I've caught the Garage Journal virus!

[Daddy B]

I spent the winter with that Chinese flu. Now I'm getting over it and I think I'm coming down with influenza type GJ. lol Over the past couple of years I've acquired a lot of Craftsman tools. All made in the USA and at great deals. I'm on a budget so they fit the bill. I've picked up the 299 pc. socket set, the industrial wrench sets, premium ratchets, etc. But, now that I am able to put some time and energy into the garage, I can't stop thinking that I should sell off my Craftsman stuff and use the money to get into some nicer tools. I find myself justifying it by telling myself I would be downsizing, would be able to build a smaller tool chest/workbench. More space that way. And better tools! Is there a vaccine or treatment for this? lol

 

[countryroad82]

No treatment for it. But if you are just doing work for yourself you don't need the high dollar truck tools. I will say upgrade your ratchets though. Screwdrivers are one thing I will say to spend on, but again truck brands aren't necessary. I made a lot of money with my trusty Craftsman set and later upgraded to Snap On. Yes they are nice. Yes if you spin wrenches enough you can tell a difference. But if you don't make money with your tools it's not really worth it imo. But regardless it is a sickness........

 

[R-Savage]

Yep. I have the GJ bug as well. I want my garage/Shop to be mint.

 

[Catadj78]

This site has cost me a lot of money! But as far as hand tools I find myself doing well with the Craftsman or even the Husky stuff. I don't believe there is any need for the higher end hand tools even if you turn them every day.

I think having snapon etc hand tools are just like the women having gucci etc. Just for show

 

[nadogail]

I don't remember who posted it but "A bolt does not know who made the wrench that turns it"

 

[landlord30]

I don't remember who posted it but "A bolt does not know who made the wrench that turns it"

This is so true!

I'm not a professional mechanic, I own several cars/trucks from the 1940's and 1950's, my current project has been torn down to the frame and a little over half way assembled with a mix and craftsman and harbor freight tools.

Now if I spent the money and all snap on tools for instance I'd probably have at least 2 less cars.

I know a guy that has a pristine garage, you could eat off the floor. He has the best tools, race deck floor etc. and does nothing in the garage. Just knowing he has it is enough for him. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I also have the virus, I have spent so much money on tools and tool storage.

 

[southalabama]

Garagejournal 101 you don't spend money. You invest in tools.

And to think a couple years I didn't know about harry j Epstein, lowes clearance thread, amazon permathread and other good hunting grounds

 

[PelicanPines]

Make a note of my signature... it's from my time here on GJ.

 

[Daniel831]

Quality tools are a lifetime investment but on the other hand you have to look at what your usage will be, in my case lower end "servicable" kit has been a godsend. For instance low end taiwan sockeys have never failed me in daily use.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Once you get to 100 posts, you can sell on here. I'm sure someone would buy your stuff for a good price and give you the cash you need to get more stuff to make your life a little easier in the garage.

 

[michjacket]

I know where you are coming from! I get so many great ideas here I can't wait to get out in the garage again.

 

[Empty Pockets]

My opinion, for what it's worth, is to simply buy the tools that fit your needs, and you enjoy working with.

If your USA Craftsman tools fail, replace them, as needed, with better quality tools like Wright or SK (Unless you want to exchange for Asian imports)

Just my opinion, it's worth what it cost you

 

[maxpower_hd]

If it were me I would only sell the things I wouldn't use and keep what you have until they won't do what you need any more. I have a lot of Older Craftsman and some truck brands as well. Most of the truck brand items came in used tool deals and some were bought to replace items that didn't cut it. I've had little issue with Craftsman stuff except for newer ratchets and a few sockets.

 

[Daddy B]

I guess I should have mentioned in the first post that I am not actually intending on selling anything. It's just an observation that this site will do that to you. This site is sneaky, first you are here just to see learn and talk to some cool like minded people, then, suddenly, you get the sickness. Newbies reading this: You've been warned!

 

[maxpower_hd]

Gotchya. In that case buy, collect and use at will....

I have two full tool boxes, one at work and one at home and I STILL find things I "NEED".

 

[GEGU]

Newbies reading this: You've been warned!

I am new to setting up a real garage and need advice, thanks for the warning!

 

[ssdave]

I have got the opposite benefit from Garage Journal. I have greatly reduced my tools; I recognized by seeing other peoples behavior on here (that mimicked my own) that I was somewhat of a hoarder.

I've sorted through and sold a lot of my surplus tools, and now focus on keeping and using the best and most suitable ones. It's been real liberating to get away from "you can't have too many tools" and instead get to "keep only the tools that will do the job right and that you need to do the things you do." I've used the funds from selling the low end tools and the surplus ones to buy expensive, high quality stuff that I felt I couldn't afford before. It's a great trade-off; unused large quantity of lower cost stuff for small quantity of high quality stuff targeted to what I want and need.

This of course only applies if you are a user, not a collector. If you're a collector, buy on.

I still buy things, particularly at yard sales, as I enjoy the hunt for them. I just try to be more selective, and pass on what I truly don't need.

 

[pmiranda]

I keep my better tools (Craftsman) in the garage and leave cheap HD junk in the kitchen drawer for household light duty tasks. I'm not a pro so no tool truck is ever going to come by my place.

 

[michjacket]

This site has cost me a lot of money! But as far as hand tools I find myself doing well with the Craftsman or even the Husky stuff. I don't believe there is any need for the higher end hand tools even if you turn them every day.

I think having snapon etc hand tools are just like the women having gucci etc. Just for show

I feel your pain! I don't even want to say how much I have spent the past couple weeks, which coincides with me finding this site! Hope my wife doesn't sign up. Does my daughter really need more than one year of college?

 

[crewchief888]

i started buying my own tools in '76 when i started my machinists apprenticeship...

it get worse....

much worse....

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Get with LAROKE... He'll give you a shot and you'll be ok.... (Probably a shot of Jack.)