Got a new router bit from bunnings the other day, and just got started when this happened. Bit snapped and it took me about 20 mins to find it so I could return it. Missed my leg but found a new home in the board box. I would say be wary of the brand.

Thanks Paul, I'll stay clear of them. So what were you doing? A piece of very hard wood or something soft.

Is there a speed limit on the packet & was it exceeded?

Bloody lucky Pepe

You should shop at a hardware store, not a homemaker centre.

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decrepit said..
Thanks Paul, I'll stay clear of them. So what were you doing? A piece of very hard wood or something soft.

Just some radiata pine for a bench to support a cnc machine Mike. I was using my laminate trimmer for a lapped joint. First time with the new bit (and the last) then grabbed the old trusty 1/4" bit. I suspect a bad batch.

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DunkO said..
You should shop at a hardware store, not a homemaker centre.

Done a bit of woodwork have you?

no not much, but when I do I shop at carbatec or reputal seller of tools.

Don't take my comment personally, I just can't stand the monopoly that is Bunnings. Destroyed actual hardware and replaced it with cheap junk that sold by people who can't help you. Unless your looking for a mop with an extendable handle

Made in China?
If so, it's weaker than most, most of their metal products are made from recycled metal, making them inherently weaker.
Screws from China, you can snap the heads off with a manual screwdriver, etc. etc. etc.

The packaging is missing the word CRAP in its title.

..nah hang on, got to think about the consumers safety first, how about DANGEROUS CRAP

Btw, all our local hardware shops have been forced out of business by bunnings. A big inconvenience for the smaller consumables.
This thread was started to illustrate the danger of just one of them.

Yep its a game of quality Vs price everywhere these days. Engineering supply shops are better for quality tooling.

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olskool said..
Yep its a game of quality Vs price everywhere these days. Engineering supply shops are better for quality tooling.

Probably, but not always. There is a great temptation these days for the so called trade supply shops to sell the cheap stuff too, They just charge much higher prices for it so give you the impression it is better quality when it is not (always). Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell until it is too late.

It blows me away that there's hardly any regulation on all the cheap arse power tools you can get from Bunnings now.
I started my carpentry and joinery apprenticeship when I was 15 so I've been properly trained in the use of power tools and heavier machinery.
It used to be that the cheapest router or power saw you could get was around $400. Now any muppet can go and get a badly made power tool for $40 and these low quality tools in the hands of someone with little skill or experience can easily take off a finger or even a hand.
I would be interested to see the statistics on injury levels of home handymen since all this elcheapo stuff has been introduced to the market.

Anecdotally from a doctor its a massive increase & its not just the cheaper tools its the saturation of renovating shows on tv that convince people they can diy without any training or previouse experience.

Bunnings stories:


Asked for vernier calipers. Blank look. Described what they are and how they work, still blank.

Asked for o-rings, blank look. Expert came, he at least knew what an o-ring was....... smiled heaps and showed me they sell only bulk packs with 20 different sizes. It was a for a windsurf breather so I said possibly imperial to get the right I.D (wasthinking Chinook stuff).
Expert needed me to explain "imperial", then proceeded to tell me "it does not matter how you measure it, its the same size"
OMFG

Thread tap. Directed to plumbing, I knew that was wrong so I said no, its for cutting threads in a new hole in a bit of metal. Scowl received, dirty look like how dare I question them, and "I told you, taps are in plumbing....."

And to almost every question: "this will do"
No it won't idiot, I specifically told you I am doing a specialist thing/ precise thing / certain material needed. No, It won't "do".

^^^^
What a idiot , u need a hammer to tap things

Bunnings story (ps, I went this morning) ( pps, I bought a snag), I saw all the circular saws lined up in little slots in a large piece of timber. I asked, " hey mate, do you know anything about these circular saws?" " he said " yeh, when I was making that display I almost cut my hand off", showing me the huge scar on his left hand.

^^^
Was he from the plumbing section ?

You don't go to Bunnings for quality, you go to Ebay

If you are dressed like a builder chicks come up & ask you for advice at bunnings.

^^^ Thanks mate but it doesn't work.
Been there all afternoon since u posted this, blue stubbies, ass crack hanging out, boots. blue singlet, whole deal.

Not one chick.

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sailquik said..
There is a great temptation these days for the so called trade supply shops to sell the cheap stuff too, They just charge much higher prices for it so give you the impression it is better quality when it is not (always). Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell until it is too late.

Funny to read this from Australia. I had the same experience with two local hardware stores here in the US. Both sold me crap at higher prices than the big box store - very different stuff, but completely useless. Sometimes, the big box store even has better service.

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Mark _australia said..
^^^ Thanks mate but it doesn't work.
Been there all afternoon since u posted this, blue stubbies, ass crack hanging out, boots. blue singlet, whole deal.

Not one chick.

U gotta get out of the playground area.

No collared work shirt & decent pants .
Look like a successful builder not the labourer.

I go for the light brown set up .
Seems to work fine .
But I think the trick is to be smiling before they see you & if they look at you increase the smiles.
Its a great trick I practice it all the time .
It works a treat
Have the right body language as well .
You have already broken the ice then & they will feel comfortable about asking your advice .