Philpug
Well-known member
Was it worth it? Do you keep it? Pay it forward?
Buying a tool for ONE job then never using it again?
- Thread starter Philpug
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Negen
Well-known member
Keep until I need again or someone else needs or I need to make room for other tools and sell it.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Tools like that I tend to borrow from the parts store. It's free, you just leave a deposit that you get back when you return the tool.
Packard V8
Well-known member
I've got a high-buck (current retail $237) OTC strut compressor. Used it one time.
jack vines
jack vines
hell...I've bought some tools that I've never even used it once. Thought it would a a good idea to have it on hand. lol.
a few that comes to mind. Doweling Jig, digital protractor, 1/2" SAE deep impact sockets, 4 piston caliper spreader (sold my car before I got around to changing the pads).
a few that comes to mind. Doweling Jig, digital protractor, 1/2" SAE deep impact sockets, 4 piston caliper spreader (sold my car before I got around to changing the pads).
They don't have that kind at the parts store - at least as far as I could find. They have the crappy, dangerous claw-type I absolutely wanted to avoid. Before you tell me how many times you've used them without problems, I saw enough videos where things went bad with those things and enough stories from my wrenchy and pro-wrench buddies that they hated/distrusted the claws that made me glad to spend the money on my compressor. It's beefy, it's easy and it's eons safer than the claws and for $120 at the time (and less now) I was happy to spend the coin.
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G1GRANDEUR
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- Aug 22, 2009
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- 2,094
Handyandy23
Well-known member
There's not many tools I look at this way, but drywall hoist is one. I bought one from Princes Auto for $300, used it for my (hopefully) one drywall job, and then sold if for $200.
I usually keep everything I buy because I feel like a use or job always pops up where you need it again eventually. But the hoist takes up so much room, not worth finding a place to store it IMO.
I usually keep everything I buy because I feel like a use or job always pops up where you need it again eventually. But the hoist takes up so much room, not worth finding a place to store it IMO.
Kaervak
Well-known member
So far, just my power steering pump pulley puller. Used it once to rebuild my PS pump and that's it. Can't complain though, the cost of the tool and the rebuild kit was way less than half a remaned pump.
Same here and every once in a while they really save the day and make me glad that I have them.
I've got a high-buck (current retail $237) OTC strut compressor. Used it one time.
jack vines
I have that exact same unit. Also only used it once (so far).
didit
Well-known member
-Harley Davidson cam tools and wheel bearing tools used only once, just taking up space, having sold my last bike.
-4 wheel drive ball joint service kit, used once. Some heavy duty pullers
-Concrete impact hammer
-Heavy duty concrete hammer drill with dozens of new bits.
A quick look around would turn up quite a few "used one time" tools as well as several tools that were made or improvised for a one time job. I just tend to keep them for whatever reason. After I can't remember what they were for, I toss them or store them out of sight somewhere.
-4 wheel drive ball joint service kit, used once. Some heavy duty pullers
-Concrete impact hammer
-Heavy duty concrete hammer drill with dozens of new bits.
A quick look around would turn up quite a few "used one time" tools as well as several tools that were made or improvised for a one time job. I just tend to keep them for whatever reason. After I can't remember what they were for, I toss them or store them out of sight somewhere.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
At least 50% of the tools I own fit that description. I like tools. Don't really care if they do anything useful. I just like tools.
txvwnut
Well-known member
Crankshaft pulley removing tool for dodge shadows with a 2.5L. It was originally purchased as the dealer would not warranty the front crank seal unless mom paid a $100 deductible. The tool cost me a $100 but it was the principle. It actually got used more than once on moms car as she drove that thing for 20 years.
Me too. I bought a large Knipex circlip plier about 3 years ago, just because it was so cheap (warehouse deal, $15.75).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E625ZW/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used it for the first time today...
I bought a 15mm cone wrench to do the swaybar links on a BMW E46, haven't used it since.
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Yep - How many people own a Bosch Brute electric jack hammer?
Bought it from Amazon in 2006 for $1,300
That was right after I fired a contractor who left me with a real mess in my backyard. Have you ever tried to hire a contractor to come in and pick up/take over from another contractor who did terrible work? It ain't going to happen.
I ended up breaking up and hauling off about 20 tons of concrete/dirt/debris. Took my time, worked on it when I could (full time job at the time) and finally got everything back to square one - fresh clean, leveled dirt. I don't really like renting. I ended up subbing out what I was going to pay him to do, and in the long run it turned out great and we saved a ton of money. I have lent it out from time to time, but it's still in great shape
Bought it from Amazon in 2006 for $1,300
That was right after I fired a contractor who left me with a real mess in my backyard. Have you ever tried to hire a contractor to come in and pick up/take over from another contractor who did terrible work? It ain't going to happen. I ended up breaking up and hauling off about 20 tons of concrete/dirt/debris. Took my time, worked on it when I could (full time job at the time) and finally got everything back to square one - fresh clean, leveled dirt. I don't really like renting. I ended up subbing out what I was going to pay him to do, and in the long run it turned out great and we saved a ton of money. I have lent it out from time to time, but it's still in great shape
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matt_i
Well-known member
You guys are doing it wrong: you have to take on future projects that match the "lightly used" tools 
I have a drawer of "special tools" which are made for specific things like removing the endcaps from forklift cylinders, or made some tools for pressing ball joints. I'm not planning on doing those jobs ever again but the tools have too much work in them to toss or cut up. At least I started marking their function in paint marker for future salivating industrial archaeologists for when they discover this place lol.
I have a drawer of "special tools" which are made for specific things like removing the endcaps from forklift cylinders, or made some tools for pressing ball joints. I'm not planning on doing those jobs ever again but the tools have too much work in them to toss or cut up. At least I started marking their function in paint marker for future salivating industrial archaeologists for when they discover this place lol.
MushCreek
Well-known member
I bought a flooring nailer from HF to do the floor in our house. It was the first (and last) wood floor I've ever done. It was certainly worth the $100. Reminds me; I should sell that thing. The same goes for a lot of tools I bought to build the house. I'm getting too old to build houses.
Magic-Matt
Member
The one I distinctly remember only getting used once was a cylinder compression tester as I thought my head gasket was on the way out. I did sell it as I understand they go out of calibration with age etc.
Higgins
Well-known member
Yep - How many people own a Bosch Brute electric jack hammer?
Bought it from Amazon in 2006 for $1,300
I ended up breaking up and hauling off about 20 tons of concrete/dirt/debris. Took my time, worked on it when I could (full time job at the time) and finally got everything back to square one - fresh clean, leveled dirt. I don't really like renting. I ended up subbing out what I was going to pay him to do, and in the long run it turned out great and we saved a ton of money. I have lent it out from time to time, but it's still in great shape
We had a similar problem yrs ago ................ So after months passing, went to the local rental company and started renting equipment. After a few months bumped into a contractor at the rental co. and asked him a few questions. The rest is history. Didn't tell him about the other conreactor, and the job was taking me just too long. He had all the toys, had the job done in 2 days!!!
Ton ton
Well-known member
We got a really good rental house to deal with, not going to talk about the tools that nobody uses.
The last time I used my compression tester it told me that I had no compression in....any cylinder. Which, unfortunately, was accurate. I've used mine a few times and it's a very handy thing to have when your friends are prone to modifying cars
I bought a Ridgid palm nailer (substantially more than $12) thinking it would be helpful in a few places to build my deck. What I didn't realize is that it would be the best tool possible to quickly toe nail 48 joists (outside of finding 16d 30 degree collated galvanized nails, which I haven't yet). Love that little guy to death, worth every penny
Unfortunately my welder falls into this category. I got it years ago in preparation for a large project that fell apart on me. I lent it to a friend who got some use out of it then bought his own setup, and when I used it at my house last year to fab some engine mounts it kept popping the breaker after a few seconds of use. I got as far as tacking them and having said friend finish the job.
I want to do welding projects but need to do some electrical work to even consider it
I want to do welding projects but need to do some electrical work to even consider it
I'm a professional and still have alot of tools that fall into that category. Maybe not so much used only once but tons of stuff that's only been used a handful of times.
I try to buy the speciality stuff when I've got a job big enough to justify it and absorb the cost. That's how I've ended up with all my concrete core bits, 2 9/16 SDS Max drill and most of my speciality flooring tools.
Addressing some of the comments above. A palm nailer is a life saver when you need one and cheap enough theres no excuse to not have one. Even a small decks worth of joist hangers will pay for the investment.
I cant imagine not having a jackhammer and concrete saw and I do very little concrete work. But when you need it nothing else will do. And theres always random small projects that while you can make do with a sledge hammer. Simply owning the correct tool turns a backbreaking half day into an easy 15 minutes
.
I've found if you own the tool you'll find jobs to use it on
I try to buy the speciality stuff when I've got a job big enough to justify it and absorb the cost. That's how I've ended up with all my concrete core bits, 2 9/16 SDS Max drill and most of my speciality flooring tools.
Addressing some of the comments above. A palm nailer is a life saver when you need one and cheap enough theres no excuse to not have one. Even a small decks worth of joist hangers will pay for the investment.
I cant imagine not having a jackhammer and concrete saw and I do very little concrete work. But when you need it nothing else will do. And theres always random small projects that while you can make do with a sledge hammer. Simply owning the correct tool turns a backbreaking half day into an easy 15 minutes
.
I've found if you own the tool you'll find jobs to use it on
I will normally keep them indefinitely, but sometimes they will get in the way, or maybe I don't have the car anymore or whatever, and I will sell them.
The only one-time use tool I am actually planning on selling is the drywall hoist that I have sitting in my garage right now. I had half of the ceiling collapse in the garage, and after I am done, I don't want to do anymore drywall again! I bought it used for one job and plan on selling it to someone else for their one job. lol
The only one-time use tool I am actually planning on selling is the drywall hoist that I have sitting in my garage right now. I had half of the ceiling collapse in the garage, and after I am done, I don't want to do anymore drywall again! I bought it used for one job and plan on selling it to someone else for their one job. lol
engineer2
Well-known member
Mostly little stuff:
HF dual suction cups - for removing a large bathroom mirror.
PEX tools - basement floor heat was done 7 years ago.
RG-6 connector crimping tool - house is all wired up
Ethernet cable testing tool - found the bad cable
HF fiberglass fish tape - used for one difficult pull.
Dado blade for my table saw - not building much furniture anymore
3-1/4" and 4-1/4" hole saws - kitchen is done
Bostitch palm nailer - used for sistering a few joists. Don't even know where I put it.
HF dual suction cups - for removing a large bathroom mirror.
PEX tools - basement floor heat was done 7 years ago.
RG-6 connector crimping tool - house is all wired up
Ethernet cable testing tool - found the bad cable
HF fiberglass fish tape - used for one difficult pull.
Dado blade for my table saw - not building much furniture anymore
3-1/4" and 4-1/4" hole saws - kitchen is done
Bostitch palm nailer - used for sistering a few joists. Don't even know where I put it.
Those HF suction cups are strong. I parked next to my Grandfather's truck this past weekend and noticed he had a large dent in the door. When I was grabbing some paint out of my trunk I noticed the suction cup in there and pulled about half that dent out.
bsaint
Well-known member
I have a whole drawer of one off tools from bmw and rotunda i dont even own a ford or bmw anymore.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That reminds me, I have an OEM BMW tappet compressor tool for the S14/S38 engine's valve adjustment.
Wasn't cheap and I'm not sure where it is...
Al Borland
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- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,598
Drywall holder-upper. Used a couple times, but has sat 15+ years.
5 gallon compresser - Rather use the big one.
Robeson? Robinson? Goofy square tapered screwdrivers.
Crowsfoot sockets {do use the line wrench versions.)
And finally, the most useless tool i ever bought - 1/4" breaker bar. Buck and change at sears when they were closing/clearing out. Never used. Bought for comic value and to keep the other breaker bars company.
5 gallon compresser - Rather use the big one.
Robeson? Robinson? Goofy square tapered screwdrivers.
Crowsfoot sockets {do use the line wrench versions.)
And finally, the most useless tool i ever bought - 1/4" breaker bar. Buck and change at sears when they were closing/clearing out. Never used. Bought for comic value and to keep the other breaker bars company.
That reminds me, I have an OEM BMW tappet compressor tool for the S14/S38 engine's valve adjustment.
Wasn't cheap and I'm not sure where it is...
Oh please find it. I know some folks who could use it...
That reminds me that we had a kit in the M6/M635 crew that was used to get the crank hub off (if you were doing timing chain rails/tensioners, doing a dual-row conversion on M88, etc.) that was sent around. Not sure where it is at the moment, though I'm not the one who "manages" it. Definitely a one-time tool if you're lucky...
MrSurly
Well-known member
1. My single foray into furniture building led me to buy a Porter-Cable Biscuit joiner. Never used it again. I did loan it to a buddy for a day, so it has done two jobs. I'm pretty sure that was fifteen years back that I built the crib. I still have the tool in its carry case. Sweet machine.
2. To build my 30x40x14 pole barn shop I bought a new Hitachi (air) framing nailer. Great machine, what a work saver! No other use for it, within a year I traded it away for.... dang, I can't recall just now what the trade was(!)
3. After the shop was mostly done, I desperately needed to do dirt work and bring in and spread crushed concrete. I would take a long time with my work schedule and winter darkness so renting was out of the question. I bought a used Kubota BX1850 compact tractor with four wheel drive and a junk box blade for I think 3600 bucks. I worked on the blade for a few days, commenced using the **** out of the little jewel over a couple of months for drive building and various things. I only have a half acre lot in town and most of that is now building(s) so, come spring time (in order to make an easier sale) I bought a used 4' finish mower for it, then sold the whole rig for $6500.
That was by far my best one-job-tool buy.
2. To build my 30x40x14 pole barn shop I bought a new Hitachi (air) framing nailer. Great machine, what a work saver! No other use for it, within a year I traded it away for.... dang, I can't recall just now what the trade was(!)
3. After the shop was mostly done, I desperately needed to do dirt work and bring in and spread crushed concrete. I would take a long time with my work schedule and winter darkness so renting was out of the question. I bought a used Kubota BX1850 compact tractor with four wheel drive and a junk box blade for I think 3600 bucks. I worked on the blade for a few days, commenced using the **** out of the little jewel over a couple of months for drive building and various things. I only have a half acre lot in town and most of that is now building(s) so, come spring time (in order to make an easier sale) I bought a used 4' finish mower for it, then sold the whole rig for $6500.
That was by far my best one-job-tool buy.