I recently gave my brother my old circular saw. It has served me well for a very long time, but the switch gave out. I’m certain that a new switch could have been put in it, but I needed a working saw right away, so I bought a new one. He already has a saw exactly like it and can use it for parts (his saw doesn’t adjust very smoothly and something in it is bent). Anyway, I’m sure he can do something with it. It may find new life as a completely different tool.
I was certain that saw would never break. Or I acted like it never would. I always acted like it was a workhorse – to be driven into the ground but still working the entire time.

I could, by this point in time, have a massive collection of broken power tools. I could have an entire room dedicated just to the drills I’ve broken over the years. I must say, I’ve never found a satisfactory battery drill. Every one of them feels like a toy. And I have broken so-called heavy duty drills by every major manufacturer just by using them for a little while. Frankly, I don’t think they’re meant for serious work. I think most often, they’re made to look nice.
I have a problem with the ridiculously decorated tools you see on the hardware store shelves now. I realize that it’s necessary to make your product stand out but most tools now look like they are actually supposed to be in a toy store between the dolls and the remote control cars. They’re all shiny and bright with lots of silly swirly patterns. Soon, they’ll feature embroidered logos and heated handles. Perhaps a nice crocheted cozy could be made up to keep the batteries the right temperature.

All that said, once the tool has been used for a few minutes, the shine is gone and the tool looks like it’s been around for a few years, scuffed and dirty. I’m always amazed by how little time it takes for a new tool to look used.
Of course, I’m hard on tools. I don’t like to waste time by accommodating a tool that’s slower than me.
But, then, I’ve also used a drill as a hammer. Maybe I’m not that trustworthy.
I’m sure there are those who think hand tools won’t break but they do. I was using a handsaw once and the part of the handle you grip cracked off mid-stroke. The saw wasn’t that cheap, as in it cost more than ten dollars, but the grain of the solid wood handle was running the wrong way.
I will never buy a wooden handled chisel for that very reason. These manufacturers don’t have good enough quality control to trust that the handle won’t split when you hit the end of it with a hammer. Or maybe I’m not supposed to hit chisels with hammers. Maybe I’m supposed to just rub them with oil every now and then.

I have broken many chisels. I admit I am unfairly hard on those. I will have a nicely sharpened wood chisel and then use it to chip some concrete or cut through some steel. I’ve used a wood chisel to cut holes in metal door frames like it a can opener. Usually, the chisel can handle that abuse. Sometimes, though, they actually break.

I should clarify that all of this abuse takes place at my day-job, as a carpenter on commercial construction sites. I am always in a hurry because it’s the nature of the work.
If a tool can survive a week with me, I’m normally impressed.
And I’m outright amazed my good old circular saw lasted so many years.
May it find a better life in its retirement.