Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Fact is, almost everything is better today than it was 50 years ago, but many people think the exact opposite is true. The tools that were made 50 years ago were more expensive in comparison with what's available today when you take into account the reduction in the buying power of our money. Like everything else that fills a need and can be effectively mass produced, the cost has actually gone down.
With regard to quality and the notion of "planned obsolescence", you typically get what you pay for and it lasts as long as it was designed to last, given the cost to make it. Most retail products have to hit a manufacturing cost that around 20% of the final selling price to making it profitable for to produce.
So when you see a cordless drill kit that retails for $400, the manufacturer typically has that complete, packaged and out the door for around $80 to make it worth selling.
Products just don't appear out of thin air - people make them and get paid. And people make the raw materials that make the products and they get paid.
So it's truly remarkable that we can have these sophisticated tools available at such low cost, yet so many don't seem to appreciate it.
Follow what I'm doing on Locals: ibuildit.locals.com
Become a supporter and get access to this build series PLUS exclusive videos and my other full build series and plans. ALSO my uncut main channel full build videos ad free (Locals only).
Or on Patreon at the $5 per month level: patreon.com/user?u=865843&ty=h
My main channel:
youtube.com/user/jpheisz
Website: ibuildit.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/I-Build-It-258048014240900
Instagram: instagram.com/i_build_it.ca
Fact is, almost everything is better today than it was 50 years ago, but many people think the exact opposite is true. The tools that were made 50 years ago were more expensive in comparison with what's available today when you take into account the reduction in the buying power of our money. Like everything else that fills a need and can be effectively mass produced, the cost has actually gone down.
With regard to quality and the notion of "planned obsolescence", you typically get what you pay for and it lasts as long as it was designed to last, given the cost to make it. Most retail products have to hit a manufacturing cost that around 20% of the final selling price to making it profitable for to produce.
So when you see a cordless drill kit that retails for $400, the manufacturer typically has that complete, packaged and out the door for around $80 to make it worth selling.
Products just don't appear out of thin air - people make them and get paid. And people make the raw materials that make the products and they get paid.
So it's truly remarkable that we can have these sophisticated tools available at such low cost, yet so many don't seem to appreciate it.
Follow what I'm doing on Locals: ibuildit.locals.com
Become a supporter and get access to this build series PLUS exclusive videos and my other full build series and plans. ALSO my uncut main channel full build videos ad free (Locals only).
Or on Patreon at the $5 per month level: patreon.com/user?u=865843&ty=h
My main channel:
youtube.com/user/jpheisz
Website: ibuildit.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/I-Build-It-258048014240900
Instagram: instagram.com/i_build_it.ca
