Giving tools away

[Borrego]

I have a friend I hang out with from time to time who has a small tool box of basic, generic tools. Last week, I was visiting and noticed there were some tools on the table. It was explained to me these were headed to Goodwill as part of a donation if my friend didn't want them. So they were picked up and brought home, at which point I saw them.
Nothing special, except a pair of steel handled smooth jawed Channel Locks in original pouch. Knowing I would be interested in them, the friend said I could have them. They now reside in my Channel Lock drawer at home.
Wanting to return the favor, I gathered together some extra tools I had - 4 pairs of China mini pliers, couple of Craftsman screwdrivers, an old beat up pair of vice grips and gifted them to the friend as a thank you.
Which brings me to my question. When was the last time you gave tools to someone?

 

[Daedalus]

Never. I'm a tool hoarder, not a tool gifter. Well, come to think of it, I have bought some tools for my father a handful of times, partly to replace some of the tools I broke growing up, but really they're for me to use when I go home to visit.

 

[Stuey]

I gave away another tool box last week, and am sending 2 more tools to friends this week.

As I clean up, I'm going to give away more of the tools I use least.

 

[Altec]

I give my girly most of my smalls. Stubby screwdrivers, and jewellery stuff. Tools I never use, but she can.

Also have given my Dad a couple pieces. Doesn't compare to what he has given me though. In iron, and knowledge...

Planning a possible give away right now. Would like to give back a little more.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have given my dad a number of craftsman stuff that i have "outgrown" by this i mean just plain dont use anymore. The last time I gave a tool away it was a filter wrench to my best friend when he got back into wrenching and bought a toolbox. I gave it to him as a "box warming" gift.

 

[canuckian]

For used tools, i've done up a couple basic toolboxes for new neighbors that for whatever reason don't have any tools or their tools were hung up in the move. They've come over to ask to borrow a couple tools and instead, I just throw a few screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, pliers, maybe a hammer in a small toolbox and say 'welcome to the neighborhood" and offer to help if they need it. A little kindness and generousity goes a long way with new neighbors.Also, there's nothing more frustrating than trying to set up in a new home without basic tools to do stuff like hang the flat screen on the wall, put beds together, install appliances, etc. Also gave away a set years ago to a neighbors kid that loved taking apart and fixing bikes, appliances, etc but had no tools. He used the hell out of those!
for new tools, i've given SO ratcheting screwdrivers to my father and my BIL and a set of 50th edition corvette SO screwdrivers to my FIL. I was going to give a set of Harley SO screwdrivers as part of a wedding gift to my BIL and his fiancee but now the wedding's postponed so it'll likely end up being a christmas present for him. Also gave my wife some of the SO pink tools for mothers day this past year. i have to start keeping some screwdrivers for myself!!!

 

[lbgradwell]

I frequently give away tools that are included in lot buys that I either don't need or don't want and I feel are not worth trying to sell.

I also have given away many items when I have "upgraded" - even when there was nothing really wrong with the older stuff...

 

[sumner52000]

A friend was talking about sharpening his lawnmower blades, and mentioned he would have to borrow tools from his uncle to get the blades off. He said he couldn't get enough force with just his ratchet. The next night at work I took him an extra Craftsman breaker bar I had. A few days later he said it worker perfect and he didn't even need a piece of pipe.

 

[jmauld]

Which brings me to my question. When was the last time you gave tools to someone?

My neighbor's son graduated from high school earlier this year. I purchased him a socket set and wrench set, and then gave him an unused tool bag to get him started.

 

[1991Syclone]

During my garage makeover, anything that I don't want or haven't used/don't plan on ever using goes to my brother-in-law. Gave him an electric nail/staple gun, battery powered dremel knock off, storage container, and a set of HF screwdrivers.

 

[csmitty]

If the situation arose I wouldn't mind gifting tools to someone. I've got a bunch of used CMan stuff and some sockets and a few ratchets that don't get used at all. I guess I just assume everyone has tools. I like to visit mine everynight before bed

 

[Travis E.]

I regularly give my friends tools I have no use for. I have a couple of bottom boxes that have a lot of duplicates I will never use. I also had a few boxes from some tool lots I purchased that I have given away. For me, it's not worth the hassle of making a couple bucks when I know someone I can give it to.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Guy I work with, his son got into wrenching at an RV place, think he has mostly craftsman, I have been thinking of giving him my Circa 1980 Snap On 3/8" drive ratchet. It's the F80 length.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Gave my nephew a new carry toolbox as a gift, then I thought, well... its empty! So I loaded the new box up my old Taiwanese Durabilt set that was my road kit (still in good condition), along with a spare set of screwdrivers I had. Nephew seems pleased!

Funny how that karma thing works... my father-in-law just gave me an old Craftsman air sander that he had not used in a long time.

 

[RKA]

Just gave dad a 12v bosch drill driver the other month. Had it listed here with no bites, coincidentally he happened to ask me for a recommendation and I handed it to him with some hitachi bits. My interest in tools, breaking things (sometimes fixing them) all started with him.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Hoping someone gives me this box........LOL
Seriously, I have been thinking of getting this box, think It would be just enough additional space for my tools at home.
Would go on top of the 3 drawer one I have now, and the ~ 26" wide Kennedy up on top of that.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...-trade-intermediate-tool-chest/p-00962221000P

 

[Coach James]

I give two of my employees tools every couple months. Since they came to work for me they've received a circular saw, quarter sheet sander, fixed base and plunge router, jig saw, wrenches, pry bars, pliers and lots of other things I can't remember.

Give my dad tools from time to time. usually things that will make a job easier for him that he won't spend the money on himself.
Coach

 

[Zrexxer]

My sister's husband is only a few years younger than me, but never really had any tools to speak of and never learned how to do a lot of things. He's really trying though, and has slowly been building up his tool collection over the last few years. I've tried to encourage him and help him along even though they live in another state.

I gave him a nice set of Cman raised panel combination wrenches last time they were here and he was so tickled you'd have thought he'd won the lottery. Time before that I gave him a set of Klein nutdrivers. He also wanted to buy a torque wrench to do some work on a Toyota Tundra he'd bought second-hand, so I found him a deal on a Snap On clicker here on the classifieds and taught him how to use that.

 

[Jawn]

This thread gives me an idea. A friend of mine isn't too mechanically knowledgeable, but I suspect it's a matter of lack of experience, not a lack of ability. As far as I know, he doesn't have a heck of a lot in the way of tools... I should remedy that.

 

[SMKS]

I sometimes end up with low-quality tools that are part of lots I buy.

After I accumulate a decent amount, I donate them to Goodwill.

 

[countryroad82]

Yesterday, I gave my stepdad his Christmas gift early, a nice 64 piece Napa socket set that I scored off Cripes for cheap ($35).

 

[cortez]

I thought (was led to believe) I had a Deadly Disease and was dying (1985). So I took my best tools and divided them into buckets. My brothers and sisters (4 of them) and my 2 best friends received these gifts with gratitude.

I did not say I was dying, only that I had too many tools and could not use them all.

When I did not die I did not regret giving these good tools away. It felt good to give them to people who have used them with gratitude.

 

[Tim Cowan]

A couple of years ago I donated to our local church, First United Methodist, an old tote box with a good selection of used seconds grouped together and let the custodian have the care of them in his closet. As far as I know, most of them are still there......

 

[back2class]

When I buy and sell tool lots, the odds and ends that have little value and I don't need, I give away to kids. Last year I gave three big chests away well stocked. About 70 lbs a box t some teenage guys I know.

 

[mtkst19]

young kid at work i gave him a old c-man rally box w/ about 10 usa screw drivers, c-man socket sets in all 3 sizes, some ratchets and other odds and ends. kid is a hustler and had cheap tools. this was like a 5th set i had floating around. knew he had no money so helped him out. he is appreciative. made me happy.

 

[Skyline]

I've given thousands of dollars of decent tools to our local Volunteer FD. I buy so many large collections of tools, that anything that's not "truck" brands gets donated. I got a $1,500 tax deduction last lear. But only the quality stuff. All the Chicom **** and broken tools (with no way to easily warranty,) go in a box on the front lawn with a sign "Free Tools"...usually does not make it to trash pick up. The first time I tried this, I made the mistake of leaving a full trashcan of crappy tools out there....never saw that trashcan again.

 

[2oolhound]

Ahhh gift giving. Makes me think of time here in the western world. When we run around with our lists and bump elbow to elbow with throngs of other shoppers chasing the specials from the hoards of advertising flyers we did happen to see. Let's see, Jimmy, well last year he got me that which was about $30.00 so I need to find something for $30.00 for him...

Somehow Christmas gift giving has lost it's appeal through commercialism and our busy daily lives. What I'm seeing on this thread however is the true spirt of gift giving, not time constrained or expected but given at the time of need and out of genuine kindness and not because it's expected of us. Gift giving should not be just on special occasions but any time, when we see the real need and can fulfill that need.

Way to go people! Bravo!

 

[W650Mike]

I know my way around several of my friend's boxes. When they do me favors or help on my projects – I fill in a hole or two in their collection. Several of my old car buddies do the same for me.

One of my friend’s was in the hospital last year. I knew his hammer drawer was short so I made him a ball peen hammer bouquet.

 

[treasureseeker]

If I have an item I never use and have a friend that would value the item I give it to him or when I have three of an item I do the same. I gave my neighbor some Craftsman dead blows yesterday and I have a Craftsman hacksaw to give today. I have given tools to the Salvation Army also. I grew up poor and most items we had came from the Goodwill.

 

[lwlobo]

I given away quite a bit of tools. To my dad, wife's dad, brothers, and brother in law. Often it's multiples when I find a really good deal (e.g. files from Amazon) or a good tool from a garage sale when I already have one similar. Sometimes it's my old stuff when it gets replaced with better stuff.

 

[kc-steve]

Anyone who feels charitable, I would be happy to fulfill your need and be the recipient of your generosity!

Steve

 

[NUTTSGT]

I gave my BIL a set of jackstands, not much, but I don't think he had a set.

 

[trbomax]

I give away tools to my kids all the time,I just hardly ever know about it untill I cant find them!

edit) I did give my BIL my old tombstone AC-180 30 yearsago!

 

[DrkMtnDew]

gave my dad a SO F936

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I give away my retired stuff on a pretty regular basis. I try to help out the kids without a whole lot to spend that want to get into the trades.

 

[Gregg33]

I often give extra offshore tools I have away, to friends, Goodwill, and people that bought other tools off me (throw in freebees). It makes me feel good and honestly the stuff is worth very little $ anyways, even as broke as I am it's not worth placing an ad to sell $5 or even $15 of tools. If stuff I don't need can be used by some1, then why not give it to them!

 

[mtkst19]

i see you guys give to goodwill/salvation army. i do not think i have ever seen a tool of any quality or kind in any of the places i been in around my area. makes me wonder where they go...

 

[nit2wn]

I'm not as goodwill'd as you guys. I gave my f-i-l a 1/2 drive cordless Craftsman drill [19.2] for his birthday one year. I did it so he'd quit asking for mine. I'm not much on sharing with him, he doesn't keep up with his stuff too well. I'm betting my tools wouldn't fare much better. My wife balked at it costing more than she planned. I then reminded her how much peace it would keep in our house, because I'd be mad if mine came back damaged.

 

[usdemt]

I've given thousands of dollars of decent tools to our local Volunteer FD. I buy so many large collections of tools, that anything that's not "truck" brands gets donated. I got a $1,500 tax deduction last lear. But only the quality stuff. All the Chicom **** and broken tools (with no way to easily warranty,) go in a box on the front lawn with a sign "Free Tools"...usually does not make it to trash pick up. The first time I tried this, I made the mistake of leaving a full trashcan of crappy tools out there....never saw that trashcan again.

As a volunteer firefighter who didnt receive your tools I still want to thank you. The limited budgets that FF operate on is very small and mostly spent on higher priced items such as personal safety equipment and trucks. Tools are many times left to the bottom, however sometimes the right wrench is so much easier than the jaws if you know what you are doing. We have a decent collection of hand tools (mainly SK) from member of our department that donated the old tools to the department for use. We carry a small but thorough collection of hand tools on our rescue and our engine, and they are the first thing I go to whether I am working on a truck or on a crash scene.

I do want to add though that these are good quality tools and the cheap stuff is not worth my time or effort when time is of the essence. I have many cheap tools but wouldnt want them on my engine so if you are thinking of donating please make sure that they are of the quality that if your life depended on it they wont break or cause more issues.

 

[Tatsuya]

To my girlfriend: A cheap homeowner type setup for her apartment. HF stuff, couple Kobalt things, spare tools I don't need.

To my dad: Recently gave him a jab saw, a pair of Klein wire strippers, and a Fluke voltage tester. He'd use them way more than I would at his job. Other stuff I don't remember.

To my brother: 3/8" drive flex-head Armstrong ratchet. Didn't need it and he has a thing for Armstrong tools. Also gave him a Snap-On beer pitcher. He collects beer mugs and cups and stuff like that.

To my neighbor: Mostly cheap import stuff. Ball peen hammer, rubber mallet, 1/4" Craftsman ratchet, a wrench rack, not sure what else.