What Particular Hand Tools Do You Own In Excess?

[winlinmac]

I noticed many DIY'ers own just too many of the same-sized overlapping / drive ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and so on. Have you ever wondered what Particular Hand Tools You Own In Excess?

Hopefully, I won't get the immediate response with the following emoji,
Haha

Post pictures while you're at it!

 

[toolmutt]

You pick the category; I have waaaaay too many! My therapist says I have a problem!

 

[ScottsGT]

None.... I sometimes wonder about the posts I see here of collections of vise's, adjustable wrenches and hammers and quickly STFU because I have my collections that are not tool related.

For me, tools are just that. A tool, not a collection. I got away from that 30 years ago when my Snap On guy was trying to hook me into the collectibles. I do understand the collection thing though. A tool has to be usable for me. I jumped on the Milwaukee M12 bandwagon and love the tools for my home improvement work. But I cannot bring myself to buying the 3/8 impact or ratchet because I have those in pneumatic already, and all my work is done right there at my garage with my compressor on standby. It would just be a "collectible" at that point.

 

[winlinmac]

That's what concerns me too, especially when I skim over some of the other threads on this forum, haha. It's great to come across lots of pictures from users that have huge collections, but I always ask what proportion of those tools were actually used. Some collections may differ, as one user may be a professional, the other a contractor, or hobbyist, or DIY'er, and so on.

Interestingly, I've noticed a screwdriver or two is always included with virtually any hand tool purchase. Go to Home Depot, pick up a new Husky paint scraper, the 14-in-1 Paint Scraper has a couple of Drill Bits as well, see the overlapping here?

 

[930dreamer]

All of them, one is none, two is more, three is better.

 

[winlinmac]

Better be safe than sorry

All of them, one is none, two is more, three is better.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I seem to have acquired 6 or seven Snap on ratcheting screwdrivers and 9 or 10 dual 80 ratchets of different shapes in 3/8 and 6 or 7 in 1/4 drive.

Too much - probably- but that is just the tip of the iceberg of some of the collections around here!

 

[winlinmac]

How many basic Phillip's screwdrivers do you own? I ask myself this all the time. However, the several Phillip's screwdrivers I have come in various shapes and sizes, some I allocate to specific electrical work, others in electronic repair, the list of tasks goes on.

 

[Rileysan]

All of them and none of them. If you have any questions, refer to the statement at the bottom of my signature!

Pictures are just for effect ...

Brian

 

[Packard V8]

On the other hand, I buy buckets of used tools at garage sales for my engine shop partner. Still, it's almost impossible to find a 1/2", 9/16", or 3/4" wrench or socket in his boxes. Those are the most common US engine sizes and they get chewed up like popcorn.

jack vines

 

[koondog]

I was always under the impression that you can not ever have too many tools?

 

[lugnut71]

nice collection rileysan, sending you a pm.

 

[SignalZero]

I've only been collecting tools to use as a hobbyist for about 9 years (I'm 31), so I wouldn't even come close to some of the guys here.
But aside from the obvious multiples like screwdrivers and 3/8 ratchets, I'd say I probably have some wrenches I may never/rarely use. I go to flea markets and if I don't see much, but don't want to leave empty handed I might pick up some old wrenches which I may deem interesting(probably worthless to many here) for 25 or 50 cents a piece. Usually they're for brands that were common when I was a kid, but non-existent anymore. I have 1 drawer in my box for these random wrenches that don't belong to any of my complete sets; at least until I need the space and they go to my other box.

 

[winlinmac]

Tool ****


Once in a while its probably a good to use a tool not used before just to get a feel of it. Sometimes, we miss out on the best. Heck, I like going through the junk-drawer once in a while too.

Synthetic grease, anyone?

All of them and none of them. If you have any questions, refer to the statement at the bottom of my signature!

Pictures are just for effect ...

Brian

 

[jerseykat1]

I have 12 manual ratchets and 6 powered ratchets. Does that count? ohh and thats just what i have at work.

 

[drink]

I have a bunch of hand tools but I don't think I have a problem. Having a set of tools ready to work on a moment's notice can be a big time saver. If I decide to go do some work or if somebody calls I can decide which set to reach for and they both will fit in the truck nicely. This way I don't spend half an hour to an hour trying to round up a box of tools to take along. Some people have a truck full of tools on the truck but I like to be able to use the truck without it being full of stuff when not needed. Yes I have a lot of the same tools but I have been using a lot of them as needed. Sometimes I build sets for the fun of it just to know how good of a set I can fit in a box.

My workshop has what I refer to as my master set of tools in a tool chest to do work in my shop. The master set has sockets from 3/16" to 1-7/8" in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" drive sizes. My master set has a lot of tools the other sets don't have and I do a lot of big repairs or other work with it.

Sometimes I do work out in the field and I have a small set of tools in a 16" Craftsman box that will work on stuff up to a certain point. Most of what is in the 16" box is SAE but the set does have some metric sockets in it (3/16" - 7/8" SAE & 4mm-19mm metric). If I am servicing something in the field that has larger SAE fasteners I have a second SAE field set. My second SAE field set has a 16" Armstrong box Allen tools, and some Allen socket sets that are in separate cases. Both sets are a favorite to reach for as needed and the Craftsman set is really light to pick up.

Now I did find what I considered to be some good deals on some Craftsman Industrial tools and decided to build a set of them for the fun of it. I also decided to assemble a set of Armstrong tools also. There was some concern as to what was going to become of Craftsman and I stocked up on some higher quality USA made tools to have in case things failed. I have noticed how some of the other members have said they were retiring their Craftsman tools and upgrading to a different brand that is made in the USA.

I have assembled some made in USA Craftsman sets to have as my own collection. A few old Craftsman tools were rounded up and placed in a gray box that is in good condition as a collection. Another set of USA Craftsman Professional tools were assembled to have as a collection also. They have some of the same tools but they do have their differences.

 

[drink]

I have a box of metric Armstrong and a box of SAE Armstrong hand tools. Both boxes have some of the same stuff like pliers, screwdrivers, ratchets, hammers, etc. but one set is for metric and the other is for SAE fasteners. This way I have what I need without having to tote both boxes. If I need both boxes then so be it.

I also have some sets of carpentry tools. There might be some duplicate tools in some of the carpentry boxes. It seems like I never had enough storage boxes for my carpentry tools.

 

[jeffmoss26]

All of them...lol

 

[back2class]

I do not collect. Collect to me means having things for impractical values or caring about scarcity and condition. I only care about function. Tools in general I would say. I mean for mechanics hand tools, I could likely do 97% of what I do if I carefully selected the most critical stuff and packed it into a typical Craftsman top chest. (I am in a 36"x66" box with side locker now).

BUT, I have like 13 different ratchets (3 standard 3/8 ratchets). But when balls deep in work mode where tools are everywhere, who wants to go searching for a ratchet? So they are there in extra for a reason. Most have little market value..but are good quality and ready to work. Other items (6 different metric wrench sets) are for rare use and could likely be considered excess. But damn...I know I have them if needed one day when no other angle will work.

I really can't think of a specific tool type I just like and seem to keep for impractical reasons. Well, now that I am thinking there is ONE type. American woodworking HAND PLANES. I find them very cool and have about 12. I rarely use them and could do everything I need them for with like 4. Heck, even most professional carpenters pretty much stick to two or three popular sizes.

 

[jallyn]

Too many tape measures but they are in different places as to be handy when needed. Screwdrivers... same thing. I have too many framing triangles...pretty sure I bought one size twice because I forgot I already had one.

I have some duplicate pliers and cutters. But I always rationalize it by deciding one pair is nicer than the other and will be dedicated to certain tasks to keep it nice and the other pair is fair game for being abused.

 

[84GT350Annv]

I have a service cart that has a set of the most commonly used stuff. Then there is the grab and go tool bag that has a lot of the essentials. An electrical tool related box, my regular tool boxes, the tool bucket that's along the lines of the tool bag but in bucket form. So many many tools in different places for different purposes. Now if I took it all and dumped it into one area it would be borderline ridiculous. As it stands now it's fairly functional alrhough I sometimes can't find something because it may be in one of the aforementioned places. [emoji85]

 

[Slider20]

it would have to be Screwdrivers for me, for years I was using an assortment of Stanley and Kobalt, I finally bit the bullet and got a Klein, it's been down hill since, Wera, Wiha, Felo, Snap On, Williams, PB Swiss, PB Baumann, Nepros, I just can't stop.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Wrenches, way too many wrenches.

 

[lordabraxis]

Ratchets...ratchets do it in for me. I'll post a pic later on

 

[martin666]

For me I'd have to say its pliers, in between shops right now so I can't get to everything but this is the bulk of them. Didn't include Petersen Vice Grips or Grip On( at least 25 ) or mini pliers ( probably 15 or so ) there's a few doubles but the majority are different somehow, at least that's how I justify it to myself hahaha

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have several of everything. But I also have 3 separate sets of tools. One for the shop box for work. One for the work truck. Then one in my own personal truck just in case of emergencies for small roadside repairs. So I have a lot of ratchets, a lot of sockets, especially 1/2" drive. I also have a lot of screwdrivers, pliers, and hammers. They're all just commonly used things, it's usually good to have a variety of each thing too. That's also why I have a lot of wrenches. From little ignition type wrenches all the way to 2" combination wrenches. Then of coarse there's ratchet wrenches, offset box, open end angle wrenches. Stuff like that. When working on a variety of things you need a variety of the same type of tools.

 

[FJ 432]

I have about 6 of the long handled speed wrenches, mainly 3/8".

I never use them.

I have 40-50 feeler gauges.

Same boat.

 

[DBendr]

In excess ? Only ratchets. I pick up different ratchets all day long when working.I'll often have 4 or5 3/8 ratchets and a couple three 1/4 with different sized sockets on the cart while doing a small job. I've got abouuuuuut sixteen 1/4 anddddddd twenty+ 3/8 and maybeeee eleven 1/2 with a few/OK several/ incoming of every size.Most are older and I sell ratchets only to upgrade to a cleaner of the same one. I've recently grabbed some new toys like Nepros and Mac 90, some KTC-Koken to play with. My Hazet stuff is less than 10 years old. Some of my late model Proto and Wright are new-ish <5 years. Never see much of these sorts of items used.

All the other stuff is long term select.I'll get a set of something to try, unload it and replace with something I use and like better. Combo and double box renches are a prime example.I imagine I've owned pretty much all of them worth owning and what I have now can not be improved on(for what I do-my hands).
Most people would probably be quite surprised at some of the choices.Especially the SAE.

It's also quite hard to have "enough' pliers. Now I'm not talking the illness of 20 different 10 inch water pump pliers or five of every pliers wrench size..That's just fupped IMO unless you collecting for value-rarity-year-color variant etc.
I mean models-styles and oddballs.The more ways you have to reach in to the work the easier your task becomes.

We're all warped in different ways. I know welders with $thousands and $thousands in helmets and you'll seldom see the same ones week to week.Pipe smokers with 40-50 pipes. Guys will that amount of folding pocket knives or watches or flashlights or or or.
Like women and shoes....LOL

 

[drink]

Several days ago a bunch of us were discussing something like having too many tools. A man wrote in and said he had a lot of tools he didn't think he would ever use but he thought his estate sale would be more interesting with such a nice collection after he passes away. LOL! I have to admit I like what he said and I don't think any of us are ill because of owning tools.

When I thought about having several hammers in my carpenter's tool box one might think a hammer is a hammer. Right? Wrong. There are a lot of different hammers that are made for different applications. There have been times when I have said how much I like my 16 ounce hollow handle claw hammer because I can use it in many different ways. A lot of people don't know the difference between a framing hammer and a general purpose hammer but they might say they can hammer nails. They might not know you can use a framing hammer to rough measure with. You just need a lot of tools and they might be the same thing (hammer) but they can have their differences.

 

[Finky198]

Ratchets/B-bars definitely at 30+ I have an issue. then there's... extensions, hammers, pliers, pry bars, picks, ratcheting screwdrivers.

That just a few but heck U can never have enough tools As long as they are being used.

 

[four.cycle]

"excess" is a subjective term open to interpretation.

what we have in "excess", in my view, are threads asking members "what tools do you own in excess?"

there is none, and then there is "not enough". there is no "excess".

 

[ssdave]

I have very few duplicates/extras. I've been going through the past couple of years and weeding out and selling duplicates and unneeded items. I probably get rid of 50 items I will never need for every one that I get rid of that I shouldn't have. I figure at 50:1 ratio, I can buy one from whatever source is most expedient (like calling the snap on truck) and come out dollars ahead with the money I get from selling the extras. Plus, I don't have to store them, and the usable tools are much easier to get to.

It's been real liberating to get away from the hoarding behavior and back into the useful realm.

Still selling a lot of them, but at least they're sorted out from the useful ones. Been grinding through the sockets the past couple of weeks.

Possessions really burden us down. It takes time and money to acquire them, time and money to store and maintain them, and time to get rid of them.

The price for the fun of looking for bargains and acquiring tools is that you have to store, maintain and get rid of them eventually. Which is all right if that's the activity you enjoy and want to do. Otherwise it's a burden getting in the way of the things you really want to do. It has become that way to me.

 

[davethorik]

0-1" micrometers, 1/2 ratchets are the only categories I personally feel I own too many of. Working on eliminating some of them, for instance gave my future brother in-law a nice Cornwell SR-50 to replace his Craftsman rp and he almost cried with happiness

 

[ScottsGT]

Several days ago a bunch of us were discussing something like having too many tools. A man wrote in and said he had a lot of tools he didn't think he would ever use but he thought his estate sale would be more interesting with such a nice collection after he passes away. LOL! I have to admit I like what he said and I don't think any of us are ill because of owning tools.

When I thought about having several hammers in my carpenter's tool box one might think a hammer is a hammer. Right? Wrong. There are a lot of different hammers that are made for different applications. There have been times when I have said how much I like my 16 ounce hollow handle claw hammer because I can use it in many different ways. A lot of people don't know the difference between a framing hammer and a general purpose hammer but they might say they can hammer nails. They might not know you can use a framing hammer to rough measure with. You just need a lot of tools and they might be the same thing (hammer) but they can have their differences.

You need to keep posting. I'm really enjoying your avatar

 

[TheMadMech]

Allen Wrenches. I don't know how it happened but I've got WAY the hell too many allen wrench sets.

 

[Rileysan]

Allen Wrenches. I don't know how it happened but I've got WAY the hell too many allen wrench sets.

Not sure, but is this what you're talking about?!?

 

[winlinmac]

Yikes

Not sure, but is this what you're talking about?!?

 

[Rickster]

Tape rulers & utility knifes. I'm always leaving them everywhere so I have bunch. Whenever I do a tool round-up and get them all back in the drawer... it's embarrassing how many I have.

 

[Rossco]

Av noticed people have like 3 of the same ratchet's with different handles?

I have a few doubled up tools. Home and at work. Home being the bulk and work being the bare minimum to get by.

 

[Stevenn1]

Hmmm...