Am I the only one?

[98TJ]

That can't buy tools that aren't part of a set or don't match tools I have?

I was at the flea market today and pawed through the tools that various guys had for sale. Saw some Wright and SK sockets, a 3/8" Japanese flex-head ratchet with rubber handle, and everything else was Craftsman RP or Chinese.

The only thing that I thought about getting was the Japanese flex-head but I didn't because it wouldn't match my other tools.

Am I the only one that does this?

It also bugs me that I have empty slots in my Hansen socket trays - even though I have plenty of sockets and duplicates in several sizes.

 

[Outlawmws]

I like matched sets, however I also have a mad mix of different tools. Some because a particular tool or variant is offered by one company, but not by another, some because that was the way I got them, a bit at a time. I'm far more interested in what I do with the tools, and having a good tool for the job, and the right tool for the job.

I also collect certain tools, not so much to get a complete set, although that is nice when it happens, but because something about the tool attracted me to it.

Edit: ps: I like your sig. I do that all to often when I work on something, always looking to improve whatever it is I work on.

 

[demographic]

Recently I've just been buying tools made in England, not particularly bothered about them being part of a set.

 

[Danglerb]

Interesting tools, good price, buy them and then work at filling in the set.

 

[canuckian]

I'm pretty obsessive about sets but I do often pick up a tool if i like it, it's cheap and if I'm pretty sure I can complete some sort of set involving that tool. Usually, unless I need a particular oddball tool that's not part of any set I have to complete a project, I try to stay within the sets I have. Sad thing is, I usually pick up whatever set that tool is in when I buy it or finish off the set after i have it.

 

[cowboy73]

Doesn't bother me if they match. I picked up this set of 1/2" sockets and it's all a mix of brands. But every size in SAE is covered up to 1"

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[jjjrmx5]

Am I the only one that does this?

It also bugs me that I have empty slots in my Hansen socket trays - even though I have plenty of sockets and duplicates in several sizes.

Yes.
You are the only one.
LOLOLOLOL.

If you are used to buying truck sets or pro sets, then you should only get mad when you loose one.

For std. sets it depends upon mfgr as to what you get and then you need to fill in the rest.

As for Hansen trays, I hate them, as they dictate to me what I need as opposed to what I have or how I use tools and what I need to have.
I don't see pegs for crowfoot sockets yet you buy the odd sizes they list on the pegs just to fill your OCD needs?
C'mon.
It's an organization gimmick and you bought in.

No different than having a CEL light come on to change my oil aka BMW.
Yep, I know my when my oil needs ot be changed thank you. No need to tell me again.

 

[metaldad]

That can't buy tools that aren't part of a set or don't match tools I have?

I was at the flea market today and pawed through the tools that various guys had for sale. Saw some Wright and SK sockets, a 3/8" Japanese flex-head ratchet with rubber handle, and everything else was Craftsman RP or Chinese.

The only thing that I thought about getting was the Japanese flex-head but I didn't because it wouldn't match my other tools.

Am I the only one that does this?

It also bugs me that I have empty slots in my Hansen socket trays - even though I have plenty of sockets and duplicates in several sizes.

not until i stumbled into this forum and sub-forum.

 

[archirelic]

don't worry man, I'm the same way. I've skipped over some really great deals b/c there would be no way for me to complete a set w/o incurring "great debt" to do so, or b/c the manufacturer for some reason doesn't offer a "comprehensive" line of their product.

 

[camarotoolman]

If I got to pay $20.+ for little socket for SO, to finish a set, i guess I don't like sets. I'm not a pro and I'm cheap.

 

[outcast99]

not until i stumbled into this forum and sub-forum.

x2

I have a craftsman box, craftsman tools, and although I am not brand loyal... they don't match the rest of my craftsman lot!

That being said, I do have a bunch of HF stuff still, from previous to buying my loaded CM box for $100

 

[JMorrison4371]

im kinda like that too, i dont like mismatched sets either. guess its an OCD thing

 

[JSBriggs]

The mis-match sets are good for 'road' sets, and it is also a good (and inexpensive) way to gain exposure to other brands.

-Jeff

 

[Larwyn]

As far as I'm concerned the mismatched sets work as well as the matched sets. As long as they get the job done I could not care less whether they are the same brand.

My Craftsman cabinet and chest are filled with a variety of Craftsman, Proto, Indestro, SK, Bonney, Klien, Hozan, etc. Even a couple marked NAPA. In a way having the mix makes it easier to spot the right tool in a jumbled mass at the bottom of a tool cabinet drawer. I've said it before, I'll say it once more, my tool box is a tool box, not a show box.

 

[98TJ]

As far as I'm concerned the mismatched sets work as well as the matched sets. I've said it before, I'll say it once more, my tool box is a tool box, not a show box.

The mis-matched sets DO work just as well, but memory problems dictate that I keep things organized and I tend to get OCD about my organization. I like things neat and organized. In my mind, that generally means consistency amongst like items.

My ratchets are a mix of Craftsman, Snap-On, Kobalt, and a USA-made Master Pro that came from someplace unknown.

jjjrmx5,

Those empty Hansen slots are still empty. I have my limits.

 

[KEH]

I don't REALLY care, but lately I've got together SAE and metric 3/8 drive SO sockets and am thinking of finishing out 1/2 drive, not that I need them. Already had the SO ratchets, no dual 80s though. The most fun I had collecting used tools was to put together a set of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 double line "v" code Craftsman with the appropriate ratchets, including 3/8 double line metric sockets which I didn't know existed.

KEH

 

[metaldad]

im not ocd.
i'm cdo, which is alphabetically correct

 

[JASTECH]

I have mixed sets from when I first started getting tools. Many were free and some traded for my work on cars ect. By the time I reached my early 20's I was hooked on Snap-On tools and was paying every payday to the truck dealer. I like complete sets. I had a whole tray of tools stolen that was on the car to be repaired. It broke my heart, all the SO's tools and SO meters (dwell/tach/load) and timing light. I hate tool theifs! When you make a living with them, it hurts bad!

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I'm the exact opposite, thanks to this forum I used to only buy complete sets, falling victim to marketing and the "more is better" philosophy, thinking the only way to have a "complete" set is to get the one with the most number of sockets in it. After having several complete sets stolen from various vehicles, and spending several years working with a hodgepodge of mostly junk Walmart/HF tools, around 2009 I decided to spend some money and bought a 260 piece Craftsman set. Turns out the higher number only meant I was getting both 6 point and 12 point sockets in the same sizes and drive size, wtf... Anyway, after that the lightbulb clicked on that pretty much all the brands have all the same sizes, and are essentially interchangeable. I started shopping at thrift stores, pawn shops, yard sales, etc. for good quality American-made sockets/ratchets/etc. and assemble mixed sets from them. Right now I've got all my Craftsman stuff in my main box, the mixed set as my truck box, and all the random 12pt stuff from the Craftsman set in the trunk of my daily beater car. All the HF/Walmart stuff went to the junkyard bag, and as I break stuff I'm replacing it with spares from the "duplicate" pile...

 

[mayhemman]

when i buy tools, depending on said tool. i like to buy the set like say i need a couple of torx sizes, well i might just as well get the set because at some point i know i will need some of the others as well.
so i buy the set and may not use but a few sizes but that one time that i didn't have the size i need. then have to go out and buy something else to get the job done was well worth getting all the others.

 

[GoBlue]

The only place where i need matching sets is with wrenches and screwdrivers. Everything else while organized...i could care less. For instance while my sockets all started their lives as Craftsman as they were broken or much more likley lost i replaced them with Snap on or Matco. So my most used sizes are not matching! The 10, 13, 15, and 19 and 21 come to mind!

 

[AltecDarpa]

I buy what ever tool is the best bang for the buck for the job at hand. only thing I wont buy on purpose are made in china tools that don't come with a life-time warranty.

Being in Canada most of my tools are Mastercraft, I buy Canadian or American made when possible but I like to see the tool in person before I buy it, so that limits me to whats available at Canadian Tire or Lee Valley.

 

[geologist]

All of my dad's *good* tools were Craftsman and SK, but he had TONS of miscellaneous unmatched tools as well. He was always tinkering with something on the "farm", so it never really matter, provided the tool did its job.

 

[Ritter4.0]

I actually like mismatched sets. I'd get bored if everything matched. I like all different styles, and just the way different brands are made is cool. Its also nice in a shop where most people only have Craftsman, Snap On, Blue Point, or Matco. I don't think anyone in the shop has heard of New Britain, or even Williams and those are pretty common. Mention Bonney and most would give you a blank stare.

I could probably count at least 6 different brands in just my 3/8's deep sockets.

 

[Stuntmonkey]

Hate it. Always have! My tools have to match haha. Kinda OCD.

I like snap on, but if I'm not using it as much I'll most likely buy a cheaper brand.

 

[BigAl62]

Yes, they HAVE to match or the Earth will spin off of it's axis and life as we know it will cease! OK, maybe it's not that bad, but yes, I have to have matched sets, it drives me nuts if they are not.

 

[crewchief888]

back in my younger days, when i was building my set of work tools, i bought comb wrenches, and sockets in sets. angle wrenches, crowsfeet, line sockets, flare nut wrenches i bought as i needed them.
when i started building a set of tols for home, i bought a lot of CM socket sets, and RP wrenches.
over the years i've added individuals to both sets, i rarely buy a set of anything anymore.