Buying Tools Hindsight
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cvairwerks
Well-known member
Buy the best quality that you can afford the first time, when you have to depend on the particular tool. Buying cheap because it's cheap to replace when it fails is false economy.
woody 73
Well-known member
I wish I had bought tons of old made Porter cable tools during their well-made years. But alas money was tight, and I bought lessor made tools from other companies; in hindsight all those tools died a long time ago and all the PC would still be going strong today.
Again, buy the best you can and cry big the first time and the rewards will come.
Again, buy the best you can and cry big the first time and the rewards will come.
joendoodle
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- Aug 24, 2017
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I did the brakes on my car today, and it reminded me of this story....
A couple of years ago I was doing the brakes on my car, decided to do it right I needed to buy a Disc Brake Pad and Caliper Service Tool Kit (to rotate the caliper piston while compressing it), so I bought the kit.. using it it seemed so familiar.. when I was done I was putting the NEW kit away, as I put it in my toolbox drawer labeled "BRAKE TOOLS" I put it next to the (same) kit I bought about 10 years earlier, now my son has a 'slightly used' kit.
A couple of years ago I was doing the brakes on my car, decided to do it right I needed to buy a Disc Brake Pad and Caliper Service Tool Kit (to rotate the caliper piston while compressing it), so I bought the kit.. using it it seemed so familiar.. when I was done I was putting the NEW kit away, as I put it in my toolbox drawer labeled "BRAKE TOOLS" I put it next to the (same) kit I bought about 10 years earlier, now my son has a 'slightly used' kit.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Avoid buying crescent brand linesman pliers. They have an excessive amount of slop. I fell for their gimmicky marketing. I'm not trying to preach, just talking to myself. Yes, I found them @ a local lumberyard and they are made in China.
joendoodle
Active member
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- Aug 24, 2017
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Story time.. about 35 years ago I bought my (3 or 4 YO) son a cheap $4 socket set.. he took pride in it and took care of it.. Just like Dad he cleaned his tools after we used them together, and put them away. For his 5th Birthday I bought him a Craftsman $100 +or- socket set in one of those handy blow molded cases..... my wife asked are you really buying a 5YO a real toolset?..
YUP..
He is almost 40 now still has the original Craftsman set that he still uses and cares for, and just like Dad he has had to replace a few ratchets..
morale of the story, start 'em young with using and respecting good tools.. they will last a lifetime and the skills they acquire will serve them well and keep them in the top 1% of people in the world.
YUP..
He is almost 40 now still has the original Craftsman set that he still uses and cares for, and just like Dad he has had to replace a few ratchets..
morale of the story, start 'em young with using and respecting good tools.. they will last a lifetime and the skills they acquire will serve them well and keep them in the top 1% of people in the world.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I would have bought fewer specialty ratchets, just normal and extra long lengths. I don't use rotos, weird shapes, etc much at all. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Buying my proto deep 12 point 1/2 sockets. Too thick, should have bought Williams USA or Snap on.
I also should have just bought snap-on picks, rather than my mismatch sets. I've broken enough snap-on would've been cheaper. Too many brands, especially in long pattern, use screw-in shanks which are useless.
Trying to use crappy soldering irons, just buy a Hakko and move on. With a good iron, soldering is easy.
Harbor freight really got me going when I started, but their wrenches are mostly a no-go. I spend "too much" money on incomplete wrench sets, crummy ratcheting wrenches, etc. The basic long pattern set was okay once I filled in the skips. And all the junk hardly got used, and ended up needing replaced anyway.
Continuing on HF, don't buy their drill bits. Don't buy anything that isn't premium. It just isn't worth it, you just suffer endlessly.
No knipex needle nose, I'm too abusive and they flex too much. Snap on, just buy those.
Gearwrench. I spent too much time with gear wrench. Too much in their catalog is mediocre in todays market. It was more competitive ~7 years ago when I spent more money with them, but still. Not enough gems, just buy the XL ratcheting wrenches and move on.
Stubby ratcheting wrenches - rarely useful. Yeah, I use them, but not a ton. IMO cheaper options work fine because they're basically nut spinners.
Have a thread chaser, and tap/die kit, which covers as much as you possibly can. Too much time is wasted on hardware issues. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Replace your Knipex cobras more often. A new pair shouldn't be a revelation of improved functionality.
I spent too much time trying to "organize" without spending money or organization tools/products. I recently re-did my wrench drawer and it was astounding. Sockets I keep pretty dense, but you can waste a lot of time, mental effort, and space trying to cheap out. Either pay to maximize the space, or live with it.
Don't buy scan tools with cords, spring for bluetooth. The only exception is snap-on since you can only get wireless on the top platform.
On the snap on trend, look for a used top end model, rather than buying new. Unless you're buying a base-model solus, if you wait around you can get current software Zeus scanners for less than a triton, usually around the Apollo price.
Buy tools to make life easier. Repetitive tasks wear your body down, comfortable tools and wear reducing tools add useful life to your body, and improve work output per energy expended. This is true for long ratchets, low vibration rotary tools, even stuff that just keeps your blood pressure down from annoyance. It's worth it. Put your body first.
Finally - CONTROL YOURSELF ON HJE DAY. I got plenty of good deals, but I've got $100+ worth of stuff I don't really use and don't foresee using anytime soon. Like gasket scrapers. Boy I got gaskets scrapers like you don't even know. And I use the same 3, every single time.
Buying my proto deep 12 point 1/2 sockets. Too thick, should have bought Williams USA or Snap on.
I also should have just bought snap-on picks, rather than my mismatch sets. I've broken enough snap-on would've been cheaper. Too many brands, especially in long pattern, use screw-in shanks which are useless.
Trying to use crappy soldering irons, just buy a Hakko and move on. With a good iron, soldering is easy.
Harbor freight really got me going when I started, but their wrenches are mostly a no-go. I spend "too much" money on incomplete wrench sets, crummy ratcheting wrenches, etc. The basic long pattern set was okay once I filled in the skips. And all the junk hardly got used, and ended up needing replaced anyway.
Continuing on HF, don't buy their drill bits. Don't buy anything that isn't premium. It just isn't worth it, you just suffer endlessly.
No knipex needle nose, I'm too abusive and they flex too much. Snap on, just buy those.
Gearwrench. I spent too much time with gear wrench. Too much in their catalog is mediocre in todays market. It was more competitive ~7 years ago when I spent more money with them, but still. Not enough gems, just buy the XL ratcheting wrenches and move on.
Stubby ratcheting wrenches - rarely useful. Yeah, I use them, but not a ton. IMO cheaper options work fine because they're basically nut spinners.
Have a thread chaser, and tap/die kit, which covers as much as you possibly can. Too much time is wasted on hardware issues. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Replace your Knipex cobras more often. A new pair shouldn't be a revelation of improved functionality.
I spent too much time trying to "organize" without spending money or organization tools/products. I recently re-did my wrench drawer and it was astounding. Sockets I keep pretty dense, but you can waste a lot of time, mental effort, and space trying to cheap out. Either pay to maximize the space, or live with it.
Don't buy scan tools with cords, spring for bluetooth. The only exception is snap-on since you can only get wireless on the top platform.
On the snap on trend, look for a used top end model, rather than buying new. Unless you're buying a base-model solus, if you wait around you can get current software Zeus scanners for less than a triton, usually around the Apollo price.
Buy tools to make life easier. Repetitive tasks wear your body down, comfortable tools and wear reducing tools add useful life to your body, and improve work output per energy expended. This is true for long ratchets, low vibration rotary tools, even stuff that just keeps your blood pressure down from annoyance. It's worth it. Put your body first.
Finally - CONTROL YOURSELF ON HJE DAY. I got plenty of good deals, but I've got $100+ worth of stuff I don't really use and don't foresee using anytime soon. Like gasket scrapers. Boy I got gaskets scrapers like you don't even know. And I use the same 3, every single time.
What would I do differently if I knew then what I know now?
1) You knew this response was coming: I wish I'd bought Snap On sooner. The cost of my toolset pales in comparison to the money I've saved working on cars over the years. I struggled with crapsman tools for too long. Those repairs weren't fun for me.
2) I had no idea how great a simple combination wrench could be. Wish I'd known what a good wrench is like, what good sockets feel like. I use the heck out of my wrenches now.
(This wrench drawer makes me happy. It gives me hope. It reassures me that no matter how bad it gets, something in this drawer will get me through it!)
3) I underestimated the utility of a nice toolbox. It's a game changer. Wish I'd bought a nice box sooner. I tried to make do. It really could have saved me a lot of grief. Toolboxes are important TOOLS. It’s the tool you use the most.
4) Wouldn't have bought (so many) Knipex pliers. I like Snap On's pliers, but only use a few pairs. Really don't do much with pliers. For around the house/carpentry, my old Craftsman Professional pliers are fine and still kicking after 25 years. Wouldn't have spent as much energy thinking about pliers that I don't use, don't like, etc.
5) When you need a good dead blow hammer, the orange HF models may or may not get the job done. Their handles are small, awkwardly shaped (square?), uncomfortable to hold and swing, which results in hammers I find difficult to control. I probably have 4 or 5 of them, all different sizes, wish I'd never bought them, but don't want to throw them away. The Snap On hammers are magnificent. Trusty Cook are okay. The Slimline style is my favorite. If I had it to do all over, I'd buy a set of the Snap On Slimline hammers and call it quits on dead blows. They are just so darned expensive. 2-5 years from now, I'm going to reply to this same thread and say I wish I treated myself to the nice hammers sooner. Life is too short to use a tool you hate.
1) You knew this response was coming: I wish I'd bought Snap On sooner. The cost of my toolset pales in comparison to the money I've saved working on cars over the years. I struggled with crapsman tools for too long. Those repairs weren't fun for me.
2) I had no idea how great a simple combination wrench could be. Wish I'd known what a good wrench is like, what good sockets feel like. I use the heck out of my wrenches now.
(This wrench drawer makes me happy. It gives me hope. It reassures me that no matter how bad it gets, something in this drawer will get me through it!)
3) I underestimated the utility of a nice toolbox. It's a game changer. Wish I'd bought a nice box sooner. I tried to make do. It really could have saved me a lot of grief. Toolboxes are important TOOLS. It’s the tool you use the most.
4) Wouldn't have bought (so many) Knipex pliers. I like Snap On's pliers, but only use a few pairs. Really don't do much with pliers. For around the house/carpentry, my old Craftsman Professional pliers are fine and still kicking after 25 years. Wouldn't have spent as much energy thinking about pliers that I don't use, don't like, etc.
5) When you need a good dead blow hammer, the orange HF models may or may not get the job done. Their handles are small, awkwardly shaped (square?), uncomfortable to hold and swing, which results in hammers I find difficult to control. I probably have 4 or 5 of them, all different sizes, wish I'd never bought them, but don't want to throw them away. The Snap On hammers are magnificent. Trusty Cook are okay. The Slimline style is my favorite. If I had it to do all over, I'd buy a set of the Snap On Slimline hammers and call it quits on dead blows. They are just so darned expensive. 2-5 years from now, I'm going to reply to this same thread and say I wish I treated myself to the nice hammers sooner. Life is too short to use a tool you hate.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I would have bought less tool truck stuff. The first time I ever got on any of the tool trucks I spent tons of money on stuff. But it was stuff I needed like more pliers, ratchets, tire pressure gauge etc. But nowadays there are so many other brands I wish I would have known about then. Like if starting today I’d have gotten all my ratchets at the parts stores or smaller companies as I’ve had tremendous luck with them all. Same with other tools like screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, pliers etc. I never bought tool truck sockets that’s a total waste of money in my opinion. You can get great quality ones at the parts stores these days. It would be a complete waste of money to get something like that on the tool truck.
Other than that I’m happy with everything else so far.
Other than that I’m happy with everything else so far.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
What would I do differently if I knew then what I know now?
1) You knew this response was coming: I wish I'd bought Snap On sooner. The cost of my toolset pales in comparison to the money I've saved working on cars over the years. I struggled with crapsman tools for too long. Those repairs weren't fun for me.
2) I had no idea how great a simple combination wrench could be. Wish I'd known what a good wrench is like, what good sockets feel like. I use the heck out of my wrenches now.
(This wrench drawer makes me happy. It gives me hope. It reassures me that no matter how bad it gets, something in this drawer will get me through it!)
3) I underestimated the utility of a nice toolbox. It's a game changer. Wish I'd bought a nice box sooner. I tried to make do. It really could have saved me a lot of grief. Toolboxes are important TOOLS. It’s the tool you use the most.
4) Wouldn't have bought (so many) Knipex pliers. I like Snap On's pliers, but only use a few pairs. Really don't do much with pliers. For around the house/carpentry, my old Craftsman Professional pliers are fine and still kicking after 25 years. Wouldn't have spent as much energy thinking about pliers that I don't use, don't like, etc.
5) When you need a good dead blow hammer, the orange HF models may or may not get the job done. Their handles are small, awkwardly shaped (square?), uncomfortable to hold and swing, which results in hammers I find difficult to control. I probably have 4 or 5 of them, all different sizes, wish I'd never bought them, but don't want to throw them away. The Snap On hammers are magnificent. Trusty Cook are okay. The Slimline style is my favorite. If I had it to do all over, I'd buy a set of the Snap On Slimline hammers and call it quits on dead blows. They are just so darned expensive. 2-5 years from now, I'm going to reply to this same thread and say I wish I treated myself to the nice hammers sooner. Life is too short to use a tool you hate.
WRENCHES!
Many great options, but wrenches are just so indispensable when you have a strong, comfortable, slip-free tool to use. No money is saved with cheap wrenches. I started off as a rust-belt alignment tech with harbor freight wrenches. Lots of torch time, slipping, rounding, etc. Buy once and use them for the rest of your life. I like Wright, Snap on, and Proto. Kabo rebranded ratcheting wrenches are pretty nice too.
joendoodle
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2017
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- 42
Fortunately I had one of these in the toolbox:
When it was time to replace the plugs in the '03 Vette, this was the only thing I had that allowed me to get the rearmost Drivers side plug with any leverage... w/o removing the master cylinder.
I wouldn't use this 'ratchet' to gronk on anything, that is what a breaker bar is for..
When it was time to replace the plugs in the '03 Vette, this was the only thing I had that allowed me to get the rearmost Drivers side plug with any leverage... w/o removing the master cylinder.
I wouldn't use this 'ratchet' to gronk on anything, that is what a breaker bar is for..
Chrome Vanadium Cody
Well-known member
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- Jul 25, 2021
- Messages
- 663
Earmuffs. Worked around compressors for 8 years before I realized they mess up your hearing, by then it’d already made a big difference.
On a lighter note,
On a lighter note,
Screw in shank picks!! They are great… as long as you only ever pick to the left. I think that’s the only time I’ve used a new tool and immediately thought “I’m a ***** for buying this”
The main thing would be resisting the temptation to try variations of the same thing I already have. On one hand, it's nice to find something that works a little better than what you have. However, it can be easy to take things too far and you're left wondering why you have multiple 3/4 drive sets and other weird extras you don't use. The good news is on the farm having multiples doesn't hurt as much since you can have the pickups and tractors kitted out fairly well. That can save time during field repairs, but even then I took trying different tools out too far and money was spent on things that didn't need to be purchased. There are exceptions, but if I was being honest, as long as the tool is made by a good brand, it would have worked for me. At least that's how I feel for basic stuff like sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, etc.. I started with that thought since it frames everything after this.
Just go for Snap-On dual 80 ratchets from the get go. There are plenty of great ratchets out there, but for the most part I like these the most. I've warmed up to the Matco locking flex ratchets, but it only in the last 2-3 years when it seemed like they had a steady source for them.
Even as someone who doesn't use tools professionally, there are a few things I would still buy from Snap-On (aside from ratchets) since I liked how they work. Namely the slip joint and needle nose pliers along with the gear pullers. Luckily when it came to the gear pullers, I started out buying those first.
Having both Dewalt 20v and Milwaukee M18 was largely unnecessary. I started out with Dewalt and it worked well enough for me. Then because the internet said I needed Milwaukee, I gave them a shot. There are things that I do prefer from the M18 line, but the Dewalt stuff got the job done. Having both lines makes battery logistics kind of annoying when working away from home, so I ended up just having two collection of power tools that kind of mirror each other. It probably would have been easier to stick with Dewalt and make do with the few things I didn't like as much from their line. All that said, even if I had stuck with Dewalt for 20v tools, buying into Milwaukee M12 line was worthwhile for some of their more compact offerings.
I guess the last thing would be when looking at tools from European and Japanese brands, spend more time looking at the products they make that are noticeably different from US brands or things US brands don't make at all, rather than the tools that do not differ all that much.
I'm sure there are more things I could say if I thought about it, but those are some of the bigger lessons I have learned in the past 7 or so years since I started buying tools to use in earnest.
Just go for Snap-On dual 80 ratchets from the get go. There are plenty of great ratchets out there, but for the most part I like these the most. I've warmed up to the Matco locking flex ratchets, but it only in the last 2-3 years when it seemed like they had a steady source for them.
Even as someone who doesn't use tools professionally, there are a few things I would still buy from Snap-On (aside from ratchets) since I liked how they work. Namely the slip joint and needle nose pliers along with the gear pullers. Luckily when it came to the gear pullers, I started out buying those first.
Having both Dewalt 20v and Milwaukee M18 was largely unnecessary. I started out with Dewalt and it worked well enough for me. Then because the internet said I needed Milwaukee, I gave them a shot. There are things that I do prefer from the M18 line, but the Dewalt stuff got the job done. Having both lines makes battery logistics kind of annoying when working away from home, so I ended up just having two collection of power tools that kind of mirror each other. It probably would have been easier to stick with Dewalt and make do with the few things I didn't like as much from their line. All that said, even if I had stuck with Dewalt for 20v tools, buying into Milwaukee M12 line was worthwhile for some of their more compact offerings.
I guess the last thing would be when looking at tools from European and Japanese brands, spend more time looking at the products they make that are noticeably different from US brands or things US brands don't make at all, rather than the tools that do not differ all that much.
I'm sure there are more things I could say if I thought about it, but those are some of the bigger lessons I have learned in the past 7 or so years since I started buying tools to use in earnest.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
If money is an issue, I would buy use quality tools over new lower grade tools for the same price. But that presumes you have the time to find used stuff.
Similarly, used quality tools from lesser known to the general public manufacturers can be a real deal. I like Blackhawk, older SK, Wright, etc.
But having any tool available is better than none. I picked up a set on stubby craftsman professional wrenches when Sears was blowing then out for cheap a while back. Rarely use them but the 12mm saved me last week when rebuilding a Jet bandsaw.
Similarly, used quality tools from lesser known to the general public manufacturers can be a real deal. I like Blackhawk, older SK, Wright, etc.
But having any tool available is better than none. I picked up a set on stubby craftsman professional wrenches when Sears was blowing then out for cheap a while back. Rarely use them but the 12mm saved me last week when rebuilding a Jet bandsaw.
Porter-Cable detail sander. I was willing to sacrifice my firstborn when PC introduced this tool. I was doing high end custom trim and was spending hours hand sanding molding profiles. The kids were young and money was very, very tight. I paid over a hundred dollars for that thing back in the mid 90's. That was a lot for me back then.
To make a long story endless, it got used way more than it should have because I didn't want to admit my mistake. Once I did admit it, the thing went into its' blow mold case and hasn't been used since.
Between that sander and PC beginning its' overseas production shift, I pretty much bailed on them just like I did on Milwaukee a few years earlier.
Different times.
To make a long story endless, it got used way more than it should have because I didn't want to admit my mistake. Once I did admit it, the thing went into its' blow mold case and hasn't been used since.
Between that sander and PC beginning its' overseas production shift, I pretty much bailed on them just like I did on Milwaukee a few years earlier.
Different times.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Take others opinions about tool buying with a grain of salt.
“Buy once cry once” is a great way to justify tools you know you cant afford
Also: being able to write off the cost of a tool as a business expense does not mean “free”, or even that I really need it. Took me embarrassingly long to accept that.
Also: being able to write off the cost of a tool as a business expense does not mean “free”, or even that I really need it. Took me embarrassingly long to accept that.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Technically since tools last more than 1 year, they should be depreciated, not "written off" in a single year. Not that the IRS really cares. Now the standard deduction is about 10k, most aren't paying that with w2 wages. That and all it does is lower your tax liability. There are certain niche situations you can put in say $1000 to an IRA to fix owning the feds $900, making it a wash. But it certainly costs more to spend 5 grand out of W2 wages to lower your tax liability than it does to just pay 20% or whatever.
As a business? The goal is to make $1 of profit and have the business buy everything possible in your personal life possible to reduce tax liability. Profit is a bad word, because that means taxes, outside the world of publicly traded companies of course.
I can tell you, I'd have saved a LOT buying once, than buying the cheap option 2 or 3 times before buying the best. It's all about use case.
But obviously, don't use BOCO to justify poor ROI or poor choices in general.
I should add the disclaimer I have a few small businesses (emphasis on small LOL) through which I can buy most tools , my tax knowledge is limited but I believe you are correct regarding personal standard deductions vs itemized. i asked my accountant about the whole depreciating tools thing and he said basically any tool under $2500 purchased for the use of my trade didn’t have to be “capitalized” per the “safe harbor de minimis election”. Here’s the official irs article about it:
Tangible property final regulations | Internal Revenue Service
Defines final property regulations, who the tangible property regulations apply to and the important aspects of the final regulations. The procedures by which a taxpayer may obtain the automatic consent of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to change to the methods of accounting.
(I used BOCO to justify poor ROI *and* poor choices in general
)HoosierBuddy
Well-known member
I wish I would have bought a bigger roll around tool box.
I have a small Craftsman one and it's inadequate. It's got too many tools in it. It's disorganized. It's hard to find the tool I need so sometimes I end up using the tool I can find...which makes it doubly a pain.
You'd think I could fix this by buying a bigger box....but my garage has filled around the box to the point I don't have room for a bigger box. It's got pegboard above it, so I can't go taller. It's got machine tools on both sides of it so it can't be wider.
OK....I COULD get a bigger box....but that would be a whole project because of the above so I just live with it. I'll put it on my "stuff to do when I retire, assuming I live that long" to-do list.
But...if I would have bought a bigger box to begin with????...that would have been a lot better.
I have a small Craftsman one and it's inadequate. It's got too many tools in it. It's disorganized. It's hard to find the tool I need so sometimes I end up using the tool I can find...which makes it doubly a pain.
You'd think I could fix this by buying a bigger box....but my garage has filled around the box to the point I don't have room for a bigger box. It's got pegboard above it, so I can't go taller. It's got machine tools on both sides of it so it can't be wider.
OK....I COULD get a bigger box....but that would be a whole project because of the above so I just live with it. I'll put it on my "stuff to do when I retire, assuming I live that long" to-do list.
But...if I would have bought a bigger box to begin with????...that would have been a lot better.
joendoodle
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2017
- Messages
- 42
DITTO.. once I finally spent the $$ for a nice soldering station, it sure made my life easier.
For the most part, I've had good use out of most of my tools. Even the stuff I don't use anymore.
It seems like "buy the best" or "buy once cry once" is the conventional wisdom, and sometimes that's true. However, there are some tools I bought that were way beyond what I actually needed. Probably could have saved some cash for other stuff.
I also tend to justify small expenses too often and avoid big purchases. E.g. I easily have at least a dozen premium-quality 3/8's ratchets and I'm not far behind in 1/4" and 1/2". I like trying new ratchets and a good ratchet can make your whole socket set feel better. But I didn't need to repeat the exercise so many times.
I also don't debate much over buying a few $50-100 pocket knives a year. They are my most-used tool after all. But I could easily have skipped a few and had a better welder by now - something I could really use.
I think I would tell my past myself now:
It seems like "buy the best" or "buy once cry once" is the conventional wisdom, and sometimes that's true. However, there are some tools I bought that were way beyond what I actually needed. Probably could have saved some cash for other stuff.
I also tend to justify small expenses too often and avoid big purchases. E.g. I easily have at least a dozen premium-quality 3/8's ratchets and I'm not far behind in 1/4" and 1/2". I like trying new ratchets and a good ratchet can make your whole socket set feel better. But I didn't need to repeat the exercise so many times.
I also don't debate much over buying a few $50-100 pocket knives a year. They are my most-used tool after all. But I could easily have skipped a few and had a better welder by now - something I could really use.
I think I would tell my past myself now:
- (more often) wait until you need something,
- assess your needs realistically, and
- avoid duplication - spend more if it's something you will otherwise buy again.
I strongly disagree with this. For some tools, especially ones you use a lot, it makes sense. Definitely buy the best 3/8" normal ratchet you can if you're a mechanic, you use it all the time, the best is worth it. For many other things, buy good enough for your purpose. I have lots of tools that were for a particular purpose. they get used for the job, and then not again. Sometimes, they turn out to be generally useful, and get used a lot, in which case maybe I should have bought a better one. But often, they end up in a drawer, and spending more money doesn't get me anything. And since we all have a finite amount of money to spend, it means that money didn't get spent on something more useful. (even if that something isn't a tool. Hersey, I know!) Consider buying a tig welder. You can spend $15K to get an excellent Miller machine. Or your can spend a lot less and get a very good machine from HTP or Fronius or whoever, and spend the difference on a mig and a plasma cutter.
Tools today are very good. In many categories, the difference in quality, performance, durability, between the best and the second best aren't that big. But the price difference is. For some tools, like hardline mechanics wrenches, sockets, etc, the difference between the best and 25th best aren't big. (modern Taiwanese sockets are better than anything from 50 years ago.) Spending extra for the quality doesn't make sense
Purchased a Milwaukee ratcheting screwdriver. It looked good on the HomeD shelf and the price was right, about $20. Getting it home...the backdrag is so bad on this thing, its almost unusable. Should have done a bit more research on ratcheting screwdrivers. Moral of the story, research a bit before you buy tools.
Debcrow
Well-known member
mr48chev
Active member
In my days of earning a living working as a mechanic in independent shops, tire stores and dealerships I bought a lot of tools including my snap on box that I still have 50 years later from the tool truck (s). Some lady commented to my wife at one time about my buying tools and my wife replied that "if he isn't buying tools it means he isn't making money".
Still, you buy what works for you and feels right in your hands. Also my 60 years of experience say that there is a great difference in tools that you buy and use to make a living with and tools you use for your hobby or carry in the tool bag in your vehicle.
I've got several of those inexpensive specialty tool kits from Habor Freight, Amazon and other sources that I have bought in the past few years. The latest being a cooling system pressure tester off Amazon that has adapters to fit a number of cars including the one for my BMW. 43 bucks for the kit rather than 90 for the one with no extra adapters like the one I used to borrow from my buddy but It is something that will get used enough to warrant buying. The adapter alone was 20 something if bought separate.
I hit the local Habit for Humanity stores quite often one being 20 miles away and one being 60 miles away. I have found a lot of quality wrenches and power tools there. You have to know what you are looking at but can usually find a decent wrench or two or something else that you can use. I did pick up a nice Dewalt 1/2 inch hammer drill when a contractor donated a pallet of them after completing some job that it is required that contractors buy all new tools for use on the job. I found one in the case that looked like it had only been used once or twice. I picked up a battery powered sawzall without battery that matches my 18 volt tools one day for about 7.00 that works great. A gamble that I took but I could have returned it for credit against something else if it didn't work.
Before they got wise I bought a lot of Snap-On and Mac and Cornwell metric tools from pawn shops. They used to empty tools out of tool boxes into large bins of end wrenches, sockets, screw drivers and pliers and other things at the one I went to on my lunch hour at least once a week. I bought a lot of nice wrenches and sockets for a buck or two back then. I still hit the local pawn shop and dig through their bins for odd ball tools that I need when I don't have one in my box. I also hit a local private thrift store to see what he has and all my pipe clamps came from his store for pocket change.
I agree 100% that you actually need to have a use for it if you buy it unless you are one of those who collects certain tools or equipment as a collector and that is what you do. I don't have room for a wall of non working tune up equipment on display in my shop and barely have room for the working Marquette scope that a gent gave me because he didn't have room. That one is nice to use on my Hamb friendly hot rods though. I wouldn't have it if it hadn't been free.
Still for some tools that you may only use once in a life time see if the parts houses that have loaner tools have one. Pay the deposit, use it, clean it up nicely even if it wasn't clean when you got it and take it back and get the deposit back. That program works.
Still, you buy what works for you and feels right in your hands. Also my 60 years of experience say that there is a great difference in tools that you buy and use to make a living with and tools you use for your hobby or carry in the tool bag in your vehicle.
I've got several of those inexpensive specialty tool kits from Habor Freight, Amazon and other sources that I have bought in the past few years. The latest being a cooling system pressure tester off Amazon that has adapters to fit a number of cars including the one for my BMW. 43 bucks for the kit rather than 90 for the one with no extra adapters like the one I used to borrow from my buddy but It is something that will get used enough to warrant buying. The adapter alone was 20 something if bought separate.
I hit the local Habit for Humanity stores quite often one being 20 miles away and one being 60 miles away. I have found a lot of quality wrenches and power tools there. You have to know what you are looking at but can usually find a decent wrench or two or something else that you can use. I did pick up a nice Dewalt 1/2 inch hammer drill when a contractor donated a pallet of them after completing some job that it is required that contractors buy all new tools for use on the job. I found one in the case that looked like it had only been used once or twice. I picked up a battery powered sawzall without battery that matches my 18 volt tools one day for about 7.00 that works great. A gamble that I took but I could have returned it for credit against something else if it didn't work.
Before they got wise I bought a lot of Snap-On and Mac and Cornwell metric tools from pawn shops. They used to empty tools out of tool boxes into large bins of end wrenches, sockets, screw drivers and pliers and other things at the one I went to on my lunch hour at least once a week. I bought a lot of nice wrenches and sockets for a buck or two back then. I still hit the local pawn shop and dig through their bins for odd ball tools that I need when I don't have one in my box. I also hit a local private thrift store to see what he has and all my pipe clamps came from his store for pocket change.
I agree 100% that you actually need to have a use for it if you buy it unless you are one of those who collects certain tools or equipment as a collector and that is what you do. I don't have room for a wall of non working tune up equipment on display in my shop and barely have room for the working Marquette scope that a gent gave me because he didn't have room. That one is nice to use on my Hamb friendly hot rods though. I wouldn't have it if it hadn't been free.
Still for some tools that you may only use once in a life time see if the parts houses that have loaner tools have one. Pay the deposit, use it, clean it up nicely even if it wasn't clean when you got it and take it back and get the deposit back. That program works.
I would do research, using the Garage Journal forums, so that I don't end up buying bad tools. Avoid influencers, because they usually hype things that aren't worth it.
speed bump
Well-known member
Spend money on tools that matter not what's fun to buy.
Wrenches and sockets, I spent a lot of time acquiring all great quality US brand stuff. Now I would have just bought some long pattern decentish ones like Icon and whatever was handy for sockets and moved on. Not to mention the store can store your triplicates, no need to have 5 of something unless you use it
In that same vein you really don't need that many ratchets. I've given away several of mine because I use like 6 total.
Buy cordless tools. Took me forever to be willing to buy a lot of cordless tools but I've never regretted buying any of them.
If you do a lot of fabrication buy a lot of measuring/layout tools. They don't have to be amazing but they need to be available when you need them.
You can always use more chains and straps.
Wrenches and sockets, I spent a lot of time acquiring all great quality US brand stuff. Now I would have just bought some long pattern decentish ones like Icon and whatever was handy for sockets and moved on. Not to mention the store can store your triplicates, no need to have 5 of something unless you use it
In that same vein you really don't need that many ratchets. I've given away several of mine because I use like 6 total.
Buy cordless tools. Took me forever to be willing to buy a lot of cordless tools but I've never regretted buying any of them.
If you do a lot of fabrication buy a lot of measuring/layout tools. They don't have to be amazing but they need to be available when you need them.
You can always use more chains and straps.
johnre
Well-known member
Buy only one brand of battery operated tools, and stick with it.
And you don't actually need one battery pack per tool, provided they can be easily changed over. Likewise, only one charger is necessary. At some point, just buy the bare tools.
And you don't actually need one battery pack per tool, provided they can be easily changed over. Likewise, only one charger is necessary. At some point, just buy the bare tools.
In my 20's it was mostly acquiring just-good-enough to get by (i.e. Craftsman/110v Milwaukee) and it has served me well.
My aim was/is mostly automotive and metal fabrication and tried to get the nicest welders/material cutters/etc. I could afford.
It was always easy to covet the higher end gear (especially CNC) but I think I convinced myself I wasn't deserving yet.
As I approach my 50's, I'm letting myself sample more varied and exotic (to me) tools and supplies and I'm having a blast.
Yes, over-research and analysis-paralysis can certainly make things worse, but careful wading through the raging river of info
we are all privy to now has led to some cool discoveries that I likely would not have rationalized years ago.
Sure I've got some DeWaulkee M12XR going on, and I'll likely never unleash the true sublime potential of a PB Swiss screwdriver,
but it has kept my interest alive, bolstered my confidence a bit, and helps re-enforce that life is too short for crummy tools...
My aim was/is mostly automotive and metal fabrication and tried to get the nicest welders/material cutters/etc. I could afford.
It was always easy to covet the higher end gear (especially CNC) but I think I convinced myself I wasn't deserving yet.
As I approach my 50's, I'm letting myself sample more varied and exotic (to me) tools and supplies and I'm having a blast.
Yes, over-research and analysis-paralysis can certainly make things worse, but careful wading through the raging river of info
we are all privy to now has led to some cool discoveries that I likely would not have rationalized years ago.
Sure I've got some DeWaulkee M12XR going on, and I'll likely never unleash the true sublime potential of a PB Swiss screwdriver,
but it has kept my interest alive, bolstered my confidence a bit, and helps re-enforce that life is too short for crummy tools...
When I was 6-8 years old my dad gave me 2 Craftsman Professional screwdrivers, slip joint pliers, and a "crescent" wrench in a smaller plastic tool box. I still have them, and use the pliers frequently. The adjustable wrench taught me to avoid using them if at all possible, even good vintage ones lol.
I would have avoided buying HF wrenches, I tried the DBE and the stubbys. They weren't even close to fitting the size stamped on the wrench, or any fastener they encountered. Also anything from HF that plugs in. Had a soldering gun from them, I was amazed how quickly it worked, it even burned the tip right off after a few minutes. The $10 impact sockets, also from HF... the SAE set work fine, the metric ones crumbled like drywall. Go figure.
I'd have bought more tape measures sooner. I find myself using them frequently, and they sure know how to hide. I convinced myself to buy a Makita 60db air compressor, since I use air nailers a lot, and usually use a cordless impact. Now i don't have to listen to a loud compressor (measured 90db at 6 feet) and it's much nicer on the ears.
richfinn
Well-known member
Keep a tool list (of stuff you actually need rather than want).
Don't internet shop out of boredom
Don't go browsing on tool trucks
research every single purchase on GJ
Take all YouTube reviews with a pinch of salt
Don't be afraid of Japanese Brands
Stick to the list!!!!
Don't internet shop out of boredom
Don't go browsing on tool trucks
research every single purchase on GJ
Take all YouTube reviews with a pinch of salt
Don't be afraid of Japanese Brands
Stick to the list!!!!
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
It's been said that "only a rich man can afford cheap tools."
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I've never understood the huge collections of ratchets, either. I think I own six, and three of those get 99% of the use.
Buying tools because they are tax deductible may result in spending $1.00 to save 30 cents.
I doubt if I would ever do it now but 30years ago it would have been fun to enroll in an auto mech class and use the Snappy student discount.
I doubt if I would ever do it now but 30years ago it would have been fun to enroll in an auto mech class and use the Snappy student discount.
joendoodle
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2017
- Messages
- 42
Maybe they’re rich because they put their money in the bank and not in the toolbox
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