Do We Really NEED All These Tools?

[bobbycos]

My wife is tolerant of my tool thing due to the fact that I am home and not out drinking, smoking or womanizing. When she asks me what I am doing on the computer she can see I am looking at tools or cars and the like.


Quercus, I am in an apartment in the Bronx and have a near complete set of automotive tools and some metalworking and woodworking tools too. I am glad we have the extra room in our apartment.

 

[texasfiremedic]

My wife said that I did not need those name brand tools and other tools that I buy. I said that I would sell all of my tools and put that money in a checking account. The next time something breaks down or needs repair I would call somebody out and pay them out of that account and we will see how long that would last. She has never said a word about me buying tools ever since.
Just like the other day water pump on her truck started leaking. Went and grabbed the parts had the new one on in 1 1/2 hours. Which sucked because 20 minutes of that time was figuring out how Dodge made and put the fan shroud in. Don't know what the average repair like that costs but that is the reason I have the tools I have.
Even though with all this being said I do watch how much I spend at one time.

 

[Adam.C]

My experience is this, tools pay for themselves. Sometimes many times over. My example, my hydraulic jack went out after 20+ years of use. It needed new seals but I wasn't comfortable fixing it and couldn't locate a place that would fix it. Anyway I found one for 299 at NAPA and told the wife I needed it to fix her brakes. She says just take it to Midas. I said hell no it's too expensive. So rather than argue I called and got a quote for brakes and rotors...800 bucks or something ridiculous. She said go get the jack. Front rotors and pads all around was around 100 bucks. Jack was on sale for 199.00.

I saved more than all the parts combined plus all the future use of the jack. I used the jack to redo the entire front and rear suspension on my truck. Shocks, springs, upper control arms, lower ball joints, bushings, inner and outer tie rods, rear leafs, half shafts. Saved thousands doing all that myself...

Thank you. This is my experience 100%- wood and metal/mechanic tools. My shop is revenue neutral or positive. The money we pay people to fix things we can do ourselves is nuts. My problem is paying somebody big money to do a job I can do far better for way less money.

 

[cheechi]

I don't have any particular item I want or need to make. It is just the general ability to do anything and everything, that drives me. My wife doesn't understand. And I'm beginning to thing it doesn't make sense either.

I see it as a dilemma of motivation rather than stuff. If the stuff is unused, that doesn't make it useless. I have several SAE wrenches that have never been used but I keep them in the same drawer as the rest.

For example, your rolling pin clearly came from a lathe. I don't have a lathe nor do I really want one. But my wood tools are 'incomplete' according to everyone who comes and works with me because I don't have one. Been getting along ok without it, I spend a little more on pre turned parts or pay a friend to do it which he enjoys so where's the real practical downside?


Me personally, I would like to have a metal shop but I don't think it's a reality. I would rather work on getting nicer wood tools as they come available and sticking to what I know. If a Bridgeport fell in my lap I think I might change my mind but for now I am not actively looking for tools I don't have a real use yet. I think that could help you; are you an expert at the lathe? table saw? mill or whatever? Create something that is a challenge to make and push yourself to get really skilled. You will find, with wood at least, you wind up using fewer and fewer power tools the more real talent you develop.

 

[bczygan]

My experience is this, tools pay for themselves. Sometimes many times over. My example, my hydraulic jack went out after 20+ years of use. It needed new seals but I wasn't comfortable fixing it and couldn't locate a place that would fix it. Anyway I found one for 299 at NAPA and told the wife I needed it to fix her brakes. She says just take it to Midas. I said hell no it's too expensive. So rather than argue I called and got a quote for brakes and rotors...800 bucks or something ridiculous. She said go get the jack. Front rotors and pads all around was around 100 bucks. Jack was on sale for 199.00.

I saved more than all the parts combined plus all the future use of the jack. I used the jack to redo the entire front and rear suspension on my truck. Shocks, springs, upper control arms, lower ball joints, bushings, inner and outer tie rods, rear leafs, half shafts. Saved thousands doing all that myself...

If my math is correct, she still owes you $500 worth of tools!

 

[twertsy]

If my math is correct, she still owes you $500 worth of tools!

I like the way you think!!!

 

[twertsy]

Personally, I think this is a stupid question.........what's "need" got to do with anything when it comes to tools? Kidding of course..........kinda. I don't "need" many more tools, but if my pick this weekend nets me old collectible tools, boxes, etc., I'll certainly buy them all. For me, at least right now, it's about the hunt, discovery and salvaging of cool old USA made tools. I have an entire box filled with "collections" only. To me, it's a "to each his own" perspective. I've seen mechs toolboxes (including many, many pics on this site) stuffed with God knows how many socket sets. I can't fathom ever "needing" all those sets of sockets but hey, it looks cool! I can't imagine ever "needing" all the wrenches I have yet, I just ordered 3 more sets of Toptul and I'm not even sure why!? Call it frivolous, wasteful, whatever but blame yourselves...........GJ made me do it