What is a tool polisher?!

[crewchief888]

I think I would fall into the tool polisher category. I have a 14ft long Snap on Epiq Toolbox that is filled in my personal home garage... I'm not a mechanic by trade but I do all my own work when I decide to do something.

a true tool polisher would never let an obviously used tool back in their box with out a complete strip to bare metal, polished, and rechromed.

i see tools in there that have been used.

i'd guess that most of your tool purchases have been in the past 10 years or so.

all my stuff used to look like that, but after 30 years of contruction eq wrenching, most of the chrome has lost it's shine....

most of my working tools are covered in oil and grease, it keeps them from rusting in my service truck.
most members here have their boxes in a (reasonably) clean and dry environment, the same cant be said of my service truck.

 

[Waggoner72]

a true tool polisher would never let an obviously used tool back in their box with out a complete strip to bare metal, polished, and rechromed.



i see tools in there that have been used.



i'd guess that most of your tool purchases have been in the past 10 years or so.



all my stuff used to look like that, but after 30 years of contruction eq wrenching, most of the chrome has lost it's shine....



most of my working tools are covered in oil and grease, it keeps them from rusting in my service truck.

most members here have their boxes in a (reasonably) clean and dry environment, the same cant be said of my service truck.

May not believe me but this is only over 2 years. I am only 21 years old. I can't wait to see what I will have 10 years down the road.

 

[r_olson_06]

May not believe me but this is only over 2 years. I am only 21 years old. I can't wait to see what I will have 10 years down the road.

And are those lista cabinets in the background?

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[crewchief888]

May not believe me but this is only over 2 years. I am only 21 years old. I can't wait to see what I will have 10 years down the road.

i believe ya

i started wrenching in '84 i did most of my tool buying in the 1st 10-12 years of working. in '98 when i got divorced i had a tool balance of $0. i dont think ive carried more than a $300 balance since then, i havent seen a tool truck in our shop for 2 or 3 years.
i slowly built up a 2nd set of tools for the garage, (mostly USA CM) started buying more electric and cordless stuff to have in the garage and house.
i just dont have enough air compressor at home to run most of my air tools.
bought my last SO boxes in '94, and 1 CM top box in '99 thats been beaten and abused in my service truck.

i still make an occasional purchase, usually (SO) vintage test eq from a local pawn shop, a few welding clamps, or industrial/truck brand sockets and wrenches i pick out of the $1 bins at the pawn shop.

it's time to go tool shopping again, i just gifted most of my (garage) metric hand tools, and a vintage CM cantilever box to my stepson.

 

[torqueman2002]

pol-ish "[Verb with object]:to make smooth and glossy, especially by rubbing or friction: to polish a brass doorknob."

Well, by the Webster on-line's definition, that's not me.

I do wipe-down/clean-off the tools before returning them (sooner or later) to their places.

I'll use the Craftsman wrenches and sockets hanging above the work bench for quick jobs that I don't expect the fasteners will be frozen or difficult to remove.

For more demanding work where disassembly may pose difficult and fasteners need extraordinary holding power, I use the Snap-On: wrenches, sockets, etc, ... from the large tool box.

I replace/discard tools when they wear out, break (unusual these day of Kroil), or the plating peals and becomes like a razor.

I have tools that I bought 50 years ago, when I first started wrenching.

 

[Waggoner72]

And are those lista cabinets in the background?

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Those are Stanley vidmars. Same thing as a lista. I love them. I actually have 4 of them.

 

[T45]

Aqueus degreaser....Compressed Air....WD-40....contact cleaner...lint free rag

Tis my formula

 

[r_olson_06]

Those are Stanley vidmars. Same thing as a lista. I love them. I actually have 4 of them.

Them are insanely prices from what I remember. I have had a couple customers with them and they are a couple grand a cabinet if I remember right.

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[Teenager with old tools]

Someone who buys a snap on specialty tool to use once and let collect dust for the rest of his life.
I buy tools that I haven't used but only when it's from a dollar bin at a yard sale. Many times that dollar bin saves my *** a $10 trip to auto zone for a socket over 1 inch. I've used most of my tools tho have some old Nicholson files I haven't used yet but 40 for $10 USA made couldn't pas up.

Tool polisher is also someone with shelves full of vises they collect and drive up prices of vises by making that old americN vise that I want to buy to use, now at a cost 3 times a new yost vise. Despise the hipsters that drive up anvil prices and old workbench or railroad wrenches. Used to get a railroad wrench pushing 2 inches for $10 now don't find them at yard sales for under $50


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[PJNJ]

I see nothing wrong with a person collecting tools, all set up nice & neat in a box seeing minimal use or not any use at all. To each their own with regards to hobbies / collections, etc. Most everyone collects something...be it tools, flags, license plates...the list could go on and on.

The PROBLEM, in my opinion, develops when said collectors of tools...who have no real applicable knowledge in their use start to throw around their very aggressive opinions on brands, usage, and how to go about accomplishing a task with said collected tools. That's the part that irks me the most with "tool polishers."

Outside of the reasons I stated above, I never see the reason why someone is always belittled or poked fun at for having duplicates of their tools that perhaps have never seen usage or having their tools neat & clean after minimal use.

I quoted you and bolded part of it as I simply could not have said it better.

I guess I would be called a tool polisher, I do a very small amount of work on my own rigs. I used to do a lot more. But after a back injury, It is very hard for me to work on my own rigs. At this point in my life my time is more valuable to me. I have a friend who owns a oil change place who change my oil for free. Why would you do it your self. I used to not think any thing about rebuilding an engine or R&R on one, but now in my older age, it just hurts me too much. Why work on some thing and then be bed ridden for a week and be in uncontrolled pain. So I guess I would fall into that category, If I find a great deal on tools I will buy them. Some times I will try to help some one else out and help them on their car project. I just know how long I can play with out paying for it for days. Just a little at a time.

Richard - I have to admit, I am in a similar situation as you. I'm rapidly approaching retirement, and while I still like to do mechanical work, the body doesn't always cooperate. If one of the kids needs help or a tool to do a job, I'm always happy to help, often it's just verbal instruction.

Yep I'm pushing 60 and in pretty crappy health. But because of finances, I take care of the house maintenance and repairs - except I won't go further than the first floor on a ladder or get on the roof. I also do all the vehicle maintenance and repairs on 4 vehicles (mine, wife's and daughter's along with a project car) and a motorcycle. Since we usually have at least two running vehicles at any time, I have the ability to take my time making repairs - usually an hour or two at a time. Anymore and just like you guys I'm paying for it. The only thing that really bothers me is it took years to get together a decent tool collection to let me to do just about anything I want and now my body is giving out.

I'm a tool polisher. WTF you gonna do about it?!

This may be the best response to the question.

 

[byoungblood]

People who get upset that they get a single tool in a set of 50 pieces that has a small scratch in the chrome, despite that they'll all look like that in a year if they're actually using the tools regularly.

People who obsess over the finish INSIDE a socket. It just being plated with something to prevent/delay rust isn't good enough.

In general, anyone who obsesses over the finish of a tool that is going to end up getting dirty/scratched up anyway.

 

[four.cycle]

"...a tool that is going to end up getting dirty/scratched up anyway."

Not if you keep them in the original box and never tear off the shrink wrap!

 

[md21722]

So in essence, a tool polisher is someone who ruins it for the rest of us?

 

[md21722]

I think I would fall into the tool polisher category. I have a 14ft long Snap on Epiq Toolbox that is filled in my personal home garage... I'm not a mechanic by trade but I do all my own work when I decide to do something.

Nice boxes! What's in the other one?

 

[KM223]

^^^His polishing clothes

 

[Waggoner72]

^^^His polishing clothes

Nice boxes! What's in the other one?

You been looking in my boxes????? Just kidding.
Currently overflow tools and larger speciality tools. As well as random things. It's not as organized as the main left box.
Only picture I could find

 

[Philbert]

If you mean to define a tool polisher as someone who uses WD-40, paper towels and a toothbrush to clean their tools when the work is complete. I am guilty. I blow out all my woodworking stuff with air and wipe the meta parts with WD-40 infused paper towels. Gotta keeps the rust or corrosion off the tools. Yeah Wd-40 is not the best product, but it is good enough here in Arizona. I have hand and power tools that are 30+ years old. I want time keep them looking good and used for another 30. Neat clean organized. Well I got that middle part down just need to work on the other two.

 

[yamaha0343]

The PROBLEM, in my opinion, develops when said collectors of tools...who have no real applicable knowledge in their use start to throw around their very aggressive opinions on brands, usage, and how to go about accomplishing a task with said collected tools. That's the part that irks me the most with "tool polishers."

No way I can phrase it any better than that. I don't understand the blind loyalty to a brand just because you own one.

 

[yamaha0343]

If you mean to define a tool polisher as someone who uses WD-40, paper towels and a toothbrush to clean their tools when the work is complete. I am guilty. I blow out all my woodworking stuff with air and wipe the meta parts with WD-40 infused paper towels. Gotta keeps the rust or corrosion off the tools. Yeah Wd-40 is not the best product, but it is good enough here in Arizona. I have hand and power tools that are 30+ years old. I want time keep them looking good and used for another 30. Neat clean organized. Well I got that middle part down just need to work on the other two.

I don't think a tool polisher is someone who uses their tools and then cleans them. I think a tool polisher is someone that doesn't use their tools and still cleans them.

 

[KM223]

You been looking in my boxes????? Just kidding.
Currently overflow tools and larger speciality tools. As well as random things. It's not as organized as the main left box.
Only picture I could find

Just a killer, KILLER box man! Well done!

 

[2oolhound]

I'm no tool polisher. No-sir-ree, my tools are bought for hard use. I do however believe in looking after tools and keeping them in good condition just as you would if you'd bought a brand new truck. You're not going to go crashing through brush scraping against the new paint on some hunting trip a week after buying it. You're going to try to keep it as new looking as possible for as long as you can.
Case in point:
I've been dyeing to get a dual 80 and finally it happened, last year I won a buy now auction and got an F80 that was truly mint. When I got it I just listened to the sound it made when you turned it and felt the buttery smooth action that's been so well described here. I just loved that ratchet. Every time I've used it I've taken extra care to ensure I stop swinging the handle BEFORE it contacts the obstruction and also don't let it hit the other obstruction on the back swing or let the head rub up against anything. I've kept it pristine. Then a couple weeks ago, and only the 2nd time I've used it, it happened. I never let the ratchet touch anything when removing the fastener but when I was taking it back to the box at the other end of the shop where I keep my special tools it slipped out of my hand, hit, then bounced and skidded across the concrete floor (a scenario that plays over and over in my head since). I immediately snatched it up and when inspecting it under my magnifying lamp saw 2 scuffs, one on the handle 1/8 x 5/16" and a smaller one on the side of the head. This has been fairly devastating but I'm getting over it because perhaps partially, knowing I have another pristine F80 and an FL80 that I picked up for a great price not long after and they are still safely wrapped in chamois cloth in my specialty box.

After reading this thread it dawned on me I could probably take out my dremel and with those tiny buffing wheels in the kit I could practically totally eliminate those scuffs. I hate to use the dremel though because I've kept it brand new in the package. If I do it still wouldn't make me a tool polisher.

 

[davethorik]

That's funny, 2oolhound! I had just received my Proto 5250XL from zoro at my old job, literally just taken it out of the box to ooh and aah at the perfect chrome, and dropped it right onto one of my Kennedy's drawer slides, it bounced and slid maybe 5 ft on concrete and I got 2 chips in the chrome and a lot of scratches. Before even touching a socket. Lol. Probably my quickest break in for a new tool.

 

[ssdave]

I feel your pain 2oolhound; I thought about using power via dremel tool to polish some of my tools up a bit. I don't have to worry about keeping my dremel new; I got it used at a garage sale, so it has some scuffs already. But, I got a severe adverse reaction when I tried to apply rouge to a new white felt pad on my dremel tool. Just couldn't make myself stain that new wool dremel wheel. So, had to make do with some silver polish swiped from the kitchen, and a piece cut from an old pair of pants. Almost used a shop cloth, but hated to ruin it with the silver polish.

I wrap my ratchets in a shop cloth when carrying from the toolbox to the point of use, to preclude dropping on the floor and inadvertent nicks and scratches. I use the shop cloth around the handle to keep it from hitting things and getting nicked in use.

Taking care like this pays off in pride of ownership; look how nice my ratchet looks and it's been used 4 or 5 times:

 

[md21722]

I'm no tool polisher. No-sir-ree, my tools are bought for hard use. I do however believe in looking after tools and keeping them in good condition just as you would if you'd bought a brand new truck. You're not going to go crashing through brush scraping against the new paint on some hunting trip a week after buying it. You're going to try to keep it as new looking as possible for as long as you can.
Case in point:
I've been dyeing to get a dual 80 and finally it happened, last year I won a buy now auction and got an F80 that was truly mint. When I got it I just listened to the sound it made when you turned it and felt the buttery smooth action that's been so well described here. I just loved that ratchet. Every time I've used it I've taken extra care to ensure I stop swinging the handle BEFORE it contacts the obstruction and also don't let it hit the other obstruction on the back swing or let the head rub up against anything. I've kept it pristine. Then a couple weeks ago, and only the 2nd time I've used it, it happened. I never let the ratchet touch anything when removing the fastener but when I was taking it back to the box at the other end of the shop where I keep my special tools it slipped out of my hand, hit, then bounced and skidded across the concrete floor (a scenario that plays over and over in my head since). I immediately snatched it up and when inspecting it under my magnifying lamp saw 2 scuffs, one on the handle 1/8 x 5/16" and a smaller one on the side of the head. This has been fairly devastating but I'm getting over it because perhaps partially, knowing I have another pristine F80 and an FL80 that I picked up for a great price not long after and they are still safely wrapped in chamois cloth in my specialty box.

After reading this thread it dawned on me I could probably take out my dremel and with those tiny buffing wheels in the kit I could practically totally eliminate those scuffs. I hate to use the dremel though because I've kept it brand new in the package. If I do it still wouldn't make me a tool polisher.

That's funny, 2oolhound! I had just received my Proto 5250XL from zoro at my old job, literally just taken it out of the box to ooh and aah at the perfect chrome, and dropped it right onto one of my Kennedy's drawer slides, it bounced and slid maybe 5 ft on concrete and I got 2 chips in the chrome and a lot of scratches. Before even touching a socket. Lol. Probably my quickest break in for a new tool.

LOL. The sooner you break it in the better. BTW, I've known people who buy a new truck an immediately take it through the woods for a hunting trip. That's initiation. They have it detailed before selling and repeat. What's the use in owning it if you can't use it? When the **** hits the fan I have bent Snap On wrenches with a torch to get the job done. The people who ask why/how I could do that are tool polishers.

 

[Gmonkee]

Beat em like a rented mule and wipe the grease off before tossing them back in the tote. None are more valuable than the payday result every week.

At home one bag of newer chrome and several drawers of ancient rustballs. Those don't make me money.

 

[justanengineer]

Tool polisher - someone who does more buying of tools than using of them. Commonly you open their box and everything looks shiny new. Most of my stuff is 50+ years old and was bought well-used, most of my newer stuff is ~20, bought new, and looks comparable to many of the vintage items. If you're using it regularly it will age after a decade or two.

 

[padroo]

I haven't went through my tool box in years even though I need to. I try to put things back to where they came from most of the time. I wipe them off with a paper towels to get heavy grease and dirt off of them.
I made my living working with tools and shiny new tools look nice. Even using company tools I always liked to return them clean and in working order. Some guys I worked with on a regular basis were slobs and abused the tools we needed on a regular basis. I plan on getting a new HF tool box maybe next summer and I hope to be more organized than I have ever been but I am not a tool polisher.

Using tools in an industrial setting are somewhat an expendable item. They get stollen, they get way abused, they brake, get lost and are almost treated like nuts and bolts. If you loose a tool, you go get another one.

 

[JMLangford]

Here's a BluePoint XD-2022 5/8"x11/16" wrench I got Saturday and polished it up today........

Looks as good as the day someone's grandfather bought it off the truck.....

I'll oil it up and throw it in my toolbox to use whenever and won't really worry about if it get dirty again.....I just had to clean it to make it mine! (plus if I ever do decide to sell it, shiny sells better IMO)




(Yes, Virginia......guess that make me a tool polisher )

Date code is a "G" I guess that means Government?
.

 

[fastbike02]

I guess I'd be considered a tool polisher! I have way more tools than and diy should have but I hate to borrow tools! Also I "work" them like rented mules but at the end of the day (project) they are all cleaned and returned to the tool box!

 

[Renchi]

Guess I'm whatever the opposite of Tool polisher is.
I don't like my tools covered in filth, but I prefer well-worn patina. Makes me happy to see wear on chrome and knurling, those dings and scratches that tell stories. That melted screwdriver handle that pissed me off when it happened, but now brings to mind the fun we had tractor pulling. The much brighter chrome on my S/o 11/8" wrench, replaced after broken replacing drive belt on a combine on a 10degree day.
The crude file nicks in tools that were my uncles. 1 nick was uncle Harold, 2 is Dad, 3 was uncle Jim...3 brothers who farmed together, and had their own system to number tools.
Names and initials etched or engraved by former owners, friends, neighbors, co-workers, mentors...these all remind me of good times and good people.
My S-K 3/4 set has the owners name painted on the box and engraved on each piece. Bought it on a garage sale..owner was dying and selling off his stuff. Sat and talked for an hour, with him telling me how hard it was to come up with $ to buy it new in the 60's.
Gordon M....met him for an hour, but he's been with me for years, in spirit.
I'll take honest patina every damn time.

I just wanted to comment that I greatly enjoyed reading this post.

 

[DanielC99]

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[gdocktor3]

Guess I'm whatever the opposite of Tool polisher is.
I don't like my tools covered in filth, but I prefer well-worn patina. Makes me happy to see wear on chrome and knurling, those dings and scratches that tell stories. That melted screwdriver handle that pissed me off when it happened, but now brings to mind the fun we had tractor pulling. The much brighter chrome on my S/o 11/8" wrench, replaced after broken replacing drive belt on a combine on a 10degree day.
The crude file nicks in tools that were my uncles. 1 nick was uncle Harold, 2 is Dad, 3 was uncle Jim...3 brothers who farmed together, and had their own system to number tools.
Names and initials etched or engraved by former owners, friends, neighbors, co-workers, mentors...these all remind me of good times and good people.
My S-K 3/4 set has the owners name painted on the box and engraved on each piece. Bought it on a garage sale..owner was dying and selling off his stuff. Sat and talked for an hour, with him telling me how hard it was to come up with $ to buy it new in the 60's.
Gordon M....met him for an hour, but he's been with me for years, in spirit.
I'll take honest patina every damn time.

This is a great story. Some day, you'll pass along your tools or sell them and someone will remember the stories you told.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Call me what you want, I just like tools, I keep them clean, buy some I know I'll use eventually, sometimes I just stare at them over a cold beer.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Can you be a tool polisher if you buy second hand tools?

 

[GTA Matt]

Before joining here, I never knew there were guys that bought tools with little intention of using them, that would just stare at them, organize them juuuust right, pliers in alphabetical order, screwdrivers still in the wrapper. Hell, I never knew people actually would look into the business end of a socket to see if the chrome plating was the same shade as the outside of the socket. I'd equate it to guys with jacked up trucks, chrome rims and light bars, all decked out, and never even dip the tires onto the grass at their kids soccer game.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd equate it to guys with jacked up trucks, chrome rims and light bars, all decked out, and never even dip the tires onto the grass at their kids soccer game.

Yes. One in the same!

 

[2oolhound]

That's funny, 2oolhound! I had just received my Proto 5250XL from zoro at my old job, literally just taken it out of the box to ooh and aah at the perfect chrome, and dropped it right onto one of my Kennedy's drawer slides, it bounced and slid maybe 5 ft on concrete and I got 2 chips in the chrome and a lot of scratches.

I feel your pain 2oolhound;
I wrap my ratchets in a shop cloth when carrying from the toolbox to the point of use, to preclude dropping on the floor and inadvertent nicks and scratches. I use the shop cloth around the handle to keep it from hitting things and getting nicked in use.

I guess it's safe to announce a new invention I'm going to market since the patent is applied for now. You've all seen retractable dog leashes and key chains, well my invention is the size of a stop watch that you wear on your wrists. The end has a small thick elastic band that you slip over the ratchet handle or wrench when you 1st grab it. The little chain retracts itself all the time to stay out of the way but if you ever drop the tool it won't hit the floor since it's tethered to your wrist on a 16" chain.

The 1st generation will be highly polished stainless steel with expanding straps (like a watch) but I plan to bring to market others like chrome and brass plated with thick leather wrist bands etc. I figure most mechanics will buy several so I'll probably make 6 packs as well as sell individually at $19.95 ea or $99.99 for the 6 pack. There's over 275,000 members on GJ alone plus all the mechanics not to mention special licensing to SO, Armstong, SK, Hazet, Gedore, Koken etc etc. I'm planning on moving to the Caribbean.

Apologies for the longish posts and the sarcasm. I've been house bound for 2 weeks with a badly sprained ankle and I think I've gone a little bit bunkhouse (from being away from the realities of routine normal everyday life for too long) It is a fun thread with all members participating freely.

 

[tonyciambrone]

It's a phrase insecure people use to justify their own laziness and irresponsibility. They imagine that a dirty tool means you work harder than the next person, when in reality, all it means is that you don't clean your tools. It takes me about 30 minutes every week or so to wipe mine down with degreaser and wipe clean motor oil onto the metal surfaces.

Flame me, baby, I'm a tool polisher!

 

[IndyGarage]

I know it's time to clean mine when I can no longer see the color green on my Wera screwdrivers. I must be a tool polisher...

 

[CoogarXR]

I like to think I am somewhere in the middle. I am nowhere near a neat-freak, but I do wipe my tools off after any messy job. It just makes sense. I also put them all away at the end of the day. That's practical for how my brain works. If I leave tools all over the place at the end of the day, the next day I'd never find them all. So at the end of every job, I wipe off any dirty ones, and put them all back where they go, so I can start fresh next time.

I will say though, since joining here, I have ratcheted up my OCD level after seeing what great setups some of you have. So tool-polishers do have some benefit; motivating others like me, lol. I know that I could never reach the bling-levels of some of you guys who wrench for a living, but seeing it motivates me to keep my own junk more clean and orderly.