Our screwdriver took three years [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#221

Post by TheCapn » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:42 PM UTC

kllrnohj wrote: post #211

SadWebDeveloper wrote: post #103

Seems like the juicero for screwdrivers... over-engineered tool that without the "LTT" branding could probably sink in the stores. Personally i like my tools rugged, kinda like Klein does it because "on the job" i tend to thrown them away either on purpose or by accident, this tool looks fragile, if little margins stuck the ratchet mechanism i can not wait what is going to happen when it suddenly falls from the 2nd f…

> Seems like the juicero for screwdrivers... over-engineered tool that without the "LTT" branding could probably sink in the stores. Megapro (LTT's partner on this) has been selling this type of ratcheting driver w/ bit storage in the handle for 25 years and is pretty well reviewed. How did you manage to make the leap to Juicero & only "saved by LTT logo" nonsense from such a well established, long-running product?

So what advantages does the $69.99 LTT driver have over the $48.99, $54.99, or $59.99 ratcheting drivers sold by Magapro themeslves? I think that's more to what OP is getting at.

Going to a store knowing the LTT driver is a rebranded Magapro, why would any consumer want to pay the markup besides the brand name?

For me, the LTT driver's only notable differences are not valuable additions to justify the cost. I think that's where the Juicero comparison enters: they've added unnecessary engineering to a tool that doesn't require it, then marked up the price for something most people will never require.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#222

Post by kaladin-jasnah » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:48 PM UTC

TheCapn wrote: post #218

omega3 wrote: post #99

For the same price you could get a Wera screwdriver, small screwdrivers and a bottle opener. https://products.wera.de/en/kraftform_kompakt_kraftform_komp... https://products.wera.de/en/screwdrivers_series_kraftform_mi... https://products.wera.de/en/tools_for_bicycles_and_e-bikes_f...

This is pretty common in my experience? Market some relatively common item to an out-group of individuals at stupid markup based off brand recognition alone and reap the rewards. LTT looks to be flexing his brand here on unsuspecting PC enthusiasts where anyone with more experience in the electrical trades knows where to get higher quality tools for better/similar pricing. I'll compare to my time in Paintball years a…

Another example: I feel like DACs have the same problem where companies like Schiit market their products to Hi-fi enthusiasts when you can get an audio interface with similar performance for a much lower price.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#223

Post by kllrnohj » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:49 PM UTC

TheCapn wrote: post #221

kllrnohj wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems like the juicero for screwdrivers... over-engineered tool that without the "LTT" branding could probably sink in the stores. Megapro (LTT's partner on this) has been selling this type of ratcheting driver w/ bit storage in the handle for 25 years and is pretty well reviewed. How did you manage to make the leap to Juicero & only "saved by LTT logo" nonsense from such a well established, long-running product?

So what advantages does the $69.99 LTT driver have over the $48.99, $54.99, or $59.99 ratcheting drivers sold by Magapro themeslves? I think that's more to what OP is getting at. Going to a store knowing the LTT driver is a rebranded Magapro, why would any consumer want to pay the markup besides the brand name? For me, the LTT driver's only notable differences are not valuable additions to justify the cost. I think t…

> Going to a store knowing the LTT driver is a rebranded Magapro, why would any consumer want to pay the markup besides the brand name?

It's not a rebranded Megapro, as the video goes into great details to elaborate on. But even if you just look at them, it's obviously not a white label rebrand. Which you (and OP) is obviously aware of by then also slamming it for having "unnecessary engineering". It can't both be a label rebrand and have unnecessary engineering - those are mutually exclusive, completely opposite ends of the spectrum complaints.

Whether or not the differences are worth $10 is a different question, and altogether extremely different in both scope & tone to the juicero comparison.

> they've added unnecessary engineering to a tool that doesn't require it

What unnecessary engineering?

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#224

Post by serf » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:54 PM UTC

rhinoceraptor wrote: post #197

geerlingguy wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Surprisingly even a $16 Doyle driver from Harbor Freight has less slop in its ratcheting mechanism. Overall the Wera feels very nice but its ratchet isn't great.

I'm also wary of tools with any kind of rubber overmolded handles. That rubber is going to break down after about 10 years, it will be sticky and you'll smell the butyric acid vomit smell. I've remember seeing a video of a 15 year old Wera driver with that issue.

I own 20 year old overmolded Wera drivers that look a million times better than hard plastic Snap-On equivalents.

Not all over-molded things use rubbers that'll break down quickly; and some don't even use rubber at all now that there are performant urethanes and other choices in the arena.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#225

Post by serf » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:56 PM UTC

mauvehaus wrote: post #179

selectodude wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Support our friends at Klein. They also make exceptional screwdrivers.

They're also available almost everywhere. Your local electrical supply almost certainly sells them and Home Depot has them in the electrical aisle. Bonus: they sell cabinet tip screwdrivers in the common slotted and Philips sizes. Edited to add: Snap-On also makes good screwdrivers, and your friendly local garage can probably tell you when the Snap-On truck comes by If you need quality slotted screwdrivers for slotte…

>If you need quality slotted screwdrivers for slotted screws with both the width and thickness of the blade specified, you'll likely need to find your local gun and ammunition store (and they'll likely be a special order even there).

or any marine shop. slotted fasteners abound across the seven seas.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#226

Post by robocat » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:59 PM UTC

denton-scratch wrote: post #121

mrweasel wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The locking mechanism is really where many cheap screwdrivers fail. If it's to easy to hit, or doesn't lock cleanly in place, it can be pretty annoying.

My ratchet driver is Stanley. It's about 15 years old, and it has no faults, other than being too fat for some jobs; the shaft has a sort of rolodex for bits built-in, and it can get in the way. I don't think Stanley make this driver any more (Stanley are not the toolmaker they used to be).

Black & Decker bought Stanley in 2010 to become Stanley Black & Decker. They then started becoming an umbrella company, buying many other existing brands such as Craftsman and DeWalt.

It is hard to trust a “brand” any more. From 2017 there is a great summary of brand ownership here: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/a28359/mega...

The consolation of design and manufacturing has lead to some quality problems for existing hand and power tool brands.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#227

Post by rozab » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 7:59 PM UTC

bobsmooth wrote: post #199

1970-01-01 wrote: post #195

And it has a terrible warranty. THE LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER: Bits, as they are considered a consumable item; Tools which have been subject to abuse, misuse, negligence, or improper storage; Tools which have been used improperly e.g. using the screwdriver as a pry bar or hammer; Tools which have been altered in any way; Normal wear and tear (including the breakdown of materials over time); Cosmetic da…

Or you can just buy a quality tool and not waste your time.

The point of lifetime warranties is it incentivizes the company to make something that will last forever.

https://youtu.be/syii9DKnb2M

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#228

Post by compsciphd » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 8:06 PM UTC

graton wrote: post #208

marginalia_nu wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

LTT has a lot of goodwill. The brand is managed incredibly well and feels consistently personal, honest and authentic. Probably a lot of people that just want them to do well in what they do. If you get a decent screwdriver out of it, that's nice I guess.

True. But they did hurt some of that goodwill with the "Trust Me Bro Warranty" in regards to the $250 backpack they sell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdxVtAiYeL0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsX3tUA-wJk

eh. the warranty that they have now issued is less than what the level they want. so people still want to trust them to "underpromise and over deliver" as they say. I'm not convinced it really hurt them.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#229

Post by andrew_ » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 8:15 PM UTC

Perfectly balanced, until you lose a bit.

Re: Our screwdriver took three years [video]

#230

Post by ubercore » Thu, Sep 01, 2022, 8:17 PM UTC

rozab wrote: post #227

bobsmooth wrote: post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or you can just buy a quality tool and not waste your time.

The point of lifetime warranties is it incentivizes the company to make something that will last forever. https://youtu.be/syii9DKnb2M

I feel like the practice is that they bank on not enough people using it, then either take it away entirely if too many people do, or stop individuals they feel are abusing it (in the US, anyway)