I remember back in the mid 2000’s I was talking with a student in the class I was teaching, about what happens to the tools after a large size project. He worked for Frank M. Booth, a mid sized sheet metal shop located in Marysville, CA. They’re one of the oldest around. That shop, for its size, does multi multi million dollar projects, mainly all the large penitentiaries up and down CA. Name the prison, and FMB did the HVAC and process piping on it, guaranteed.
Anyway, jobs of that size require large manpower, which in turn require a lot of tools. So, I ask this kid, does FMB invest in the high dollar cordless makitas, the dual pack 18 volt impact ones? Cordless sawzall’s, double cuts, etc?
He says no way. All jobs have a certain $$ amount formulated into the bid for tools, and for drill motors they use the $60 high speed Makita corded drills, corded sawzalls, everything corded. They are not loyal to any brand, it’s what they can get the cheapest in bulk.
So, my next question, is what do you all do with the busted up and worn out tools at the end of a 5 year prison job project? That had 30 guys on it, and each guy equipped with one drill, a sawzall, and double cuts? Does FMB have a tool crib in the shop, where there’s usually an old timer running that department repairing tools, or replacing the cords?
He says no way. When the large trucks come back from cleaning out the project with tools, duct work, misc equipment, all the tools on that job go right in the dumpster. Some of them just need a new cord, but to pay someone to repair it would cost more than the tool. They’ve done their job, got the job done, and instead of high dollar tools all banged up getting reused, more $$ went into the company profits.
So, the point of all of this, the YH compressors, the mid priced Tuxings, Air Venturis, Lightning’s, All serve their purpose in getting someone in quickly to enjoy this sport, at a low investment. Wether they choose to continue this hobby and invest in better equipment, well, all that can happen later. Just like that Gamo mentioned earlier. Start low, see if you like it, and if you do, and can afford better, then do so. Meanwhile, since you are now able to enjoy the sport RIGHT NOW, maybe save up for a better compressor down the road. Bottom line, Where does one want to spend their money, at the immediate moment?
Heres my whole take on this- once a person has invested in a low budget Yong Heng and has gotten a taste of having his own air source, he’s always gonna want that. When the YH bites the dust, they are either going to re evaluate their finances to see if they can afford better, or just get another YH, and accept the fact that he’s ok with a throw away that’ll last him a year.
If a person invests in a Bauer or an Alkin thinking all his air worries are now over, well, I pity the fool(in a Mr T voice), as we all know in time these will fail, also. The key is immediate parts availability, and this is where the high dollar compressors shine.