[Shane Ross] "This is one thing I just don't get. Doesn't matter what tool was used to make the film. They don't say "man, that Craftsman Wrench was behind the Ford F150 winning the JD Power and Associates award for 2012...""
They might, if there was a 'brand' associated with the tools. Ford doesn't mention what brand of tool is used at the plant, mostly because they are mostly custom made industrial tools.
But the choice of tool brand is very much a focus of the automotive world, once you get past the manufacture to consumer portion of the market.
If you look at the market above the consumer level, tool branding is often association with event sponsorship, contingency money, team sponsorship, winners purses, and performance in every motorsport discipline.
On a non-sporting portion of the market, it is almost universal that shop mechanics provide they're own hand tools. And while they are each persons personal choice, shops don't allow people working for them to use no-name consumer grade tools that you would buy at the local hardware store, or third world cheap knock-off tools from the swap meet. And yes, they ask you what brand of tools you own on the job interview. Because it makes a difference.
If your mechanic has to use cheap, inferior tools, what does that say about their skill level? To me it says the quality of their work can't earn them enough money to use proper tools. Or maybe it says they aren't serious enough about the job to pony up for the minimum required equipment. Or maybe is says they have no pride in their workmanship, or just don't care.
But for sake of argument, lets say a person has decent skills, but for some unknown reason just chooses to use crap tools. Do you want that guy working on
your car to use some cheap third world knock-off tools that round off all the bolt heads?
Or worse, do you want the guy torquing the lug nuts on
your wheels to use a calibrated, quality name brand torque wrench, or some off-brand piece of junk he bought for 5 bucks at the dollar store?
Lets take that a step farther.
How about the guy working on the plane your flying in? Do you want some guy that just started doing it for a living, and can only afford the cheapest tools available?
When Alan Sheppard was asked what he was thinking about during his first space flight he said, "it's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract."
Aren't you more comfortable paying the guy the guy with the experience to know what quality is, and how to deliver quality work with proper tools?
Which person do you aspire to be? The cheap guy, or the quality guy?
I've said it a hundred times, but editing is basically a trade like being an electrician, plumber, finish carpenter, etc. And when it comes to tradesmen, their choice of tools can tell you a lot about their skill, and quality of work.
Scott Sheriff
Director
http://www.sstdigitalmedia.com
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ---Red Adair
Where were you on 6/21?
