The $50 cable tester that made me rethink cheap tools

Last month I was at a job in Billings Montana and my $20 cable tester kept giving me false passes. The customer was getting mad because their network kept dropping and I couldn't find the problem. A senior tech I work with handed me his Fluke tester and I found a bad crimp in about 30 seconds. I bought the cheap one because I figured a tester is a tester, but now I see the difference in reliability. Has anyone else had a cheap tool waste their time on site?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra_moore303d ago

Felt that one in my wallet, lol. Dropped $40 on a tester that ended up costing me a whole afternoon chasing ghosts.

kai8393d ago

Ain't it funny how a cheap tool can cost you twice your hourly rate in wasted time?

laura_wilson3d ago

Ha, saw a guy on youtube prove that exact point with a cheap drill.