How many is too many. Duplicate tools

[Frank]

So after 25 years of wrenching (yes, even when I was 12) I FINALLY bought a decent tool box to hold it all. Now that I've gathered my extremely mixed up set if tools, I find that I have so many duplicates of things I ended up with for one reason or another. I counted 14 ratchets, sometimes 5 of one size/type of wrench, not a single matching screwdriver though there are probably a couple of dozen, probably a 100 allen head wrenches and about 2 dozen pairs of pliers/dykes. Everything from Craftsman, Snapon, Williams, Stanley, Benchmade, Thorsen, SK, Williams, New Britain, Blackhawk, Indestro, Plomb, Proto, Popular Mechanics, Sears, Ford, Klein, Cresent, and a whole bunch of others I forget. I might as well try collecting at least 1 piece of every name out there because I hardly have a matching set of anything. Not complaining, I have been blessed to do everything I ever needed to do with what I have.

I'm going to put together a road box and share some of the rest of the duplicates with a person I know that could really use them.

Yours this mixed up?

 

[goodfellow]

And your problem is ??? Never have too many duplicates. They come in handy at the most unexpected time. As long as they're quality tools, who cares if they are from every manufacturer under sun.

It's nice to share, just don't leave yourself in a hole

 

[jerk_chicken]

I have a POS plastic tool box now and it holds all my combos, three sizes of sockets, impacts in 1/2, two sets of gearwrenches (one eight piece, and the other is a set from 8-25), and a whole bunch of other ****.

Not that says anything for this thread, but I can't really carry the box anymore and I don't think it will last.

 

[Bull]

Frank, I am glad that you have posted. I like helping people out. Just go ahead and give me your address, and I will send you a large, empty, padded box with return shipping paid to my address. Please fill it with your extra tools. Problem solved. You're welcome.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Yours this mixed up?

Absolutely! I would not want it any other way myself. I do have tools that match and yes, I have sets of some things; but on the whole most of mine was a piece at a time over 30 years. I would hate only having one brand of everything, even Snap-on. I like the variety of all the different brands. Having only one brand would be just too boring for me. I like having a few bits and pieces from all the manufacturers. My tool collection can be seen on page 59 of the "show us your tool box thread" go see if my tool pile does not look a bit like yours. I bet they look a lot alike!

 

[-B-]

I have a lot of specialized tools some of them take tremendous stress it is not uncommon for them to fail in use having 3-4 is common practice for me. Not having an intimidate replacement is far more costly than the price of the tool. Bicycles seem delicate under the surface there are a lots of over stressed mated parts in tight confinement spots.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I like have duplicates in lots of different brands. It not only keeps you safe in case one breaks, but it also gives you options i.e. different length, angle, thinkness, etc if one doesn't seem to fit in a certain location.

 

[T56 Impala]

Humm, well......

I have two complete sets of Craftsman. They are in my main box. These are the ones I actually use more than anything. Whatever isn't Craftsman in that box is good quality and can be replaced. Included in this is Toptul.

I have my road box that contains mostly Asian stuff. Let me rephrase that, CHEAP Asian stuff. It is a smaller version of my big box. One of almost everything. Only one small set of sockets and no specialty wrenches. I could actually do most anything I need to with this box.

My "Special" box is full of stuff like in ground sprinkler tools and such. Very limited use, cheap (sometimes disposable) stuff I just couldn't trash.

My bench box is my WW box. It does hold some doubles of standard hand tools, but mostly gouges, lathe acc., drill press acc and WW supplies.

Then there is the Antique box I'm restoring. It will hold even more doubles. They will be vintage ones I will pick up just for this box. Some will be used, some may only see the light of day once and a while. I do like using them though. Some of those tools hold great memories for me.

Anyway, as long as there is a use for doubles, it good to have as many as possible!

 

[garfunkle24]

I have a lot of specialized tools some of them take tremendous stress it is not uncommon for them to fail in use having 3-4 is common practice for me. Not having an intimidate replacement is far more costly than the price of the tool. Bicycles seem delicate under the surface there are a lots of over stressed mated parts in tight confinement spots.

I worked as a bike tech for a while in my younger days, mainly DH and slalom bikes and also did the wrenching for our shop sponsored bike team. My favourite was the seat post stuck in the seat tube. Very kindly the owner had already cut the seat post off flush with the seat tube.

To the OP; As a pro tech I didn't have the luxury of building up my tools over a long time. Most of my stuff came in sets from the truck brands (at dear cost). Since then, I've accumulated lots of single tools and I can't really say I care whether they're in sets, as long as they work.

 

[lbgradwell]

Well, I'm (more than) a bit ****, so I can't stand having one-offs of anything that should be in a set - like wrenches. Consequently, I will never buy a combo wrench unless it is in a set or the set could be easily acquired. And by a set I mean same company, same series; a OEXM140A will simply not do as a replacement for the OEXM140 I seek...

However, I am also fascinated by the history of tools & want at least something representative from every quality manufacturer out there past & present. Ratchets are examples of individual tools I want from different companies. Likewise pliers, adjustable wrenches, hammers, and so forth! Then I thoroughly enjoy researching the history of the companies involved and discussing my findings with the other weirdos here...

Basically, it's all about you! Do whatever feels right!

 

[paramudduck]

Is it possible to have too many different brands shapes sizes of tools? Each company makes them a tad different so they fit into different places.

I have 12 different makes,types of 1/4 ratchets in the box here at the house.

 

[wrenchr]

Foolish question........

 

[davestlouis]

My problem is that I don't have enough duplicate tools...I do like to buy wrenches in sets, but I also have some loose items too. I'm getting to the point with sockets that I keep little boxes of "spare" sockets in my most common sizes, 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, etc, just grab one out of the box when you need one.

 

[speed bump]

I started thinking I should stop buying 9/16" combination wrenches when I acquired 4 in my main box, 1 in the car and at least 1 in the house.

 

[robin1731]

Of course I have nearly a complete duplicate set of tools. I got tired of working on one of the race bikes in the trailer and having to go into the garage to get something else all the time. Much nicer having it all right there. And I never have to worry about forgetting to take something to the track.

 

[Merkava_4]

There's no such thing as too many duplicates.

 

[Flash21]

Well, I guess I'm the minority here. I stop at one duplicate with some exceptions like ratchets. If I have three or more of something and they are all very close to the same (thickness, length, etc) then I sell the dups and buy other tools that I don't have at all.

For example, I have four sets of SAE combos right now (3 12pt and 1 6pt) I'm looking to sell one set of the 12pts and buy some extra long box / box instead with zero offset vs. the 15 degrees offset of the ones I have. They will be more functional for me since they will fit another application that my 3rd set of dups wouldn't help me with.

 

[back2class]

I have/had lots of duplicates. Mostly from when I had my property mamagement company and It was less expensive to just buy a spare if a tool was missing or on another job. Backups are great when time is money too. Sold most of the extras when I got out. I HATE mismatched sets of tools. HATE IT! I find it difficult to work that way. I am a very disorganized person in nearly all parts of my life, but HATE missing or disorganized tools. When sets match you can quickly tell when one is missing and it is easier to find the right size. Things like sockets and wrenches not in matched have no place in my tool box. Its not an **** thing or brand thing.

 

[jpilgrim]

Dupes?
I love 'em!
These are my excess Craftsman V- and C-underline combo wrenches that aren't already in sets or toolboxes.

 

[Paladin]

I have found from shopping at pawn shops and flea markets that I have a TON of SAE wrenches and sockets, but not a lot of dup's in metric. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It just gives me a reason to hit the flea markets and pawn shops every weekend, hoping that I'll find those more elusive used metric tools!

 

[Kona Cruisers]

73 of one tool is to much 72 ok


its science

 

[Paladin]

73 of one tool is to much 72 ok


its science

Makes sense. I'll explain it to my wife. She should understand after I explain the "science".

 

[rsanter]

most of the time you will not need more then 3 of any commonly used item
2 of a size of wrench in case you need one for each end and the third is so when you drop one and it ends up under the center of the car

any more than that and it belongs in the 'spares' box

bob

 

[Frank Elson]

I have one set of combo spanners and one socket set - with a couple of broken ones replaced. That's in nearly 40 years.

Then I have other "sets", goodness knows how many, that are made up of all makes found in car boots, on ebay etc.

...and I still need more tools.

sorry, what was the question again?

 

[jeep44]

I have "satellite" tool boxes to hold my extras-the main box in the garage (well, I guess actually the main box is at work), another box in the barn,plus one in the basement. Another complete set at the cottage. Each one of my vehicles has a mechanic's bag full of tools in it,too. I never pass up a good deal at a yard sale,even if I already have triplicates of something.