Buying a tool for ONE job then never using it again?

[Snapped-off]

Mostly specialty tools for me. When it comes to hand tools, I always just buy the set rather than the 1 or 2 specific sizes I may need.

VW TDI timing tools - only used once so far, will probably use again.

Clutched alternator pulley removal tool - used it once, hopefully never again.

 

[unslow1]

That's my mindset, too. I asked the auto parts store if they had some tool... and they said they had one I could rent. Turns out the one that the website said they had in stock was the one they had to rent. But I wanted to buy. They said I didn't have to return it, I'd just forfeit my deposit (the cost of the tool). But why would I want to pay full price for a tool that's been used a thousand times?

-Ryan

They also have those tools unused in the back. You can even bring the loaner back and trade it for the new unused one instead of getting your deposit back.

 

[unslow1]

I've done almost the same. Bought a palm nailer when doing floor joists as 1 spot was impossible to swing a hammer in.....

I bought one of those robo hammers to do the same thing. Not even a palm mailer would fit in the spot I was in. It worked well the one time I needed it and have never used it again.

 

[unslow1]

They also have those tools unused in the back. You can even bring the loaner back and trade it for the new unused one instead of getting your deposit back. You have to ask for the new ones. They don't want to hand those out unless you are buying for sure.

 

[JradM]

I've got several specialty items that I've used one or only rarely, purchased for specific tasks. Here's a couple that I at least thought would see more use:

I bought the Gearwrench set of panel removal pliers, haven't used them once.



I picked them up shortly after leaving a auto tech job where, at the time, I didn't have any good options for popping out those plastic rivets and was doing so on a daily basis, usually with just a flat blade. When I saw the set on sale I assumed I had to have them - but now it's been over a year and I haven't had occasion yet (I don't turn wrenches for money anymore). I'm sure they will come in handy eventually though.

Tri-jaw bearing puller:

I've made do without a tool like this numerous times, but eventually picked one up to help me remove bushings and seals from the load bar on a neighbor's John Deere 4020. At least a couple years have gone by and I only just remembered I have it when I went to reorganize my tool box a couple months back.

Inspection camera:


Doesn't this just seem like a useful tool? This was another of me finding a deal on something I assumed would be great of only I owned it. Instead I forget it exists all the time.

 

[doug.j]

I bought a Bosch SDS max rotary hammer to deal with some stubborn tile. It was very effective. It's the kind of tool you'd rather not need but are glad to have. I've bought several items because renting and schedules don't match up. I've bought and sold an engine hoist and tile saw rather than renting but kept a few other tools. I've got many small tools that I bought because I liked them but I never used.

 

[metaldad]

got a bunch of stuff, used once, stored away. i dont like to sell off, because i really dislike having to buy something twice
doug's post above reminded of the engine hoist thats taking up room in the shed. bought it to hoist an electric motor. damn outriggers wouldnt let the hoist get in close enough
i did use it, to move/store the original 318 out of my car. so, used once

 

[four.cycle]

I don't have any regrets about the money I spent buying one tool to do one job that I knew was going to be a one-time thing.
The part about it that makes me wince is remembering how much time I spent running around all over town looking for that one weird tool to do one once-in-a-lifetime job.
I can always get the money back.
Time .... not so much.

 

[quickfarms]

I have many tools that were bought for one project and then not used for years

 

[subroc]

It's a math problem.

If I didn't have the tool could I do the job at all or is it just making the job easier? What would it cost to have someone come in to do the whole job? Could I get someone to do just the part of the job that required the tool and what would that cost? How much time am I saving?

Anyway, $100 an hour adds up fast having someone else do it. The cost of a tool, even an expensive one seems cheap when considering the alternatives.

YMMV.

 

[p00p]

buying a one time use tool is better than making a used one time tool. story of my life.

 

[VolvoRyan]

They also have those tools unused in the back. You can even bring the loaner back and trade it for the new unused one instead of getting your deposit back.

This one store didn't. I asked. I forget what tool I was after was. Good tips to remember for the future, though!

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[unslow1]

This one store didn't. I asked. I forget what tool I was after was. Good tips to remember for the future, though!

Thanks!

-Ryan

They sometimes don't have one in the store and have to get it from the warehouse. I've had them order in a new one so when I returned the loaner I swapped. I did that with a brake kit just last week.

 

[gerryw]

Jeff Bezos has an excellent return policy for this one job issue.

Gerry

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have some specialty diesel tools that I bought for one job and hoped to never use again. And now they're all getting used again. Specialty tools have almost always been worth it to me in time saved or the ability to simply complete the job.

I don't pull wrenches professionally and am working on my own equipment the majority of the time. The only time I'd consider selling or getting rid of a specialty tool would be if the piece of equipment it fit was also being sold. If I worked on equipment professionally I can't imagine I'd ever get rid of tools that I might need again.

I also have plenty of tools that I picked up thinking they looked useful and I'd need them eventually where "eventually" has yet to happen.

 

[ZRX61]

I have a doodad for Ford steering columns that I used on my F350 once or twice. I think it was for removing the ignition, been so long I've forgotten

 

[Forgottonia]

Nearly every tool I own was bought for a specific project. Most I've used again, over and over. But some I'm sure I've never used again. (I can't think of any examples though.)

 

[bwringer]

The only time I'd consider selling or getting rid of a specialty tool would be if the piece of equipment it fit was also being sold.

That's a good point. On the rare occasions I sell a motorcycle or car, all the parts and spares, any model specific tools I bought or cobbled together, and all the manuals and other documentation go with it.

I have quite a few specialty motorcycle tools I've bought or made, but most can be used on many different models so I hang on to those.

 

[four.cycle]

The only time I'd consider selling or getting rid of a specialty tool would be if the piece of equipment it fit was also being sold.

I made that mistake when I sold the Opel and gave the guy all the spare parts, manuals, and those whacky 12-point metric bits you needed to work in the engine compartment.

All fine and well until I needed one of those damn bits again!~

 

[bw77]

I did that recently.

I replaced the front wheel bearings in my 2002 Honda Accord.
These are press-in style.

I bought the Astro front wheel bearing kit, and the Gearwrench slide hammer puller kit.

I used the slide hammer to pull off the hub.

The job went well. I don't expect to use the 2 kits again, but they were only about 75 each.
I don't like to rent tools, even if free.

I enjoyed the experience of doing the job.

One tool I should have bought but did not - a large internal snap ring plier.
I thought about buying the plier after the fact, just in case, but so far I have not.

 

[snickers muncher]

I'm also in "bought the palm nailer at Harbor Freight for one job" club. Yup, overhead between joists. Worked like a champ and never used again.

I have solid brick walls in my house that is then covered with a very hard plaster. I was installing the kitchen cabinets I built and using a regular drill with a masonary bit sucked. I bough the HyperTough hammer drill on sale at Walmart for $10 on clearance. That cheap thing knocked those holes out in no time. Money well spent even if it was only to drill a dozen holes or so.

Don't know if it counts, but I had to buy an odd sized metric die to repair a brake line. Nobody local had it and it would take days to get it. On a whim I stopped at the little Mom and Pop hardware store I like and they actually had two in stock for much less than anyone else. I used it one time and for only a few seconds, but it got the car back on the road.

 

[rsanter]

I look at this a couple ways.

If I buy the tool and the tool will save me more money than the labor to pay for the job then yes I buy the tool.

If I can buy the tool and there is enough market to resell the tool and save money verses paying the labor, then yes I will buy the tool new or used.


Back when I had my shop, if I needed a specific tool the first time and it can be had at Harbor freigh, then I would buy it there. If I used it three times a year and broke it then the next one I would buy a higher quality one

If I can borrow or rent that that’s an option. When it comes to renting some tools, two or three days if rental will buy the tool so then just buy it verses renting

 

[Dutch01]

Price play a definite role in my decision. Deemed too expensive I will either see if I can borrow one, otherwise I will try and make it.

Here is a photo of tools I made for a Mercedes E280 V6 I owned. Tool to lock pulley to remove crank bolt, A tool to keep viscous fan from moving to remove front bolt, a dipstick to measure gearbox oil level and 2 alignment tools for the crank shafts. All only needed once. Car is gone, still have the tools.

 

[Waterjunky]

Yup, have a full selection of tools like this. I can change the timing belt on a Ford SVT focus. They only built about 10k of those heads over three years. The cams and pullies have no timing marks and mate using a tapered compression fitting allowing infinite "adjustment" (otherwise known as infinite ways to get it wrong on a full interference motor). All the alignment tools are still sitting in the top of my box.

 

[FMB4]

Bought a 4x4 F hub nut 'socket' (stamped steel-ish) so long ago that I don't remember why or for what. But about 4 yrs ago it worked perfectly for a plumbing fixture/drain job. Go figure. I'll likely never use it again. But it's staying in my box nonetheless.

 

[johnu]

I purchased a second home and a number of one time tools. When done, I sold them on MarketPlace or Craigslist almost immediately for 1/2 price. Still cheaper then a multiday rental would cost..

 

[VolvoRyan]

Getting a little "meta": then there are the big wrenches that have no other use other than to drive those vehicle special tools . I have 30mm and 36mm combo wrenches to run some on-vehicle bushing-swapper tools.

-Ryan

 

[ste6168]

I have to agree with some of the others, I am sure that I own tools that I have never used. LOL

See a good deal, buy. See something that seems like it could one day be useful, buy. See something thats an upgrade/nicer tool than the one I already own, buy.

I like tools, tools make me money, tools also cost me money, tools in and of themselves are a hobby for me.