What prevents you from buying additional tools?

[FuzzyTiger]

Money and space.

I've been keeping an eye out for a light industrial building to call my own. I'm sure the right building will come along eventually. Until then I have most tools I want and will buy others as the need comes up. Once I have my own place though, I will probably look into stuff like a cnc mill, lathe, and other bigger tools like that.

 

[dnschmidt]

Nothing. I have more than I will ever need but buying tools is a hobby of mine. Why else would I have 50 spray guns?

 

[PoorUB]

My reason for not buying more tools is I have pretty much what I need. I will buy a new tools once in a while, but only because I need it, not to satisfy some tool fetish.

I used to buy tools because I didn't have one! For example I bought a Bosch jig saw. It was on sale and I knew I would need it one day. One day a good friend was visiting and he was snooping through my tools and opened up the Bosch. He looked a bit surprised as it was still unused. He asked if I had just bought it. Nope, I had owned it for a couple years, just didn't run into a situation where I could use it. He got a kick out of the fact that I had bought it and didn't need it. I did fire it up sometime later and I use it once in a while. This summer it got used a bunch as I resided my house and I used it to trim siding to fit around windows and doors.

 

[quickfarms]

I buy tools that I need or will help with projects that planed or in the future.

my recent purchases include flex sockets and ratchets because I recently ran into some issues that they would have helped.

the same is true of the flat top grinder that I just bought

 

[MushCreek]

When I was younger, it was money and space. Now I'm on the back side, slowly winding down, and I have pretty much everything I need. I only buy something if I specifically need it. I really need to start thinning out the stuff I no longer need. Like hot women, though, I still like to look.

 

[f121]

Space, money, having a fairly complete toolkit already, lack of decent snap on offers this year, snap on and Mac vans not showing up much.

There's a handful of specific tools Im after, like the SO brake wrenchs with a open end and union end, but Im not in a rush for them. Everything else gets bought if there's a job I need it for.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Nothing really. Considering most things I have duplicates of my logic is you can never have too many. Like sockets I have over 2000 now but won’t stop buying them ever. The ones I have the most of are standard sizes because before doing mechanic stuff professionally most of what I worked on was SAE like mowers and old cars and tractor trailers. Plus it’s fun to go in and buy individual sockets at the store or any tool for that matter. And when you see a brand you don’t have in your collection you want it so you buy it. Now space yeah I’m low if not out of that. All my loose individual things go in cardboard boxes unless it’s a special tool then it goes in my box if I use it a lot. At least I have home, work, cars and stuff to keep tools at so yeah. And they are all very organized I don’t let anything get messy when it comes to tool organization.

 

[Blind1]

My dad is so excited to pass his tools to his grandkids that it’s palpable.

I have what I need for what I need to do. I’ll pick new things as jobs come along. Otherwise I don’t pick up tools for giggles.

 

[VolvoRyan]

It's always money an space. Which are good things to compete against, as it keeps decisions rational.

Of course, the reason there's money and space issues are because of all the tools I already bought.

-Ryan

 

[rlitman]

I've literally run out of space. I already play garage Tetris.
To get at one thing I have to move 4 other things, of which usually results in something rolling over my toe and knocking something else over.

Amateur. Once you finish a level of garage Tetris (it fills up), you level up to shed Tetris. I've been doing this so long I've reached the boss level of car Tetris.

But seriously, while money and space certainly are constraints, there is a time/money equation that takes precedence when I'm considering buying another tool. Does it save me so much on this job that it's worth it? If so, and if I think I'll never need it again, should I just rent? I own a number of tools that have literally paid for themselves 10x over, and while I may not use them for a number of years, I'll hold onto them if I'm confident that eventually they'll be used again (before they deteriorate to the point of uselessness).

As for space, I have a toolbox at work, and quite a large contingent of tools on "permanent loan" at various locations. My A and B tools stay home, but the overflow of C tools is no longer unbearable.

 

[sparky 1971]

Right now it's because I don't need anything. Honestly, I have so many tools, and in doubles and triples that there really isn't anything I even want, but will impulse buy. For some unknown reason I have been on a hammer binge lately. Last week I bought a Wilton BASH 3lb dead blow hammer because it was "only" $26.00. Then I realized I don't think I have ever used the 3lb Chinese dead blow that has been hanging on the wall for 20+ years. The week before that, it was the Trusty Cook stubby. A couple of months ago, SK steals and deals hit. I bought a 47 oz dead blow ball peen, a 9lb dead blow, and a 5.5lb dead blow sledge. A month before that, it was a Nupla 6lb short handle sledge. All were impulse buys, I will use them, but there is probably never going to be a situation where one of them will be the only thing that will work. I went 50 years without them, I could make it another 50 without them. I opened the tool box, I think I have 18 3/8" drive ratchets alone. All of them are either SK or Mac. 1/2 drive is almost the same way, same with 1/4. I made the decision that there will be no more buying of tools unless absolutely necessary, and I hope I can live up to that. The last thing I had to buy was a new miter saw. The old one wouldn't cut a straight line on the 0 degree mark and the adjustment handle broke off trying to get it set to cut straight. I was only cutting 1X4's for ship lap on my kitchen wall so I didn't "need" the 12" slider, but that's what I bought. I'm sure I was able to justify that somehow even though I loathe woodworking.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Time. The shop I am at is so overbooked with work that I’m rarely home. Any tools I’ve acquired are almost all work related, which I do not consider on the same level as home purchasing. Work I need, home is a combination of needs/wants. I’ve thought about donating or selling a bunch of stuff I may never use anymore and I’m only in my mid-30s.

Money is also a factor. Machinist tools are really expensive and the used market isn’t very great. So my work budget eats into my home budget. I do love buying tools and I’m enjoying trying to minimize the numbers while maximizing their utility.

 

[Fedwrench]

The manufacturers aren't releasing new product that I want or need.

 

[PapasDaLife]

Currently because we are planning on moving, now that we are retired. Possibly across country. So trying not to accumulate any more things.

 

[ozaudio]

i buy things on facebook or carboots i dont have or may not even need at the time because if i ever come across doing something i do need a tool for and im left having to buy say for example a 35mm socket on the fly it could be expensive, but i dont mind paying a £1 for a socket i may or may not use in the future, itll just all be added to my tool collection and should i evr sell up itll all go as a job lot of tools. because i dont do this as a job just a side thing i refuse to pay the prices or new items like snap on for items ill use just a few times a year. but again the cost is so little on boot sales ill pick up an item for £1 or 2 even if i already have 3 of them because i know i can sell it on and make money at some point.

 

[speed bump]

Need and space. I'm at the point where I generally have everything I need so things like triplicate sockets and wrenches don't even register any interest for me. The other stuff I would purchase is all big tools and I'm out of space right now.

 

[finn]

Just don’t need more tools for the most part, although I did buy a replacement scribe, a couple of small chisels, a quality set of drill bits in the past couple of weeks.

About time to start culling and downsize. We spent today going through the shed. You can actually move around in there now. It’s a good feeling. Of course I found the missing scribe.

In fact, I think I will put together a tool set for my 13 year old grandson.....it’s past time.

 

[metaldad]

starting to wind down.
i simply do not need any hand tool.
(can never say i have all), but, multiple sets.
hand held power tools? 8 corded sawzalls enough?
12 corded grinders? i cant count how many drills, enuff?
only thing i dont have, are the larger shop base mounted tools.
no room. and, im not going to try.
spent a ton of $ collecting. attempting to sell off some items.
the response, is discouraging.

 

[patrickw10]

Definitely money lol started a industrial maintenance job recently which put a big dent in my home tools so now I have 2 half empty boxes to fill up.

 

[Indexmill]

Please, let's talk about what to do with our collections BEFORE we die so they don't burden the family and get sold for 5 cents on the dollar.

All of a sudden, you are 60 years old with shitloads of really, really cool tools that really are worth money. But, what the hell to do with them? If you don't have kids or have kids that don't give a **** about tools and fixing things, then what?

I'm thinking that I will start selling **** on eBay and CL/FB/OU when I retire and have time. Sell all of the home project woodworking tools first (cuz no more big home projects), the sell the triples and doubles of hard tools. Might die first...

 

[MushCreek]

I still have all of my work tools from 45 years as a tool maker. Lots of it is very specific to the job, and worthless in my home shop. There's little market for the stuff now that you can buy imported knock-offs so cheap. I'm not sure what to do with the stuff unless I could find a young deserving kid going into the trade. I'd rather give the stuff away rather than sell it for 10 cents on the dollar.

 

[Sneezer]

Money and space. I am not fortunate enough to have a detached shop/barn/workshop. All I have is a 2-car garage with an attached raised work area. I have half of that space with pegboard on the walls, some shelving, and enough room for 2 26" rolling tool towers, and a HF 5 drawer cart tucked into a corner. My boxes are mostly full, slightly disorganized, and the work area is a tetris tower most days. The garage has 2 motorcycles I am working on, and several rolling racks with all our camping gear and some of the larger stationary tools (miter saws, scroll saws etc.

Tons of stuff I would like to still get, and projects/skills I would like to work on, but I just don't have the room. Most of my tools are geared towards DIY auto repair and misc home repair and building projects. Not much else that I need beyond specialty tools these days, and at some point when my son gets out of college and gets settled I'll send most of it to him. I'm 50 now, and figure I have 10 more years of real work left in me in the driveway. By then I figure I'll be at a point where it just doesn't make sense to kick my **** sweating in 100+ degree sun trying to replace shocks or something.

 

[Doylee4693]

i like scoring used in good shape tools.. 99% of those at yard sales are sae combo wrenches and sockets..never found a breaker bar,vice grip,full set of sockets, or anything worth while this whole summer at yard sales. I’m done hunting, my job takes way to much out of me as it is.

 

[Jim C.]

I recently moved, which obviously caused me to pack up my shop. I had been in that house and attached shop for 23 years. It took me three months to pack the shop. Granted, I probably overpacked and bubble wrapped things that didn’t need it, but everything made it to our new house without damage. Anyway, I ended up handling every hand tool, machine, nut, bolt, etc., etc. Duplicates on top of duplicates. I realized that I have way too much. Now in my new shop, I’m going to try to downsize.

Jim C.

 

[bobg03]

Nothing really. Considering most things I have duplicates of my logic is you can never have too many. Like sockets I have over 2000 now but won’t stop buying them ever. The ones I have the most of are standard sizes because before doing mechanic stuff professionally most of what I worked on was SAE like mowers and old cars and tractor trailers. Plus it’s fun to go in and buy individual sockets at the store or any tool for that matter. And when you see a brand you don’t have in your collection you want it so you buy it. Now space yeah I’m low if not out of that. All my loose individual things go in cardboard boxes unless it’s a special tool then it goes in my box if I use it a lot. At least I have home, work, cars and stuff to keep tools at so yeah. And they are all very organized I don’t let anything get messy when it comes to tool organization.

I am not being insulting, so I will apoligize up front...You seem like an intelligent young man...

Stop loaning tools to your coworkers and tell however hires these idiots with no tools that it is not your job to supply them with what they need...

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I am not being insulting, so I will apoligize up front...You seem like an intelligent young man...

Stop loaning tools to your coworkers and tell however hires these idiots with no tools that it is not your job to supply them with what they need...

I finally did put my foot down about it. I’m tired of people using my stuff when I need it. The newest hire went on the Snap-on truck and paid outrageous prices for tons of tools.

 

[autobon7]

Money and space almost equal. Have had a 1 car garage since 2012 and its been a real challenge. And the fact that I dont have a money tree growing in the backyard.

 

[bassJAM]

I only buy tools based on immediate need. I have the space and money but don't see the point in buying new stuff just to stroke my ego.

When I'm gone, if my kids or grand kids (assuming I'll have some) don't want them I wouldn't care if they were all given away. The "investment" I have in tools is the money saved by not paying someone else to do that job, and nearly all of them have paid for themselves already many times over in that regard.

 

[Ton ton]

Money and time. Thankfully space is not an issue for me.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I still have all of my work tools from 45 years as a tool maker. Lots of it is very specific to the job, and worthless in my home shop. There's little market for the stuff now that you can buy imported knock-offs so cheap. I'm not sure what to do with the stuff unless I could find a young deserving kid going into the trade. I'd rather give the stuff away rather than sell it for 10 cents on the dollar.

If I were anywhere near you, I'd be begging to see a toolmaker's collection of 45 years.

 

[p00p]

Keeping others from trying to get me to adopt there projects keeps me from buying unnecessary tools.

 

[M635_Guy]

I'm a little over 50. I bought a bunch of tools when I got my first house in my mid-20's and while I bought some things as I needed them, I went through a long phase where I wasn't really expanding my tools. House/kids/etc. were far more demanding of my money.

Over the last ten years or so, I've been doing a lot more work on the family cars (4) and my tools purchases have grown a fair bit - adding things like impacts, impact sockets, torque wrenches, etc. but also replacing the old **** I bought when I just picked up whatever looked OK at HD/Lowe's. Recently I've been adding quality (replaced my old Craftsman C3 with Milwaukee FUEL, bought some SO ratchets as presents to myself, etc.) and rounding out to a point where I'm not sure what else I'd add - I've got a pretty complete set of tools for the stuff I take on. Oh - and tool storage - I've added a much nicer (though small) chest and gone through three carts in the last few years (USG 2 drawer-->4 drawer-->5 drawer. Amazingly didn't lose any money on the transitions, probably because of the value of being already assembled - lol). I kinda lust for the new USG "full bank" cart, but at $700 I'm just not a player.

I significantly regret spending any money on SAE sockets and wrenches (etc.). Everything SAE I've had for decades mainly takes up space and gathers dust. Whenever we move, all of it is going to be donated.

Anyway, I wouldn't have a goal to have a "complete" set of tools beyond the needs you have today or the near-future.

 

[Bert_]

Just refer back to the cheap thread...

Seriously though I'm not buying stuff unless I have a need or legitimate want.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I recently moved, which obviously caused me to pack up my shop. I had been in that house and attached shop for 23 years. It took me three months to pack the shop. Granted, I probably overpacked and bubble wrapped things that didn’t need it, but everything made it to our new house without damage. Anyway, I ended up handling every hand tool, machine, nut, bolt, etc., etc. Duplicates on top of duplicates. I realized that I have way too much. Now in my new shop, I’m going to try to downsize.

Jim C.

Just did that myself over last winter. Never want to do that again. There were tools and new/used parts, including parts cars, engines, and transmissions. I needed to buy a new chherry picker so that I could load a trailer on one end, and unload on the other without having to bring the thing along every time. I still have half a 4-car garage full of unpacked tools and spares.

I'm much quicker to chuck stuff now.

-Ryan

 

[johnu]

I have to quit watching Koon Trucking. I have too many (all good) purchases lately.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have to quit watching Koon Trucking. I have too many (all good) purchases lately.

Yup. Some Matco stuff started showing up here.

-Ryan

 

[theoldwizard1]

Money
Space
Power (no 240V in the garage)

 

[rayik]

I'm 50 now, and figure I have 10 more years of real work left in me in the driveway. By then I figure I'll be at a point where it just doesn't make sense to kick my **** sweating in 100+ degree sun trying to replace shocks or something.

You got more than 10 years! I'm 60 and finished a 3 month night / weekend project putting in 1600 sq ft of flooring, Going to be changing struts / shocks on our SUV soon. I'm thinking I have at least 10 more years left!