Tools, and being prepared...

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

For every tool I buy, new or used, i feel a bit more prepared for whatever lay ahead. I don't know what it is, but I just feel the need to acquire tools and be prepared for the unexpected. I have a truck toolbox now that I'm stocking up for to be ready. I went on a trip this past weekend, and filled my portable craftsman air tank with 80 psi of air and kept in the back of my truck toolbox "just incase" It makes me feel more secure or something to have as many tools as I can. Does anyone else feel like I do, a sense of security with tools?

 

[momswgn]

It is a disease, we all have it.

 

[Mike83]

I have a feeling I'm too prepared, then! I know exactly how you feel - I take the Boy Scout motto to the extreme by keeping one of every tool in every car or area of my home. But Murphy's Law says you'll never need 'em if you have 'em so no need to worry!

I sometimes have this weird intuition thing where I think of a tool I'd like to buy - you know, just in case - and then a situation comes up right after I buy it where the tool is put to good use.

Now I have so many wrenches, etc. I can't decide which one to use for some task - I hate to play favorites so I try to use them all equally

 

[arkangel06]

Yeah!!

I love being able to tell someone ''Yeah i have the tool for that''

 

[MotoDave]

I have a basic tool kit in my car, and it has come in handy a surprising number of times. As I upgrade my garage toolbox the 'old' tools migrate to the car bag. Typically I end up helping out other people, but if the day comes that I need them I know they're there.

As for the garage box, I am finally at the point where I can tackle most moderately complex tasks with confidence I have all the tools I need. I hate having to run to Sears in the middle of a job because I didn't have that 1 tool!

 

[BackTracker]

Amen to all of the above.

 

[Old Donn]

What MotoDave said. Nothing more frustrating than having to stop in the middle of a job because you don't have the tool you need.

 

[krusty the clown]

i think i have it covered

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

What MotoDave said. Nothing more frustrating than having to stop in the middle of a job because you don't have the tool you need.

I agree with this statement to an extent, but it is a good excuse to "have" to go out by the tool you need, especially if the significant other gives you **** about buying too many tools

 

[Jokeman]

Yup, I feel like Im pretty well covers for whatever lies ahead. Plus I have an issue when I get into something I go full bore so needless to say my toolboxes filled up pretty damn quick.

 

[bchee]

I just realized that most of my tools are basically useless.

I hope to be remodeling a house soon, which requires a completely different set of tools than that required to fix a car.

All the shiny chrome sockets, extensions, and ratchets won't help me cut wood or fix the plumbing leaks in the bathroom.

Now I have to invest in wood cutting tools, sanders, painting stuff, pipe cutters, etc, etc.

 

[scottmlew]

It helps so much to hear what you all recommend as useful tools so that the rest of us can keep our boxes well stocked in anticipation of what we might need in the future!

 

[scottg1952]

The minute I leave my town, I am 2 to 3 hours from the nearest anywhere, whichever direction I go.
Better believe I travel with a toolbox!

I am honestly always trying to pare it down, I accumulate things from yard sales and such when I go places.
My truck will simply break down in the presence of a yard sale sign. It just stops and won't run until I have perused the sale at least.
yours Scott

 

[travisd]

All the shiny chrome sockets, extensions, and ratchets won't help me cut wood or fix the plumbing leaks in the bathroom.

Sure they will.

Plumbing connections use standard size wrenches. And a good 1/2" ratchet and socket is just what you need to drive those big lag bolts in when you put up the railing on that nice deck out back.

Goes both ways too... a nice 12" mitre saw works great for cutting some wood blocks that you need to prop something up in your latest automotive project.

Pick up a hundred feet or so (as necessary) of cheap air hose, and you can use your nice shop compressor to run the air nailers for framing, or trim work. Heck, a portable air tank will drive a trim nailer nicely for that matter.

 

[HandyManny]

Most basic type hand tools are a nessesity to have and a worthwhile investment even if you don't make a living using tools. Many types of power tools also are nice to have if you do a reasonable amount of fixing, repairs, building, etc. Just as long as you are reasonably handy and know how to use them without being a danger to yourself or those around you. Most your stuff should be stored in a garage/shed/workshop, whatever facility you have to work in at your home. What ever type of tools one decides to buy to use just make sure it's a tool that will likely come in handy for what you need. I mean you do need to be reasonable about this stuff. For example I can see almost no reason for an average homeowner to buy and keep an 18" adjustable wrench when you have no fitting, nut or bolt larger than 1 1/2 inches anywhere in your home. Same goes for a pipe wrench bigger than 14 inches. I know a guy who has a 3/4 inch drive ratchet/socket set with absolutely nothing in or around his house that would require the use of such a tool. Stuff like that is just plain foolish.

For vehicle I believe in keeping what I refere to as a reasonable tool kit. That does not include twice the weight in tools than my vehicle weighs.

 

[walrus]

Now I have to invest in wood cutting tools, sanders, painting stuff, pipe cutters, etc, etc.

Its a shame you have an excuse to buy more tools

 

[HankMurphy]

...I know a guy who has a 3/4 inch drive ratchet/socket set with absolutely nothing in or around his house that would require the use of such a tool. Stuff like that is just plain foolish.

Well, I picked up a used Wright 3/4" set. But I do have one nut which requires it: the 1-5/8" on a trailer tow ball!

I will probably use it a couple of times over the rest of my life.

To each their own, and you can send any tools you don't want to me

Cheers,

 

[HandyManny]

Well, I picked up a used Wright 3/4" set. But I do have one nut which requires it: the 1-5/8" on a trailer tow ball!

I will probably use it a couple of times over the rest of my life.

To each their own, and you can send any tools you don't want to me

Cheers,

Heck any 1-5/8" box wrench can be used for that. But at least you have one thing that the 3/4" drive can be used for

I have a 15 inch adjustable wrench that I use for that exact purpose.

 

[scottg1952]

Now I have to invest in wood cutting tools, sanders, painting stuff, pipe cutters, etc, etc

Really? You mean there are people on this list with only one kind or class of tool(s)??
Sheesh!
From tools you would operate on a mosquitos eyelash with, to Eiffel Tower maintenance gear....
It is not possible to love only one kind of tool?? Is it?

I mean you never know when a D10 cat is going to break down in your driveway? Or you will be required to produce 14" wide hand carved crown molding and replace the leg on a Chippendale card table? or re-do the transformers on all the power poles in town to get your doorbell to ring? What if the water plant breaks down and you're thirsty??
The roof starts leaking while the sewer is backing up and you are going to sit and cry like a little girl?? No way!!

Metal, wood, stone.................got have tools

yours Scott

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I have almost zero woodworking tools. I have a deWalt circular saw I used a lot when I made skateboard ramps, other than that, woodworking stuff doesn't interest me at all.

 

[old salvage]

scottg,
What a Job on those steps. !!

 

[expatriated]

For every tool I buy, new or used, i feel a bit more prepared for whatever lay ahead. I don't know what it is, but I just feel the need to acquire tools and be prepared for the unexpected. I have a truck toolbox now that I'm stocking up for to be ready. I went on a trip this past weekend, and filled my portable craftsman air tank with 80 psi of air and kept in the back of my truck toolbox "just incase" It makes me feel more secure or something to have as many tools as I can. Does anyone else feel like I do, a sense of security with tools?

Yes. You can't have too much ammo, food or tools. And not necessarily in that order.

 

[Alowes2837]

I have been told by friends that they have been to fully operational auto repair shops less equiped than my shop. It is nice to hear that, however I am minus a lift as don't have the height at the moment. I do buy tools even if I am only going to use it the once as you never know when you may need it again. In my planning to move I realised that the majority of stuff I am taking will be tools even though all of my power tools will have to be replaced.