Growing up my dad had at least one of everything, and he kept all that he could in his craftmans 26" stack. When I grew up and moved out, he bought me a USA cman mechanic set, that's kind of what started it. The fact I could never find anything growing up, is now the reason i have more boxes then him.
How did your tool addiction begin?
- Thread starter Jweebothee
- Start date
I couldn't agree with you more. Half the guys I work with that is all they talk about and do on the weekends. Drink beer and sit in a recliner watching football.....no way not for me.
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Jwych
Well-known member
I got a job that required me to have my own tools, I was looking for a better alternative to truck brand tools so I started researching which led me here. I have spent around 3500 bucks in the last 8 months with very little going to the truck thanks to gj 
When I was poor and my truck broke down. My friend had a set of horrible freight and misc no name tools. I remember fighting with junk tools throughout the repair. stripped 1 of his ratchets, sheared a extension and one of his open ends broke on a bolt.
When I got a job, I got the 199 piece set from sears, followed by a screwdriver set from sears, then hammers, pliers, and etc. I never again will use Chinese tools if I can avoid it.
Now I work with some of those same tools I got, and the collection continues! But now it's SK, Proto, and I plan on putting the entire set of Sears tools I got into its original case to never use again, because every time I do I remember sears outsourced and I get angry.
When I got a job, I got the 199 piece set from sears, followed by a screwdriver set from sears, then hammers, pliers, and etc. I never again will use Chinese tools if I can avoid it.
Now I work with some of those same tools I got, and the collection continues! But now it's SK, Proto, and I plan on putting the entire set of Sears tools I got into its original case to never use again, because every time I do I remember sears outsourced and I get angry.
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it was probably 4 year maybe 5 years ago my dad got me a 308 piece craftsman tool kit when i working on my own car. i used to keep it and my pliers some pry bars and a small jack in my car go to friends houses and work on there vehicles.
Shoebox Driver
Member
When I started working for a friend of mine and got tired of borrowing HIS tools to do MY job. Makes a difference having tools to call your own.
midwestguy
Member
I guess I would have to say when I inherited my Dad's tools 30 years ago. I was just to young to appreciate them at the time. Glad I never sold any through the years. Of course, this site has helped some too!
Always had tools but it did not become an addiction until a few years ago when I started to try and fill some holes in what I had. I would then buy some things off e-bay or craigslist or the pawn shop that then created additional holes. Next thing you know tool boxes are lining the walls of the garage and I'll be damned if there still are not even more holes to fill.
Plus the hot deals section here is like handing donuts to a fat kid. Must resist but can't .
Plus the hot deals section here is like handing donuts to a fat kid. Must resist but can't .
midwestguy
Member
My dad got me started. He built and drove modified's, midgets,sprint cars, etc. out of Long Island. When I turned 11 he got me a home study course in electronics and also told me it is time to learn mechanics. He said the future of cars is in electronics(this was 1959). The first day I spent working on a modified that he was driving for someone else. I looked at this massive tool box that said snap on in chrome and was hooked. The tools just felt like they belonged in my hands. Unfortunately the first bolt I tightened , I twisted off. My Dad didn't get mad, he just showed me how to fix it. I went home and dreamed of having my own tools. I used his tools until I got accepted into a 2 year course in auto mechanics through the U of NY. I had to supply hand tools and I cut lawns, babysat and did yard work until I had enough money to buy a Craftsman 91 piece tool set. My dad had me clean and wax all the tools to help prevent rust and had me soak the ratchets in a jar of 10 weight motor oil. Then I joined the army and worked as a wheel/tracked vehicle mechanic for 3 years. The army wanted those tools kept very clean and in good repair. Long story short, I got out of the army and went to work for the rest of my working life as a mechanic and welder fitter and also electronics tech. I had a very large Snap on tool box and I have always taken care of my tools and equipment. To this day I still clean and wax tools before first use. I am 65 years old now and my son has been taught just as I was, and my grandson will soon be learning to love tools and mechanics. Now I have a bunch of brands of tools in a kobalt box, no Snap on.
I have always had tools, mostly just the basics and always tried to do my own auto work. Mostly had older craftsman USA stuff with a little SK, Proto etc. My father was the same way and usually only had Snap-On etc if it was a specialty tool. Then as the years went on I started looking at Snap-On and the other truck brands and started replacing my older tools with the truck brands. Honestly, my tool addiction didn't really start until I joined here. The hot deals section doesn't help and I'm always finding tools that I didn't even know I needed but it's all good and I know I can stop any time I want.
but it's all good and I know I can stop any time I want.sberry
Banned
I am not a collector, especially at t his point, if I don't need it then I don't want it.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
In the late 60's when I was a kid visiting sears robuck. Saw all those tools... had to have em.
Plus it's not healthy. Ok to drink a few beers but sitting and doing nothing is not good,for the body. Don't have to be a marathon runner, but staying active is better.
Sounds like you need a TV in the garage, sir!
I thought about it, but don't want to go,through the hassle to dig a trench and bury the cable. Any other options?
Super Sport
Well-known member
When I was 15, I inherited the small and mis-matched tool sets from my father and grandfather. This originally sparked my interest, and I bought a number of Craftsman tools from Sears.
And then I ran across a small toolbox at an estate sale, full of like-new SK and Craftsman, and for $40 thought it was a hell of a deal. I then began to buy tools at estate sales, and resell some of them. That led me here, which has only fueled the fire!
And then I ran across a small toolbox at an estate sale, full of like-new SK and Craftsman, and for $40 thought it was a hell of a deal. I then began to buy tools at estate sales, and resell some of them. That led me here, which has only fueled the fire!
I just have whatever antenna channels I can get which is about 10-15. Depends on the day
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
I don't believe it ever began, it preexisted (sort of like a birth defect). From my earliest memories I always liked tools. My dad was a machinist and had a lot of them around the house and I always really liked tools. Oddly, not because of what they could do, I have tons of tools I've never used so I know that's true, I just always liked tools simply because they were tools.
Parents recognised there may be an issue when I took the family hammer to the toilet bowel 'just to see what would happen'
Then grabbed screwdrivers and took old rotary dial phone apart and somehow managed to put it back together again
So they bought me an electronics kit - very bad move, if I understand something I'm not afraid of it, so fearless around electricity now
Fast forward......bought first house, maintained, house next door was repossessed by building society, broken into, vandalised, attempts made to break into mine via roofspace
They wanted 10k but said they would take 8 - I went the other way and offered the building society a deal where I would agree not to sue the absolute **** out of them if they sold it to me for 2K - and they agreed (common sense prevailed)
So I ended up with a house next door to mine with four walls and a part of a roof - did everything myself bar the replumbing (and learnt some valuable lessons - I hate heights and will preferably never again replace a slate roof, and will definitely never again attempt to replaster a ceiling)
Cars? Started with very briefly dodge aries so not a lot needed or could be done so little need for car tools, then wrote off madam's 95 new yorker in appalling weather and got scared driving small car so bought 85 lincoln towncar - saturdays were a joy of scrapyard visits, sundays the joy of playing with and fitting what I found the previous day (and it was a joy - I hated my inlaws and very rapidly soon to be ex wife so gave me an excuse not to go over on a sunday)
Fast forward again...... try buying a 20 year old jaguar - I need every tool in the world that has ever been invented, and I might need to invent some myself - I'm barred from tool stores by she who must be obeyed
Do I really need another socket set? Magic 8 ball says 'yes if you can pay for'
Hello, my name is Chris and I'm an addict........but no, I'm not wanting shared stories, just wanting to buy more tools from recovering (HAH) addicts
c
Then grabbed screwdrivers and took old rotary dial phone apart and somehow managed to put it back together again
So they bought me an electronics kit - very bad move, if I understand something I'm not afraid of it, so fearless around electricity now
Fast forward......bought first house, maintained, house next door was repossessed by building society, broken into, vandalised, attempts made to break into mine via roofspace
They wanted 10k but said they would take 8 - I went the other way and offered the building society a deal where I would agree not to sue the absolute **** out of them if they sold it to me for 2K - and they agreed (common sense prevailed)
So I ended up with a house next door to mine with four walls and a part of a roof - did everything myself bar the replumbing (and learnt some valuable lessons - I hate heights and will preferably never again replace a slate roof, and will definitely never again attempt to replaster a ceiling)
Cars? Started with very briefly dodge aries so not a lot needed or could be done so little need for car tools, then wrote off madam's 95 new yorker in appalling weather and got scared driving small car so bought 85 lincoln towncar - saturdays were a joy of scrapyard visits, sundays the joy of playing with and fitting what I found the previous day (and it was a joy - I hated my inlaws and very rapidly soon to be ex wife so gave me an excuse not to go over on a sunday)
Fast forward again...... try buying a 20 year old jaguar - I need every tool in the world that has ever been invented, and I might need to invent some myself - I'm barred from tool stores by she who must be obeyed
Do I really need another socket set? Magic 8 ball says 'yes if you can pay for'
Hello, my name is Chris and I'm an addict........but no, I'm not wanting shared stories, just wanting to buy more tools from recovering (HAH) addicts
c
Well it started when I was 10 years old my Mom and dad had gotten a divorce so no man around and I wanted to help around the house so my mom bought me a craftsman tool box and screwdriver set for my birthday.
which I enjoyed so much I bought a cheap engraver and put my initials in every screwdriver. Then fast forward to 14 and decided I wanted a craftsman set I picked out a 158 piece or something like that which I also engraved every piece and that I payed for with money I got from my birthday.
which I enjoyed so much I bought a cheap engraver and put my initials in every screwdriver. Then fast forward to 14 and decided I wanted a craftsman set I picked out a 158 piece or something like that which I also engraved every piece and that I payed for with money I got from my birthday.
geojag
Well-known member
I worked on various things around the farm with my grandfather. When I got my own car, it never crossed my mind to take it to a shop, so I got some basic tools and went from there. I started with old Craftsman and SK. I would estimate that less than 10% of my tools were bought new, and I am always open to upgrading to better tools when I have a chance. Doing this, all my wrenches are Snapon, Mac, Matco, Proto, SK etc. - all quality US brands. I don't mind my tools not being a matching set, I have what I need and they are good tools.
If I see a quality tool that I don't have, or one that would be an upgrade to my current tools, I pick it up. That isn't an addiction is it?
If I see a quality tool that I don't have, or one that would be an upgrade to my current tools, I pick it up. That isn't an addiction is it?
the gypsy
Well-known member
My addiction started when I was young, somewhat like 16 yrs old or so. The washroom sink was leaking at the trap, so take it apart go to the store pick up the piece and that was the first repair I did. Took an old expandable plier (Knipex type) and could not get a good hold on the parts, making the process a lot longer and frustrating. This is when I realized that working with the right tools makes the work less frustrating and the work progresses much quicker.
My next tool was a Black and Decker power drill (gray body and black handle)with a blow molded case. And this is the begining of my addiction.
My next tool was a Black and Decker power drill (gray body and black handle)with a blow molded case. And this is the begining of my addiction.
DItto my friend. I can care a less about sports period. Give me music and something to fix anyday. Its why I love to cook too. It's all about craftsmanship and pride in doing things yourself.
Cope
Well-known member
I had my first tool kit around the age of five. I remember taking the saw and attempting to cut between the female end of an extension cord and the plug on the lamp cord. Next thing I remember is lying on the couch feeling like a train ran through my body. Dad made me a work bench when I was in the fourth grade and I started from there.
benzoni
Well-known member
Taking Diesel Mechanics at the local trade school around 95-96 started collecting tools and storing them in my closet in a laundry basket for the day I would need them.. Started going on the trucks shortly after school and I have been blinded by chrome ever since.
neuralsnafu
Well-known member
I blame my mom. I've always been a tinkerer. (Few vcrs met their untimely demise when I was 6-7) as growing up, i always had to fix what ever my dad "fixed" at the request of mom. Since then I've worked on everything almost (really dread plumbing). And since I got my first car that was mine I've had a tool kit, it started with basic oil changes in domestics on the front lawn, to now plotting ah heart transplant in my bmw. Along the way, I learned that **** tools lead to ****** knuckles, a lot of swearing, and busted bolts. So when I can afford it I buy a good set of something I need to replace...
blazemaster83
Well-known member
My grandfather was a talented woodworker and taught my dad a lot. My dad never was a dedicated craftsman but was always tinkering in the garage and I was usually next to him helping. I eventually moved out and got interested in metalworking. I have been collecting tools and restoring machines for about 10 years now and I imagine I will probably die in the garage lol.
sjkonk
Member
My father is a luthier, and my grandfather was a union construction worker. Both have home shops. So I've always been around tools my entire life. But I guess you can say my "addiction" started when I bought an '89 VW Jetta GLI as a project/fun-car. And soon after that I discovered neither one had any full sets of mechanic tools. Only assorted wrenches and sockets in SAE sizes. So I began to stock up on stuff, and now I have a 26" Craftsman stack with tools I purchased all myself. Because working on stuff is no fun when you don't have the right tool for the job. And GJ helped along the way too!
BioNerd
Well-known member
I worked in shops the first years as a carpenter, so I had no tools of my own.
Then I went to work for a company that did more field work on victorian restoration and the owner was a tool crackhead. He had like 60 handplanes and countless old tools. He was also one of the first guys importing festool stuff, it was all metric. He made me a budget to get hand tools.
Then I bought an old mercedes and I had to learn how to do a lot od stuff myself, so I got mechanical tools too...
Then I went to work for a company that did more field work on victorian restoration and the owner was a tool crackhead. He had like 60 handplanes and countless old tools. He was also one of the first guys importing festool stuff, it was all metric. He made me a budget to get hand tools.
Then I bought an old mercedes and I had to learn how to do a lot od stuff myself, so I got mechanical tools too...
jakemac
Well-known member
Well, I was standing outside of a bar one night, having a cigarette, and this shady looking character comes out of the shadows of the alley nextdoor and says "Pssst, buddy, I got somethin' for ya"
............................................30yrs later I'm standing in front of a bunch of strangers, and I'm like
"Hi. My name is jakemac, and .................".......................
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BioNerd
Well-known member
I truly dont know if the super bowl is baseball or football.
I dont know the name of 99% of celebrities or politicians either.
kctyphoon
Banned
my mother was an addict while i was in the womb - its in my blood..
Touchy subject for me.
This
This
And THIS
Born out of need, blossomed out of desire I guess.
No one in my family really had many tools or did much mechanical work, my dad tried, but it was mostly half assed god bless him. He passed before I was old enough to be really taught anything except for how to keep our ancient snow blower running.
Fixin' things.
Saw my mom get taken advantage of numerous times between home and auto repair. Tired car, questionable house, problem after problem it seemed. One Christmas I got a large <$100 craftsman tool set, screw drivers and pliers. That kept things running for a long while. Bought my 1st big purchase power tool shortly after, a dewalt cordless. Still use it now ~15 years later, although the batteries are dying.
1st major project.
Dad had a sorry workbench in the garage, shelf brackets and particle board. My 1st major not repair project was to build a sturdy work bench. 4x4's, 2x4's carriage bolts and some MDF. A tape measure, circular saw and dewalt drill. Still beating on that same bench, solid as a rock.
Mechanical work.
Mowed lawns for a number of years, which turned into fixing lawn mowers which grew into a small engine repair gig.
Welding
Got my 1st welder at 11 or 12 IIRC, summer of 8th grade. Wanted to build a go kart, bunch of stuff around the house needed welded. Spent some grass cutting money.
Machining
Every year for my birthday my dad would take me to a show, where I met this older man that made live steam engines. Every year I talked to him and finally made solid contact one year. That path got me into machining and he taught me the basics of manual machining. Master tool and die maker WWII era.
Wanted a dirt bike, only thing I could afford was something well used, non running. Bought a old 70's enduro. Needed some parts machined. A few more bikes and lots of hours in front of a mill and lathe later I was pretty proficient and started doing machining side work while in HS.
There have been a few people along the way to guide me in the right path, but mostly self learning. Asking questions, reading, lots of trial by fire. I'd say most of the time I get a satisfaction out of repairing something. Especially when others say it is not possible or can't be done. I've dabbled in lots of hobbies from planes, trains, cars, knives, guns, aquariums. All seem to hinge on tools some way or another.
Grandfater was a electronics repair man after his uncle sam sponsored "vacation" during WWII. He taught me the basics of electronics, soldering, meters and scopes all while I was in the single digits.
I've made alot of mistakes, learned alot, but I guess that is all part of life. Wish I had someone to guide me those years to minimize the mistakes, but hey what can you do?
Went to college for engineering, excelled at the hands on, some of the theory. Worked part time shirt and tie in the evenings, machining and welding on the side. Out of college, behind a desk, still fixin' things, still machining and welding on the side.
Could go on for hours, lots of stories some just to personal to share on a public forum.
Thanks to this forum for opening my eyes to brands outside of craftsman. And Lookin' for getting me into old tool boxes.
1st and only snap on tool for a long time was my dad's old M71? 1/2" drive snap on ratchet. I had no idea what snap on was.
This
This
Now if I could only get a garage larger than my 14ft x 24ft single, I would be able to buy so much more.
And THIS
Born out of need, blossomed out of desire I guess.
No one in my family really had many tools or did much mechanical work, my dad tried, but it was mostly half assed god bless him. He passed before I was old enough to be really taught anything except for how to keep our ancient snow blower running.
Fixin' things.
Saw my mom get taken advantage of numerous times between home and auto repair. Tired car, questionable house, problem after problem it seemed. One Christmas I got a large <$100 craftsman tool set, screw drivers and pliers. That kept things running for a long while. Bought my 1st big purchase power tool shortly after, a dewalt cordless. Still use it now ~15 years later, although the batteries are dying.
1st major project.
Dad had a sorry workbench in the garage, shelf brackets and particle board. My 1st major not repair project was to build a sturdy work bench. 4x4's, 2x4's carriage bolts and some MDF. A tape measure, circular saw and dewalt drill. Still beating on that same bench, solid as a rock.
Mechanical work.
Mowed lawns for a number of years, which turned into fixing lawn mowers which grew into a small engine repair gig.
Welding
Got my 1st welder at 11 or 12 IIRC, summer of 8th grade. Wanted to build a go kart, bunch of stuff around the house needed welded. Spent some grass cutting money.
Machining
Every year for my birthday my dad would take me to a show, where I met this older man that made live steam engines. Every year I talked to him and finally made solid contact one year. That path got me into machining and he taught me the basics of manual machining. Master tool and die maker WWII era.
Wanted a dirt bike, only thing I could afford was something well used, non running. Bought a old 70's enduro. Needed some parts machined. A few more bikes and lots of hours in front of a mill and lathe later I was pretty proficient and started doing machining side work while in HS.
There have been a few people along the way to guide me in the right path, but mostly self learning. Asking questions, reading, lots of trial by fire. I'd say most of the time I get a satisfaction out of repairing something. Especially when others say it is not possible or can't be done. I've dabbled in lots of hobbies from planes, trains, cars, knives, guns, aquariums. All seem to hinge on tools some way or another.
Grandfater was a electronics repair man after his uncle sam sponsored "vacation" during WWII. He taught me the basics of electronics, soldering, meters and scopes all while I was in the single digits.
I've made alot of mistakes, learned alot, but I guess that is all part of life. Wish I had someone to guide me those years to minimize the mistakes, but hey what can you do?
Went to college for engineering, excelled at the hands on, some of the theory. Worked part time shirt and tie in the evenings, machining and welding on the side. Out of college, behind a desk, still fixin' things, still machining and welding on the side.
Could go on for hours, lots of stories some just to personal to share on a public forum.
Thanks to this forum for opening my eyes to brands outside of craftsman. And Lookin' for getting me into old tool boxes.
1st and only snap on tool for a long time was my dad's old M71? 1/2" drive snap on ratchet. I had no idea what snap on was.
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1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Dad always said if you stuffed it, you fix it, so with that I soon learnt to appreciate good tools.
BioNerd
Well-known member
Lol, its not just magnetized, it cleans the parts and keep your morning cereal at the right temperature.
the gypsy
Well-known member
Zkling I must say that was a nice story, Thank you for sharing.