Living WITHOUT Tools!

[WhiskeyRanger]

Mower? Trimmer? Blower? Nope, no need for all that stuff. Landscapers are cheap and I have better things to do on a weekend.

Basic hand tools? Even the least handy people I know have at least a couple screwdrivers and a hammer if they own a house. If they rent, they really don't need any more than screwdriver if that. A full roller with tool box? Overkill for most folks. How much use does your average Joe have for 90% of what someone here might have? Cars don't require the sort of maintenance that they used to, brakes and oil changes alone for the better part of a decade. Hell, even oil changes are nearly to the point of annual maintenance.

Like it or not, there just isn't much need for the average person to have tools. Being able to wipe a hard drive and reinstall windows is more useful than being able to rebuild a carburetor.

 

[James-W]

Mower? Trimmer? Blower? Nope, no need for all that stuff. Landscapers are cheap and I have better things to do on a weekend.

Basic hand tools? Even the least handy people I know have at least a couple screwdrivers and a hammer if they own a house. If they rent, they really don't need any more than screwdriver if that. A full roller with tool box? Overkill for most folks. How much use does your average Joe have for 90% of what someone here might have? Cars don't require the sort of maintenance that they used to, brakes and oil changes alone for the better part of a decade. Hell, even oil changes are nearly to the point of annual maintenance.

Like it or not, there just isn't much need for the average person to have tools. Being able to wipe a hard drive and reinstall windows is more useful than being able to rebuild a carburetor.

I am pretty much in agreement with you. I think the people who frequent this forum are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to tools. As you pointed out, working on newer vehicles is getting to the point where you really can't do much of anything anymore without specialized tools and a lot of schooling. Besides that, you can't even find a lot of the stuff on newer cars. They pack 10 pounds of **** in a 2 pound package. How are you supposed to work on anything when everything is packed so tight together? Don't get me wrong, newer cars are wonderful and everything is great when it is working, but when it stops working, that's another story.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have lots of neighbors who only own a mower and a rake. The condition of their yard shows it. Many have no concept of string trimming, pulling weeds or applying weed killer, and this is an upper middle class neighborhood. I'm about the only person on my block that will lift the hood on a car. They will call a handyman for the simplest of jobs like changing a door knob.

Its easy-they either dont fix it and throw it out or pay someone else to do it. Many have no idea how to do anything, never were taught and have no interest.

I think a correlation can be drawn between the lack of tools and willingness to fix things and the rampant overwhelming debt most people seem to have. When you have to pay someone to do everything for you, never repair anything and rather just throw it out and buy new... something has to give. Usually they just swipe the credit card without a second thought.

The mentality is that tradeswork is below "college work" so working with tools is a waste of time and even worse DIY mechanical and home improvement work is dangerous and should be left to professionals. Why learn the basics of "wrenching" when you need to go get your finance degree and pay someone to fix everything for the rest of your life.

I have family members with this mentality.

I have family members who fit into all of the above statements. They feel that working with your hands or having an actual trade is beneath them. My wife's sister is divorced, again, and was needing a car after the first of the year so I offered to sell her my wife's Altima back in January/February timeframe when we were upgrading my wife's car. I offered it to her at a very good deal, explained all of the benefits of how it was maintained, new tires, service records, immaculate condition of interior and exterior without any scratches and she could have it paid off in no time and have a reliable car that she could then use the payment money for to apply towards other debt. The only thing I told my wife I would NOT do is carry the note on it. I told her I would help with the maintenance of the car if she would cover parts/supplies and that I would go one step further and have her teenage son come over and I would teach him how to service the car, rotate tires and do simple preventive maintenance items on the car. She was appalled and said her son was going to college and getting a degree so he doesn't have to do manual labor. I could have ***** slapped her right then and there.

This woman's husband, before they were divorced, would make jokes about me fixing something around our home rather than merely replacing it. I repaired a solder joint on my wife's blender one time and my wife was bragging about it to her sisters and they made fun of her for it. I tried telling him my "opinion" about what a disposable society we have become and how people don't want to take care of things any longer nor make them last, they just want to replace them when they are tired of them which is part of the reason why manufacturers don't make things last any more. He told me that was an old and dangerous way of thinking.

I have neighbors who drive through the neighborhood with CV joints squeeling and carrying on for months even after I have given them a quote to fix it and they tell me they don't have any money, yet they will go on vacation and ask us to keep an eye on their house because they need a break and they "deserve" it. Holy **** I don't understand people at all anymore.

Living without tools would do my head in.

The right tool for the right job..

My two cents worth

I completely agree. I would go out of my freakin' mind if I couldn't walk out back to my shop and fondle my tools on a daily basis. I have to always be doing something productive in my shop.

My neighbor stopped by the other night while I was under our coach replacing the exhaust manifold and turbo on it. They have a nice fifth wheel trailer and travel a bit as well and he said "wouldn't it be great to be able to have enough money to be able to take these RV's to the shop and have someone else repair them?"

I thought about that statement later that night and I thought to myself, I could afford to take this and have it done at the local Cummins dealer and I still choose to do the repair myself for two reasons, first because by doing the repair myself I keep the cost of ownership lower and keeps more of my money in my own pocket but secondly and more importantly because I just flat don't trust anyone to touch my ****. I know a lot of mechanics in my area and I can count on one hand and have fingers left over how many I would trust to get anywhere near my **** with a wrench in their hands.

Mike.

 

[Corndoggeh]

A professor I had for a class worked for Engineers without Borders for about 8 years and I casually mentioned in a conversation with about my shop and all. This led to a conversation about the stereotype that engineers can design the most ingenious things but aren't able to turn a wrench. At the same time I noticed that about 75% of my classmates don't have any tools for their cars in case something happens, which would be troubling for me having that 'vulnerable' feeling. I really believe that our highschools should bring back shop class that way people at least have a basic understanding of tools and how they can use them.

 

[Finky198]

What would a person who lives in an apartment complex in a large city do with a bunch of tools? If they have a problem with something in the apartment, they call building maintenance. They don't have a garage of their own to work in, many apartment complexes just have underground parking. Quite a few people in large cities don't even own a car, public transportation is quicker and cheaper. Plus, I have heard it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find a parking place in large cities?

Idk ask Jimmy Dieresta....

 

[engineer2]

They feel that working with your hands or having an actual trade is beneath them.

That's part of the problem. It's quite the status symbol around my area to smugly state "We hire people to fix that or just buy a new one."

Without tools and stuff to fix, my life would be boring.

 

[creativecars]

It does boggle the mind to think people live adult lives without some basic tools.

But you have the other side of this coin, the people who have tools who should not.
I have a friend (about 30 yo) who thinks he is can fix things, his family has money so he has requested they buy him tools, since he has everything he needs. He and his parents have looked at the internet and decided he needs snap-on grade tools if he is to enjoy his hobby. He has over $10K in tools and has never fixed anything. He has tore the hell out of a lot of stuff, but when he is done they have to replace the project anyway.

 

[countryroad82]

Thank you! Wish I had the video

One of these days I'm just going to start recording myself and make millions.......

 

[zmotorsports]

That's part of the problem. It's quite the status symbol around my area to smugly state "We hire people to fix that or just buy a new one."

Without tools and stuff to fix, my life would be boring.

Exactly. Both my wife and I work with those snobby people who are always saying "we have people for that" or "it's not worth it, just buy a new one". These are the same people who are always crying poverty and expecting people to feel sorry for them when they make a hell of a lot more than we do. From my experience with these people it is all about "image". Their wives drive the Escalade and they have their brand new CC D-Max or Power Stroke yet they can barely afford to put fuel in them, let alone maintain them properly, but they have a service mowing their lawn so their neighbors can see that they are just too busy being awesome to mow their own lawns. Hell a couple of guys I work with haven't bought a set of tires in decades, they merely trade their trucks in every couple of years and hey, it comes with new tires.

I used to be intimidated by people like that as I "thought" they had money but as time and age has taught me, these people are phonies and are all about their image. They will spend more money than they have to protect that image and make smart *** comments to protect that image the whole time knowing they are full of ****. The fact is that I have mechanics in my department that are like me and take care of things and make them last that could buy most of those people ten times over yet are too private or humble to say anything. They just plug along taking care of their assets and protecting their investments while others continue to throw their money away.

Mike.

 

[creativecars]

Isn't that should be the name of a Country song?

If not it should be..

 

[jd_1138]

Isn't that should be the name of a Country song?

If not it should be..

A friend wrote me and told me it can't be considered a country song because it doesn't have any references to trains or mamma or drinking or prison.

I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison
And I went to pick'er up in the rain
But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck
She got runned over by a damned ol' train

David Allan Coe

 

[PelicanPines]

But what do these people fondle when they are alone???

 

[theoldwizard1]

This is good Bill and while we want every kid to have a puter we should have a basic hand tool class for a few things.

I went to a college prep high school which did a great job of preparing me for college, but nothing "practical". Luckily I learned a bit about twisting wrenches from my Dad and the rest I had to teach myself.

Sadly, Dad never tried to teach me a thing about carpentry, even though he was pretty good at it. I still **** at it and it is getting much too late to try and learn.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I worked as a "pencil pusher" for 31 years. I always had a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers plus a a 1/4" drive set in my desk.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

The new standard for everything is "broken" even when brand new. People are used to it.

 

[taumac]

I've always been taught why paid someone to do something when you can do it yourself. This is especially true when you don't have the means to do so but this also depends on skill level and job size. Sometimes cheaper and easier to have it done. I believe it's based on where you live. If a home owner than you need to have tools to maintain that place cause it can get pretty expensive quick to call a plumber to tighten a loose shower head. Now if say you live in a apartment the city and have no car I'm sure the building maintenance can fix anything that might go wrong thus no need for large amount of tools. With that said even then basic tools are needed to tighten a table leg, put together something from ikea, or even hang a picture on the wall. Small tool box with basic stuff. I tell you I had a neighbor that used to help out and honestly he just had a small carry box and small plastic parts bin with hardware. If was refreshing not to have big toolbox with tons of tools. He had what was needed to about every household repair that was. If any bigger that that a professional was needed anyway.

 

[Rileysan]

Was it hard to believe your simple observation would lead to soap-box sermons? Here's mine ...

We live in a consumer society. Products are so cheap (and cheaply made) that most people believe it's not worth the time or money to fix most things. Home entertainment systems, computers, home appliances, lawn & garden equipment - you name it - they are all disposable.

30 years ago, most of these things could be repaired economically. Nowadays, the cost of parts and/or labor make it a no-brainer to just throw the old away and buy something new. It irritates me to no end!

So here's my 2 cents. Less and less people do not own tools because they have bought into the lie that everything is disposable, so there's nothing to be fixed. Big ticket items will always require some sort of maintenance and most Americans choose to leave that to the professionals.

As for me and my house? Consumerism is a bad word around here. I am proud to say my 15 and 20 year old daughters both know how to use hand & power tools and there is no job that is beneath them.

Thank you for giving me the mic

Brian

 

[Wanna Ride]

I would go out of my freakin' mind if I couldn't walk out back to my shop and fondle my tools on a daily basis. I have to always be doing something productive in my shop.

My neighbor stopped by the other night while I was under our coach replacing the exhaust manifold and turbo on it. They have a nice fifth wheel trailer and travel a bit as well and he said "wouldn't it be great to be able to have enough money to be able to take these RV's to the shop and have someone else repair them?"

I know a lot of mechanics in my area and I can count on one hand and have fingers left over how many I would trust to get anywhere near my **** with a wrench in their hands.

Agreed, agreed, agreed!

I enjoy working on, or building stuff in my garage. There's a great sense of gratification from that. And having a vast array of quality tools, that you know to use, makes it even better.

Most of us here enjoy that because we don't trust our vehicles and toys to most shops, because we've seen what they do. Fasteners misplaced, parts improperly installed or serviced, etc. I know when I'm done with a project, it's been done correctly and all the details have been addressed. AND... I've saved quite a bit of cash doing it. And then that cash gets to stay in my bank account, or... buy more cool tools!

 

[Aura]

There are a few reasons to not own tools.

Some people are wise enough to not fart around with things they know nothing about..

The whole world is not pissed off at them for goofing it up.

Boy, That never stopped me!

 

[Big Bob]

My wife likes to go to estate sales, she finds kitchen gadgets, books, etc she thinks are a bargain. I always head for the garage and basement. It's almost without fail that the upper level homes, and we've picked through the leavings of some pricey digs, seldom have any kind of tools. On the other hand, I've scored some decent tool buys in very modest homes. Best of the lot, for me, was a 3 HP Porter Cable 1/2" router for $50. House was a dump, but the old ******* had some good tools!

 

[James-W]

Was it hard to believe your simple observation would lead to soap-box sermons? Here's mine ...

We live in a consumer society. Products are so cheap (and cheaply made) that most people believe it's not worth the time or money to fix most things. Home entertainment systems, computers, home appliances, lawn & garden equipment - you name it - they are all disposable.

30 years ago, most of these things could be repaired economically. Nowadays, the cost of parts and/or labor make it a no-brainer to just throw the old away and buy something new. It irritates me to no end!

So here's my 2 cents. Less and less people do not own tools because they have bought into the lie that everything is disposable, so there's nothing to be fixed. Big ticket items will always require some sort of maintenance and most Americans choose to leave that to the professionals.

As for me and my house? Consumerism is a bad word around here. I am proud to say my 15 and 20 year old daughters both know how to use hand & power tools and there is no job that is beneath them.

Thank you for giving me the mic

Brian

I don't really agree with a lot of what you said. For what it is worth, here is my thinking about it. Having tools is a fine thing, but knowing how to use them is something else. Additionally, just because you have some tools does not mean you can repair stuff. You also need the the "know how" to do the job. Tightening up the screws on the door knob is one thing, repairing your dishwasher is another thing altogether. Some things can injure you, or possibly even kill you, if you don't know what you are doing.

I have to wonder just how many people are missing fingers, toes, even limbs, because they did not know what they were doing when they tried to work on something. It takes more than having tools to do repair work. Any idiot can buy a tool kit, but having tools does not make them a competent repair person any more than having stethoscope makes them a doctor.

 

[ozyborn]

Without tools? Getting the shakes, cold sweats. Is this a fever? Noooooooooooo

 

[sberry]

It wouldn't be to hard for me. If I won the lottery you could hear my stuff hit the floor, be callin the dealer for a couple new rides and the guy with the crusher to come get the old.

 

[timbitca]

I don't think I could do it.

I do get caught up in the consumerist society once in a while I have to admit, but I still like to keep stuff until it is really no longer viable... My Grandfather taught me that and I've managed to keep it going and I pride myself in that.

Funny story... when my Grandfather passed, some old ladies at the wake were talking amongst themselves and saying how cheap he was (I have to admit, he was lol) because he had never bothered to update his appliances in the house. He had the same refrigerator and range in the house from 1967 when he built the place up until around 2005 when they both let go and he updgraded to plain jane white appliances (single old man in his 80's why the **** would he need a double sided fridge with an ice maker or a ceramic top stainless steel oven).

I wonder when society changed from "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" to "Oooh, this is shiny I want it".

All that to say that... I like doing things by myself, sometimes yes it does backfire and I create a bigger mess but I chalk it up to a learning experience. And besides, if something breaks nowadays and I don't know how to fix it, my first trip is to Google and Youtube to see if it's something I can handle myself, if not somebody gets called in or it goes to the shop.

I like to think that if I were to become wealthy that I would be a bit like Don Long on here, have the money to have stuff done but still enjoy doing it myself.

 

[zmotorsports]

Having tools is a fine thing, but knowing how to use them is something else. Additionally, just because you have some tools does not mean you can repair stuff. You also need the the "know how" to do the job. Tightening up the screws on the door knob is one thing, repairing your dishwasher is another thing altogether. Some things can injure you, or possibly even kill you, if you don't know what you are doing.

It takes more than having tools to do repair work. Any idiot can buy a tool kit, but having tools does not make them a competent repair person any more than having stethoscope makes them a doctor.

Agreed. I was in my shop TIG welding a bracket for my neighbor one day and he made two smart *** comments that has him banned from ever stepping foot in my shop again. First comment was "WOW!!! Must be nice to have all these tools at your disposal?" I replied with a "yep, one day they fell out of the sky and landed in my shop. Did you ever think that there are nearly 3 decades of acquiring these?" The next comment that pushed me right over the edge was while I was clamping the work down to weld he said "I could do this if I had all the tools." That was it, I stood up handed him the TIG torch and said "here ya go, weld 'er up." He looked at me like he didn't know what to do, but he sure as hell didn't grab the torch from me. Stupid me, trying to be neighborly and when he asked me about if I knew anyone who could weld a bracket for his boat, I told him to bring it over and I would weld it for him. Didn't even charge him or plan to charge him, just thought I would be neighborly, and then got insulted.

After finishing the job I handed it back to him and told him to take care because I wasn't going to do anything else for him especially after a ******* statement like that. Best thing I did was fire that neighbor from ever needing anything else done.

Mike.

 

[Rileysan]

My wife likes to go to estate sales, she finds kitchen gadgets, books, etc she thinks are a bargain. I always head for the garage and basement. It's almost without fail that the upper level homes, and we've picked through the leavings of some pricey digs, seldom have any kind of tools. On the other hand, I've scored some decent tool buys in very modest homes. Best of the lot, for me, was a 3 HP Porter Cable 1/2" router for $50. House was a dump, but the old ******* had some good tools!

Using this post to take a slightly different angle on tool ownership ...

Aren't all those kitchen gadgets tools? I certainly think so. Perhaps we are defining the word "tool" too narrowly. I'm looking at the counter in our kitchen now and see a Vitamixer, Kitchen aid, and all kinds of hand tools used for cooking.

Brian

 

[Raymond Fast]

When I think of people who don't own any tools, I have to wonder why they own a vacuum cleaner or a broom, or a washer and dryer, or a dish rag. To me, taking care of your stuff is taking care of your stuff. If you can afford to have someone change your oil and you'd rather not do it yourself, then God bless you. Go for it. And if you can afford to have someone come in and clean your floors and do your laundry, same thing. But most people I know can't afford that.

Why people who wash their own dishes and cut their own grass because they can't afford to pay a housekeeper or a landscaper think it's any different to replace a valve cartridge in a leaky shower or replace the spark plugs in a car is beyond me. If you ask me, having basic tools around the house is as essential as having a bar of soap in your bathroom.

... Hold on a second while I get my soap box. Okay, that's better. Can y'all see and hear me now? ...

I know a lot of people who won't do their own automotive work (I'm talking basic maintenance and repair hear - not major overhauls) or household repairs (again, the simple stuff) because they say they don't know how or don't have the time or the tools. Well, there was a time when I didn't know how to wipe my own ***, but I learned because it was necessary. It needed wiping from time to time and if I expected my mama to do it for me, it wasn't going to happen. And guess what, it wasn't hard to learn. In fact, it was largely common sense.

It's funny how these people who don't have time to take care of their own stuff never fail to know what happened on the latest episodes of all the popular TV shows and can talk up a storm about all the things they know about their Facebook friends. And there's no excuse to not have the tools when I can replace half or more of my hand tools with the money any one of them spent on his or her last smart phone. They can't afford the tools but they can afford to pay someone to do it. And then they whine and gripe about the economy and how they don't make enough money to pay their house notes and all their car notes and buy their kids $1500 worth of clothes to wear to school for the next three months (because they grow out of them in that much time).

In my opinion, it's not just a matter of preference. It's a matter of ethics. People don't want to put out the effort to wipe their own asses and they expect those of us who are conscientious enough to live within our means and take care of our own stuff to take up the slack. Sure I'll fix your lawnmower. What are you going to do for me? Oh, tell me all about the three movies you went to see this month? Thanks, because I'm so freaking interested!

Okay, I'm done for now. Thanks, I feel a lot better.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Some of you guys worry way too much about other folks, and seem to have a lot of moochers in your lives!

 

[taumac]

Agreed. I was in my shop TIG welding a bracket for my neighbor one day and he made two smart *** comments that has him banned from ever stepping foot in my shop again. First comment was "WOW!!! Must be nice to have all these tools at your disposal?" I replied with a "yep, one day they fell out of the sky and landed in my shop. Did you ever think that there are nearly 3 decades of acquiring these?" The next comment that pushed me right over the edge was while I was clamping the work down to weld he said "I could do this if I had all the tools." That was it, I stood up handed him the TIG torch and said "here ya go, weld 'er up." He looked at me like he didn't know what to do, but he sure as hell didn't grab the torch from me. Stupid me, trying to be neighborly and when he asked me about if I knew anyone who could weld a bracket for his boat, I told him to bring it over and I would weld it for him. Didn't even charge him or plan to charge him, just thought I would be neighborly, and then got insulted.



After finishing the job I handed it back to him and told him to take care because I wasn't going to do anything else for him especially after a ******* statement like that. Best thing I did was fire that neighbor from ever needing anything else done.



Mike.

Is there more to this story than your telling use? I mean I'm a tool guy with your basic tools welder but if I walked into a full on fab shop and said wow, must be nice to have all this. I wouldn't be insulting you but saying it must be cool to have all this equipment to build and do anything you want. Second statement he made about if I had all these tools could I do this. Probably meant to do this kinda work do I need all these tools? Just like a carpenter needs all the tools to make a piece of furniture.

 

[Raymond Fast]

Some of you guys worry way too much about other folks, and seem to have a lot of moochers in your lives!

They kinda go together.

 

[zmotorsports]

Is there more to this story than your telling use? I mean I'm a tool guy with your basic tools welder but if I walked into a full on fab shop and said wow, must be nice to have all this. I wouldn't be insulting you but saying it must be cool to have all this equipment to build and do anything you want. Second statement he made about if I had all these tools could I do this. Probably meant to do this kinda work do I need all these tools? Just like a carpenter needs all the tools to make a piece of furniture.

Ya, it probably would have made more sense if you knew this guy and the context he puts nearly everything. Typical victim who thinks that the world is out to get him and everyone has it easier than he does. While bitching about not having any money or time out of one side of his mouth, he then goes on to tell you that he golfs about 4 times a week and has a nice boat sitting in driveway that is gone most weekends. He's one of those that doesn't want to keep up with the Jones' but wants to be the Jones if you know what I mean. I have no problem with people having **** and especially enjoying it, but don't walk around bitching about it and thinking everyone else has the easy life.

Basically he is a "tool" that is not allowed back into my shop. I don't need his **** nor his passive aggressive comments around me.

Mike.

 

[engineer2]

Additionally, just because you have some tools does not mean you can repair stuff.

One has to consider that people can learn new skills. I knew very little about home repairs until I became a homeowner. Experience was a good teacher and now I feel I can tackle about anything. Nowadays it's a lot easier with the Internet.
Unfortunately with some people, experience and practice don't help because they never grasped basic mechanical concepts or the laws of physics. Some people need a good one-on-one instructor when they are old enough to listen but young enough to learn.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

YouTube can be a lifesaver. Sending someone a link is a hell of a lot easier than going to their house to help!

 

[66354dream]

Good subject OP, I can't imagine myself without them. I remember a summer when I was 14 or 15 years old and wanting to start my Craftsman tool collection to wrench on a busted up ATC we found on the side of the road,it was a great summer that got the ball rolling on my love for hands on projects and of course TOOLS!!!!.

 

[taumac]

Ya, it probably would have made more sense if you knew this guy and the context he puts nearly everything. Typical victim who thinks that the world is out to get him and everyone has it easier than he does. While bitching about not having any money or time out of one side of his mouth, he then goes on to tell you that he golfs about 4 times a week and has a nice boat sitting in driveway that is gone most weekends. He's one of those that doesn't want to keep up with the Jones' but wants to be the Jones if you know what I mean. I have no problem with people having **** and especially enjoying it, but don't walk around bitching about it and thinking everyone else has the easy life.



Basically he is a "tool" that is not allowed back into my shop. I don't need his **** nor his passive aggressive comments around me.



Mike.

Oh that makes a lot more sense now. Yep, I really hate people like that. I have no money but 2 new cars in driveway and taking trips to Disney world every time you turn around. I know people that sit around the house all day long and complain nothing gets done.

 

[James-W]

One has to consider that people can learn new skills. I knew very little about home repairs until I became a homeowner. Experience was a good teacher and now I feel I can tackle about anything. Nowadays it's a lot easier with the Internet.
Unfortunately with some people, experience and practice don't help because they never grasped basic mechanical concepts or the laws of physics. Some people need a good one-on-one instructor when they are old enough to listen but young enough to learn.

Certainly, people can learn new skills, but learning new skills isn't really the point of discussion. We are talking about owning tools to do stuff around the house and to work on other associated projects. The idea is, unless you have an understanding of how a small gasoline engine works, you will be hard pressed to repair your lawnmower even if you have $20K worth of Snap-on tools. Tools alone are not enough, you need to know how to use them and you need to know how the thing you are trying to fix actually works. Now, in some cases you can read about how things work, or possibly you could figure out how something works on your own. In other cases you may need to take a course in how to do it.

For example, welding. Sure, you can buy a welder and some scrap metal and give it a try on your own. But if you take a welding class first you will be a whole lot better off than just trying to "wing it" on your own.

 

[Verktyg]

Living with no tools? But how do they fix their tools if they have no tools to fix them with? This must be a myth. No human kan live without tools!

 

[Strouty]

I for one would love to live without tools, there are way too many out there, even on this forum.

Wait, you mean. like hand tools????

 

[Old Steamer]

Being one generation removed from The Great Depression (both parents lived through it) they passed on to me the importance of taking care of your stuff as well as repairing what you can rather than replacing. As more generations come along, there is less emphasis on maintaining and repairing and more on getting a new one. It's hard to learn how to work with your hands when kids today stare at Xbox and the like.

Why do I have tools? Not only did my dad farm, he was also an automotive machinist and needed tools for both jobs. He taught me how to use my hands to repair stuff and I've learned a lot from others since his passing. I've bought my own tools and I also inherited many of his when he passed. I use them as needed when needed. I can't envision being tool-less.

If someone wants to learn how to wipe hard drives and program computers, so be it. The world will always need ditch diggers and mechanical repair.

Off the box.

 

[moron88]

it seems like some of you guys are complaining about people that hire others to do what we do for ourselves. you seem to forget that many members here are in fact the ones that get hired. thanks to every paper pusher without so much as a #2 phillips, 3 guys here have jobs.