential projects”. I usually make out like a bandit doing my own repairs. $4 part instead of $200 off-hour emergency cost just to have a plumber come on a Saturday night, etc. However, our “non-essential projects” are usually so overbuilt with nice materials that I could almost certainly do better hiring them out to someone that did not stress about using quarter sawn oak. However, having the tools allows me to do test fits, prototyping, etc, something that would not be possible if someone else was doing the work.
William
I’m a Hobbyist, and I’m not on much of a budget when it comes to the shop. I like to spend my time on what I can make for outside the shop, not on the shop itself, if I can buy a Jig or a nice storage solution that will make my time more productive and pleasing, I’ll probably get it, instead of making it myself.
BigDan
I’m buying everything I can while I’m single since I know that luxury usually goes away with marriage and children. I still try to build things though for the learning and the challenge of it – but if it’s something that is furniture grade it gets bought.
For workbenches I build and buy. Miter saw workbench tops that support the lumber etc. are rare and expensive – so I built an 8 foot workbench that is also deep for my bosch glide 12″.
Hard to beat a steel legged workbench designed to hold 3000 pounds though too. If I was given that requirement and lumber i’d over engineer it and it wouldnt look half as pretty.
Jim Felt
I just ordered the 50 hole “Made in the USA” KCTool screwdriver holder. And I’m pretty sure once I fill it it will be the first time I’ve had all my Wiha drivers together in plain site. And I’ve been buying them for at least 15-20 years. Jeez. This dang site always costs me dough. Criminy.
RX9
Buy when the item you want is mass produced (cheap via economies of scale) and already fits your specifications.
DIY when the item is bespoke (necessitating costly expertise can custom work) and must be designed to fit your specifications.
Buy when the item is expendable and less meaningful for you.
DIY when the item is meant to last and serve more than just a functional role.
Buy when the item requires expertise and tooling that significantly exceeds capability of yourself and your workshop.
DIY when the item is something you can produce properly (or reasonably close to properly) on your own.
Rick C
For a home-built screwdriver stand…
1. chamfer/taper the top 1/2 to 3/4 depth of the plywood
2. layer on a not-too-thick spacer with holes the size of the major diameter
3. layer on top of that a piece of foam rubber with holes the size of the minor diameter with radial cuts back to the major diameter
4. nibble the “jaws” accordingly.
nigeldh
Stuart – gives you an excuse to get a 3-D printer or a CNC mill. Nextwave Automation has a couple of CNC units that also allow one to laser engrave and 3-D print. DIY baby toys. grin
BikerDad
Buy? Yes. DIY? Yes.
Which to do depends on a myriad of factors. Time available vs When It’s Needed. Tooling Required vs Tooling Needed vs Tool Acquisition Resources. Skills required vs Skill Known. Custom Requirements vs Satisified as a Mass Market Commodity. Etc.
ktash
This is a thought-provoking post. It’s always fun to improvise with what I have at hand and I’ve done that a lot. Also, my budget is small. My shop furniture is nearly all made from 2×4’s, often salvaged plywood, etc. It’s not fancy but I like that I’ve created it myself and adapted it to my needs/space.
I do get hypnotized by some things, especially those shiny things made by Incra, Woodpecker, Microjig, etc. For example, I could make the Grippers myself, but would rather get the fancy Microjig ones. My belief is that they work better, though I don’t have the homemade ones to run a comparison. Plus, I appreciate the design/thought that went into the product and want to support that business. My drill press fence is made from some Lee Valley quad track and track clamps with Woodpeckers flip stops. I love it. I could have made it, but MDF, scrap wood with hinges does not have the appeal of shiny aluminum parts. I “love” the older Woodpecker red aluminum flip stops, but only “like” the newer red plastic ones though they are otherwise similar.
What has evolved is that these things make me happy, both the homemade shop furniture and the shiny new things that are so precise and just appear on my doorstep in a cardboard box. Budget is an issue and I wait for sales, free shipping etc.
Of course, necessities for DIY stuff are cost/time calculations. What makes me happy there is getting the thing done so the kitchen sink once again works, etc. So, I’ll gladly buy the special sink wrench since it partly makes up for my lack of skill in using traditional tools.