TOOLS - When is Enough, Enough

[Dust Devil]

I don't "collect" tools, I only buy tools that will be used. I have no use for multiples of the same tool and I don't buy tools just because I like the way they look. I have enough tools when I can complete my work without having to stop and go buy a tool.

Exactly.

 

[Moose97]

Hard to say. I started out with a basic set of wrenches and sockets, a hammer, some screwdrivers, a few pliers, a level and a circular saw. When I bought my first home I really got into woodworking so my tools kind of went in that direction. Then I got back into cars and my tool purchases morphed toward that. These days my son and I are getting into welding and metal working so guess where my tool purchases are heading? Who knows what will be next!

 

[ibedayank]

you have to much when you call a garbage can a dumpster and have no where to put any tools...

 

[metaldad]

i dont think i"ll ever have 'enough'
just dont have enough space

 

[crewchief888]

i
just dont have enough space

thats my problem....

 

[47newcastle]

Really!

When you have the full selection of hand and power tools for automotive and carpentry and woodworking and masonry and metalworking etc. etc.

Isn't there REALLY an end to it?

I know, there is never enough, but really?

Bill

I'll stop when I have two of everything because 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

 

[schor]

I picked up a newer 526-11 kennedy box at a good price to replace the older hacked up 526. Put the hacked up one in the house to hold the general house repair tools. No room in the shop but I'm always shopping.

 

[slowzuki]

It sometimes feels like I did a lot more work with a basic set of tools in my teens than now with a fairly well stocked shop. I've gotten to a point where there is a complete set of tools in the shop, complete set for the farm truck, and enough multiples they get in the way of trying to get stuff out of the shop tool box.

 

[LordPsychon]

Every year I go through my collection of hand tools and if it hasn't gotten any use in the past year I put it in my garage sale. I only buy power tools when I absolutely need them - so far I haven't wasted a single purchase on power tools.

 

[F124C]

Lol

Maybe I should have said wife threathening to poison you

or wife threathening to put all your tools in a dumpster while you're at work

or wife threathening to give all your tools to the next scrapper she sees locally

or wife threathens to leave garage door open with a sign outside saying 'free tools, help yourself'



Al.

You just gave 10,000 guys a small heart attack at the mere thought of some of these things...

Probably caused a few nightmares too!

Al.

 

[F124C]

Every year I go through my collection of hand tools and if it hasn't gotten any use in the past year I put it in my garage sale. ........................
.....................

Wow, that's harsh, Man !

Al.

 

[Strouty]

Every year I go through my collection of hand tools and if it hasn't gotten any use in the past year I put it in my garage sale. I only buy power tools when I absolutely need them - so far I haven't wasted a single purchase on power tools.

I don't know what to say?

 

[Maui]

The subject of this discussions brings to mind a cartoon I saw recently.

 

[Gmonkee]

This thread is 3 years old. Since this the OP has bought an entire HF store.

And I have not found a single Workmaster wrench for my stalled set. Lol!

 

[bczygan]

"TOOLS - When is Enough, Enough
Really!

When you have the full selection of hand and power tools for automotive and carpentry and woodworking and masonry and metalworking etc. etc.

Isn't there REALLY an end to it?

I know, there is never enough, but really?

Bill"



This thread just popped back up and I have an update on my own journey.

I believe I've passed the threshold of all the really basic tools needed for basic auto maintenance, house maintenance and some basic construction trade tools.

I've also added tools for things I'm interested in doing, like welding, metalworking and woodworking.

Now it's just adding the missing ones and upgrading where necessary.

Having a tool collection, just to have them, isn't the goal. Having capabilities that tools afford you, is.

To answer my own original question........No, it never stops.

Bill

 

[Musicinabottle]

I will only buy if I need. Otherwise I don't care to spend my money there. Too many other things I'd rather have it do for me.

That's me too. I literally have just what I need. I thought about collecting a few ratchets and decided against it. I have doubles of most of my tools strictly as a back up, but that's it. Nothing against the hoarders, because I'm certainly a hoarder in other areas, just not tools.

 

[speed bump]

I have reached the point in my tool purchasing journey where it is all about how those tools make me better. I recently started giving away and selling all sorts of tools because they did neither.

At the end of the day I own tools to accomplish things and my desire to collect almost anything has been surpassed by my desire to experience more freedom.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

This thread is 3 years old. Since this the OP has bought an entire HF store.

And I have not found a single Workmaster wrench for my stalled set. Lol!

Stanley Workmaster?

 

[Fialaja]

As I told my wife once, I may only need a certain tool once, but in that moment, no other tool will do.

Or another cherry is that it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I do not make my living with tools, but I have done a great deal of side work to make extra money. I have also helped out family members, and saved myself money occasionally by doing things myself.
I

 

[nbruno]

To say that you can't ever have enough tools is a ridiculous statement. For the person who does not use them or does not know how to use them any amount of tools is too much.
All that being said... I can't seem to have enough. In my free time I check out videos to see if there is something that could make my life/work easier or more efficient. I have the means as well as the need and knowledge so I don't consider it frivolous or unnecessary.

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[zktk01]

Enough is Enough, when they won't raise your limit on the credit card.

 

[gdpolk]

Enough is enough when you have what you need to do what needs done. As everyone has different needs, that assortment may vary widely from one user to another. As for myself I can fit all the hand tools that I truly need in a single KRA2407 chest. Power tools is another story but that’s because some of them are bulky in nature, like my table saw.

 

[larry_g]

As time goes on I find that interests change, knowledge grows, skills grow, and things change. Working on a small steam engine the other day I found I did not have a 5-40 die or a 3/16 socket or nut driver. So I made the nut driver and bought the die. Having a interest in metalwork I find that there is no end to the tools and tooling that can be bought to support that trade. I also have a farm so that dictates a certain minimum of tools. Start buying tools that tag along behind a tractor.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Gmonkee]

Stanley Workmaster?

Yessir! I have been working on DOE sets for work for 5 years. The last 3 years have given up none locally. I filled holes with other brands meanwhile.

 

[Tallpilot]

I had a professional engine builder and race car fabricator come to my backyard shop last week for a little project.
"Do you have..."
Yeah. Right here.
"How about..."
Yup... over there.
"I need..."
Here you go.

For hand tools though, I'll admit it seems like it's a little nuts.
Until I stop and think about it.

Nothing is more satisfying than always having to hand exactly what is needed.

This thread is 3 years old. Since this the OP has bought an entire HF store.

Isn't that the most amusing aspect of this necrothread??

Having a tool collection, just to have them, isn't the goal. Having capabilities that tools afford you, is.

To answer my own original question........No, it never stops.

Bill

Glad you chimed in Bill. The capabilities are certainly a good rationalization. At the end of the day this is like any other pursuit: if it gives you pleasure and the money you spend on it doesn't rob your family of necessities then go for it. Tool collecting as a 'middle aged man hobby' is far less wasteful and destructive than most.

As I told my wife once, I may only need a certain tool once, but in that moment, no other tool will do.

See above

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Are two socket sets really needed?

Yes. I was using a two inch extension and an 7mm socket to put the ignition coil back on the car. While trying to line up the socket with the bottom bolt, I dropped it and it fell on the engine underneath the coil, out of reach. So, I got another 7mm socket, found another 2" extension, and took the coil back off to get the first extension. 1/4" drive was a tight fit, didn't figure 3/8" drive had a chance of fitting.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have 14 ... 10mm wrenches... in a variety of lengths, angles, fit, thickness... sure I could live with only 13 of them but will probably die with 22 of them.

 

[70staged]

Well, just when you think you have enough, the A holes who design vehicles decide that straight, Phillips, torx, torx plus, hex, hex socket, etc couldn't possibly work, so they invent a new one, and you're right back to square one.
Jim

It’s not the A-holes who design the vehicles who decide the torx bit/ flat head. The tool company/ the bolt company are the ones who come out with the new designs and tell the vehicle people what to use.

 

[6PTsocket]

Y'all need that T shirt: " HE THAT DIES WITH THE MOST TOOLS, WINS".

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[sberry]

I will only buy if I need. Otherwise I don't care to spend my money there. Too many other things I'd rather have it do for me.

There reaches a point. I can walk out and look for a few new things I even need but I got to run it thru, does it really help me or do I spin my wheels getting when I really don't have a use for it. If I take a new house wire might buy a new drill. If I was going to do 2 would and if I had to pay additional men would.
There are neat things in the welding world, a few of them I have but have weeded it out and set up for the work I REALLY do, easy, adequate. Yes the 300 Synchro can stick weld but I still use the same little DC buzzer I have had for 35 years. Its all connected, easy to use, cheap, professional arc.
I can get deals on machines but its all on stuff I DONT need.
I got machines that will do those machines and don't use them.

 

[bonneyman]

I have 14 ... 10mm wrenches... in a variety of lengths, angles, fit, thickness... sure I could live with only 13 of them but will probably die with 22 of them.

There's always room for another 10mm!

 

[Specs]

In the process of ebaying an S&K 3/4” drive ratchet as I type this... and I dont need it.

I don’t even think “enough” is a paradigm any toolhead can even fathom. Tools get lost, sets incomplete, as long as a sweet score on tools can be had, none of us will stop...

 

[volvosrock]

I acquire tools as needed for different jobs, then they get treated like guns, never sold unless replaced with something better.


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[Specs]

Rescued another wayward instrument...

JH Williams 18” 3/4 drive breaker bar with 1 1/18” socket... too good to pass up

Yup I belong here

 

[anndel]

There is no end and forums like this don't help!

 

[coljar]

I don't smoke or gamble, so I need a vice,.........................wait a minute! Make that a vise. I think I need another.

 

[volvosrock]

I don't smoke or gamble, so I need a vice,.........................wait a minute! Make that a vise. I think I need another.

I tell my wife all the time, it’s either “this” (various hobbie) or hookers and blow...lol


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[joel63]

There is no end and forums like this don't help!

That's for sure.
I've talked myself into getting many tools that I "needed".
Not sorry though.

 

[jherb10]

It's never enough, but now you cant write them off on your taxes next year.

John

 

[jonshonda]

I buy tools as needed typically, but others I buy as a result of getting an extremely good deal. Case in point, I went to a garage sale a few weeks ago where the guy was moving and selling tools at VERY good prices. In my pile were a Dewalt 1/2" impact gun, and PC router (among a lot of other nice tools) for $50. Killer deal.

Well, I didn't have any impact sockets or router bits, and in order to use these tools I needed both. Lucky for me Sears came through with their SMW rewards, and I have a total of $63 invested into a 1/2" impact and sockets, as well as router and 10 carbide bits.