Ahh Yes,
The great tool debate.
IMO, if you buy low quality tools and are rough on them, they won't last 5 minutes.
If you buy top-notch tools and are rough on them, expect them to have a shorter lifespan than they were designed for.
During my training as an electrician, I was encouraged to get the best quality tools that I could afford, these being the ones you use the most and cannot afford to have them break during a break-down job and the like.
I still have all of these tools, I look after them.
If you ever break a tool, think about why it broke, were you using it for something it was not made to do?(a common death for a lot of cheaper tools).
Part of being a tradesman is the correct selection and use of hand and power tools, that is usually instilled into a 1st year apprentice.
BTW, someone above mentioned an Auto-Darkening welding mask,
be VERY careful purchasing one of these, some of the cheaper helmets don't have the correct shade for Stick welding and are made for TIG or Gas welding only.
Using anything less, will seriously damage your eyesight.
Having said that, I use a stock, standard head-band type helmet with the flip-up lense.
It only takes a second to nod your head forward and bring the mask down and start welding.
