Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
My father always said "If it's worth having, it's worth having the best."
I've usually had to modify that to "...the best you can afford."
But I don't always agree. Rumpelteazer, didn't you accomplish your goal? You didn't have a large initial spend, decided you liked it, then were willing to spend more, and also you learned what the failings of the cheap stuff are, so you could better determine what makes the better stuff worth the money.
Adam Savage espouses the idea of buying cheap tools, see if it really serves you, and then when you understand how it works, and what you really need, THEN buy the best you can afford. Maybe the cheap one is a waste, but if so, it was at least a cheap waste, and if it's serviceable at all, you can have spare or pass it on to someone else to learn with.
I usually agree with that, particularly when it's something new to you, and maybe you don't know how to judge quality and value yet.
ApK
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When I started cross stitching I didn't know better. But cheap hoops can damage you project. If I hadn't been unable to unscrew the screw a couple of turns before it locked it would have been difficult to get my project out without damaging it. When I started this project I just grabbed the first hoop I found and didn't think about it. I know I have some other hoops somewhere so when I find them I'll have to see if they're quality or not.
With cheap tools I generally agree. For cross stitching just use cheap needles or the ones that come with a kit. Those are fine (I now use more expensive better ones). I don't use the most expensive watercolour paper or the most expensive brushes (though I do try to get synthetic, animal cruelty free ones nowadays). My father, a licensed electrician loves Parkside tools, sold exclusively by the supermarket chain Lidl.
But with this hoop I should have known better. Even if it's just a simple project to take a break from my big project, I wouldn't want it to be damaged.