Thanks for nothing Garage Journal!

[Musicinabottle]

Thanks for nothing! Back in the mid 1980s, me and my lifelong friend, then a minor, suddenly gained an interest in mechanics tools when I bought an American made 3/8 drive socket set from Napa. Can't remember how much. Anyways, we began hitting yard sales and pawn shops, this was before the internet and ebay......

Anyways, my friend quickly seized upon Snap on, I began collecting SK. Over the years, I had a fairly nice mixed bag of SK and other American made tools. Then people as we all know..... change. I bought my first Toyota in 1994, and found that I touched my mechanics tools never! Over the years since that Toyota, and subsequent Toyota's, I began to not give a **** about my tools. I loaned out and lost a few, left others out in the weather, and so on. Recently, I discovered this forum, and now am picking up an interest in the tools again. I'm becoming a tool junkie again and Garage Journal is my dealer!

So, I had all my tools in a five gallon bucket for years, then about 16 years ago, I bought the black Craftsmen tool box and when I put all my stuff in there, the drawers wouldn't close. I couldn't close the lid all the way and I had to put tools in other boxes. My drill bits all went in a wood box I built when I was in my early 20s, now I'm 51.

I found myself going through my tools and replacing my missing SKs from ebay, then I located a Craftsman box for $70 off craigslist yesterday, so now all my stuff fits in one box now and things close! The old box now holds all my drill bits.

 

[Musicinabottle]

The 3/4 inch drive set is all SK except the breaker bar which is Snap On. That cost me $100. The half inch drive set is entirely SK except for the deep well sockets. A good many of those are misc but I've got a couple sockets coming that is going to fix that. 3/8 drive set is entirely 1985 era Napa, except one socket which is SK. Searching for the correct socket to keep the set original. In the 3/8 ratchets I have a Napa, SK and two Snap on but I'm going to get rid of one of the Snap Ons. The 1/4 inch drive set is SK, but missing some sockets. Have some coming to complete the set again. My screw drivers are largely Craftsmen. Never was too impressed with Craftsmen back in the 1980s but they did do a fairly decent set. I have a few SK and one Snap on. Pretty content here for now.....

 

[rapid robert]

So...your blaming garage journal for your tool addiction?

 

[Musicinabottle]

My old wood box of bits moved into the black Craftsmen box. I have several Stanley countersinks that I bought in the 1980s, and you can't get them anymore in that style. I bought replacement bits for those to replace the nails I've used for years now. Couple specialized door hinge or self centering drill bits. Extensive Speed Bore bit collection...... Years of being a carpenter. The craftsmen set.. 2 of them still in the yellow sleeves, are Japanese made and those suckers were so sharp that I've cut myself several times with them. Like razors!

 

[Musicinabottle]

So...your blaming garage journal for your tool addiction?

You guessed it! So I ran out of uplinks, but here's the bottom drawer with the hole saws, arbors and extra pilot bitage.

 

[Estebanchee]

I share the same feelings. When I first got a car I was some dumb 19 year old that only had my father's deep impact socket set as my main go to. Needless to say alot of repairs were painfully slow and hard! Took me a few breakowns to start purchasing a few extra tools here and there. Before I knew it, repairs were easier....and actually fun! It wasn't till I discovered this place 4 years ago that I learned alot about tools and their qualities. All I knew prior was that a wrench is a wrench. Now I have favorites like Bonney, and Proto. And as I slowly increase my inventory I realize that tools....much like knowledge...is POWER! What can't one do when they have the proper tools for a project! It's a fantastic feeling. That being said, my wallet hates me lol

 

[Musicinabottle]

These boxes have more duplicates and a lot of Craftsmen items I moved to these boxes as I located SK tools back in the day when I was starting out. I also bought several "Used" chines tools from a thrift store here in town when I worked for a dock builder welding docks out in the field. Couldn't bring myself to use my American made stuff over the water. For what it's worth, I never dropped a single thing in the water. But another worker dropped his Stabila 6 foot level in the water. Shame!

I also have a nice Kennedy box that I completely forgot to photo for this. I'll do that tonight!

 

[Musicinabottle]

I share the same feelings. When I first got a car I was some dumb 19 year old that only had my father's deep impact socket set as my main go to. Needless to say alot of repairs were painfully slow and hard! Took me a few breakowns to start purchasing a few extra tools here and there. Before I knew it, repairs were easier....and actually fun! It wasn't till I discovered this place 4 years ago that I learned alot about tools and their qualities. All I knew prior was that a wrench is a wrench. Now I have favorites like Bonney, and Proto. And as I slowly increase my inventory I realize that tools....much like knowledge...is POWER! What can't one do when they have the proper tools for a project! It's a fantastic feeling. That being said, my wallet hates me lol

I'm certain that there are people on here that'd stick their noses up in the air at my stuff, but it works for me. My wrenches are a hodge podge of everything but I am picking up SK stuff and have 3 SK wrenches coming, one is a 1 1/4. Can't wait for that one. I still like all my Proto, Snap On Craftsmen and Montgomery Ward wrenches. My wife just rolls her eyes every time I buy another tool, but when she gets something from the jewelry channel, it's delight for her and I'm rolling my eyes!

 

[Musicinabottle]

Now, in case you hadn't figured it out, I'm joking about the "Thanks for nothing" bit........ It's in humor! Thanks to GJ, I'm now a tool addict. I'm happy about it.

 

[L5wolvesf]

I've got a couple mid 80s Toyotas now - I work on them to fix what prior owners messed up.

What is this closing tool box lids you speak of?

 

[Rileysan]

I found myself going through my tools and replacing my missing SKs from ebay, then I located a Craftsman box for $70 off craigslist yesterday, so now all my stuff fits in one box now and things close! The old box now holds all my drill bits.

This is just the beginning.

Next you'll be looking for a matching roller to put that top chest on.

Then you'll realize that your newer Craftsman boxes are actually not that great of quality and you'll start looking for vintage set.

Once you find a vintage set for a good deal, you'll keep on buying them knowing full well you don't have room for them.

Then you'll discover that Craftsman contracted with S-K in the early 60s and you'll start buying up Craftsman tools with the "circle K" ⓚ logo.

Finally you'll learn that JC Penny's sold tools with the name Penncraft that were also re-branded S-K tools.

But you will never buy an S-K roller and top chest. Nope! You'll leave that to the experts ...

Brian

 

[Musicinabottle]

I've got a couple mid 80s Toyotas now - I work on them to fix what prior owners messed up.

What is this closing tool box lids you speak of?

Too many tools in the top to shut the lid.

 

[Musicinabottle]

This is just the beginning.

Next you'll be looking for a matching roller to put that top chest on.

Then you'll realize that your newer Craftsman boxes are actually not that great of quality and you'll start looking for vintage set.

Once you find a vintage set for a good deal, you'll keep on buying them knowing full well you don't have room for them.

Then you'll discover that Craftsman contracted with S-K in the early 60s and you'll start buying up Craftsman tools with the "circle K" ⓚ logo.

Finally you'll learn that JC Penny's sold tools with the name Penncraft that were also re-branded S-K tools.

But you will never buy an S-K roller and top chest. Nope! You'll leave that to the experts ...

Brian

I actually already have a bottom rolling tool box to match. I actually am not a professional mechanic so I have a notion of where I want to be with the mechanics tools, and the box I have now is going to suffice for my needs but..... If ever I did find something better (not hard to do!) and it's affordable (and this will be the killer every time) then I'd go ahead and buy it.

 

[Musicinabottle]

My only complaint about the Craftsmen boxes really, is the lack of rollers on the drawer glides.

 

[icthruu74]

Yep that's the way it starts. This chest will hold everything I could possibly need. I said that 2 rollers with tops and intermediates ago. And I'm still adding stuff.

 

[JohnDeere1]

The tool addiction is a very expensive one I try not to think about how many of my 100+ ratchets were $100 or more not to mention how much I got in the others I'm a tool snob bad and a tool hoarder no amount of sockets,ratchets,screwdrivers are enough.

 

[PelicanPines]

I'm not a tool addict... I don't need anymore tools or tool boxes... honest... really... not kidding...

Fine... don't believe me.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Pines, I call B.s. on you need wanting any more tools

 

[PelicanPines]

Pines, I call B.s. on you need wanting any more tools

I know... I am building a planting shelf/table... from a recycled swing set... I need a few new bits to build it...

I truly thought it while typing my earlier comment... it just didn't last.

 

[L5wolvesf]

Too many tools in the top to shut the lid.

"Too many tools" uhmmm . . . is that a real thing?

 

[Musicinabottle]

"Too many tools" uhmmm . . . is that a real thing?

Exceeded the max capacity. I really like my new tool box. No Snap on, but still nice with the added space. Were it not for GJ, I'd still be dealing with drawers that didn't close!

 

[ScottsGT]

Blaming GJ for your tool addiction is like an alcoholic blaming AA for being an alcoholic.

We're here to support you and make your addiction worse. You already had the bug, just didn't know it!

BTW, that's a cute collection of tools. When are you going to get a real stash of tools??

 

[jeffmoss26]

Nice stuff!

 

[M_George]

Give it a few years. After 40 years I need a step stool to get into the top of each tool box and need to add another bay to my garage.

 

[rsanter]

So...your blaming garage journal for your tool addiction?

Actually it sounds like he is blaming us for improving his situation

 

[M_George]

Actually it sounds like he is blaming us for improving his situation

Nope... He's one of us now...he's got the bug... he's hooked

 

[Musicinabottle]

Nope... He's one of us now...he's got the bug... he's hooked

Indeed! Now I'm feverishly scoping out craigslist and ebay and other places looking for stuff. Geeze!

 

[Musicinabottle]

Blaming GJ for your tool addiction is like an alcoholic blaming AA for being an alcoholic.

We're here to support you and make your addiction worse. You already had the bug, just didn't know it!

BTW, that's a cute collection of tools. When are you going to get a real stash of tools??

Well, most of my tools are carpentry related. All the things you saw in the photos are mechanics tools I picked up when I was 18 to 22 years old and....I even recently gave away a lot of stuff such as a fairly old Snap On valve adjusting tool for the old Chevrolet 235s and some WW2 Snap on ratchet and sockets.

 

[Rickster55]

There are worse addictions. Personally, I'm fine with this one!

 

[ScottsGT]

My woodworking addiction has kicked in hard and heavy in the past couple of years. It started when I remodeled my bathroom 10+ years ago. You see, I removed a large mirror and saved it. What made it worse was the upstairs bathroom had the same exact dimension mirror I also saved. So what does someone do with two 42" X 65" mirrors?
You use them as the back to a 96" wide by 80" tall by 2' deep display case.
Of course this required a pocket hole jig and a biscuit joiner and a router. All built with off the shelf red oak and birch plywood from Lowes.
Those two mirrors cost me $2000 in materials, to include the large sliding tempered doors, and only God knows how much in tools! But, hey. I'm having fun!
Since then it has only gotten worse/better. Newer tools, new techniques learned, new wood working bench built, new storage ideas I'm working on, etc....

 

[Rileysan]

My woodworking addiction has kicked in hard and heavy in the past couple of years. It started when I remodeled my bathroom 10+ years ago. You see, I removed a large mirror and saved it. What made it worse was the upstairs bathroom had the same exact dimension mirror I also saved. So what does someone do with two 42" X 65" mirrors?
You use them as the back to a 96" wide by 80" tall by 2' deep display case.
Of course this required a pocket hole jig and a biscuit joiner and a router. All built with off the shelf red oak and birch plywood from Lowes.
Those two mirrors cost me $2000 in materials, to include the large sliding tempered doors, and only God knows how much in tools! But, hey. I'm having fun!
Since then it has only gotten worse/better. Newer tools, new techniques learned, new wood working bench built, new storage ideas I'm working on, etc....

That's the key ... you're having fun. On a positive note, if you buy your rools used, they won't depreciate. Later on, if you decide you don't want or need your tools anymore, you can recoup most, if not all of your investment. Just don't leave a lot of stuff for your heirs to deal with lest they hold an estate sale and sell everything super cheap!

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

I agree with the if I don't see it I don't need it. I have lately come to the conclusion I have too much stuff. Now to find the energy to get rid of all the surplus stuff!

 

[Musicinabottle]

Just got the SK 1 1/4 combo wrench. Geeze that's a chunk o steel! I just bought a few more SK hand tools to replace my misc stuff. 11/16 combo wrench, a couple 1/4 drive sockets... 1/4 and 7/32 and a 5/8 deep well 1/2 drive. Thanks for nothing GJ!

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I share the same feelings. When I first got a car I was some dumb 19 year old that only had my father's deep impact socket set as my main go to. Needless to say alot of repairs were painfully slow and hard! Took me a few breakowns to start purchasing a few extra tools here and there. Before I knew it, repairs were easier....and actually fun! It wasn't till I discovered this place 4 years ago that I learned alot about tools and their qualities. All I knew prior was that a wrench is a wrench. Now I have favorites like Bonney, and Proto. And as I slowly increase my inventory I realize that tools....much like knowledge...is POWER! What can't one do when they have the proper tools for a project! It's a fantastic feeling. That being said, my wallet hates me lol

I hear ya'. I used to hate this sort of thing, because I always sucked it. I learned so much from this place, about so much, how to avoid **** like stripped bolts, why to use 6 point sockets instead of 12, etc. It was a weird feeling to actually looking forward to a DIY job instead of dreading it.

 

[M_George]

I have found getting my tool box complete along with some of the special tools member's share info on has made the projects I work on way easier

 

[Musicinabottle]

I hear ya'. I used to hate this sort of thing, because I always sucked it. I learned so much from this place, about so much, how to avoid **** like stripped bolts, why to use 6 point sockets instead of 12, etc. It was a weird feeling to actually looking forward to a DIY job instead of dreading it.

I know I could just google it and avoid looking dumb, but why is there 6 and 12 point sockets and wrenches?

 

[Musicinabottle]

I know that 6 points are going to be less likely to strip but after I just googled, I'd forgotten that they do have 12 point fasteners. I've wrenched a few of them before, just forgot.

 

[Empty Pockets]

This is just the beginning.

Next you'll be looking for a matching roller to put that top chest on.

Then you'll realize that your newer Craftsman boxes are actually not that great of quality and you'll start looking for vintage set.

Once you find a vintage set for a good deal, you'll keep on buying them knowing full well you don't have room for them.

Then you'll discover that Craftsman contracted with S-K in the early 60s and you'll start buying up Craftsman tools with the "circle K" ⓚ logo.

Finally you'll learn that JC Penny's sold tools with the name Penncraft that were also re-branded S-K tools.

But you will never buy an S-K roller and top chest. Nope! You'll leave that to the experts ...

Brian

Thanks Brian.

I have recently taken a liking to SK tools, I already have a bunch of older SK stuff, as well as some Penncraft. Seems I have to be searching the secondary market, again. All that you have done here is to help feed the addiction.

Thanks, Pal LOL