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Wasted money on tools

Indexmill

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Apr 12, 2013
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Central NC
People on both sides of the debate are correct; it is just a matter of opinion and perspective. If you like it, do it. If you don't, don't.

That said, I am confident that everyone of us have far more sockets and screwdrivers than we could ever possibly use. It's just the way it is. Makes no damn sense but we like it so we do it.

Collecting is another whole story. Most everybody collects something. We collect tools. Better than seashells or matchbooks or shot glasses.

If one is not collecting, one probably does not need two 50 some-odd inch long boxes overflowing with doubles and triples of everything. Unless of course, one likes it. Then, do it...
 
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Greg85mcss

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Jul 9, 2015
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Frederick MD
To answer his comment "Why do you buy the whole set when you only need a few sizes"? Well sometimes the price of 1 or 2 pieces is more than 1/2 the price of a full set. So the way I see it, buy the set and if you need the other size sometime down the line, you have it and have not paid a fortune for it.


X2. I recently got the sunex 3/8 metric master impact socket set. First thing I thought was when the hell will I need a 22mm 3/8 universal? Well, guess which one was the first I needed? I was thinking about taking home my sae 12 points then along comes a 1/4 diff pin. You never know.


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DenisG

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Jul 14, 2013
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Milwaukee
I don't think that I could stand working next to him. Doesn't seem like the type that would mind his own business.
 

619DioFan

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San Diego , Ca.
Don't need some lube tech telling me how many tools I need. probably been turning wrenches longer than he has been alive.
 

cliftonbros89

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Jun 2, 2015
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Missouri
It all depends on what you work on. I have a variety of things. From mid 30's model antique 2 cylinder tractors, to newer much larger tractors, to trailer trucks, pick-ups, atv's, and small engines like lawn mowers. For me have a big variety of sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches etc. is really necessary
 

PJNJ

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Sep 20, 2013
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Location
Iowa
Listening to it while I work. Guy is annoying. How can you say that someone doesn't need something when you don't know what they work on. His tone is that having SAE is unnecessary. Guess that is true when you only work on modern metric cars but if you tinker like a bunch of us do, then you need a big variety.

I have a '67 Mustang that has been in the family for years and I hope to start restoring it in a few years. Does he want to bet how many metric fasteners are on it? I have also worked on my and family vehicles that spanned from the 1960's to post 2000. And many of the fasteners in the house and appliances, old mowers, etc. are still SAE. So I have purchased, used and kept SAE sockets and wrenches and will continue to do so. He seems to think it's a "one size fits all" world since he only uses metric.

To answer his comment "Why do you buy the whole set when you only need a few sizes"? Well sometimes the price of 1 or 2 pieces is more than 1/2 the price of a full set. So the way I see it, buy the set and if you need the other size sometime down the line, you have it and have not paid a fortune for it.

Bingo! Spot on and couldn't say it better.

I went back and listened to the whole thing while I was doing something else. The guy is an idiot. Most of what I heard was "blah blah blah, I'm a brokedick" with the F word tossed in a couple dozen times for good measure. It's obvious he doesn't have much experience working on a variety of vehicles. Just sounds like a knuckle dragger.

So I was curious and looked at a few other videos on his channel. For someone that spends most of this video talking about wasting money, he sure has plenty of rebranded tool truck tools he could have got much cheaper elsewhere. A little hypocritical. Then one of his comments in a video says "my shop foreman has every tool for every job and when needed for a certain job I go and ask" ...... hmmm

Only thing I agree with is the nut driver deal, but not for the reasons he stated. My reasoning is that if there is room for your hand and a nut driver, there is room for a battery impact driver. And crows foot and semi deeps get plenty of use in my day to day...

Must be nice to have the ability to go to someone to borrow the tool when he doesn't have it. And then he can say everyone else is wasting money. I don't have that luxury just as many of you don't. If he hasn't needed to use crows feet or semi deep then he hasn't worked on enough different things. I haven't used crows feet often but when I did, they were just about indispensable. Semi deeps are easy to use as they usually work for most shallow and deep - so I can grab one rack of sockets and go to work. And once in a great while they fit where a deep won't.

I love how people are always quick to tell someone how they are wasting their time or money. I have heard it over the years from from family members or friends that I wasted my money on a motorcycle, car, etc.. But they also did a number of things that I would consider a complete waste of time and money from my perspective. I didn't tell them to quit smoking; cut back on their drinking; stop buying expensive clothes, shoes and accessories they couldn't afford; or stop buying the newest electronics over and over and over. Simply put - to each their own.

:beer:
 

jd_1138

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May 8, 2013
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NE Ohio
It's just one dude's opinion, sheesh. Don't read too much into it. You kinda do see a lot of nonsense in the auto repair world like some kid fresh out of trade school with $50k worth of Snap-On that mommy/daddy bought him who ends up not liking the job and then he sells the stuff for pennies on the dollar.
 
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90zcar

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Nov 8, 2013
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Geez I didn't think some people would get so uptight over a video. I thought it was funny yet true. I see the people with a couple hundred sockets that literally fill the entire full width drawer of their double bank box and laugh because I know they aren't using them. Why do you need chrome 6point and 12point in shallow,mid, deep in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" in sae and metric....let's not forget completely doubling that whole mix in impact versions now. If you want to "collect" them that's fine and that's your thing but don't say you "need" them all


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Pipe

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Feb 22, 2016
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Tool organization lets me know when something is missing.
 

smittyjones

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Dec 29, 2015
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Topeka, ks
I just like tools. I like to collect them, I like to fill my box, I like to buy a bigger box.

Really, I just figure, if you're doing this professionally, you just have to keep buying. You can't be sitting around with a job in the bay waiting for a tool to come. Have to be prepared.

I have to argue with him about the organization. It really speeds everything up. Imagine if your special tools were all out of the plastic cases. How long would it take you to find the wrench you need for the fan clutch set? I'd be digging in a deep drawer all day, instead of pulling out a box, opening it, and doing the work.
 
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GTA Matt

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Zebulon, NC
Geez I didn't think some people would get so uptight over a video. I thought it was funny yet true. I see the people with a couple hundred sockets that literally fill the entire full width drawer of their double bank box and laugh because I know they aren't using them. Why do you need chrome 6point and 12point in shallow,mid, deep in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" in sae and metric....let's not forget completely doubling that whole mix in impact versions now. If you want to "collect" them that's fine and that's your thing but don't say you "need" them all


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So what do you do when you don't have a socket for the job? How do you get a large 12 point axle nut off if you don't have the socket? Do you turn away a head gasket job because you don't have a 12mm 12 point for the head bolts? Spend extra time taking things apart for access where a shallow socket is too small but a deep socket has interference, when a semi deep would be perfect? What if I were to say I laughed whenever I saw someone with a dinky tool collection that thinks its okay to constantly borrow? At least at my job, I never know what the next r.o. will bring. I can go from a 70's muscle car, to a new mercedes to a diesel truck over the course of an afternoon. Yes I use all my sockets.
 
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woody 73

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I could only watch a minute of the tape before I turned it off, bad lighting, bad language, blah, blah, blah...I would think if someone had ADD they would have not gone as long watching the tape but I regress at this point in time.

Everyone is different I buy tools with the thought that some day this tool will come in handy when every store in town is closed and I need it now and not tomorrow.

Your money your call.
 

ibedayank

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Feb 2, 2011
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Location
Columbia TN
Geez I didn't think some people would get so uptight over a video. I thought it was funny yet true. I see the people with a couple hundred sockets that literally fill the entire full width drawer of their double bank box and laugh because I know they aren't using them. Why do you need chrome 6point and 12point in shallow,mid, deep in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" in sae and metric....let's not forget completely doubling that whole mix in impact versions now. If you want to "collect" them that's fine and that's your thing but don't say you "need" them all


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because a 6 point socket will not fit on a 12 point bolt...
now add to working on 1920s- 2016 motorcycles cars trucks Class8 trucks aka SEMI why differnt drive sizes because 1/4 drive 5/8s won't hold up to 125# tourqe nor will a 3/8s drive but a 1/2 drive will. To make things worse add in British motorcycles IE Whitworth sizes. I you think you own to many tools you do not work on enough stuff!!!
 

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gbh

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May 2, 2012
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At a guess, I'd say this guy has spent more money on beer than tools.
 

619DioFan

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So what do you do when you don't have a socket for the job? How do you get a large 12 point axle nut off if you don't have the socket? Do you turn away a head gasket job because you don't have a 12mm 12 point for the head bolts? Spend extra time taking things apart for access where a shallow socket is too small but a deep socket has interference, when a semi deep would be perfect? What if I were to say I laughed whenever I saw someone with a dinky tool collection that thinks its okay to constantly borrow? At least at my job, I never know what the next r.o. will bring. I can go from a 70's muscle car, to a new mercedes to a diesel truck over the course of an afternoon. Yes I use all my sockets.

Vey well said Matt. pretty much sums up the reason for needing " all them sockets "
 

bsosborne1

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Feb 23, 2016
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Asheboro, NC
Seems to me the guy must only wrench on his own stuff. If your tools only need to support one vehicle you don't need much, but if you see a wide variety of cars, trucks, and equipment you need lots of tools. I'd like to see that guy do a undercarriage overhaul on a dozer with his 1/2 and 3/8ths sockets.
 

michelin

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Jan 31, 2015
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United States of Europe
I kinda see where he is coming from. If you're spending all your wages on tools and big storage for future use whilst your family is on the breadline, it's wrong. You've got to get your priorities right. If you're a good earner and tool bills make only a fraction of your monthly income, then I don't see a problem with adding a set or two of 'may use later' tools especially if they are a deal. Besides, keeping money in the bank is not wise with low interest rates. Tools rarely depreciate and make a good investment if picked up at the right price. I often see people buying more than one set of some Snap On tools, holding on to them, then selling on ebay when the deal is over.
 

jt777

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Feb 16, 2016
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Canada
I've also watched a dozen or so of his videos. He has some good points bit i don't agree with everything. And i can't stand how unorganized his box is.
 

Ole Slewfoot

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Feb 22, 2016
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Freedom, CA
Seems to me the guy must only wrench on his own stuff. If your tools only need to support one vehicle you don't need much, but if you see a wide variety of cars, trucks, and equipment you need lots of tools. I'd like to see that guy do a undercarriage overhaul on a dozer with his 1/2 and 3/8ths sockets.
Even just on my own stuff, I need a full range of real and metric:dunno:
He also seems to not have noticed tools often cost about 30% as much if you buy the set.

Look at a Gearwrench 3/4 combo for example...
CARID will sell you a single for $30.62
Northern tool sells the 7 peice set which includes it for $34.99
 

joeyd01

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Apr 5, 2015
Messages
51
I watched the video, as well as a few others that he did. Like most of you I agree to some of the stuff he says but not all, and his tool box blows my mind the way he has it set up. Thats for a different thread though. As for the money wasted on tool, buy what you need after you have what you need buy what makes you faster and what makes your life easier. After the basics I think that quality is better then quantity. Few examples I can think of from my shop working on heavy equipment, there is on guy that has a pile of harbor freight stuff and some blue point and snap on that he got from his dad. He is very against buying anything off the truck, but expects his stuff to be fixed when it breaks, and again a story for another thread. He is constantly borrowing snap ring pliers from me because all of his from harbor freight broke. Snap on came in and had some on sale but he wouldnt buy them. Moral of the story I'm trying to tell is things you use everyday need to be quality, dont count on another guy in the shop to bail you out because you are cheap. Its only a waste of money buying tools you don't need or use if you don't have what you need.

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joeyd01

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Apr 5, 2015
Messages
51
It sounds like your co-worker needs to learn the unwritten three strikes rule.

The first time you borrow a tool it is no problem as long as it is brought back in the condition it left in.

The second time you can still borrow it but you need to start thinking about getting your own because you obviously find it useful.

The third time is the last time. You should now fully realize your need for the tool and you have had plenty of time to source one yourself. No further borrowing of that item will occur.
I agree I made a new thread on the topic of borrowing tools. Most of us have been there before, you don't start out with a massive tool box with everrything you need it takes time. I usually give more than three strikes if said borrower make a an effort to buy what he uses and not stupid **** that the shop supplies.

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BDT/NWMN

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Jan 22, 2012
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Erskine, Mn
his beer, goony world, language, opinion, experience, pocketbook: Think I will pass; out of curiosity; I wasted 15 seconds watching that video.
 

MrWrencher823

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Jan 24, 2015
Messages
136
I still can't figure out who needs semi deep sockets.


My SO guy is constantly having "deals" on his semi deep socket sets and he's constantly trying to get me to buy them. I cannot see a reason either.

While I probably fall under the category of "too many sockets"
I definitely do not have those.
 
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90zcar

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Nov 8, 2013
Messages
3,254
I own metric semi deep 3/8 metric sockets but do not own a single deep 3/8. If I need a deep longer than my semis i grab a deep 1/2" one


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