I've Started Bidding on used Tools

[Merkava_4]

I haven't used any of the tools I've got off eBay yet. Why? Because they're all brand new perfect and I can't bring myself to scuff up any one of them. Right now, I'm the high bidder on an undisclosed used Snap-on tool; if I win it, I can use it!

 

[speed bump]

Okay? the only tools I buy just to look at (I will use them if I need to) are old tools like the old Armstrong made Blackhawk Hexite wrench I picked up or the 3/8" drive New Britian set that I am slowly trying to piece together as a spare. Only new tool I have received that I wish I didn't open was my Williams B-52EHA becuase compared to the other ratchets I have it is rather uncomfortable and the mechanism isn't to great.

 

[cruiser808]

I haven't used any of the tools I've got off eBay yet. Why? Because they're all brand new perfect and I can't bring myself to scuff up any one of them. Right now, I'm the high bidder on an undisclosed used Snap-on tool; if I win it, I can use it!

Merkava - as cool as your beloved snap-on tools are, they are only a means to an end. Kind of like paint brushes to create a master art piece. As a hobby, I restore automotive rejects and turn them into showroom classics. My pride is in the finished product, not the freaking tools. Although, I admit, I really like my tools. Hey, you got the skills and the tools. Go out and find a fun project to work on my friend.

 

[billymade]

I buy most of my tools used; I don't have to go through the process of breaking them in. Kinda like when you were a kid and got that brand new pristine white pair of sneakers; any little bit of dirt or scuff was a heart breaker! Maybe you should continue to buy used stuff that you really want to use; have one set of tools for show and one for go!
If its already broken in; you don't have to go through the heart breaking process of going from new to used!

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

These Tools were made for working, and that's just what they'll do, one of these days these tools are gonna work all over you

 

[fourfeathers]

When I started selling on ebay, I sold all my mint stuff first. I figured it would bring a premium, and I replaced it with used stuff. I don't need perfect stuff, and cannot pay extra for it.

 

[wrenchr]

My snapon F80 ratchet is getting pretty beat up!!

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Step one: Open Snap-On tool from it's packaging.
Step two: Crouch down, bowling stance, and slide said tool across your garage floor with great force.
Step three: Watch it tumble, roll, spark and bang - bonus points if it lands in some antifreeze or something.
Step four: Put it in your toolbox and be happy.

 

[Merkava_4]

Step one: Open Snap-On tool from it's packaging.
Step two: Crouch down, bowling stance, and slide said tool across your garage floor with great force.
Step three: Watch it tumble, roll, spark and bang - bonus points if it lands in some antifreeze or something.
Step four: Put it in your toolbox and be happy.

****cringes while reading the post****

 

[dps]

I don't know why hand tools couldn't be the same as, say, cars. A car is just a tool to get you from point A to point B...sometimes.

In addition, sometimes cars are collected for other reasons and never driven at all. Some are driven, but only under ideal circumstances before they're carefully cleaned and re-parked; left to be visually admired, touched, shown-off, etc. At night, the owners go to bed knowing they possess a good thing.

In my opinion, having two or more sets of tools is no different than having more than one car.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't know why hand tools couldn't be the same as, say, cars. A car is just a tool to get you from point A to point B...sometimes.

I think this all started when I was a 6 year old kid playing with my Matchbox and Korgi die cast metal cars. My Dad would always tell me to not open and close the doors; they might get loose.

 

[Frank Elson]

did they call them Korgi in the States? Corgi over here, or was it a slip of the keyboard.

I think I knew what my hobby would be when I started to take model cars to pieces to repaint them, or otherwise modify them. I'd be around 7 or 8 at the time.

BTW, I have a pretty good collection of "Die cast metal model vehicles" but, for some reason my wife calls them "toy cars" ???

 

[Merkava_4]

did they call them Korgi in the States? Corgi over here, or was it a slip of the keyboard.

It might have been Corgi; it's been so long since I've seen them; they've been in storage for about 28 years or so. Were they made in England or the U.S.? - I forget.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I don't know why hand tools couldn't be the same as, say, cars. A car is just a tool to get you from point A to point B...sometimes.

If it was only about getting from A to B, we'd all drive boring sh*tboxes like Geo Metros.

did they call them Korgi in the States? Corgi over here, or was it a slip of the keyboard.

Korgi was another brand, as well as companies like Matchbox and Siku. Gawd, i miss my old toy cars. when i was a kid, i had loads of toy cars, i had a red Audi Quattro which was my favourite (and probably where my love for VW-Audi cars began) and it was such a cool car. The one day my mum gave them all away. Heartbreaking.

BTW, I have a pretty good collection of "Die cast metal model vehicles" but, for some reason my wife calls them "toy cars" ???

Women..

 

[Uncle Buck]

Step one: Open Snap-On tool from it's packaging.
Step two: Crouch down, bowling stance, and slide said tool across your garage floor with great force.
Step three: Watch it tumble, roll, spark and bang - bonus points if it lands in some antifreeze or something.
Step four: Put it in your toolbox and be happy.

****cringes while reading the post****

Even UB cringes at the thought of Octanes description. That is a no no, just as much as tool polishing is to UB, there is a happy medium with tools. I give all tools I buy whether new or used the reasonably best treatment I can, I do not pamper nor polish and shine any tools. I just use them without abusing them to the best of my ability then wipe the worst of oil and grease from them before stowing them back in the box. I will say if I must actually abuse a tool to accomplish a task I make every attempt to select the tools I care the least about, and those I am willing to sacrifice for the cause, but I do expect any tools in my box to perform to high demands and be pushed hard if need be. To my mind these are reasonable expectations.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Nothing wrong with used tools, almost all my Snap-on is used, top, bottom and side box included. And pretty much all the tools inside them.

 

[SocketDeviler]

It might have been Corgi; it's been so long since I've seen them; they've been in storage for about 28 years or so. Were they made in England or the U.S.? - I forget.

You could probably sell those for decent money and buy some new Snap-On to stare at.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You can't sell stuff like that, that's your childhood. I'm going to track down my Audi Quattro, ot at least try.

 

[SocketDeviler]

You can't sell stuff like that, that's your childhood.

Or it's just stuff sitting untouched in a cardboard box.

 

[64merc]

My preferance is to buy good quality used tools so that I can buy more with the same money. Usually they are old USA brands that most people don't even recognize (cheaper!!). Since getting married I rarely buy new anymore, unless it's less than $20 or so. Actually, I don't really spend less now since I've become a flea market and pawn shop junkie.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Seriously, some of you guys could benefit from psychotherapy. I would be afraid that some of you would end up turning your shrink into a guy who buys new Snap-On tools and never uses them.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Step one: Open Snap-On tool from it's packaging.
Step two: Crouch down, bowling stance, and slide said tool across your garage floor with great force.
Step three: Watch it tumble, roll, spark and bang - bonus points if it lands in some antifreeze or something.
Step four: Put it in your toolbox and be happy.

Sounds like fun, try it with this magnesium tool.

While I don't truly advocate abuse, I do understand the point, that they are ONLY tools. A means to an end, and a way to get things fixed so you can get to the important stuff in life.

I don't know why hand tools couldn't be the same as, say, cars. A car is just a tool to get you from point A to point B...sometimes.

In addition, sometimes cars are collected for other reasons and never driven at all. Some are driven, but only under ideal circumstances before they're carefully cleaned and re-parked; left to be visually admired, touched, shown-off, etc. At night, the owners go to bed knowing they possess a good thing.

The difference between rich (or largely in debt) and poor, just the amount the spend/owe on their toys.

If it was only about getting from A to B, we'd all drive boring sh*tboxes like Geo Metros.

Absolutely NOTHING wrong with Geo Metros. I have a friend who once wanted to trade me his Mercedes that was going in the shop, YET again, for my Festiva (which was bought, JUST to get me from a to b, inexpensively). We are at WAY too different budgets/incomes. Both would like to have money left over for........

Women..

Yep, the thing that makes our tools, CHEAP by comparison, and if you have had anything like my experiences, safer.

 

[speed bump]

Seriously, some of you guys could benefit from psychotherapy. I would be afraid that some of you would end up turning your shrink into a guy who buys new Snap-On tools and never uses them.

Sounds like fun but I would do it with Proto or old Blackhawk or New Britian tools.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Yep, the thing that makes our tools, CHEAP by comparison, and if you have had anything like my experiences, safer.

Oh yeah, women are infinitely more expensive..

 

[rsanter]

I haven't used any of the tools I've got off eBay yet. Why? Because they're all brand new perfect and I can't bring myself to scuff up any one of them. Right now, I'm the high bidder on an undisclosed used Snap-on tool; if I win it, I can use it!

have you ever concidered offering your services as the curator of a snap on of vintage tool museam

bob

 

[rsanter]

while it is really cool to find that rare hot wheel (or whatever) that is still new in the package, I always though it was a shame that no kid ever played with it and had fun with it. seems to me its an object that has never had is purpose fulfilled

bob

 

[Uncle Buck]

while it is really cool to find that rare hot wheel (or whatever) that is still new in the package, I always though it was a shame that no kid ever played with it and had fun with it. seems to me its an object that has never had is purpose fulfilled

bob

I can see that.

 

[klswvu]

while it is really cool to find that rare hot wheel (or whatever) that is still new in the package, I always though it was a shame that no kid ever played with it and had fun with it. seems to me its an object that has never had is purpose fulfilled

Collectors can be very *********... a person I work with was very upset at the concept of me giving all of the vintage, i.e. I'm getting old, Star Wars toys to my son to play with. I'm with you, the joy of watching him the day he got to open all the storage boxes was worth more than money.

 

[Frank Elson]

I don't play with my "models" they are in a display cabinet. But when my grandson was young he played with them when he visited...
now he and I play... er... use our tools on real cars

Moose, there's a Quattro in the "model" shop at Piece Hall, Halifax, a bit far for you to travel maybe.
You should find one in a halfway decent "model" shop in the Smoke.

 

[JayL]

As long as you are happy with what you do ....... those tools are yours and they serve their purpose . Probably the suggestion to add a real good project is a good move .. then you'll get twice the joy and fullfilment.

 

[rsanter]

I my self am a collector (lionel trains, old cars, etc) so I can see the value or cool factor of the old item still new in the box. I still think its an item that has not fulfilled its purpose.
I do have some stuff that is new/mint/near mint and think that stuff should be left that way. if it has made it through the past 50 years in the package then why change that now.
on the other hand I will say that I have had much more fun with the used stuff as we can enjoy them more. my daughter (and her friends) have played with many of my trains since she was about a year old and my house is know in the neughborhood as the house with the trains around christmas. I am sure she has scratched them a but but thats ok because the trade off in the value has been taken in the fun.
one day she will get them and then pass them to her kids and the fun will continue. I feel very fortunate that I have my dads lionel train, and while it is not the most valuable one I have and not the best condition one I have, it has an honored place in my collection and my dad is happy to know that his granddaughter can enjoy it.

I do not fault anyone anyone who wants to have their stuff new in the box, but for me I have a hard time buying something new and then letting it sit there and never get any use out of it

bob

 

[jimvannoy]

You can't sell stuff like that, that's your childhood. I'm going to track down my Audi Quattro, ot at least try.

Sold my "childhood" 12" GiJoe stuff from the 60's for over 2 grand. Sold my Hot Wheels Redlines for over 3 grand and I buy my tools to use, be it a brand new Snap On ratchet or a used Craftsman wrench.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Sold my "childhood" 12" GiJoe stuff from the 60's for over 2 grand. Sold my Hot Wheels Redlines for over 3 grand and I buy my tools to use, be it a brand new Snap On ratchet or a used Craftsman wrench.

I never had any GI Joe stuff, and I weep when I look at the remains of most of my old Redline Hot Wheels, hoods missing, road rash paint jobs etc. I was tough on those and my old Tonka trucks from the day. I have but 3-4 Redlines left in so-so condition. Nothing worthy of selling so they just set in a display case with other stuff.

 

[jimvannoy]

I never had any GI Joe stuff, and I weep when I look at the remains of most of my old Redline Hot Wheels, hoods missing, road rash paint jobs etc. I was tough on those and my old Tonka trucks from the day. I have but 3-4 Redlines left in so-so condition. Nothing worthy of selling so they just set in a display case with other stuff.

I had a big Hot Wheels/Matchbox junkyard lot as well. We use to hit them with hammers and set them on fire to make it look like they were in wrecks or set up our orange track and make big jumps or crash them into each other. We also blew up our army men with firecrackers. I was lucky and had a case full of Hot Wheels and boxes full of other toys that somehow survived.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I had a big Hot Wheels/Matchbox junkyard lot as well. We use to hit them with hammers and set them on fire to make it look like they were in wrecks or set up our orange track and make big jumps or crash them into each other. We also blew up our army men with firecrackers. I was lucky and had a case full of Hot Wheels and boxes full of other toys that somehow survived.

Well that makes me feel a bit better knowing I wasn't the only destructive little SOB runnin around out there!

 

[wrenchr]

When I was a kid there was no such thing as collectable!!

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

to me tools are at their best when they've got the used patina to them.

 

[eschoendorff]

Merkava - as cool as your beloved snap-on tools are, they are only a means to an end. Kind of like paint brushes to create a master art piece. As a hobby, I restore automotive rejects and turn them into showroom classics. My pride is in the finished product, not the freaking tools. Although, I admit, I really like my tools. Hey, you got the skills and the tools. Go out and find a fun project to work on my friend.

No chit.

I have a 1993 Corvette. It's a ruby red 40th anniversary model. It is also the first car that I ever paid off... been with me more than a few years, so lots of sentimental value.

But, it is just a car. It got nicked and scratched a couple times and, damn, that hurt but...

For ****'s sake man, they're just tools!

 

[eschoendorff]

Step one: Open Snap-On tool from it's packaging.
Step two: Crouch down, bowling stance, and slide said tool across your garage floor with great force.
Step three: Watch it tumble, roll, spark and bang - bonus points if it lands in some antifreeze or something.
Step four: Put it in your toolbox and be happy.

Awesome.

 

[chad s]

most of the tools I buy on ebay are so used the plating is worn off! That's what 80 years does to a tool.