How much redundancy do you have?

[HanShotFirst]

Doing some cleaning up and straightening up and I was taking stock of things.

I've always been of the mind that you need two of most tools. A friend who has been a pro wrench for 25 years says 3 of everything; "A pair, and a spare".

For wrenches I have a pair and a spare. I have two sets of SAE two sets of metric, and a set of SAE and metric in my portable tool box.

For sockets I have two sets of most things, and there are some I only have one of. For screwdrivers...well, I just have a metric ****-ton of screwdrivers.

But generally speaking, I think anyone working on cars, motorcycles, or doing factory maintenance should have two of most everything.

 

[hangfirew8]

Anything to justify more tool collecting!

Honestly, an impact socket can serve as a spare for a chrome, and a socket of either type can serve as a spare for a wrench. (If it fits)

To answer your question, I have at least 4 of everything, 7 of the most common stuff if you count the per-vehicle tool bags. However I keep the exact duplicates elsewhere to avoid cluttering up my primary auto tool chest.

I'm trying to rationalize what is in my primary garage tool chest, for example I keep a standard length 12-point combination wrench set plus a long pattern 6-point combination wrench set. I don't see a burning need to add a standard pattern in 6 and long pattern in 12 point. Only one set of 6 point flare nut wrenches. Only one set of 12 point Offset Double Box End wrenches (deep crank ring spanners for some of you).

Of course, double everything I just wrote for SAE versus Metric.

 

[rockinacummins]

Hard to say. I don't particular have more than one "set" because I buy most stuff used a wrench or two at a time. I do have a couple or three complete socket sets but also a big drawer full of loose sockets

 

[PugetDude]

Fairly complete set of hand and power tools at 2 houses.

 

[straightcut]

Thanks to the goading and gloating of tool hoarders here, I'm at about three plus sets. It's about time to sell off what I don't use, so I have room to work!

 

[Lx460]

I know I have at least one of everything but I usually can't find it so I end up with 2 or 3...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

for most common hand tool usage: 300 to 600%

 

[kythri]

If I were to exclude the road/travel box, and exclude my various styles of ratcheting GearWrench stuff, then on wrenches, I have 4 sets:

6-point Craftsman raised-panel combination SAE & Metric
12-point Craftsman raised-panel combination SAE & Metric
12-point Craftsman Professional combination SAE & Metric
12-point GearWrench combination SAE & Metric (81919)

Sockets, does having replication of 12-point count?

I've got a full set of SAE and Metric 6-point sockets and 12-point sockets, and a most of a second set of the same that I built before I bought the Craftsman 300+ piece "every damned socket we make" set.

 

[PJNJ]

Ratchets - too many (well maybe not) 30+ including a bunch of CM raised panels.
Sockets - two sets standard and metric plus a bunch of additional loose sockets on rails. Larger sizes and axle sockets - I have only one set.
Impacts - Essentially one set standard and metric with some overlap in 1/4 to 3/4 drive sizes. The exception is an extra set of 1/2 drive standard deep by Stanley - got them years ago when funds were low and they were needed.
Wrenches - two sets + in standard from 1/4 to 7/8 and metric from 6mm to 19mm plus singles in larger sizes to 1-1/8 and 24mm plus a single 27mm.
Screwdrivers - Multiples upon multiples
Torx sockets and wrenches - multiple sets and styles
Specialty sockets like E Torx - single sets
Gearwrench - too many types with overlap
Air ratchets - four I think
Impact guns - Two 1/2 inch - cheap Campbell Hausfield and Aircat.

I keep the extra wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers so I have sacrificial tools that can be ground down, bent, cut or otherwise shaped to fit situations that come up. They have come in handy way more than once.

 

[kythri]

Oh goodness, I didn't even think about ratchets. TONS of those. I need to snap a picture one of these days...

 

[valentine]

At least doubles of everything. Plus I'm always ready to take advantage of a bargain whether I need it or not. All of my sons profit from my tool buying addiction.

-Valentine

 

[woody 73]

I was just wondering if the guys that have several wives like the redundancy or does it get old fast???

 

[bobcatdan]

Technically a **** ton of repeats, but different sets in different places. Work set, home set and truck set. Tools at work do me no good at home as do tools at home do me any good out in the field. Now I'm building a second set for home to sit less then 10' from each other. With the way I ultimately want the shop, I want a set next to the bench for bench work and a set for the service bay for bay work.

 

[msgtsmithret]

I suppose I have a certain amount of redundancy, but its because of the way I work. I've been a gasoline and diesel tech since 1977 so I have quite a few tools to support that. Then I have the honey-do box for home repairs ( a vintage Craftsman of course) and a welding box, and a shooting box for the rifle range, and a carpenters box for creating wood stuff. I do not like to shuffle tools from box to box, so there are as many wrenches between all the boxes as there are q-tips in a new box. Plenty of screwdrivers, etc as well. I'm OK with that, I just pick up a box that's suitable for the project and get busy. Any extras beyond that are given away, sold or traded.

 

[ranunculous]

1.Gotta haves
2.Good deals
3.Gifts
I have a "3-G" network?

 

[Jsf721]

Some things a lot simply because I upgraded the item (Screwdrivers especially), others very little (Ratchets and sockets). If a tool breaks I would replace it quickly but that really slows a job down.

 

[Finky198]

I have a my go to full set of mechanics tools

1/4 -3/4 chromes mostly 6pt some 12pt. 1/4-1/2 impacts 3/4 is next then I have almost complete redundancy for sockets plus specialty sockets like Axle nuts 6pt set impacts and three-quarter 12 point metrics stuff as doubles or it could be if needed...
Wrenches I still use two complete sets of standard and metric craftsman raise panel its what I grew up on I've never broken one tough as nails and they work all USA of course Pliers multiple doubles craftsman, snap on, knipex at lest 2 of every major style with mutil repeats in different sizes two hilti saws alls big 1400w and small 18v still redundancy I guess drills same thing hilti drills 2x 18v SFC and SFH te70 more redundancy screw drivers 2 set of the most common Two full sets at ear muffs we always have visitors for some reason Between me and my business partner we have doubles of most basic stuff I've doubles prybar's and stuff like that that I know have a tendency of snapping tip specially the 24" Snap On and HF breaker bars

Then between me and my one coworker we have A few others specialty workstations that are stocked with like basic hand tools and some power tools fairly complete sense usually no impacts.

 

[firworks]

Since most of my tools come from auctions, I've got the worst of both worlds. Outrageous redundancy and completely huge gaping holes in coverage. Do I have a 5/16" combination wrench? I have 19 of them. Do I have a 3/4" combination wrench? No. How many 1/2" drive 31/32" sockets do I have? 4. How many do I probably need? 0.

 

[bobemmerich]

Can you REALLY have too many tools???? LOL

 

[VictorBravo]

Two sets of everything in the shop (metric and SAE).

Truck tool box with one set of all wrenches, sockets in 3/8 and 1/2 drive, screw drivers, pliers, wiring stuff and hose stuff.

Garden shed has a full set (so I don't have to walk 90 feet to the shop....)

And a house box with metric and SAE wrenches, screwdrivers, 3 or 4 Channellocks, etc.

 

[steed andersen]

AT WORK: Two of combination wrench sets,also a set of ratcheting wrenches,TWO of each socket-6 & 12 point then same for deep well,3 sets of screwdrivers,3 impacts,2 drills,ratchets multiplying like rabbits then mostly one of everything else. Truck: one set each of everything I'll need-gotta travel light. Shop: three sets of sockets,untold number of ratchets,3 sets of wrenches, screwdrivers galore,one of everything else-so far. Basement: This is where old or cheap tools go to retire. Too many to count! P.S. Then there's the same in metric...

 

[70Swinger440]

Six redundants in SAE wrenches between 1/4"-1" spread between stubby, standard length, long pattern, ratcheting, and six point box combo. Triple redundant between 1 1/8"-1 1/2", and single 1 5/8"- 1 3/4". Double redundant on metric wrenches. Socket redundancy of SAE and metric spread between 6 and 12 point, shallow, mid, and deep, chrome and impact. One complete set of 3/4" drive SAE sockets 3/4"-2 3/8". LOTS of redundancy in ratchets. Most tools are stored in my big box, a fairly complete set in a roll around tool cart. I have mostly SAE tools because most of the stuff I work on is old and American.

 

[ElectroMechTech]

Triples in wrenches.
Triples in all my Bondhus hex and torx stuff.
Triples and quads on the pry bar and lifting related stuff.
Ratchets and screwdrivers coming out my ears. Lol.
Doubles and more when it comes to sockets.

Too much stuff to list. Lol.

 

[DodgeMech]

gotta have a backup for the backup, especially if you're dickin around with somethin at your big box and left the socket you need waaaaaaaaaay across the shop on your rollcart...so you have an extra in the box, and a backup for the extra

 

[Ign]

I wish I had a second lathe, mill & belt sander.

 

[logical]

Tons of what some might call redundant that I could live without but no real duplicates. There is no real definitive answer to this. I have SAE and metric combos in 12 point, 6 point, stubby, reversible ratcheting and long pattern but that's not two of anything in my book.

OK, fine I have about 35 ratchets... but none are the same.

 

[Jim C.]

As a fairly serious DIYer, I do have a good amount of redundancy among my tools, but that isn't the result of consciously trying to have "a pair and a spare." For me, it's more a matter of liking tools and having an addiction to buying more of them.

Jim C.

 

[Brownsfan]

Of my most used things like crimpers and wire strippers I counted 7 crimpers and 4 different types of strippers. More sockets and screwdrivers than I will ever need. But I have 3 sets of tools One for the service van, one for the shop and one for home . Now do I need as much as I have in all 3 places. You bet your *** I do. Some guys smoke some drink some like strippers. My wife is glad it's tools and none of the above. Plus I fix just about everything around the house and cars .

 

[taumac]

I always have a backs up or multiple ways of doing the same job. I even back back up for my lawn equipment.

 

[K-Dog]

Yeah, I kinda hate having redundant tools. The only exception is I have two 1/4 drive 10mm sockets. Deep and shallow. Just because in autobody 10mm is BY FAR the most common fastener.
Other than that before I buy a tool I ask myself " what does this tool do that my other tools dont do ? " If I cant come up with an answer ( and sometimes I dont try real hard ) I dont buy it.

 

[fasteddie313]

My SAE wrenches...


Theres almost 5 complete sets of CMan stacked multiples deep here on the left, random USA quality double enders in he middle, stubbies on front right, mostyl SK big combos on the top right etc..

Metric...
This..

Before I got this to add to that.. Stahlwille and love them, actually bought new..

Plus at least another set of gear wrenches by now..

Redundancy? Not the way I see it, I run into things where I need all sorts of sizes and shapes of wrenches and cut custom ones all the time..

I need more, always..

Sockets? I have them in divided drawrs sorted by metric/SAE, drive size, deep, short, universal, hex, torx, etc..

I must have 1,000 sockets and I will buy more and more at bargains every chance I get..

Bt I have rid myself of MOST anything not made in USA, Germany, or comparable quality.. China-Taiwan don't get to live in my boxes, they go to my moms for there property maintenance and for my young brother to destroy his things with, lol.

I think buying all the quality tools I can at bargains a garage sales, auctions, etc is a great investment, I will continue..

 

[afazz]

In my main box, I have a lot of redundancy but very few duplicates. I build redundancy by having similar tools with functional overlap - 6pt and 12pt sockets, long and standard length wrenches, double end and single end flare nut wrenches, standard and stubby Torx bits, 7amp lightweight and 12amp variable speed 4-1/2" grinders, 6" and 8" diagonal cutters, etc. I have 14 different 13mm sockets and none of them are identical. I strive to create a very complete yet concise set of tools.

 

[Zeke]

I'll go against the grain. I hate duplicates within the same theater. I have a set of tools in the truck for general mechanical uses and there's the boxe(s) in the garage for whatever I'm doing. But there's not going to be two 3/8ths combination wrenches anywhere close to each other.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I would rather spend my money on variations and tools that I don't have than spending it on duplicates. Most of my duplicates get sold unless I need them for a road box.

I have very little redundancy of the same tools, but I have backups with variations and drive sizes. For example, I only have one set of combination wrenches, but have a set of double box ends, double open ends, ratcheting combos, stubbies, and adjustable wrenches. For Allens I have t-handles, keys, and bit sockets. For ratchets I have standard, long, flex, and swivel head in all drive sizes, plus I have a spark plug ratchet, bit ratchet, and stubby. I have one complete set of screwdrivers, and a replaceable bit driver. No plier redundancy.

 

[the gypsy]

It is nice to know that I am not the only cuckoo on this forum. Yes I do have a pair of the same tools in the toolbox. And I do have a toolbox for the Jeep. But I try, although I don't always succeed, to buy the tools in different configurations. If I have long wrenches I try to buy stubbies, if I have open wrenches I try to buy closed etc. But comes a time I come full circle and start over.

 

[crewchief888]

my pairs have pairs, and my spares have spares....

i found 4 9/16" (long) combo wrenches in my service truck, couple more RP as well..

i was looking for my 1/4" combo

probably about the same in the garage...


actually i stopped counting a l o n g time ago...

 

[Codyyy]

Not including the collection of random wrenches I have hanging up, I have:
- 2 Craftsman double open ended wrench sets
- 2 Craftsman normal wrench sets
- 1 S-K wrench set in SAE
- 1 Williams Supercombo wrench set in MM
- 2 sets of Husky ratchet wrenches
- 2 sets of GearWrench flex ratchet wrenches
- 2 sets of Craftsman flare wrenches
I may end up trying to sell some sets, surprisingly I hardly ever use the GearWrench sets as I usually grab the Husky wrenches first unless I know torque might be involved, then I grab the S-K.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not counting my wife's tools (she has a few screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, etc in the laundry room and a another set in her car), I have 2. One is my "travel set".

Who actually has wire stripper, marine heat shrink and a lighter in their travel tool kit when they go on vacation. It got the boat running !

 

[royesses]

For wrenches and screwdrivers at least a pair and a spare. Most other tools 1 or 2 of each. Sockets 2 12 point and 3 six point.

 

[Outlawmws]

Mostly; more than what I need, less than what I want...