Anyone Else Binge On A Certain Tool Type?

[usdemt]

I get stuck on certain tool types when I am buying. I just got off of a hammer buying binge, now kind of at the end of a punch buying binge. As always I am looking for ratchets. Looking at it, from an outside perspective it is not that bad I dont think because when I am focusing more on hammers I know the prices better and get better deals, then I can forget some of that and go on to the next binge to get good deals in that area. I am still buying other tools in the process but I will search ebay for that type of tool for a short bit, then when I feel like I have a good collection find a new tool to buy up. I think some of it comes from the fact that I have a good collection of tools but I am replacing a lot of the cheaper stuff that I bought when I was young, so buying in bulk like this works where as I dont need to go get 1 of everything because I have something already that works.

Does anyone else do this? What is your tool of choice to buy right now?

 

[perfect]

I like to have complete collections of tools (like, for instance, all the different lengths, bends, and sizes of a box wrench or the like).

So yes, I do like to binge on a certain type of tool to make sure that I have all of my bases covered for that particular tool and it's use. The bad part - as most GJ users know - is that there is an almost infinite amount of variations and differences among a single type of tool that will cause you to spend way more money than you ever intended if you decide to go int that direction (hammers are a good case in point...just think of how many different types of hammers there are - weight, type, compound, material, etc).

 

[archirelic]

For me right now, it's screwdrivers!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I do it too. first it was Snap-on hard handles, then it was ratchets, then it was special sockets and now it's electrical test equipment.

Too many tools, never enough money.

 

[franzdom]

I do this too, right now it's back to SAE (wrenches & sockets) because I had metric as a higher priority but it's pretty much taken care of now. I have been through hammers, punches, screwdrivers & pry tools, ratchets, torque wrenches etc.

 

[timesrgood?]

Vernier calipers and micrometers. I have about 30 different calipers of all sizes, mostly the manual type which I prefer., and about 50 micrometers. High grade ones, no Chinese. I say I can sell them for more than I paid if I need to... Thankfully the interest or binge is over.

One preventer is my daughter says it is all going to be donated...

 

[canuckian]

guilty as charged....first it was the orange Snap On hard handled screwdrivers (regular, ratcheting,. mini, etc). Got pretty much all of them so that's almost past now - almost. Still need cabinet screwdrivers and the insulating composite set. Then it was ratchets, more particularly dual 80's. got pretty much all of them that I want but that binge will never end. Just recently discovered Matco plastic handled ratchets so that's the latest variation on that theme. starting into pliers recently. impulse bought 3 of the same SO sets in different colors (orange, green and yellow) but that works out ok as I now have one set for each box. thinking as well on delving into the NWS plier goodness. I especially like the ergo handled pliers. Bought a set of SO side cutters recently with that kind of handle and fell in love with them. Now i have to buy the gripping version and needle nose version. sockets and wrenches haven't really been a binge thing for me. I just buy sets whenever I see a set i need for a good deal.
So yes, I do binge on tool types,colors and sets. It's kind of an OCD thing with me. I don't feel "right" unless I obtain every piece of a set or tool type that I want/need. One thing I don't buy is a tool that I don't see a personal use for and I try to avoid duplicates (the plier sets so far are the biggest exception to that rule)
i think I may need to seek professional help. I hear Snap On reps provide counseling for just this sort of problem

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Yep, for me it's screwdrivers, standard socket sets, and 1/4 drive ratchets.

 

[0.511MeV]

Right now I've been buying 1000 Volt double insulated tools. I got to thinking about how often I am dealing with high voltage gear (some of my power supplies are 5000 VDC), and decided the little extra peace of mind was worth it.

 

[richfinn]

If I really dislike a particular type of job or struggle with something, I will buy special tools to make it easier (I hate brake jobs and find it repetitive). I also really like T handle drivers so I do tend to buy them when I see any good quality ones.....and LED torches.....
......and magnetic tool racks.

 

[Danglerb]

Pliers, all kinds, shapes, sizes, ages, etc. Set of 3 sizes Knipex Plierwrenches really kicked off the spending, nothing close to that much since, but a steady stream of buying, and a growing itch for some NWS.

 

[Jim C.]

I went on a little Channellock binge about six months ago. That resulted in a cable cutter, a couple V jaw channel pliers, a nipper, and a pair of wire cutting pliers. I was real close to buying a pair of needle nose pliers, but then I snapped out of my "blue handled" stupor and came back to my senses. It all started with the cable cutters. I actually did need those. Everything else was just temporary insanity. Occasionally I'll go on a wrench binge or a socket binge, but not too often. The Channellock binge was probably my worst so far.

Jim C.

 

[michael murder]

Wrenches. Anytime I see a good deal I can't stop myself from buying.

 

[dwm]

I've managed to keep my binge buying under control by maintaining wish lists on my web site, then picking from the list... what I need soon, when something from the list shows up for a great price, etc. I can spend time fiddling around with the list and planning the purchases instead of just emptying my wallet. I always buy something in the middle of each month, and try to keep it within reason. The binging happens in the creation of the lists instead of the actual buying, so instead of having every Wera driver or Snap-On ratchet in my boxes, I have what I need now in my boxes and the rest on my wish list.

 

[wxm]

Misery loves company. It seems to be pretty wide-spread diseases (at least how my wife calls it.)

 

[Weps]

a skid steer binge in 07 nearly destroyed my marriage.

 

[Scout Driver]

3/8" ratchets. And double box-end, offset wrenches.

Scott

 

[billymade]

I just have a problem when I find cheap Snap-On @ the flea; I keep finding screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers cheap.... hard to pass them up. I do have time frames of trying to get "the sets" of certain things and working on getting them... kinda like when you buy or work on a certain car you never noticed before... THEN, you start seeing them ALL over town! It is a "awareness" thing, I guess; once I have "binged" enough in a certain area... I guess my "hunger" is satiated. Then problem is; there is always, "one more thing" I haven't gotten or out of the blue... something will pop up @ the flea... "oh, I need that, too!"; thus the never ending cycle of: desire/"need", acquisition, satiation, and the next desire/"need"..... ad infinitum! But it sure is fun! Oh, yeah.... that reminds me I am missing a Snap-On 3/8" long handled straight ratchet that will complete my 3/8" ratchet collection and then I need to get dual 80s where I have 900 series ratchets, and then my 1/4's, 1/2's are not all dual 80 either.... then....hmmmm..... then... (the mind reels!) LOL!

 

[greasemonkey44]

heh i know exactly what you mean, for a while it was welders, first a flux core, then stick, then mig, then plasma; ive always been into cars but i buy cheap and quality, northern, cman, never really binged on that
ratchets however, ive got 5 3/8 rachets, each has a diff use and purpose
lately its been throwaway tools, lots of nasty plumbing and banging around in the back of a truck stuff, cheap stanley channel locks, screwdrivers, that sort of thing, tons of bit sets;
it all is bought with a specific purpose in mind, and gets used on it; never understood the guys who buy and never use.....how do they even know its worth a damn or not? best purchase lately was a sheffield utility knife for 5 bux stainless and wood

 

[jvitez]

Mea culpa....me too. But that's basically what I do: get interested in something, gear up my OCD tendencies, research, think, investigate, play with, and buy one type of thing till I have all I want or I become less interested, then move on to the next.

I had no idea how deficient I was in tools until I joined GC.

First it was wrenches. Then sockets. Then ratchets. Then screwdrivers. Then toolboxes. Then pliers. Then more screwdrivers. Then even more screwdrivers. I think I've finally sated myself on screwdrivers. Gosh, I'm a sick puppy.........

 

[Borrego]

When I bought my Craftsman 40" ball bearing Griplatch top box, I went on a Craftsman Screwdriver spree. Figured at .50 cents or a buck each, I could afford to do so. Now, with 40 or so screwdrivers in the top drawer, I am getting snobby and working on replacing the regular screwdrivers with the Professional ones.
Also, I am working on a blue "Channel Lock" drawer. Started with a pair of dykes for a buck at a yard sale and now has grown to 6 or 7 pairs of assorted pliers. I prefer the older stamped pliers versus the newer white lettering logo on the handles, but for a buck or two each, I can't complain about price.
Also, in the last year, I have been on the prowl for tool boxes. Mostly rollaways. Buy 'em and flip 'em......Pays for the tools I keep.

 

[c/o say]

Recovering from a ratchet binge moving on to impact sockets. O **** I sill need that 1/2 in drive 88 tooth matco ratchet. Thanks alot.

 

[speed bump]

Yeah it is called Cripe and this was my last order

 

[dwiggins]

Recovering from a ratchet binge moving on to impact sockets. O **** I sill need that 1/2 in drive 88 tooth matco ratchet. Thanks alot.

We have the same strain. I'm about to embark on a serious impact socket bender, and my ratchet drawer is current sporting 4x 1/4 drive, 4x 3/8 drive and 3x 1/2 drive ratchets - all but 3 of those (1 of each size) are "new"

 

[route246]

Let's see. Ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, electrician pliers, levels (I know, I'm weird), squares and small impact drill drivers. Sick, sick, sick!!!

 

[blue dog]

Yep, started with pb swiss madness, And has been out of control ever since.

 

[usdemt]

Haha good I am not the only one at all.

 

[woody 73]

I thought I was the only one! hammers,then files,pliers,screwdrivers,ratchets,vises and now tap& dies.

 

[alex71]

No, not me. especially not grinders. Old pictures--the family has extended a bit since then. Still looking for more 90s. I hate changing attachments mid-job.

 

[thatcoder]

Pliers, all kinds, shapes, sizes, ages, etc. Set of 3 sizes Knipex Plierwrenches really kicked off the spending, nothing close to that much since, but a steady stream of buying, and a growing itch for some NWS.

My last order.

 

[thatcoder]

Currently eyeballing a whole set of wera screwdrivers.

 

[Cisco92]

Screwdrivers. I just got a full wera set. Wiha perciscion sets, bit sets, electrical and Japanese jis screwdrivers from Vessel.

I have a problem.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

We have several people who have become crazy with their vise collections. I've become kinda stupid with torque wrenches.

I've added several since this group photo, including a 1/4" drive 0-80 ounce/inch (thats 5 inch pounds max!) and a 3/8" that is 0-25 lb/in and a 1/4" drive 0-200 lb/inch, all beam type.

Charles

 

[crewchief888]

once or twice a year i go on a binge buy for used tools at a local used tool store.
nothing in particular, mainly 1/2" dr deepwell impact sockets for home use, tool truck brand line wrenches, assorted extensions.

i did go apesh*t back in '94, i replaced/upgraded allmy air tools,
grinders, sanders, die grinders, 3/8" 1/2" & 3/4" dr impacts, air hammer, 3/8" & 1/2" drills.

my checkbook was a lot lighter after that.....

i still have all the original air tools, reserved for home use now..

 

[cowboy73]

I've been buying Ridgid pipe wrenches lately. I don't do much plumbing but I've picked up 4 of them. And chalk lines. I think I have five of them now. I told the wife I want a chalk line for each color of chalk they make.

 

[wxm]

We have several people who have become crazy with their vise collections. I've become kinda stupid with torque wrenches.

I've added several since this group photo, including a 1/4" drive 0-80 ounce/inch (thats 5 inch pounds max!) and a 3/8" that is 0-25 lb/in and a 1/4" drive 0-200 lb/inch, all beam type.

Charles

Love the one in the back.

 

[RivennHewn]

I have about 150+ antique woodworking chisels.

Dating back to circa 1780's.

Here's a few from D R Barton, 1832 > 1850's

 

[davesnothere]

I've been on a 3/4" drive kick, myself. Thinking about 1" drive now, as I have 2 rats and no socks for 'em.

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I'm not sure if I would technically call it a binge, but I'm ALWAYS shopping for SO ratchets and all different makes of zero offset long double box wrenches.

-Mike

 

[punkenduro]

personally, its one of two ways for me as a beginning tech.
1) out tool shopping and finding something i must have, example today i saw the matco guy for the first time in months and got some line locks and body pin removers.
2) if i barrow something at work, i note it in my ipod and try to get it asap so i dont have to barrow it again, right now its a drum mic. and a fuel pressure gauge.