Such a thing as too many tools?

[soj]

^^^^^^ This. Just replace "fun" with "tools".

 

[crewchief888]

Only on moving day!

so true

 

[gdocktor3]

Buying/using/collecting tools is a hobby. Some men collect cars, coins, stamps, guns, antiques, etc. Women collect clothes, shoes, makeup, art, dvds, etc. At least tools are practical and serve a real world purpose. It is something that makes you happy. Most vintage wood working tools are hand made art.. Even if you don't need it or use it, woodworking tools are a piece of history from a time before machines and mass produced factory made stuff. They deserve to be admired and saved from the junk yard. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

This was a topic brought up between my girlfriend and I when I would go to the flea market on the weekends and come home with a bag of random tools. "Again? Do you even need them or do you just want them?" Of course I always needed them to do something. One day, she came home from the mall with a few bags of clothes and shoes. "Did you need them or did you want them Rachel?" She smirked and rolled her eyes because she knew she had been beat at her own game. Needless to say that question has not been asked since and I still go to the flea market every other weekend.

 

[619DioFan]

Every time I think I have reached max capacity on tool ownership I take a look at some of the setups some members here have and realize that I have yet to complete my tool buying journey, Dam you GJ .

 

[housedad]

After 40 years of buying tools whenever I need them to do a job, and then the ungodly number of presents given to me, I say absolutely yes, you can have too many tools.

However, I have too many tools for the jobs that I am currently involved in. BUT, That may very well change week to week depending on the next projects.

So is it too many tools now, or too many tools for the future?

I hate losing or getting rid of a tool that I find I need again in the future. The wasted time going out and finding the tool, spending more money and effort *****.

 

[cliftonbros89]

It's all in someone's opinion. Working in the shop with my dad has been interesting over the years as I've purchased more tools. I've seen my dad shake his head sometimes when he's seen some of the things I've bought. He has his own box in the shop. He's got just the basics for the most part. But the times he's had to borrow tools from my box compared to me borrowing his has been about 15:1. I have a 72" box with hutch that's about 80% full. Anyone who comes to shop thinks it's too much. But most people don't realize the variety you need to work on things and to make repairs that aren't the most common. Also being able to do it in a quick and efficient manner. But I also don't have a bunch of the same tool either. A few back ups maybe but nothing out of hand.

 

[OCD]

 

[Empty Pockets]

I haven't worked in the trades for several years. That said, I have quite a large assortment of tools in my basement workshop.

Every time my wife makes a comment like, "why do you have so many tools?", she comes up with another project for me. I go downstairs, return with the tool or tools needed for the job.

On completion of the task, she asks about this tool or that (that she has never seen), I answer politely, and she doesnt ask about my tools for another 6 months

 

[bcradio]

Only on moving day!

Ha ha, I like it.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

So this year we finally auctioned my Dad's various collections including tools tools and more tools... Then, my Step-Mother died this past month.. Back at the house getting it ready for the liquidation process.. Went thru the house with family... who wants this, who wants that. I walked away with a few items this past Saturday..

Then, on Sunday, I went to a flea market... found some player piano rolls (my brother "wants" the player piano in the estate.... Sent him pictures.. He said, what the heck are you doing, didn't you have enough of a flea market yesterday (Saturday at Dad's house).

My retort: Still looking for that one tool I cannot live without....

 

[ecotec]

You, absolutely, can have too many tools (or anything, really). But it will not be a popular point of view on Garage Journal. There is also more than one reason that one can have too many.

In the analogy by Christopher Schwartz, if you have so many that they are not being maintained... You are a bad tool/pet owner... The tools/pets... Anything... Is worse off because you have so many that you are neglecting some. If you have so many tools that a good percentage is rotting away... You should probably get rid of the excess. The tools were/are worse off because you have them. If you have adequate storage, you obviously can have a LOT more without much of a problem. But, if they are in your yard under tarps rusting away... Anyways... You can absolutely have too many tools.

If you cannot afford the tools you have and still continue to hoarde tools... You have too many tools. If your wife and children are going without because you are buying tools that you will NEVER use. You have too many tools. If you are hoping the next tool purchase will fill some empty hole in your heart... You have too many tools. Some people have OCD, some people are completists... Even if you have a mental illness... It is an excuse... But, it does not excuse you from what you are doing to your family.

So, yeah... You can have too many tools.

I am well aware that this viewpoint will be unpopular.

 

[FigureItOut]

I don't understand the question. Do you mean like, right before you get to buy a bigger box?

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

You, absolutely, can have too many tools (or anything, really). But it will not be a popular point of view on Garage Journal. There is also more than one reason that one can have too many.

In the analogy by Christopher Schwartz, if you have so many that they are not being maintained... You are a bad tool/pet owner... The tools/pets... Anything... Is worse off because you have so many that you are neglecting some. If you have so many tools that a good percentage is rotting away... You should probably get rid of the excess. The tools were/are worse off because you have them. If you have adequate storage, you obviously can have a LOT more without much of a problem. But, if they are in your yard under tarps rusting away... Anyways... You can absolutely have too many tools.

If you cannot afford the tools you have and still continue to hoarde tools... You have too many tools. If your wife and children are going without because you are buying tools that you will NEVER use. You have too many tools. If you are hoping the next tool purchase will fill some empty hole in your heart... You have too many tools. Some people have OCD, some people are completists... Even if you have a mental illness... It is an excuse... But, it does not excuse you from what you are doing to your family.

So, yeah... You can have too many tools.

I am well aware that this viewpoint will be unpopular.

 

[LXCam]

Damn trouble makers and their stupid questions.

 

[Corndoggeh]

I only keep tools that I can see myself using in a practical manner plus the box of extra sockets and some wrenches just in case. This has kept me from buying a lot of cool, old, and/or even new which means more money kept for tools I'll actually use or other more important things.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I think we need to define the question again.

Too many as in different tools or too many as in individual tools in general?

Are we counting 1 screwdriver as a tool or are we counting "screwdrivers" as 1 tool?

An assortment is by no means too many, but more than anyone would ever use is too many.

 

[twertsy]

What was the question? I tripped over my ratchet storage toolbox and hit my head on 3 vises on the way down, smacked my head off a grinder getting back up, feet going out from under me as I try to catch balance on sockets like they were marbles. Knocked 6 tool displays off the wall and couple falling wrenches put a knot in my head.

 

[LXCam]

What was the question? I tripped over my ratchet storage toolbox and hit my head on 3 vises on the way down, smacked my head off a grinder getting back up, feet going out from under me as I try to catch balance on sockets like they were marbles. Knocked 6 tool displays off the wall and couple falling wrenches put a knot in my head.

I hope for your sake you didn't damage that grinder, they'll be hell to pay!

 

[Bessy]

I don't think it really has anything to do with having an assortment (think a set of screwdrivers) but rather having 15 4" #2 Philips screwdrivers all sitting in a drawer/bucket/strewn across benches/etc.

The catch 22 is however, if you have necessity for 15 #2 philips drivers (cottage, rental property, kitchen, workshop, detached garage, truck toolbox, glovebox, etc)...

I know personally, I probably have a half dozen 9/16" wrenches or so, but they all have a place. One stays in the tool bag for work as all of the docks are fasted to the collars with 3/8" fasteners, probably two in the shop box (for nut and bolt), one by the vise (to adjust the angle when needed), I used to keep one under the seat of the suburban tractor in the little tool tray there; but they all had a use. heck I'm pretty sure there is one in the desk drawer in the marina office, seeing as anything that goes into the shed runs the risk of being picked up by one of the other municipal employees who needs it.

 

[bczygan]

Tools that will never be used are surplus to your needs, and should be disposed of. They take up needed space, and make finding the tools that you do need, difficult.

One difficulty is sets of tools.

Loose misc. individual tools make it difficult to find what you need from a pile. So sets are better, even if the set has some tools that are never used.

Sometimes multiples are needed, but only in particular situations.

Bill

 

[sberry]

I got or get what I need anymore and don't collect and really don't want any more except to replace worn out stuff.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

There was a show, either the "Hoarding: Buried Alive" or the regular HOarders of a guy who was a "tool Hoarder" but his entire house was filled with junk that he "planned to fix" and all sorts of old tools. I would say that is too many tools.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/hoarding-buried-alive/videos/buried-alive-tools-anyone/

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Yes, but I'm not there yet...

 

[pstemari]

...
I know personally, I probably have a half dozen 9/16" wrenches or so, but they all have a place. ...

Yep. A number of my old "surplus" wrenches were dispersed to various machine tools for specific tasks: 3/8" at the Taig mill for clamping, 1/2" at the drill press for the motor bolts, etc. The big lathe came with some small metric DOE wrenches, but I bought some Proto combination wrenches to replace them, as well as a inch wrench for the tool post nut. The Protos are a lot nicer on the hands.

End result is that most routine tasks have the correct tool within arm's reach without having to walk over to the toolbox.

Currently I do have a few extra wrenches purchased for machine tools that have since left the shop, but I'm sure that eventually they'll find their purpose.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I think when you get to the point when you have so many tools that they don't each have a place to be stored, and the clutter starts hampering your workspace, then that is too many tools.

 

[twertsy]

He doesn't have nearly the tools he needs to fix that.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[WWShop]

Sometimes i feel like i have too many of the SAME tool, but can never have enough individual tools.

 

[colin39]

Lol

 

[lazer50]

Too many tools? Never! Over the years i learned to buy quality tools.and i have a large inventory with very fer duplicates.i know fellas that think the chinese/taiwan quality has caught up.now they end up with a slew of the same size this and that because they need the back ups.for those times when their choice of tools lets them down in some way.so in the end they dont have too many either lol.

 

[Lassen Forge]

For me, it's when you open your tool box and have to sort through the pile, getting around the worn out and broken stuff to get to the tools that work. That's where I am now, plus I have a few hand boxes and one (my dad's old shop box) on a dog leash...

My only problem is, when I replace the old and crusty ****, I look at the old stuff and go "well, I may need that someday".

Still... I've come to the realization I do need a bigger toolbox. Or 2. Or maybe at least 3...

 

[ecotec]

I know that this could be an unpopular opinion with "I can do whatever I want with my property" kind of people... That house should be condemned. It is not fit for occupancy. It is a firetrap. Every room should have safe egress. He also has roof leaks. His city government needs to get involved (fire marshals, building inspectors, and social services).

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I know that this could be an unpopular opinion with "I can do whatever I want with my property" kind of people... That house should be condemned. It is not fit for occupancy. It is a firetrap. Every room should have safe egress. He also has roof leaks. His city government needs to get involved (fire marshals, building inspectors, and social services).

To me it becomes society's problem when it becomes a hazard to society.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bczygan]

Just finished a mini session of going through a file cabinet.

Found some perfectly good tools I had bought at various garage sales.

Haven't used them since I bought them, and don't see myself ever using them.

Time for them to leave home, find themselves another one, and give me back the space for other purposes.

Bill

This seems to need to be a continual process where you continually reevaluate each and every tool you have.

 

[Gidge]

No.

/thread

 

[jimreed2160]

You must understand the audience that Chris S is addressing. Many adopt woodworking as a hobby and start by acquiring a load of tools by thinking that they might be needed. It is a common mistake of those who have never really worked with tools. But you have to start somewhere. He encourages his audience to begin with a few simple tools and master them before moving to more complex and specialized tools. In that context, he is correct.

As someone with more than a few woodworking tools, however, his words fall on deaf ears. I refuse to give up my dado planes, my chamfer planes, my H&R set, and my skew rabbet planes--just to mention a few. Specialized tools are a blessing when you know how to use them.

Too many tools? Depends...

 

[VoodooCLD]

You must understand the audience that Chris S is addressing. Many adopt woodworking as a hobby and start by acquiring a load of tools by thinking that they might be needed. It is a common mistake of those who have never really worked with tools. But you have to start somewhere. He encourages his audience to begin with a few simple tools and master them before moving to more complex and specialized tools. In that context, he is correct.

As someone with more than a few woodworking tools, however, his words fall on deaf ears. I refuse to give up my dado planes, my chamfer planes, my H&R set, and my skew rabbet planes--just to mention a few. Specialized tools are a blessing when you know how to use them.

Too many tools? Depends...

I used to have a bunch of different specialized automotive tools from when i was starting out. Then after a while i noticed most of them were hardly touched, except for a few sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers that were so worn out they were hardly usable. It was at that moment that i understood why people buy snap on tools. Now i have much fewer tools, but much higher quality.

I now have no qualms about spending hours to borrow a tool from a friend or family member. Sure i could go buy a cheap Chinese tool for my one time job, but i don't want it taking up space. And rather than just throw it out when i'm done, i see the trip to see a friend and catch up as a positive experience rather than a negative one buying tools i don't want to own.

 

[rlitman]

For me, it's when you open your tool box and have to sort through the pile, getting around the worn out and broken stuff to get to the tools that work. That's where I am now, plus I have a few hand boxes and one (my dad's old shop box) on a dog leash...

My only problem is, when I replace the old and crusty ****, I look at the old stuff and go "well, I may need that someday".

Still... I've come to the realization I do need a bigger toolbox. Or 2. Or maybe at least 3...

I know what you mean. **** I don't use goes into the junk drawer for recycling later on. But unless it's got real value it doesn't get sold, and if it's metal it doesn't get thrown out.

 

[bcradio]

....except for a few sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers that were so worn out they were hardly usable. It was at that moment that i understood why people buy snap on tools. Now i have much fewer tools, but much higher quality......

Why's that? for the warranty?