Tools you long for but can't justify

[Odd-job]

A skid steer, tractor, and bulldozer for my half acre.

also have been fantasizing about a lift. Realistically would use it a few times a year.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Mini ductor

If you make a living fixing things, go ahead and buy this. Worth it. I have the bolt buster 2.

Whatever scanner Danner has

The Verus? I have most of his stuff anyways. Aeswave is on hyper-infinite-supreme back order for the u-activate. I do want one of those.



I'd like to buy the tekton sae 30/60 angle wrench set. I dont have a ton of room for it, not do I really need it. But, rarely, it would be nice. I'd like a nicer computer for my pico, but I'll probably take my ebay toughbook to a computer shop and have them boost up the performance. I'm pretty ignorant as how to "tune" a laptop. I'd like a Triton, my solus does fine though. Basically I want to graph more pids, and I'd like wireless. But I dont want the windows operating system, I want the fast booting tablet software. Yeah, protapower and plasma cutter would be choice. But they're certainly not a need.


What I'd really enjoy is a rash of Triton exhaust manifolds. Or dodge, I just enjoy the process and they pay well.

 

[Mallen]

Someone may be able to give you a radial arm saw for a low cost or free.

Yea, I have seen several in the free section of Craig's list.

 

[Ton ton]

Yea, I have seen several in the free section of Craig's list.

Awesome news.

 

[Mallen]

If you make a living fixing things, go ahead and buy this. Worth it. I have the bolt buster 2.



The Verus? I have most of his stuff anyways. Aeswave is on hyper-infinite-supreme back order for the u-activate. I do want one of those.



I'd like to buy the tekton sae 30/60 angle wrench set. I dont have a ton of room for it, not do I really need it. But, rarely, it would be nice. I'd like a nicer computer for my pico, but I'll probably take my ebay toughbook to a computer shop and have them boost up the performance. I'm pretty ignorant as how to "tune" a laptop. I'd like a Triton, my solus does fine though. Basically I want to graph more pids, and I'd like wireless. But I dont want the windows operating system, I want the fast booting tablet software. Yeah, protapower and plasma cutter would be choice. But they're certainly not a need.


What I'd really enjoy is a rash of Triton exhaust manifolds. Or dodge, I just enjoy the process and they pay well.

All you can do is max out the ram and install a faster larger hard drive. It helps but that's about it. On some older ones you could sometimes swap the cpu to the best that came in that model. Like if yours had a core I3 and it could come with a core i7, you could upgrade to that. I think the 3rd generation or 4th generation core i3,i5 and i7 laptop chips were the last you could do that with. Even then sometimes you could and sometimes not depending on the particulars even if it would fit it might or might not work. It was never an officially supported upgrade and most shops won't do it for you because it's a lot of guess work whether it will even work. Now they are all soldered down. It helps control signal integrity and reduce size. RAM is often soldered too and thus can't be upgraded on those models. (without significant risk and crazy skills and the right tools...always the right tools)

 

[WNYflyer]

JLG boom lift.

 

[CoogarXR]

A super-nice soldering station. I want a regulated iron, a hot air gun, and a desoldering station.

Problem is, I'm old-school, and I've been working with my old irons, bulbs, suckers and wicks so long, I'm used to them. I can even do halfway-decent SMD work with them. I've never run into a job where I HAD to have the newer stuff. I want it, but I just can't seem to justify buying it. I know it would save me time, but I don't really need it...

Plus there are SO MANY brands and stations out there with 50/50 love/hate reviews. I just get analysis-paralysis and give up.

 

[FMB4]

I can't 'justify' many of the duplicate and, in some cases, triplicate US made hand tools that I have (most are 'vintage'). Collecting tools is one of my retirement 'hobbies'. I say 'collect' while my wife says I'm hoarder.

 

[Mallen]

A super-nice soldering station. I want a regulated iron, a hot air gun, and a desoldering station.

Problem is, I'm old-school, and I've been working with my old irons, bulbs, suckers and wicks so long, I'm used to them. I can even do halfway-decent SMD work with them. I've never run into a job where I HAD to have the newer stuff. I want it, but I just can't seem to justify buying it. I know it would save me time, but I don't really need it...

Plus there are SO MANY brands and stations out there with 50/50 love/hate reviews. I just get analysis-paralysis and give up.

Hakko irons are really good. The clones range from really good to unusable to dangerous.

 

[engineer2]

Upgrade my cordless tool to the latest models.
MIG and TIG welders
New set of golf clubs (they ARE tools, right?)
A decent thermal imager
A high-quality digital torque wrench

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Mini ductor

Thanks for that! I checked it out and decided I had to have one, just ordered the Venom HP. We use Loctite 271 on some parts and on occasion need to take them apart...this will be the ticket.

 

[Mallen]

A thermal imager would be a very useful thing. I think that had to go at the top. On day I might get one.

 

[White Shadow]

Hunter Road Force Tire Balancer. Oh, and of course a tire changing machine too. I'd love to have one of each, but not spending $50K to be able to swap out and balance my own tires every couple of years.

 

[jar944]

A telehandler. I would mind a 35' lift either.

 

[jar944]

A thermal imager would be a very useful thing. I think that had to go at the top. On day I might get one.

Phone versions are relatively cheap

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ smart. Use the imager on your good-boy to find the best petting areas.

 

[KSJeff]

Mag Drill
Tractor w/bucket and forks
Nice MIG system

 

[Kent_B]

3/4" drive SAE set. I don't own anything with fasteners big enough to warrant one. Nonetheless.......

 

[thr3squared]

Snap on Epiq with Hutch

Water-cooled Miller TIG machine

CNC Plasma cutter

 

[ive]

Racoon gas chamber

 

[vavet]

Plasma cutter
welder
vertical mill
lathe
some sort of small utility tractor
gantry hoist
10 foot bending brake
MRI machine
powder coating rig & oven

 

[zmotorsports]

I just thought of something that I would love to have but cannot justify nor have room to store. A front end loader to remove snow from my property's concrete. Blowing it 28 inches at a time *****.

 

[rattle_snake]

CNC plasma table.
Modern TIG machine to replace giant dinosaur.
48" brake/shear.
Motorcycle lift/table.
Decent trans jack for lift use.
Joiner.
engine dyno
V-8 powered riding lawn mower?

 

[brownbagg]

i want a ten foot sheetmetal bender, not the trim bender but the big heavy one

 

[Walkers]

I thought this would be a fun thread. I'll start it off with a couple of mine:
https://www.mrmtool.com/Nitto-Kohki-HS11-1624-Portable-Hydraulic-Punch_p_205.html This punch with the necessary hydraulic pump will run a cool $7k.

https://www.csunitec.com/saws/chain...s/4-hp-pneumatic-industrialutility-chain-saws There are way better chain saws for everything I saw, but this one is just so cool...

Sent you a pm

 

[M635_Guy]

I'd love to have a two-post lift in my garage. Aside from the fact that I think my garage is slightly too narrow for it, I'd have to remove/re-architect the loft storage I've built on that side, I doubt my pad is anything close to ready and it would be too much $$$ especially once I replaced the garage door(s). I used all of that to justify the QuickJack though

I'd like to have a drill press, but I have no space and a very rare need for one at this point.

OTC strut tamer

LoL - this too. I can't justify it at all for the home garage, but have found this gizmo pretty good (they're even cheaper now):

It looks so much older now

 

[BFHtime]

a big giant stinking crane like 2000 ft.

 

[LXCam]

a big giant stinking crane like 2000 ft.

Bet strouty has an extra laying in his yard. He’s not happy unless he’s got six of something and five of them need work.

 

[Ronson25]

A good set of screw drivers i bought snappy instincts 10yrs ago and I hate the way they feel. Wont spend that kind of money again. I see german sets from between 40-80 and i still use my mixed variety of drivers.

 

[Ton ton]

3/4" drive SAE set. I don't own anything with fasteners big enough to warrant one. Nonetheless.......

They're awesome if you find one with a smooth ratchet.

 

[TJMtl]

Mini ductor

I have a bolt buster, works great!

 

[MushCreek]

I've just about reached the tipping point where I realize that I'm getting too old to lust after tools (or women, for that matter). I designed my shop for a two post lift, but I doubt it would get much use. I'm still looking around for a better lathe than the one I have now. When I consider how much use a new tool will get, the list is pretty short. I might consider an M18 OMT to replace the POS HF one I use now. I've always wanted a jointer, but can't really justify the space it would take up.

I have pretty much have everything I need to tackle just about anything.

 

[Blind1]

I have to internalize that I’d be better off with a tool cart and secure cabinet rather than a big tool box.

Most folks probably would - but the Jones’ are competitive people.

 

[JradM]

#1 - A big high-quality tool chest

I don't use my tools for work (anymore), so I can't justify the expense of dropping a couple thousand dollars on a tool chest. All it does is give my tools somewhere to lie down at night right?

Instead I distribute my tools between a 46" Husky mobile workbench, a 27" Husky top box I mounted to a cart and a 27" Waterloo tool chest combo - and then my shelves and work benches. My tools don't all fit, which means I have made a hobby of perpetually re-organizing things. I just feel life would be simpler if I had more space - but when deciding between money for a box and money for new tools, I always seem to choose the latter.

#2 - A metal lathe

Even just a mini? I just think it would be neat! But then I know I'd want a mill...

#3 - A welding torch

I've got a little mig that gets me by, but I could do more dammit!

#4 - Bigger versions of all my shop tools?

I feel like I have the basics covered, a drill press, bench grinder, wood lathe, bandsaw, polisher, etc... but wouldn't it be nice to have more capable versions of all of them?

 

[Ign]

The M18 mag drill and the Mastercool crimping set. The latter is likely going to be a purchase in the next couple years

 

[M635_Guy]

I have to internalize that I’d be better off with a tool cart and secure cabinet rather than a big tool box.

Most folks probably would - but the Jones’ are competitive people.

I have two small cabinets (the newer 29" USG replaced an old, smaller Seville that is now the residence for household tools that may wife and spawn can use) and a cart that has seen a series of upgrades from a USG 2-drawer I got for free from a friend to a 4-drawer, 5 drawer and tomorrow the new USG "Full Bank" cart. Other than growing my tool collection beyond the capacity of the cart, that system works great for me. I don't really think of the Seville as "my" cabinet, but the other two are fantastic in terms of using the space I have and being where I want the tools. Anyone who comes in my garage and furrows a brow can kiss my ***...

 

[M635_Guy]

#2 - A metal lathe

Even just a mini? I just think it would be neat! But then I know I'd want a mill...

Slippery slope is very slippery... (then you'd want to upgrade for better tooling/jaws/etc.).

I have to say I was really surprised how small/modest the setup the guys that are doing Project Binky have for the fairly significant fabrication they've done on that car. (if you're not familiar with what I'm talking about I'll warn you it's a pretty addictive YouTube channel where they're taking a 90's Celica AWD rally drivetrain and fitting it into a vintage Mini shell with the rule that they can't lengthen the car and features a ton of fabrication for brackets and all sorts of stuff. They essentially re-make and redesign the car to a high spec. Fantastic, fun and time-consuming. Absolutely worth it, especially since they're 95% done now...)

 

[californiamilleghia]

I need to make scrap metal quicker !

So a Yoder powerhammer , ERCO flanger , and a Pullmax type machine !

 

[kidrubicon]

Let the imagination go wild, and hope my wife can see this post before Christmas: a Snap-on techangle 3/8" digital torque wrench, a set of Knipex long reach needle pliers, a Matco or Snap-on roll cart, an Autel MS-906/906-pro scanner. Maybe also a 2-post lift?

 

[fsae0607]

Computerized spin balancer. I could make the room, but can't justify the expense to balance my tires a few times a year. I do just fine with my bubble balancer.

I did, however invest in a manual euro tire machine (Redline TC-500M). It makes tire changing a joy. I figured flat tires can come up anytime, so I can bust out a flat repair in an hour on an evening when tire shops are closed and be back in business for the next day.