Duplicate Tools

[mayday0017]

So for years I have had tons of tools I wanted and while there are still some, I really have most everything I want. Now I am finding I want to replace tools that arn't top quality even though I haven't had an issue with them... Most are USA made but the ones that arn't I suddenly care (thanks GJ).

But anyways the real point of this thread and the issue I am having is I want duplicates. I now think I need toolboxes I can just grab and go when I have projects around the house and they should be stocked with the tools I need. But I still feel the need to have my tool chests in the garage full of the tools they have.....

Do most people have 2 or 3 multimeters, screwdriver sets in every toolbox & chest, cutters and pliers in each toolbox? I'm really trying to force myself to start using the fabric bags and just loading it up when I need to work on something and keep the tools in the bag until the project is complete and then return them to the toolchest and hang the bag on the wall for next time. What's the normal approach for everyone?

Maybe I'm just a tool addict and trying to find reasons to buy tools

 

[d.mcfarland]

We have smaller boxes with the usual suspects that we can grab and go for just about anything. If we need the rarely used items we can grab them from the box. Multiples aren't a problem, they're a solution.

 

[BD1]

I have most of my main goodies in basement. Have a 5 drawer cart complete in garage and another full set in barn in the HF 44'' box bottom . I find having multiple boxes better. For projects in house I have canvas bag that I load up from basement boxes to use. I just want basic set ups where I need them not to mention another set in truck. you can never have enough. How many pairs of shoes does your wife have ?? Don't you have silverware set for eight ?
Well, get more boxes and tools.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have a very small tool box in a storage case in the garage. It only has a few screwdrivers in it now. At one time it also had misc sockets, wrenches, allen wrenches, etc. The ratchets were older CM that were replaced in my main box with a set of SO's. The reason I don't have the other tools there is because I often did not have what I needed and ended up going to the basement to my main box. The biggest thing was that I found I was not using the newer tools I upgraded to. I used to give my brother my extra tools, now I have them boxed up for my son since he's driving and close to having his own car.

We still have a few screwdriver in the house in a kitchen drawer for chaning batteries, etc to save a trip up and down the stairs.

I now load my cart or tool bag from my main box depending on the job.

 

[Robbie UK]

Yep, if you think hard enough there is no such thing as a duplicate. As better or extra tools come in they cascade down to replace, augment or add to other tools. My tool kit started as a basic one for a bike.

It then grew to become a car toolkit.

It outgrew that and became a garage kit in a cart.

It outgrew that, was split to provide a car toolkit again.

It outgrew that, was split again to provide a 'go to' kit in the house.

It outgrew that, was split again to provide a 'go to' kit in the shed.

It outgrew that, was split again to provide a car toolkit for the wife's car.

It outgrew that, was split again to provide a 'go to' set for my work office.

In fact watching cell division in bacteria is a lot like the spread of tools around my life.

 

[Robbie UK]

I fact my next move will be to have tools especially to work on my tools…

Do you use the phrase 'self licking lollipop' in the States???

 

[Mickey O]

Duplicates, what type of **** is that, triplicates at a minimum.

 

[Alchymist]

Gets to be a royal pain - box for automotive, one for welding, plumbing, electrical, box on the electronics bench, one for the truck, one for the machinist bench, etc. Not to mention the extra boxes - one for pop rivets and tool, one for the knockout punches, one for the dremel style tools, etc. On the other hand - to do without tools......

 

[Outlawmws]

I keep extras elsewhere just to save steps.. #2 ph and 1/4" blade drivers in my desk drawer, along with selection of needle nose, nippers, dykes and wire forming pliers, as well as a DVM. plus the big coffee cup with the coffee cup "bucket boss" and a lot of smaller drivers and assorted small/odd tools, on top. Then there are the road boxes in the cars, and the odd tools special for some power tools I've made part of their setup (two 3/4" wrenches for my wire wheel, a 9/16 on my lathe, an auto center punch on magnets on the DP along with a small 13 pc. drill index, also magnet mounted, for quick and dirty work...)

 

[jeffmoss26]

I think I have duplicates of just about everything!

 

[plinker]

Duplicates, what type of **** is that, triplicates at a minimum.

+1

A minimum of three to four of each socket/combination wrench in extermely common sizes is a good quanity to have on hand.

 

[Rico.]

I would think allot, if not, most of us have a couple of sets here and there.

My home workshop has everything in it.... 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 socket sets
in 6 point and 12 point, impact and chrome, deep and shallow, Hammers,
loads of spanners of different types, pliers, air tools, screwdrivers, etc....

I also have a full set in the car, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 socket sets combination
spanners 6-32mm pliers, screwdrivers and lot's of odds and bits that would be
useful on the road.

In the house tool box screwdrivers are the main resident, pliers, cutters,
hammers, a few odd spanners and I keep a 1/4" socket and bit set and
a 3/8" socket set. Though the socket sets were only bought because they
were a bargain, but nice to have on hand as the only access to my
workshop is from outside.

So I guess I have at least duplicates of most main tools... Quadruplicates if
you count 6 point and 12 point sockets the same, but I don't feel I have an
excess of tools, just the right amount where needed.

Ahhh Denial... We meet again my old Nemesis...

 

[HubbaBubba]

I use the term "backups to the backups"

 

[Super Scout]

I have my big box in the garage, than I have a general tool bag with tools to fix stuff around the house, a plumbing box, an electrical box, and a road kit for break downs. So yeah I have duplicates, triplicates, quadruplicates, lol. You can never have to many tools.

 

[TwoInch]

i have my "big box" with one or two of most things in it.

then i have a bucket with a bucket rig on it, with general house maintenence stuffs, multimeter, cordless drill, drivers, dikes, knipex gators, linesmans, hammer, razor, torch, flux/solder etc etc...

then i have a couple smaller boxes with general stuffs, wrenches, sockets, pliers, etc etc... scattered about.

lots of duplicates.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few tools at work, and a set of boxes.

lots of tools in my service truck, and a couple boxes

more tools in the garage, and 2 more sets of boxes

even more tools in the house, and another set of boxes

tools stashed in my '00 sierra

tools stashed in my '88 s-10 blazer

some more tools on my harley

some may say i have too many tools......

 

[nine4gmc]

I have a tackle box for all my electrical tools and connectors, then I have an electrical drawer in my tool box for the better tools/connectors. My neighbor used to trip out, he said he thinks that if I have one thing laying out that he can see, there is surely two or three more like it in drawers or cabinets somewhere that he can't.

remember, "one is the loneliest, number one, is the loneliest!"

 

[theoldwizard1]

For years the only "duplicate" I had was a 1/2-9/16 long box and a 1/2-9/16 stubby box to complement my combination wrenches.

A few years back, I bought a set of Craftsman SAE 6 point combination wrenches. If I ever saw a good sale on Craftsman Metric 6 point combination wrenches, I would probably buy them.

No other duplicates in the main box. Duplicates in the house, but those are the wife's.

 

[metaldad]

Like a swat team, it is always good to go in heavy.
Except sockets and metrics, I have everything in at least triplicate.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have three sets from the master set, the can do just about anything set and the standard take **** apart set. I started with one set, upgraded until I basically had two sets. Then the second set became more important, finding a want for better tools there. So more upgrading and what do know, a third set appeared. A half *** fourth set is starting to develope from over flow pilers, adjustable, screwdrivers, ect.

 

[ndoran]

there is no such thing as a duplicate tool, they are all unique with their own personality - just like identical twins. They may look alike but close inspection reveals differences in looks and you will soon get to know their unique personalities.

okay officer I will come quietly now, why does this room have soft floors and walls?

 

[Mastermind]

i have a shelving unit full of hand carry boxes for elect. plumbing, junkyard,loaner,tile,brakes, etc... plus the "home" boxes that 85% of things can be done out of, then the big momma at work...i hate to have to bring home tools. so if something hets"upgraded", it comes home or goes into the truck box.

 

[greasemonkey44]

yeah i know the feeling; i have 1/4 " socket sets all over the place at home
a go bag for plumbing, a go bag for carpentry work, one for roadside repair/junkyard run at work
2 top chests in the basement full of stuff
a top and bottom combo in the basement
a roll cart and 1/2 a cman box in the garage at home
then the ungodly amount of **** at work.......you can imagine how many duplicates exist