jar944
Well-known member
A common pastime
Non-Pro's, tool use questions
- Thread starter AJHD
- Start date
A common pastime
jar944
Well-known member
I had a lot less **** when I had a smaller house. Space constraints are a legitimate reason to question the need to keep things you don't really use.
tyyost
Well-known member
I struggle with this dilemma often. I have a large collection of woodworking, construction, and mechanics tools along with a smattering of electrical, plumbing, etc. I have tools I haven’t used in years, tile saw as a quick example, but I am hesitant to part with because I see a tile job at my son’s house in the not so distant future.
I buy tools as I want and need, depending on the circumstances. I often get sucked into the GJ philosophy of getting a tool for the next time and waiting indefinitely for the “next time”. Some things have changed so much over time, like random orbit sanders, I would love to upgrade to a newer one but have several others that do the job, and aren’t worth much to sell. Don‘t get me started on cordless tools and upgrades.
My advice to anyone is to research the what you want to do and buy the best version available in the platform of your choice for the job. I just saved my son a few hundred dollars changing his lower control arms and sway bar links. Had everything I needed in the box for that, but would have killed for an 8mm flex head ratcheting wrench doing my wife’s Explorer belt tensioner. I bought a Texton the next week, probably won’t ever need it.
I buy tools as I want and need, depending on the circumstances. I often get sucked into the GJ philosophy of getting a tool for the next time and waiting indefinitely for the “next time”. Some things have changed so much over time, like random orbit sanders, I would love to upgrade to a newer one but have several others that do the job, and aren’t worth much to sell. Don‘t get me started on cordless tools and upgrades.
My advice to anyone is to research the what you want to do and buy the best version available in the platform of your choice for the job. I just saved my son a few hundred dollars changing his lower control arms and sway bar links. Had everything I needed in the box for that, but would have killed for an 8mm flex head ratcheting wrench doing my wife’s Explorer belt tensioner. I bought a Texton the next week, probably won’t ever need it.
swsman
Well-known member
Growing up my dad had amassed a large tool collection that included automotive/construction/plumbing/welding etc. He was a go to guy for repairs, never did it for money but to help friends and family out. His main career was as a commercial driver (retired with over 40yrs experience).
This rubbed off on me.
I like to DIY and learn about different things, typically tool purchases are priced into the cost of the job vs paying someone else. Bonus is having tools for the next time.
Over the past few years I have been downsizing on some fronts, and also upgrading tools to a higher quality where I saw the need.
Some friends that hardly have a screwdriver in their household I tooled up vs throwing things away.
I do not work on things daily, but when needed I have the comfort of working at my own pace and having needed tools at hand, regardless of the project that is undertaken.
I maintain my parents and my vehicles, a motorcycle, an ATV, yard equipment, snow blower and various other things.
Also my friends will drop by needing an advice or help with their vehicles/home appliances and such.
My favorite saying when asked how many guitars, tools, vehicles etc. I need is always: +1
Some out there spend their money on fancy vacations, alcohol, cigarettes and what not - I prefer to tool up and chase my own interests.
It is all paid for, and liquid - always worth something vs what I just mentioned some spend their funds on...
This rubbed off on me.
I like to DIY and learn about different things, typically tool purchases are priced into the cost of the job vs paying someone else. Bonus is having tools for the next time.
Over the past few years I have been downsizing on some fronts, and also upgrading tools to a higher quality where I saw the need.
Some friends that hardly have a screwdriver in their household I tooled up vs throwing things away.
I do not work on things daily, but when needed I have the comfort of working at my own pace and having needed tools at hand, regardless of the project that is undertaken.
I maintain my parents and my vehicles, a motorcycle, an ATV, yard equipment, snow blower and various other things.
Also my friends will drop by needing an advice or help with their vehicles/home appliances and such.
My favorite saying when asked how many guitars, tools, vehicles etc. I need is always: +1
Some out there spend their money on fancy vacations, alcohol, cigarettes and what not - I prefer to tool up and chase my own interests.
It is all paid for, and liquid - always worth something vs what I just mentioned some spend their funds on...
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 757
I do this a lot. To most others.. it’s weird. Here on GJ.. I think it’s acceptable.
RoninB4
Well-known member
Was in the tool/mold/die industry for a couple of decades, moved to engineering/design for the last 15 years of my working career. I kept ALL the instruments/tooling and acquired several metalworking machines before moving to engineering/design. I had far less daily use for the shop tools as CAD was all I needed for design work.
Now retired but still have everything, perhaps too many things from a life I no longer live. I've had to wean myself off purchasing tools/tooling unless I absolutely needed them for an ongoing project. I have a small hoard of tooling and instruments that I've never used. I still keep everything, including the machinery, with the notion of someday opening a small commercial shop again.
How often do I use all these things? Gauge blocks and .0001's indicators rarely unless I just want to be fussy. Calipers and micrometers about once a week. Jig borer and surface grinder rarely. BP mill, lathe, saw, and tool grinders almost every project. CAD is used with almost every project whether it's home remodeling, the odd bracket, or playing "what if" on some pipe dream.
I know 2-3 other tradesmen, now retired, that had a large assortment of tools/tooling. They all reached a point where it was time to downsize. I'm reaching that point now where I need to consider minimizing and I'd suggest that too for anybody regardless of vocation, collection, or hobby. It's difficult to part with old friends/companions but I have to face the fact that my collected artwork, library, hobbies, and trade tools aren't all going to be of interest to just ONE person. The material things that we find so fascinating are just going to be a burden to sell or give away for the survivors/family. Those are the easier things to release. The skills/knowledge I've learned in other areas is even more difficult to pass on to another generation and most of this area will, unfortunately, die with me.
You've figured out a way to accumulate, learn, and achieve in life. Better figure out an exit strategy because tomorrow isn't promised. YMMV
Now retired but still have everything, perhaps too many things from a life I no longer live. I've had to wean myself off purchasing tools/tooling unless I absolutely needed them for an ongoing project. I have a small hoard of tooling and instruments that I've never used. I still keep everything, including the machinery, with the notion of someday opening a small commercial shop again.
How often do I use all these things? Gauge blocks and .0001's indicators rarely unless I just want to be fussy. Calipers and micrometers about once a week. Jig borer and surface grinder rarely. BP mill, lathe, saw, and tool grinders almost every project. CAD is used with almost every project whether it's home remodeling, the odd bracket, or playing "what if" on some pipe dream.
I know 2-3 other tradesmen, now retired, that had a large assortment of tools/tooling. They all reached a point where it was time to downsize. I'm reaching that point now where I need to consider minimizing and I'd suggest that too for anybody regardless of vocation, collection, or hobby. It's difficult to part with old friends/companions but I have to face the fact that my collected artwork, library, hobbies, and trade tools aren't all going to be of interest to just ONE person. The material things that we find so fascinating are just going to be a burden to sell or give away for the survivors/family. Those are the easier things to release. The skills/knowledge I've learned in other areas is even more difficult to pass on to another generation and most of this area will, unfortunately, die with me.
You've figured out a way to accumulate, learn, and achieve in life. Better figure out an exit strategy because tomorrow isn't promised. YMMV
I was a diesel /plant/truck mechanic from 68 to 2014.....I never had any accumulation of fancy hand tools in roller cabs........just the basic spanners and sockets in a couple of ex army tool boxes on the back of my pickup..........very well worn too,no fancy sparkly chrome ...What I do have is lots of big stuff , like 1" drive impacts ,and heavy hydraulic pullers ......probably never use any of that again........Just recently ,I bought some new tools in sets , nice sparkly chrome ,probably never to be used.
Really depends on what's happening with life and/or what's broken.
Ideally, I'll never use my plumbing tools again. Realistically they'll be used whenever something is broken. Hopefully wont need any mechanics tools for a while either as both our cars have relatively new brakes.
In the late fall/winter I do a lot of woodworking projects. Spring it's time to get outside and maybe some yard work. Summer not much and then fall is a lot of yardwork.
Definitely have stuff I can get rid of and things purchased for a one time use. I’ve saved us a ton of money doing things myself and I’m not going into debt buying tools so I’m feeling alright with what I have. I will upgrade some things soon but for the most part it’s things to help me work quicker.
Ideally, I'll never use my plumbing tools again. Realistically they'll be used whenever something is broken. Hopefully wont need any mechanics tools for a while either as both our cars have relatively new brakes.
In the late fall/winter I do a lot of woodworking projects. Spring it's time to get outside and maybe some yard work. Summer not much and then fall is a lot of yardwork.
Definitely have stuff I can get rid of and things purchased for a one time use. I’ve saved us a ton of money doing things myself and I’m not going into debt buying tools so I’m feeling alright with what I have. I will upgrade some things soon but for the most part it’s things to help me work quicker.
vavet
Well-known member
wrenched on BMW’s for a few years. Today my wrenching is just changing oil and rotating tires. Maybe I’ll get a project car at some point.
airplane building is also a thing in my garage. I make the occasional fixture for home use. Most of my tool use is for general home upkeep between our home and our rental house.
airplane building is also a thing in my garage. I make the occasional fixture for home use. Most of my tool use is for general home upkeep between our home and our rental house.
A very fair point of view.
To that extent and reasoning, many of us are in different situations in life. Some of us have bigger and more well equipped garages/shops, others make do with a car port and simple portable toolbox. Many of us are in between those then include the financial variables and member's age. I think the common ground between every member here can be summed up by one word (acronym) "DIYer."
When you come to that term, it can mean many things to many different people. Different skill level, experience, knowledge, available finances, work space availability and simply put where you are in life.
I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, just many opinions. I have told many friends and coworkers before, "The only reason to sell a tool or gun is to feed your family." While some might be offended by that statement, others will clearly understand it.
RickP330
Well-known member
FishWatcher - I am almost afraid to ask. What is FBMP?
Yes - do tell. What's up?
RP
Odd-job
Well-known member
I think this thread is getting more at use case vs tool capability vs individual capability vs frequency vs space constraints. Sounds like tool capability usually exceeds everything else and most GJ members admit mostly under utilization and sometimes over utilization (plumbing) of certain tool groups.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Medical, life events, and drunken chain saw accidents can unfortunately limit desired frequency
I have the space but health and age limit things, so for me why buy what I can't use? I can afford to pay for any major car or home repairs so why frustrate myself with any big projects.
I had 3 boys and a variety of child and adult toys that something always needed fixing, even with my boys being adults I built a house with an oversized garage for my 1 hot rod and 3 Harleys, which are now gone as health has overcome their use. It was quite an awakening to not be able to push a clutch or use hand and feet controls on a bike, the vibrations make me numb in legs and feet.
I only buy something that I really need, other than that a large assortment of tools have been rehomed. I probably still have more than I'll ever need but I enjoy having a box full of decent stuff. I haven't reached the point of being a tool polisher yet, but I always cleaned my tools after using them.
That sums it up in a nutshell, I never had anything but basic woodworking tools as a good friend is a skilled carpenter and another has enough snap-on and the knowledge in his shop to have always fixed anything I couldn't when younger.
jar944
Well-known member
I think that depends on the tool and how many identical (or upgraded) versions you have. I generally agree on hand tools. Large stationary tools I'm more inclined to sell after I get a larger/better/faster replacement.
jar944
Well-known member
I'd guess most of us have a pile of tools that have been used once or likely never. Those that just sit there taking up space. Not tools that are used daily weekly or monthly.
bwringer
Well-known member
My work is office-type stuff, so my tools are 100% personal use.
Most of what I do in my garage is working on motorcycles and cars, and I've built up a pretty comprehensive selection of tools, including a lot of specialty stuff that might have been used only once, but has already paid for itself. I can think of a few specialty tools that turned out to be useless; I suppose I should sell them, but who would buy them? Everything else that doesn't take up much space and has a chance of being useful again stays in the collection.
There are times I've purchased large items, like engine hoists, then sold them once the job is done. It's cheaper than renting, and I don't have to trip over them when I don't need them. The hydraulic press has definitely earned its floor space, though.
I'd say I'm a tool-using primate at least five days a week, usually more. Doing something tangible and physical is also a much-needed break from the "head work" of my job, which is almost entirely virtual and intangible.
Almost everything I do with tools is mechanical work; I loathe, detest, hate, and despise dealing with house **** and woodworking (I can play at plumber, painter, or handyman under duress, but woodworking escapes me entirely), and I do very, very little in the way of metalworking. I also do pretty much zero cosmetic work on vehicles; no painting or body work, and I can only be persuaded to wash my motorcycles at great need. The cars might go through a car wash a few times a year.
The main reasons I do all my own mechanical work are frugality and self-defense; I can afford to ride and drive much nicer machines, and use them harder, and stand a much better chance of not dying, if I don't have to pay some other ape to repair and maintain them. It's literally my *** on the line, and I do FAR better, safer, more meticulous work than I've ever seen come out of a shop.
The last time any part of any of my motorcycles saw a "perfeshunal" shop was more than 25 years ago, and in every case the outcome was very poor, nearly disastrous. I do absolutely everything on my bikes, from building engines through tire changes. I also do occasional work with friends, of course. The rule is that you have to participate; no dropping off parts or bikes.
I've dabbled in doing paid work on motorcycles, but I've learned that putting someone else's money into the equation instantly flips it from enjoyable to a hateful dragging chore.
For cars, I don't enjoy the work as I do with motorcycles, but it's still necessary. I've used a shop a few times for things I'm not equipped to do (AC work, car tires), and I've learned to expect some sort of disappointment and chaos in every instance. I've been pleasantly surprised only a few times. Tire changes usually go OK, and there's a local independent shop that has done good work with an AC issue.
It took quite a while to convince my wife to stop offering free mechanical services to every rando with a sob story. But in general, I'll only work on your car if you're a close relative, and the shop closes for good if you display any hint of assholery.
Like many people who are good at fixing stuff, I've had to learn the arts of defending my time and sanity from ingrate freeloaders. You really learn a lot about someone's character when you fix something for them.
Most of what I do in my garage is working on motorcycles and cars, and I've built up a pretty comprehensive selection of tools, including a lot of specialty stuff that might have been used only once, but has already paid for itself. I can think of a few specialty tools that turned out to be useless; I suppose I should sell them, but who would buy them? Everything else that doesn't take up much space and has a chance of being useful again stays in the collection.
There are times I've purchased large items, like engine hoists, then sold them once the job is done. It's cheaper than renting, and I don't have to trip over them when I don't need them. The hydraulic press has definitely earned its floor space, though.
I'd say I'm a tool-using primate at least five days a week, usually more. Doing something tangible and physical is also a much-needed break from the "head work" of my job, which is almost entirely virtual and intangible.
Almost everything I do with tools is mechanical work; I loathe, detest, hate, and despise dealing with house **** and woodworking (I can play at plumber, painter, or handyman under duress, but woodworking escapes me entirely), and I do very, very little in the way of metalworking. I also do pretty much zero cosmetic work on vehicles; no painting or body work, and I can only be persuaded to wash my motorcycles at great need. The cars might go through a car wash a few times a year.
The main reasons I do all my own mechanical work are frugality and self-defense; I can afford to ride and drive much nicer machines, and use them harder, and stand a much better chance of not dying, if I don't have to pay some other ape to repair and maintain them. It's literally my *** on the line, and I do FAR better, safer, more meticulous work than I've ever seen come out of a shop.
The last time any part of any of my motorcycles saw a "perfeshunal" shop was more than 25 years ago, and in every case the outcome was very poor, nearly disastrous. I do absolutely everything on my bikes, from building engines through tire changes. I also do occasional work with friends, of course. The rule is that you have to participate; no dropping off parts or bikes.
I've dabbled in doing paid work on motorcycles, but I've learned that putting someone else's money into the equation instantly flips it from enjoyable to a hateful dragging chore.
For cars, I don't enjoy the work as I do with motorcycles, but it's still necessary. I've used a shop a few times for things I'm not equipped to do (AC work, car tires), and I've learned to expect some sort of disappointment and chaos in every instance. I've been pleasantly surprised only a few times. Tire changes usually go OK, and there's a local independent shop that has done good work with an AC issue.
It took quite a while to convince my wife to stop offering free mechanical services to every rando with a sob story. But in general, I'll only work on your car if you're a close relative, and the shop closes for good if you display any hint of assholery.
Like many people who are good at fixing stuff, I've had to learn the arts of defending my time and sanity from ingrate freeloaders. You really learn a lot about someone's character when you fix something for them.
MovingAlong
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,227
Folks who are using all their tools consistently would not have time to post...
While there may be some, suspect the demographics here are slightly skewed toward an "older" set of folks with a little more leisure time on their hands now.
For example, right now its early morning on the weekend, prime time for serious DIY folks with honey-do lists. Yet here I sit, reading about what folks used to do - and sharing thoughts about what I used to do...
(I didn't get the point of the thread at first either, but starting to see how its evolving into something that is understandable to me)fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 757
Facebook Marketplace
MovingAlong
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,227
I tell folks now, "I will help you do it but I will not do it for you.". Even if your only contribution is to stand there and hand me tools, hold the flashlight or keep feeding me paper towels as my hands get dirty - you're going to have time invested too.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Just a DIYer, but I have been bitten by the Milwaukee bug ! At first I swore it was going to be M12 only. 3/8" drill, 3/8" impact. Then rotary tool ans angle grinder.
I got tired of dragging out the 2hp, 20 gallon compressor, air hose and pneumatic impact in order to rotate tires, so I bought an M18 mid-torque impact. Then I bought my son, who lives near by, an M18 1/2" hammer/driver/drill (I have 2 corded drill only) and an M18 impact driver plus an M18 vacuum.
NONE really get used enough to justify them, but ... they are SO CONVIENENT ! 10 time better than the old NiCad stuff I had.
Fighting the urge to buy a small (8") chain saw or reciprocating saw (have a good corded one) or a circular saw (I have 2 corded ones). You can go down the rabbit hole quick when you get old and lazy.
Agreed. Technically, you have gotten rid of a tool but you still have the tool. . . . You start out with an 8.5" portable table saw and upgrade to a nice stationary 10" table saw. Yes, you sold one but you still have a table saw. . . . "splitting hairs". . . .
jar944
Well-known member
Agreed. Technically, you have gotten rid of a tool but you still have the tool. . . . You start out with an 8.5" portable table saw and upgrade to a nice stationary 10" table saw. Yes, you sold one but you still have a table saw. . . . "splitting hairs". . . .
Lol well you always need at least 2 of the same tool, so we are in full agreement.
Funny enough inwas actually thinking about table saws when i posted that. I'm for selling the 10" cabinet saw when you have a 10" jobsite table saw, a 10" cabinet saw a 12" sliding table saw and a 18" joinery saw. Redundancy is good but I have to draw the line somewhere.
Though I did once sell a 10" cabinet saw when I only had 2 10" cabinet saws... wait no I also had a 10" jobsite at the same time so the rule of 2 was still in effect.
I may have a problem..