Throwing Away Tools

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

When do you know that something isn't worth keeping? How do you get past the guilt of throwing stuff away? I don't feel like I have clear and balanced thought process here. My mother was a hoarder (as are her siblings) and I definitely inherited those tendencies. The advantage I have is that I have seen her struggles with it - a house with paths to walk through it, two 10'x20' storage units packed full. That has helped me keep it in check a bit. However, now when I toss something I wonder if I am overreacting. If I keep something I wonder if falling prey to the hoarding tendencies.

 

[pcrov]

My drawer full of screwdrivers needs answers to this.

 

[3baygarage]

Based on the thread title, what’s an example of a tool you’d like to throw away?

 

[GRN96WS6]

If it's broken toss it. what's the point? If it's something you don't use either sell it or give it to someone who can use it. I'm not one to keep **** I can't/don't use or have a need for.

 

[zendriver]

I had all kinds of hand and power tools purchased from estate auctions for the cheap.

Cherry picked a few things and sent the rest to restore (9 handsaws, bucket of wrenches), or tossed them into the scrap metal pile.

I'd rather have the space and order.

 

[goldtang]

if in doubt throw it out no point in keeping something that is broken or not used,

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Based on the thread title, what’s an example of a tool you’d like to throw away?

Good examples.

 

[3baygarage]

Craftsman spinner with female square?

That looks like perfect donation stuff imo.

 

[3baygarage]

If you don’t have a Habitat, I feel like a small box at the curb and that woukd be picked up within several hours by passers by.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

That looks like perfect donation stuff imo.

I guess we live in a kind of an affluent area of flyover. Local donation places will trash anything very used or beat up.

 

[CS454]

Taken good tools to pawn because it was easier than selling em for 10% more or given em away, metal bin and don't look back

 

[RTM]

I guess we live in a kind of an affluent area of flyover. Local donation places will trash anything very used or beat up.

Around here, the affluent pick all the stuff up off the curb. The poor take what they can use.

 

[liliysdad]

Chinese, old Taiwan, beat up stuff with peeling chrome, things im tired of looking at and moving?

Garbage. All day.

 

[Old Man Roger]

When do you know that something isn't worth keeping? How do you get past the guilt of throwing stuff away? I don't feel like I have clear and balanced thought process here. My mother was a hoarder (as are her siblings) and I definitely inherited those tendencies. The advantage I have is that I have seen her struggles with it - a house with paths to walk through it, two 10'x20' storage units packed full. That has helped me keep it in check a bit. However, now when I toss something I wonder if I am overreacting. If I keep something I wonder if falling prey to the hoarding tendencies.

Considering your family history, better to err on the side of overreacting.

 

[Leon bee]

Like many, I can't throw away anything that still works.

 

[cody1325]

I've got a large number of China/Taiwan (before the latter was any good....) sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers that ****, and am seriously considering doing the same.

However--I've recently found that almost all the "MADE IN JAPAN" tools of the '70s and '80s were cheap, but VERY decent. I've recently gained an affinity for the KTC-made Fuller wrenches. They blow Craftsman of the era out of the water. Better fit on hardware and don't make a mess (my Craftsman metrics, the only metrics I have other than an HTD Japan set, round hardware). Also, a really great polish. And at $3.50 at a local farm supply as old stock--why not? Been meaning on asking them if they have any other sizes in the back, as all I've found is 3/8 and 5/8.

Kind of odd how I tossed those Japanese made tools into the "spares" bin, only to find they were actually pretty decent, and have now got a better place.

 

[ecotec]

I throw away unbranded sockets, jacked up screwdrivers… last week I threw away a cracked (at the box end) MAC combination wrench.

I give away or donate nicer tools.

 

[cody1325]

I throw away unbranded sockets, jacked up screwdrivers… last week I threw away a cracked (at the box end) MAC combination wrench.

I give away or donate nicer tools.

Been thinking about doing that with some decent, but mostly unused tools I have (plus spare sockets). A buddy of mine does a lot of work on his old, pretty poor condition vehicles (almost all '90s and early '00s), and has one large hand box and a couple socket sets. That's really it. Plus, a lot of the stuff is so low-end, a Craftsman ratchet would be a huge improvement.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I throw away unbranded sockets, jacked up screwdrivers… last week I threw away a cracked (at the box end) MAC combination wrench.

I give away or donate nicer tools.

If the MAC wrench was part of a set I would definitely warranty that.

 

[cody1325]

If the MAC wrench was part of a set I would definitely warranty that.

Same here. I've got a 3/8 ratchet from the '70s currently in the system. I've got tons of ratchets, but figured it was worth a shot if I could get it repaired or replaced.


Really need to call my relative and ask him if the Mac guy said anything about the status. Been a little over a month. Probably should've done it direct, but I just so happened to be by his place and had the ratchet in the car already. Plus, I'm rarely able to get by his shop at 9 in the morning on Tuesday.

 

[niget2002]

The third time I throw a tool across the shop because it pissed me off, I aim for the trash can.

 

[kbeefy]

I have a drawer just for the free garbage tools that come with various items. I dont know why I don't throw them away, I dont even use them to put together whatever they came with.
I also have a couple small containers of sockets that are extras and not part of a set. Every now and then one comes in handy.

 

[cody1325]

I have a drawer just for the free garbage tools that come with various items. I dont know why I don't throw them away, I dont even use them to put together whatever they came with.
I also have a couple small containers of sockets that are extras and not part of a set. Every now and then one comes in handy.

Yep. That's why honestly, I don't want to get rid of that box of sockets. There will often be times when I have to reach in that box and find a size that I lost the "good" version of inexplicably.

 

[ecotec]

If the MAC wrench was part of a set I would definitely warranty that.

It was a $1 from an estate sale that I had not noticed was cracked.

 

[M635_Guy]

For hand tools, I either donate it or toss it in the metal recycling at the recycling center. I did both a lot last year as I was cleaning out the significant amount of crappy tools and hardware left by the previous owner.

For power tools, if they die I'd toss them, but can't recall the last time that happened.

 

[nadogail]

Throw Away a Tool! Thai is blasphemous

 

[ChefRex]

Like many, I can't throw away anything that still works.

Or repurpose it.

 

[30-30remchester]

I buy a lot of junk boxes of used tools if the price is right and there are things I want inside. I detest cheap tools. All import tools go in 5 gallon bucket and are my give away tools.

 

[cody1325]

I buy a lot of junk boxes of used tools if the price is right and there are things I want inside. I detest cheap tools. All import tools go in 5 gallon bucket and are my give away tools.

And my loaners. All my good sockets go on rails, or the original kits/cases if I have them. Granddad always took home the old mining bit boxes (Carmet, a former employer repainted ammo cans, while Carboloy and Hughes used molded plastic), and I tend to just dump 'em in those.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I guess we live in a kind of an affluent area of flyover. Local donation places will trash anything very used or beat up.

I'm sure a local GJ addict will clean you out of your unwanted tools!

 

[rooster59]

Old Armstrong ratchet, keep. Taxidermy squirrel with a straw hat playing a banjo, throw. Gotta have a method.

 

[liliysdad]

Old Armstrong ratchet, keep. Taxidermy squirrel with a straw hat playing a banjo, throw. Gotta have a method.

I’m afraid I’d be hard pressed to choose the ratchet over the squirrel…

 

[Oldsmobile]

If it breaks or otherwise frustrates me, it's gotta go. Tools need to solve problems, not create them. Last thing I threw the f*** away was a pair of Robogrip pliers that came in a box lot. They were fine for a bit, but as soon as they failed, they went into the trash where they belonged.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Old Armstrong ratchet, keep. Taxidermy squirrel with a straw hat playing a banjo, throw. Gotta have a method.

Speaking as someone who has a taxidermied possum in my living room, I'm not sure that method is going to work for me.

 

[cody1325]

I’m afraid I’d be hard pressed to choose the ratchet over the squirrel…

If it were me, I'd probably end up sticking it up on some shelf in the shop. For some odd reason, I've got a plastic zebra from when I was a kid on a high shelf in mine.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Speaking as someone who has a taxidermied possum in my living room, I'm not sure that method is going to work for me.

I’m not sure why, but when I read this, my first thought was, of course you do.lol

 

[Squankum]

However--I've recently found that almost all the "MADE IN JAPAN" tools of the '70s and '80s were cheap, but VERY decent.

Yeah, I recently discovered my first (and forgotten!) wrench set, a Sears not-Craftsman box wrench set, made in Japan. The day I got a set of metric, raised-panel CMans, I felt like I had arrived. But I look at these wrenches now and realize, hey, these are actually pretty well made. I'm guessing late 80's.

 

[cdoublejj]

i've been getting WELL very used tired tool boxes, like old school carry type plus i have a few 90s plastic ones, plus they come with power tools that need a new switch or cord. i collect these and will amass no longer need tools and maybe paint and or clean these boxes make starter kits for friends and family who don't have any or struggling as many now have to do car repairs DIY these days.

 

[RAYJAY]

Based on the thread title, what’s an example of a tool you’d like to throw away?

all of the snapon that they will not replace.....

 

[cdoublejj]

some here told me to mail in my pile of busted snap on but, i suppose they still have that tool or a similar tool in stock. i figure no dealers want to warranty since i don't buy snap on though i did a truck at our harley dealer the other day.