Open Statement from Toolglutton

[ToolGlutton]

Hi guys,

After reading your replies, I'm very surprised to see how well people know me. It is absolutely correct that I do not really use my tools often at all. Sorry for "bashing" and "bitching" Snap on too much in the past. Hope you guys can forgive me. After all, I love this board so much.

Sometimes, I do not even understand why I love tools. First of all, my job is totally unrelated with using tools. Second, the only time I use my tools is when I do some simple things to my car, e.g., changing oil, replacing a starter etc. That's probably the reason why sometimes the HUGE differences between good tools and bad tools is minimal in my eyes.

However, I'm definitely a person who loves good quality tools. I love Snap on and I DO own Snap on tools. I have 4 Snap on ratchets, 2 Snap on breaker bars, a Snap on ratcheting screwdriver, a set of Snap on Flank drive combination wrenches, and a set of Snap on crowfeet. All my screwdrivers are Snap on.

Actually, most of the time when I "bashed" Snap on, I was really hoping to see replies telling me how superior Snap on tools are. Since I do not have many chances to use my tools, I want my friends on this board to let me know that my future Snap on purchases are justifiable.

 

[bmxr4life87]

wow.... honesty at its finest i guess

 

[fatfillup]

Toolglutton, one never needs to justify one's purchases as long as one pays his bills and takes care of family and future. Most everybody has a hobby that some one else thinks is a waste of time and money. Of course they are wrong in our case Also the nature of forums often gets us carried away and we type before we think. Most of us get carried away sometime.

The only thing I think you need to do is follow the advice of whoever said put a wrench in that baby's hand. Then your avatar would rule

 

[walrus]

Justification for buying tools? Who knew you needed such a thing

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Well, it could be worse; you could be collecting ex-wives which are way more expensive than any snap on tools you could purchase....

 

[ToolGlutton]

Wow, I'm very glad to hear this. We work hard and we should reward ourselves.

I just started my first job several months ago and is working as an intern, so I'm not making much money at this moment. Good things is that my girlfriend is making more money than me, and we do not have kids. Even though we are under pressure of saving money for down payment of a house, we are trying our best to stimulate the money. Every week, she buy clothes and I buy tools.

Toolglutton, one never needs to justify one's purchases as long as one pays his bills and takes care of family and future. Most everybody has a hobby that some one else thinks is a waste of time and money. Of course they are wrong in our case Also the nature of forums often gets us carried away and we type before we think. Most of us get carried away sometime.

The only thing I think you need to do is follow the advice of whoever said put a wrench in that baby's hand. Then your avatar would rule

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Hi guys,

Since I do not have many chances to use my tools, I want my friends on this board to let me know that my future Snap on purchases are justifiable.

Your justification is your own business. If you can justify it in your own eyes, then you're good.

Personally, I don't do a lot of wrenching myself at the moment. And even if I was, it would be awfully hard to justify spending top dollars on tools for home use.

 

[Merkava_4]

Personally, I don't do a lot of wrenching myself at the moment. And even if I was, it would be awfully hard to justify spending top dollars on tools for home use.

Contrary to popular belief, buying professional tools just to have around the house is nowhere near as sinful as taking your first cousin out on a date.

 

[U5512]

Personally, I don't do a lot of wrenching myself at the moment. And even if I was, it would be awfully hard to justify spending top dollars on tools for home use.

I've never had a single SnapOn tool nor have I handled one. I admire them because professionals use them. I do perform maintenance on my cars and I can't justify spending top dollars for tools (for non-professional use) and I've been more than satisfied with 2nd tier tools (Craftsman).

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Contrary to popular belief, buying professional tools just to have around the house is nowhere near as sinful as taking your first cousin out on a date.

Are you speaking from experience?!

 

[dps]

Contrary to popular belief, buying professional tools just to have around the house is nowhere near as sinful as taking your first cousin out on a date.

That's legal in many states. And fun in all of 'em!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Very odd thread?

 

[T56 Impala]

Justification for buying tools? Humm. I didn't realize I needed that! I buy them because I like them and sometimes USE them. My collection does NOT fall into a group needing justification. It is what it is. A collection of old tools. My modern stuff it there for when I need it and when I get that '55 I've been searching for. When the kids get old enough, I'm starting my old hobby back up....CARS....OLD CARS!!!!!

I don't particularly like Snap On either. The 4 or 5 pieces I own are semi-vintage and are complete ****. (There is a reason I have them and not some serious wrencher) I tend to think of the SO "crowd" as a group that like the bling factor of the tools. I have NOTHING against them. Most of them have far superior technical knowledge than I do. However, my no-name/ Craftsman tools have served 1, 2 and in some cases 3 generations very well.

Good luck to ya.

 

[HandyManny]

You can invest as much as you want to in whatever tools you want. Makes no difference if you use them only occasionally. The point here being that you can buy whatever you can afford. Just always remember that tools are made to be used. It doesn't matter how shinney or pretty they were when you bought them. It doesn't matter how rare or how old a particular tool is, as long as those tools are serviceable and in safe condition, use them. The point is that tools are made to be used, even if that useage is for basic vehicle maintanence or up-keep around the shop or home. With that said, buy what you want!!

Buy what tools you think is worth your money and what you think you need. Like one poster said here, as long as you can feed the family and pay your bills and not sacrafice yoru future!!

I also don't do much wrenching anymore. Did a lot of wrenching at one time, both in small engines and in aviation A/P. But my job now is in a different role. My wrenching these days is limited to weekend worrior stuff and engine repairs for friends and family. I still have all my tools that I used as a professional at one time, because I knew they would come in handy regularly for me and my boy. Now an then I discover that I may be missing a certain socket or wrench size, and I'll usually replace it with what ever brand the set was (Proto, Wright, Cman, etc). Does it have to be these brands? No, not for what my wrenching is limited to these days, but these brands served me well for years and I can still afford to occasonally replace these pieces.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

There are several things in life that you should buy if you want them. Does not need to be "justified" or "explained" or anything else. Just making yourself happy is all that matters. Different people have different ideas of what these items should be. Mine are tools, guns, fishing gear, knives and flashlights. Yes, flashlights. I happen to have 8 Surefires around the house and I don't know how many others. It's not that I'm afraid of the dark, I just like to be sure of my target...

 

[HandyManny]

There are several things in life that you should buy if you want them. Does not need to be "justified" or "explained" or anything else. Just making yourself happy is all that matters. Different people have different ideas of what these items should be. Mine are tools, guns, fishing gear, knives and flashlights. Yes, flashlights. I happen to have 8 Surefires around the house and I don't know how many others. It's not that I'm afraid of the dark, I just like to be sure of my target...

Georgishybrid,
You and I have the same interests

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Handy,

I think that most people who appreciate fine tools also enjoy finely made firearms, knives and fishing gear. All of them last for generations when treated well and when used with children and grandchildren, they help train our future generations in the joy of owning and using fine tools. My daughters both started shooting when they were 4 years old and continue to this day.

My youngest is still at home, shoots her tubed silver pigeon on the ***** field with me and helps when it's time to change the oil and do other maint. work on her car. Neither one of them are "helpless" in the world. They know what the tools in the box are for and what they do (including the air nailers, saws and other implements of destruction). In fact, I almost feel sorry for the poor guy they wind up marrying....

 

[Major Ramifications]

ToolGlutton, you don't have to justify anything to us, unless you are coming out of the closet, or soemthing like that.

GeorgiaHybrid, Why couldn't I have met a girl like that?

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

You couldn't find a girl like that in a place called River Ridge, Louisiana???!!!

 

[HandyManny]

Georgiahybrid,
Thats one of the most important thing we can do is to pass "self-reliance" and "know-how" on to our kids and grandchildren. It has always been my basis whe raising my kids. Teaching them to shoot, hunt, fish, and fix thing. That spirit is quickly fading with time and most of the newer younger crowd these days. Too many young folks are just too afraid to get dirty or do what it takes to make it work, whether it's gutting a fish, fielddressing an elk, or fixing their car, or even just doing hard work. Yet youngsters today are plenty happy to save the whale, go vegan, and speak against gun ownership. That true old fashioned American spirit is just dying out. Maybe that's why so many people from past generation had a more healthier self-esteem and genuine self-confidence with merit to back it up. Ya just don't see that with a lot of todays youngters. Today it's all about ego, entitlement, with no genuine charecter or merit to back it up. Likely your daughter will be the one changing flats, oil, and pumping the gas for her boyfiends car

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Handy,

It depends on how you go about it. The oldest girl mentioned her boyfriend's car needed an oil change. This was right before last Christmas. I invited him down for the weekend, went to Sears the next night, bought him a starter set of tools and he learned how to change his own oil that weekend. Any boy driving a late model GTO should be able to work on the car or park it.

Either way, his car education has already started and I hope I'm not too late on some others. They are planning on gettng married and survival in our family goes to the fittest. He only has a year or so to get fit or get run over....

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

ToolGlutton, you don't have to justify anything to us, unless you are coming out of the closet, or soemthing like that.

Why would he have to justify that to a bunch of strangers he'll never meet?!?

 

[vjquan]

To the OP, from everything I read in your first and sixth post, I cannot even remotely see how you think SO is justifiable.

It is absolutely correct that I do not really use my tools often at all.

the only time I use my tools is when I do some simple things to my car, e.g., changing oil, replacing a starter etc. That's probably the reason why sometimes the HUGE differences between good tools and bad tools is minimal in my eyes.

I just started my first job several months ago and is working as an intern, so I'm not making much money at this moment. Good things is that my girlfriend is making more money than me, and we do not have kids. Even though we are under pressure of saving money for down payment of a house, we are trying our best to stimulate the money. Every week, she buy clothes and I buy tools.

Do you see a contradiction/problem here? Not making much money, under pressure to save for a down payment on a house, and buying SO don't go together. There are plenty of good quality tools out there - C-man, I think is the best bang for the buck out there. There are others as well like SK - all at a fraction of the cost of SO and will suite your needs just fine. Even HF Pittsburgh tools will work and serve you well.

People get so wrapped up with the SO bling because it's the Gucci of Tools. Flame away, but if you want to save money for what's really important to you (house), then buying SO is not the way to do it.

 

[HandyManny]

To the OP, from everything I read in your first and sixth post, I cannot even remotely see how you think SO is justifiable.




Do you see a contradiction/problem here? Not making much money, under pressure to save for a down payment on a house, and buying SO don't go together. There are plenty of good quality tools out there - C-man, I think is the best bang for the buck out there. There are others as well like SK - all at a fraction of the cost of SO and will suite your needs just fine. Even HF Pittsburgh tools will work and serve you well.

People get so wrapped up with the SO bling because it's the Gucci of Tools. Flame away, but if you want to save money for what's really important to you (house), then buying SO is not the way to do it.

Well said

 

[autoace]

Hi guys,

After reading your replies, I'm very surprised to see how well people know me. It is absolutely correct that I do not really use my tools often at all. Sorry for "bashing" and "bitching" Snap on too much in the past. Hope you guys can forgive me. After all, I love this board so much.

Sometimes, I do not even understand why I love tools. First of all, my job is totally unrelated with using tools. Second, the only time I use my tools is when I do some simple things to my car, e.g., changing oil, replacing a starter etc. That's probably the reason why sometimes the HUGE differences between good tools and bad tools is minimal in my eyes.

However, I'm definitely a person who loves good quality tools. I love Snap on and I DO own Snap on tools. I have 4 Snap on ratchets, 2 Snap on breaker bars, a Snap on ratcheting screwdriver, a set of Snap on Flank drive combination wrenches, and a set of Snap on crowfeet. All my screwdrivers are Snap on.

Actually, most of the time when I "bashed" Snap on, I was really hoping to see replies telling me how superior Snap on tools are. Since I do not have many chances to use my tools, I want my friends on this board to let me know that my future Snap on purchases are justifiable.

Never apologize for your convictions, it is better to be true to yourself, don't look for affirmation from other people to validate your views. If they don't like it, let them go period, no big deal.

 

[HandyManny]

Never apologize for your convictions, it is better to be true to yourself, don't look for affirmation from other people to validate your views. If they don't like it, let them go period, no big deal.

I agree to a certain extent. Never apologize if you are certain you are correct, can prove it, have legitimate reason, or at least are not wrong. Nothing looks weaker than standing firm when you have no legitimate reason to or have been proven wrong. If someone is wrong and can't own up to it, then I wonder how true to anything that person really is? It takes much more confidence and inner fortitude to admit when you are wrong and apologise for it, if you are in fact wrong, that is. I've always been very suspicious of people who can't admit fault and this was something I always looked for when hiring and within people I already hired.

I think some people confuse confidence with arrogance. Arrogance is a method of hiding weakness and lack of confidence. Put me in a crown with people and I'll point out the weak fearful ones, they are usually the type A alpha wolf personalities. It's their way of over-compensating and hiding their fear and lack of confidence.

Then again Toolglutten has no real reason to have to apologize for his taste in tools.

 

[Bolster]

Your justification is your own business. If you can justify it in your own eyes, then you're good.

And that would be the paving material used on the route to damnation. I can think of a thousand evil things I can easily justify in my own eyes. I guess I should get out there and do them. Thanks for the permission...on judgment day, I'll finger you..."But this guy on GJ said all I had to do was justify it in my own eyes, and it was OK!!" L-O-L!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

And that would be the paving material used on the route to damnation. I can think of a thousand evil things I can easily justify in my own eyes. I guess I should get out there and do them. Thanks for the permission...on judgment day, I'll finger you..."But this guy on GJ said all I had to do was justify it in my own eyes, and it was OK!!" L-O-L!

Jeez, man...I thought we were just talking about buying tools?!?

 

[The Muffin Man]

And that would be the paving material used on the route to damnation. I can think of a thousand evil things I can easily justify in my own eyes. I guess I should get out there and do them.

Surely He was referring to strictly to tool purchases. Not promoting everyone to act like Charles Manson .

 

[Merkava_4]

I just got the latest issue of Tool & Equipment News in the mail today and Mechanix Wear has an add for their gloves with some guys working on NASCAR's in the background and it says:

"They use the best tools available. So should you."

That's good advice in my book.

 

[ToolGlutton]

Well said. Thank you all for the comments.

I'm not a Snap on guy. I love Snap on just as I love some other tool brands. Sometimes, I think I was just struggling to make everyone happy. Some friends on this board might hate me, but I also learned lots of things about tools from them. I hate them sometimes, but I also really admire and respect them.

For me, I think it is important to stay open-minded in our life. It does not matter whether it is Snap-on tools vs Non-Snap-on tools, or Democrat vs Republican, or capitalism vs communism. Try not to be so partisan. Try to learn and understand people you hate.

I agree to a certain extent. Never apologize if you are certain you are correct, can prove it, have legitimate reason, or at least are not wrong. Nothing looks weaker than standing firm when you have no legitimate reason to or have been proven wrong. If someone is wrong and can't own up to it, then I wonder how true to anything that person really is? It takes much more confidence and inner fortitude to admit when you are wrong and apologise for it, if you are in fact wrong, that is. I've always been very suspicious of people who can't admit fault and this was something I always looked for when hiring and within people I already hired.

I think some people confuse confidence with arrogance. Arrogance is a method of hiding weakness and lack of confidence. Put me in a crown with people and I'll point out the weak fearful ones, they are usually the type A alpha wolf personalities. It's their way of over-compensating and hiding their fear and lack of confidence.

Then again Toolglutten has no real reason to have to apologize for his taste in tools.

 

[Merkava_4]

There seems to be some kind of astigmatism about Snap-on tools. When people think of premium tools, only Snap-on comes to mind. There's other premium tools out there besides Snap-on - you've got Cornwell, MAC, MATCO, and all the industrial brands (Armstrong, PROTO, Williams) too.

 

[old salvage]

There seems to be some kind of astigmatism about Snap-on tools. When people think of premium tools, only Snap-on comes to mind. There's other premium tools out there besides Snap-on - you've got Cornwell, MAC, MATCO, and all the industrial brands (Armstrong, PROTO, Williams) too.

Dont forget Craftsman Professional . !!

 

[autoace]

I just got the latest issue of Tool & Equipment News in the mail today and Mechanix Wear has an add for their gloves with some guys working on NASCAR's in the background and it says:

"They use the best tools available. So should you."

That's good advice in my book.

NASCAR truck series, official tools are Craftsman Merk.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

For me, I think it is important to stay open-minded in our life. It does not matter whether it is Snap-on tools vs Non-Snap-on tools, or Democrat vs Republican, or capitalism vs communism. Try not to be so partisan. Try to learn and understand people you hate.

C'mon, give me a break on the theatrics. I really don't think anyone "HATES" anyone else on this board. There are some people whose posts I put less stock in than others, sure, but HATE? That's a pretty strong word for a simple tool forum.

 

[Merkava_4]

NASCAR truck series, official tools are Craftsman Merk.

Oh the horror!!

 

[Fedwrench]

I just got the latest issue of Tool & Equipment News in the mail today and Mechanix Wear has an add for their gloves with some guys working on NASCAR's in the background and it says:

"They use the best tools available. So should you."

That's good advice in my book.

The best tools don't always come off of a truck.