4 ms·

I really enjoyed Stephenson’s story about those things. > The danger lies not in the machine itself but in the user's failure to envision the full consequences

I really enjoyed Stephenson’s story about those things. > The danger lies not in the machine itself but in the user's failure to envision the full consequences of the instructions he gives to it. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28015229 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28015229

jacquesm 3y ago
I'm with Stephenson on that one and it is the exact reason I ended up buying something smaller. I'm simply not strong enough to properly handle a hole hawg and I also don't have frequent enough work to keep it around doing nothing for extended periods of time. The 'smaller' version I have is a Bosch SDS-max capable drill that still makes short work of anything I throw at it but I can imagine jobs where it wouldn't be able to match the hole hawg's capabilities (or frankly, to even come near it). These aren't toys and you should get what works for you, not just what looks impressive. Another brand I still like after many years is Makita, I've yet to have something made by them break from normal use. DeWalt has lost the plot, they are no longer worth the premium price. And with Bosch it's hit-and-miss you have to do a lot of online reading before making the call on one of their tools. They are very efficient in their use of materials and sometimes they can be too efficient and deliver a tool that isn't up to snuff. But they are always price competitive.
- bombcar 3y ago
  The makita problem (and somewhat the Bosch problem) is they refuse to bring the good stuff to the USA, so I’ve joined the Red Army.
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    Significant differences between Bosch 'blue' and Bosch 'green'. Makita is universally top quality, I don't know what they sell in the USA though, but what I can get here in Europe is very well engineered and reliable. Fun story: we went through one jigsaw after another of 'A' brands back in the day when Makita was still not well established in Europe. Cutting fiberglass (which is kind of nasty stuff on mechanisms). Then we decided that if they're going to fail anyway let's get something cheap so that we won't cry when we have to toss it. Enter the first Makita tool in the shop. And it just lasted and lasted... for half the price that was a pretty good deal :)

jacquesm 3y ago

I'm with Stephenson on that one and it is the exact reason I ended up buying something smaller. I'm simply not strong enough to properly handle a hole hawg and I also don't have frequent enough work to keep it around doing nothing for extended periods of time. The 'smaller' version I have is a Bosch SDS-max capable drill that still makes short work of anything I throw at it but I can imagine jobs where it wouldn't be able to match the hole hawg's capabilities (or frankly, to even come near it). These aren't toys and you should get what works for you, not just what looks impressive. Another brand I still like after many years is Makita, I've yet to have something made by them break from normal use. DeWalt has lost the plot, they are no longer worth the premium price. And with Bosch it's hit-and-miss you have to do a lot of online reading before making the call on one of their tools. They are very efficient in their use of materials and sometimes they can be too efficient and deliver a tool that isn't up to snuff. But they are always price competitive.

bombcar 3y ago
The makita problem (and somewhat the Bosch problem) is they refuse to bring the good stuff to the USA, so I’ve joined the Red Army.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  Significant differences between Bosch 'blue' and Bosch 'green'. Makita is universally top quality, I don't know what they sell in the USA though, but what I can get here in Europe is very well engineered and reliable. Fun story: we went through one jigsaw after another of 'A' brands back in the day when Makita was still not well established in Europe. Cutting fiberglass (which is kind of nasty stuff on mechanisms). Then we decided that if they're going to fail anyway let's get something cheap so that we won't cry when we have to toss it. Enter the first Makita tool in the shop. And it just lasted and lasted... for half the price that was a pretty good deal :)