I've got the sickness.

[BWright]

This board is like a plague. You stop in once because of a google search result or research, and you are hooked and spending money on things you had no idea you needed before joining. I joined the board this last summer with a modest 155 piece craftsman tool set. 6 months later, I have all three sizes of metric hansen trays full and have 5 times the ratchets. Between all the ebay shopping, tooltopia, and advanced auto clearances I have all the ratchets, wrenches, and screwdrivers I would ever need. But what do I do? I buy more because I have empty drawers in my new toolbox and the ones I have could be better. I just bought 4 armstrong maxx ratchets, 11-992 11-994 12-992 12-994, even though I have the exact same gearwrench ratchets. But the gearwrench don't lock, and they aren't us made, and they don't have a cool handle, and they don't have this, and they don't have that, etc..........
I'm hooked!!!!!! Why do all my hobbies have to be so expensive!!!!

Sorry, rant over.

 

[jteck75]

Tool addiction can be a creul mistress.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Why stop at tools, young man? I'm sure there's all sorts of equipment you need...heh heh heh!!!!

 

[tonydanzah]

I believe the scientific term is tool ittis

 

[devilphrog]

I do not turn wrenches for a living any more after I got off active service, and I have been building my collection to be bigger and better than it ever has. But hey, at least this is an addiction that can make you money too, unlike others!

 

[eborcim]

Welcome to the ward.

 

[Stuey]

mwahahaha, another one joins the cause!

I also don't use tools for my profession, but have gradually been building up my selection. That's what tool deals, clearances, and random sales will do to me.

I don't even want to tell you about all the tools I picked up just for the sake of trying out. You don't want to know how many #2 Phillips screwdrivers I have right now!

 

[lyonkster]

You stop in once because of a google search result or research, and you are hooked and spending money on things you had no idea you needed before joining. ...But what do I do? I buy more because I have empty drawers in my new toolbox and the ones I have could be better.

Agreed... My friends keep telling me to leave this forum and go back to be my normal self, but they don't understand that I just bought a big Cornwell tool box that must be populated with more tools...

 

[Motofixxer]

I was walking through HF because I wanted my 3rd free flashlight and just thought I would look around. What do I see...a nice looking little 24" crescent wrench. Hmm do I need that no, but it sure would look kinda cool hanging around the shop for a conversation piece, and its only $20 Then I see a cute little 3\8 ratchet with about a 2" fat rubber handle. About the smallest ratchet I have seen. Is it very practical-Not really with that fat red and black rubber handle. But it sure was a cute little thing. But I fought the urges and left em both there. But I know where they are, if I change my mind

 

[Mickey O]

I've had the affliction for over 35 years, don't worry it's not fatal and can be managed with a variety of treatments available at hardware stores, industrial supply houses, lumber yard, eBay, flea markets, auctions and even delivered to your place of employment. The important part is to recognize the affliction and treat it regularly.

 

[mkdive]

<----wont admit tool addiction....I just need to buy a new tool every now and again to make the shakes go away.

 

[TireTracks]

My freinds think i'm weird because i spend all my money on tools instead of video games or energy drinks.

 

[Stuey]

I just use the argument that it's a healthier addiction than are drugs, alcohol, or other women, and it's [usually] cheaper than a therapist.

 

[chromemoly]

and even delivered to your place of employment.

LOL
WOW........Now thats beyond me

Had a friend once that had a new computer shipped to his work so his wife wouldnt find out about it.......... I told him that eventually she would see it but he said that he would just hide it in the one place she would never find it, The oven....LOL.
Personally I never really owned other brand of tools than Craftsman until I joined this sight and now am the proud owner of 2 MATCO ratchets
a 1/4" AFR58T 88 tooth and a 3/8 BFR8T 60 tooth, man I love those ratchets. The way they feel in the hand, how smooth they turn and how narrow there heads are, makes it easier to squeeze into tight spots when busting knuckles on cars.
I also find myself visiting the flea market more often trying to find that hidden treasure amongst all the junk. Now I think about it, I need to stop by my local pawn shop and check out what they got..........
I think I got the sickness too

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

My freinds think i'm weird because i spend all my money on tools instead of video games or energy drinks.

And you're the weird one?!

 

[expatriated]

And you're the weird one?!

I was thinking the exact same thing. Energy drinks?! How much money are people spending on energy drinks?!

 

[Griff93]

If you have it for to long eventually you start getting things other than hand tools. I don't feel right if I don't buy a tool every week or two.

 

[06wt]

i had a bigger tool box then my dad at the age of 10, i now have 5 craftsman boxes and 3 snap-on boxes and im not even a tech, im about to buy a shop, but even then i will probly only use my tools for 10-15 hours a week
some people are just born to have alot of tools

 

[rjohnson]

My freinds think i'm weird because i spend all my money on tools instead of video games or energy drinks.

Are you're friends 16 or what? Just tell them you're more mature, spending your money on tools that will last longer than any energy drink and that you can fix your stuff and make money with them as well.

I'm also an addict.

Soon to become a tool (pimp)

 

[justinmc]

Why do all my hobbies have to be so expensive!!!!

I often ask myself the same thing... between tools, cars to work on with the tools, photography, music (vinyl, bootleg cd's, hi/midfi equip), guns and working on my house its a wonder I have any money to eat with. LOL

 

[justinmc]

Soon to become a tool

This reminds me.. I was excited when I first heard VH1 had a show called Tool Academy. Then I found out what it really was... doh!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Good thing about buying tools and equipment is if you get good deals on them, they should come close to retaining their value, if not more.

Plus they help you make and fix stuff!

 

[Rickster]

Welcome to the dark side! The wife had a small garage sale last summer and I laid out some of my extra ratchets and wrenches for sale. Several people wanted to know if I was a tool dealer. I guess having 30 or 40 extra ratchets and a box of extra wrenches is unusual in the real non-tool world. Here it's commonplace.

 

[jerryW]

I just call it my 401K plan.

I don't think it will lose as much value that way.


jerry

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Gee BWright you make it sound like a bad thing.

 

[billymade]

Yes, read about the symptoms.... can you relate?
"You KNOW your a tool ADDICT when...."
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18014
also, this maybe something to read as well!

"WARNING! about possible SIDE EFFECTS of reading this board!"
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18006&showall=1

 

[arkangel06]

Hi im jacob and im a tool addict

I will sort through a 4 x 8 bin of rusty chinese wrenches looking for a usa made wrench

People at the flea markets think WTF when they offer my a brand new set of shiney chinese wrenches and id rather buy the used usa/canada/european made stuff

 

[Danglerb]

I was walking through HF because I wanted my 3rd free flashlight and just thought I would look around. What do I see...a nice looking little 24" crescent wrench. Hmm do I need that no, but it sure would look kinda cool hanging around the shop for a conversation piece, and its only $20 Then I see a cute little 3\8 ratchet with about a 2" fat rubber handle. About the smallest ratchet I have seen. Is it very practical-Not really with that fat red and black rubber handle. But it sure was a cute little thing. But I fought the urges and left em both there. But I know where they are, if I change my mind

20% off any single item til 2/14/10
http://www.harborfreight.com/hftusa/magpromos/popsci.pdf

Day after Xmas sale and 25% off coupon.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...k.do?bookid=266&preview=true&type=RET&simple=

 

[wreckercologist]

Why do all my hobbies have to be so expensive!!!!

Sorry, rant over.

At least this particular hobby can be rationalized. You can always use tools, no matter how rare/old, ect. Good luck finding a collector of old porcelain dolls letting the kids/grandkids drag those collectables around outside in the driveway or in the garage covered in 80W90.

See my profile for an explaination of "T.A.S."

 

[ATTappman]

I just call it my 401K plan.

I don't think it will lose as much value that way.

Yeah, I know what you mean. At least tools are hard assets with intrinsic value. Unlike stocks and bonds.

 

[krusty the clown]

some of us were full blown tool addicts before we joined, we just found a support group.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

some of us were full blown tool addicts before we joined, we just found a support group.

Yep, they support the addiction!

 

[krusty the clown]

Yep, they support the addiction!

but i don't want to be cured

 

[Moose-LandTran]

but i don't want to be cured

Me neither!

 

[carder69]

I don't know the true difference between an addiction, obsession, or a sickness, but I have over 30 saved searches on ebay for most brands and types of tools and watch about 200 items at any one time. I went from the basic cman homeowner box to a 36 cman pro box and now watch craigslist for the $1500 snap-on or mac box. I am bulding a heated tool crib inside my 40x60 barn with slatwall for proper display. I am hooked on armstrong and Wiha and just bought my first snapon 24" breaker bar. I keep trying to justify why I need flex ratchets and a 1" drive set. I must be in step four of the healing process, please tell me what step 12 is...

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I don't know the true difference between an addiction, obsession, or a sickness, but I have over 30 saved searches on ebay for most brands and types of tools and watch about 200 items at any one time. I went from the basic cman homeowner box to a 36 cman pro box and now watch craigslist for the $1500 snap-on or mac box. I am bulding a heated tool crib inside my 40x60 barn with slatwall for proper display. I am hooked on armstrong and Wiha and just bought my first snapon 24" breaker bar. I keep trying to justify why I need flex ratchets and a 1" drive set. I must be in step four of the healing process, please tell me what step 12 is...

You have all three!

1" drive?!? Are you working on Caterpillars or something?!

 

[Griff93]

but i don't want to be cured

Spoken like a true tool addict.

 

[OccupantRJ]

In all seriousness, I have been shopping tools for so long that I now force myself to drive on by sales, flea markets, and pawn shops just to show myself that I don't have to stop, rationalizing with the fact that I probably have most all of the tools I could ever practically use. So far it's working pretty well. I did an experiment as a bet once, where I took $10, bought some small tool pieces, sold them, and re-invested the profits, *********** the money for one year. I ended up with $6,500 that year, then spent it all but 2 grand on tools for myself, then put the 2 grand in an IRA. THAT I felt good about.

RJ

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I did an experiment as a bet once, where I took $10, bought some small tool pieces, sold them, and re-invested the profits, *********** the money for one year. I ended up with $6,500 that year, then spent it all but 2 grand on tools for myself, then put the 2 grand in an IRA. THAT I felt good about.

RJ

Now that is cool!

 

[Hawk321]

I spend 95 Euros last week for 4 knipex pliers...and I don't need them...yesterday I saw some tools in call of duty mw2...I was looking which brand they use... hell a stupid video game.....