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Do you buy tools you don't use?

Stuey

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Jan 8, 2008
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28m above sea level
I do, it's a terrible habit.

Some of the time it's because I see a tool that looks to be able to do a jog quicker or better. But once I get it, it's too gimmicky to use for broader applications, and so it stays in the box.

Other times I am swayed too easily towards sales and combo kits. The first time this happened was a couple of years ago when I needed 5/16" and 11/32" wrenches and decided to get the 9pc kit for not much more money.

I've gotten better. Instead of buying a wire gauge drill bit set, I buy individual bits as I need them.
 
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ElasDray

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Feb 5, 2010
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Idaho
I know I do. The one that comes to mind first is the Snap On FHNF100 that I bought over a year ago and only used one time.
 

Machobuck

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Jul 6, 2011
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102
Location
Alhambra
Hell no, I cant even afford everything I NEED let alone something I wont use thats just silly
 
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GoBlue

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May 10, 2011
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Under a car...swearing
I bet that snappy socket would be a godsend for someone at a mopar dealership doing these all the time though. I have done two in the last 5 or 6 years. I wouldn't buy it. I have purchased tools that i use very very infrequently however. Etorx and torx plus come to mind as well as spline drive stuff and 12 point sockets.
 
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Stuey

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Jan 8, 2008
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28m above sea level
I know I do. The one that comes to mind first is the Snap On FHNF100 that I bought over a year ago and only used one time.
I bought the Gearwrench clones of that swivel ratchet. Used them a bit until I bought what I really wanted, the wera zyklops. They come in handy every now and then since they're longer than the weras.
 

scbird94

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Oct 24, 2009
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594
Location
Sauk Rapids, MN
Several. Had a 1/4 version of the swivel ratchet listed above, looked cool while i was on the truck but it sits, looking brand new. Its clumsy to use.
 

Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
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Location
The Badlands
New tools that I don't need? maybe NOS at a yard sale, not in a store generally, unless it's for a planned project.

Used tools from garage estate and yard sales? Fairly often. Some because they are either antique or just cool, others that MIGHT be useful at the right time.
 

byoungblood

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Apr 6, 2011
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2,590
Location
Berryville, VA
Guilty. I've inherited the habit from my dad's father who was notorious for buying any good quality tool that was on sale/clearance.
 

TWX

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Apr 1, 2010
Messages
817
Location
Phoenix
I try not to anymore. I'll probably never have enough tools, but I've noticed that even if I skip a "deal of a lifetime", another "deal of a lifetime" will present itself in due course.
 

volunteers

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Sep 15, 2011
Messages
675
Location
California
I do not.
I only buy those tools that I really need them. If I can find an existing tool to finish a specific job, I will not buy a new one.
I do have a big set of sockets. Some of them I may never use it. But it is a good value to buy a set instead of buying piece and piece.
 

waltmcq

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Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
252
Location
PT
I have an anvil I've been tripping over for months. But hey, it was a good deal and I'm sure one day......
 
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bradleykd

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Apr 6, 2010
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547
Location
Georgetown, KY
I sometimes buy tools that I have needed before but ended up doing the job a more difficult, time consuming way. I buy the tool when I can afford it, or see a good deal and still havent needed the tool again. lol
 

packet

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Sep 19, 2011
Messages
173
I'm not a pro, but I got tired of missing a specific tool when working on cars. So, I've bought what I think I'll need in the future. I haven't used everything yet, but it has definitely saved a lot of frustration.
 

Tom Hintz

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Jan 30, 2011
Messages
130
Location
Concord, NC
I'm a guy so of course I do! I just don't feel right if I do not have at least one or two tools in the shop that I don't have time to use.
I think that you can get demerits against your man card for just asking such a question!
 

Old Donn

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Apr 26, 2009
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Location
Michigan
Not intentionally, but like the bumper sticker says, "Sh*t Happens." S-K spline drive set and GearWrench pass-thru socket set come to mind. Straight from the store to the tool chest, never used either one.
 

countryroad82

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Mar 18, 2011
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3,447
Location
Kentucky
I don't buy into the gimmicky stuff, I wind up with that junk on Christmas. I do have tools I rarely use, my power steering pulley puller/ installer comes to mind along with my 'Volkswagon sockets' (metric torx or something like that, if you have ever worked on a newer Volkswagon you know what I'm talking about). But as of tools I don't need, I guess one could say I have a ratchet and screwdriver fetish, but I use them all so I say I need them :lol_hitti
 

canuckian

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May 7, 2009
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East coast of Canaaada
I guess so. I mean, if I had to i could get by with a couple ratchets, sockets enough to cover the popular sizes, wrenches to do the same, only one set of screwdrivers, etc. Let's just say I have a few more than I "need" LOL
 

jam022316

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Jul 31, 2008
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971
Location
Indiana
i tend to lean on the fence on this one depends on the deal

Agreed. If it's a killer deal I'm getting it :).

I tend to have way more ratchets, needle nose, and tape measures than I'll ever need and keep buying more. Ratchets, cuz I love them for some reason. Needle Nose and tape measures, cuz I always misplace them.
 

jjjrmx5

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Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
3,431
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Yep, but mainly power tools.

I have a brand new made in the USA Porter Cable profile sander that is still in case new with bags unopened and never plugged in bought new in the mid 90's. Same deal for a mid 90's new Bosch electric hand planer Made in Germany. Never used but I did plug it in to see if it worked. LOL.

Bought both for some architectural work for a client that never got started.

At flea markets, yard sales and estate sale, I;ll always pick up files, ratchets , screwdrivers if in good shape and pliers as you can never have too many of them.

:)
 

rebelram

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Joined
Sep 5, 2008
Messages
142
Location
AL
I have E-Torx and bought them because I was starting to see more E-torx type fasteners show up on vehicles. But I have yet actually use them.

What has been more useful to me lately is Allen/Hex type sockets.
 

ATTappman

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Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
393
I have a higher-order disorder.

More than once I've bought a tool whose single use was to modify another tool that I then never used.
 

93sr20det

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Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
207
Location
Gulfport Ms
I got the Lisle master disconnect set from tooltopia for $40 because Oreilly's wanted $10 for one disconnect tool. I used the one tool i needed and the thing has been in my box since.
 

BlindViper

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Dec 1, 2009
Messages
1,307
Location
York, PA
I buy tools with the intention of using them, but if I don't need them so be it. But if I do need them you wont hear me complaining I don't have the right tool.
 

rlb1953

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Joined
Oct 4, 2007
Messages
121
Location
Yorkton SK
Not only do I buy tools I don't need, at auctions I'll buy tools just to find out what they are!

Needless to say, I've been avoiding going to auction sales lately.
 
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