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What are the main use for your tools?

hickmlg09

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Jan 24, 2010
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Just kind of curious what everyones purpose is for the tools they have? What do you use them for? Can someone have way to many tools that they never even use all of them or even have touched whatever it may be?
 
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canuckian

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May 7, 2009
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Broad question so I'll give a broad answer.....I fix, build and assemble things with my tools. Can someone have too many tools? Question does not compute...... LOL. I suppose if buying tools gets in their way financially when they don't make their living with said tools, then yes. But the real problem there isn't having too many tools, it's not having enough money!!
 

Racr350

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Aug 24, 2010
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Rochester, NY
Well the tools at work are strictly used on vehicles (99% Toyotas). Tools at home are for Snowmobiles, Race Quads, Mtn Bikes, around the home jobs, and personal or friends cars if i can't get them into work. I may have a good chunk of tools, but I dont think i have any tools I've never used, just because I buy tools only if I know i need them or have had to borrow them in the past.
 
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Buckgnarly

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Oct 8, 2010
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VT
I use mine to fix things...............:bounce:

No, you can never have too many tools unless you have doubles, triples, etc. (except for frequently broken stuuf, then backups are acceptable)
 

DrkMtnDew

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Sep 24, 2010
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some of them make me money. some of them are for polishing. some of them build memories.
 

ajchien

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Los Angeles, stuck on the 60 freeway.
Car maintenance and repairs is what I started out with. That progressed to home repair - Porch posts, painting, faucets, exterior door replacement, window sills. And now I'm including some furniture refinishing and minor furniture building - stools, benches, shelves.

Too many tools? You should be banned for even thinking such a thing. :)
 

colt zantop

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michigan
I don't use mine to make a living....I use them for general stuff like minor car repairs...building stuff....mild restorations... and yes...I do have some I have never used...but they look so damn good in my box! :)
 
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hickmlg09

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I don't use mine to make a living....I use them for general stuff like minor car repairs...building stuff....mild restorations... and yes...I do have some I have never used...but they look so damn good in my box! :)

I like the end on your anwser lol!
 
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hickmlg09

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Is it worth buying and selling tools? I have been thinking about it. I have a very big intrest in learning more about tools. I helped my boyfriend a lot when he worked on things and I thought it was cool watching him and learning the name of different tools. I was thinking about starting to get my own tools to use on things I need them for.
 

metaldad

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Aug 2, 2011
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nw indiana
I use tools at work. I'm a service pipefitter, repairing just about anything related to HVAC, usually BIG stuff. stumbled into this site, amazed i aint the only tool hoarder. at home, maintaining everything, cars, houses.
i have alot of tools, all have been utilized
and, due to this site, i've added some new tool storage boxes.
 

Davo3

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Jul 11, 2011
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Fig, NC
I use mine to make a living, assembling motor control centers.

For the first couple of years, I only had a few screwdrivers and a pair of strippers, and I used shop tools for everything else. Now I use my own hand tools for everything, and use shop power tools. I think I see where this is heading...
 

blazer1

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Apr 22, 2011
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Gilbert, Az
I use mine for the repairs I can do myself.

Too many tools? Yes, I have too many because I wanted to fill my box, so I bought tools I will probably hardly, if ever, use.
 

dwm

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Southeast Michigan
Is it worth buying and selling tools? I have been thinking about it.

You mean for profit? As a hobby because you enjoy it and might break even if your time isn't expensive, sure. As a means to put food on the table... probably not.

I have a very big intrest in learning more about tools. I helped my boyfriend a lot when he worked on things and I thought it was cool watching him and learning the name of different tools. I was thinking about starting to get my own tools to use on things I need them for.

Then you've found the right forum. Welcome aboard!
 

ajchien

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Los Angeles, stuck on the 60 freeway.
You mean for profit? As a hobby because you enjoy it and might break even if your time isn't expensive, sure. As a means to put food on the table...

Yeah, with all the folks selling tools on this board. Does anyone do used tool reselling for a primary living? Or is this a secondary source of income? A retirement job? A hobby job?
 

Altec

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Jun 17, 2011
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SoCo, MD
Mine hold my drawer liners! They work great, too! Never have one slide! Even on that one damn drawer that sticks! :lol_hitti

I do a lot of custom part fabbing, mechanic work, and generally anything that needs to be done...

I mainly have machine tools (Mill, Lathe, etc), precision measuring tools, power tools, hand tools, and automotive specific tools.

Is it worth buying and selling tools? I have been thinking about it. I have a very big intrest in learning more about tools. I helped my boyfriend a lot when he worked on things and I thought it was cool watching him and learning the name of different tools. I was thinking about starting to get my own tools to use on things I need them for.

Buying, and selling tools can be fun, or a blast. Fun if you do it for profit, and a blast if you do it for personal enrichment.

Start hunting! Get the basics, then start collecting job-specific tools as you need them, or as they appear. And if you ever run into a tool that makes you say "That job would have been easier if I had that," GET IT!
 
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littletoes

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Nov 9, 2010
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NE Washington
Guess I'm one of the few that only has tools I've needed and use. From major car/truck/tractor and implement repair to the major HVAC & R repair to other pipe work.

I'm also a Steamfitter/Pipefitter-repair guy. Work on boilers (climbing in one tomorrow to replace all the brick/refractory), been on that all summer, including repairing several glycol leaks in heating/chilled water systems in buildings all over the city.

Sure can be a pain at times.... ;)

oh yea, I have lots of tools too.
 

greasemonkey44

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Mar 30, 2011
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memphis
i work alot around the house, and im a mechanic by trade
at the house i have somethings i rarely use like nutdriver bits for screwguns and ratcheting screwdrivers and a hammer drill; when you need them you really need them so i have them(ie everything is bought with a purpose
at work its a bit different; if i think something will work i am gonna try it. If i think doing a job one way will save me a few minutes of aggravation ill buy what i need. the problem arises in that the one application will be far and few between or the tool is just junky.
for ive used all the tools in my box at work and home and honestly if i own it it will get a good work out

this is not the same as everyone. my dads friends tend to collect things that they never use
shopsmiths, carpentry tools(full size band saws; routers; table saw; you name it), boats and even some mechanics tools
this stuff will go a dozen years before its ever used once
people can be so strange
 

speed bump

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May 28, 2008
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Butte Montana
I can't remember any more. Mostly camera fodder I believe but I haven't seen them in a while.

Before I was gone all the time I used my tools to do anything that required tools.

As far as tools that I have never used: When I run across tools I will need in the future for unbeatable prices I buy them. Extra large wrenches, various drill bits, and measuring tools come to my mind first.
 

Nick_Escalante

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Nov 28, 2010
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to change oil, timing belt... and a starter, alternator, brakes. etc.. at home. Maintain vehicles and to collect as a hobby until I find something new to blow my $$ on ..
 

The Dutchman

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Aug 1, 2011
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PA
There's no sense in buying tools you don't need, but the problem is, you don't know what you're gonna come across till you come across it. If you wait till you need a tool to buy it, it's too late, my friend! As an auto mechanic, I just work on cars & light trucks, but some of these diesel pick-ups have some pretty big fasteners. So, I've increased my aggregate of "hand iron" in the last 6 months--mostly wrenches & sockets, but other stuff, too. Now I have fractional wrenches up to 1-5/8", metric wrenches up to 36mm, sockets, impact & otherwise, up to 46mm & 2". Slim wrenches & 4 way angle head, etc. Can you say "multiplicity"?

I recently went on a buying spree for cordless tools, too, but not without figuring out exactly what I wanted for weeks beforehand.
 

Cooker

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Aug 16, 2008
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I use my tools to fix and restore other tools, so that I can use those tools to build other tools.:pimpflash
 

Steevo

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Mine are for my personal enjoyment and satisfaction. Collected here and there over forty or more years so far, through multiple careers and hobbies, and now serving me in the pursuit of my latest endeavors.
 

FJF

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Aug 1, 2011
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NYS
I'm a homeowner. I use my tools to fix things around the house, do very simple maintenance on our cars, and I'm an electronics hobbyist. For work, I don't really need much other than a laptop, but I carry a Wera ratcheting screwdriver, Knipex and NWS pliers, and a few assorted micro tools.
 

countryroad82

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Mar 18, 2011
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Kentucky
My tools at work, help feed me. My tools at home, mostly to help feed me. I like to eat, I'm done growing up now I'm working on growing out. With my tools at home I sometimes get to work on my own junk but not as often as I would like.
 

tehfade

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Apr 7, 2010
Messages
12
There's no sense in buying tools you don't need, but the problem is, you don't know what you're gonna come across till you come across it. If you wait till you need a tool to buy it, it's too late, my friend!
Wish I could make my SO understand that! I get so much **** from her for buying stuff I don't need yet, but not a peep when it actually comes in handy.

Anyway, at work, I use my tools to make jet engine parts. At home, my tools are to work on my car and to fix whatever might be broken that day.
 

Boiler

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Nov 20, 2009
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Indiana
I mainly just maintain my vehicles, work around the house, and assemble some fabrications I make. I've "probably" got more than I need, and definitely have certain sizes of wrenches and sockets that I haven't used yet.

Its fun to buy and sell tools because you get to buy anything you want and don't feel the financial pain of it. My wife complains if I come home emptyhanded after a tool purchasing attempt. I use it to make ends meet and I've been able to do that, unfortunately I've not built up any kind of surplus. This years buying opportunities have been poor though. It is a lot of work however, I probably spend 20-30 hours a week on it, plus the time in buying.
 

The Dutchman

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PA
Wish I could make my SO understand that! I get so much **** from her for buying stuff I don't need yet, but not a peep when it actually comes in handy.

I'll bet your SO is happy if & when you get her car running!
 

Old Donn

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Apr 26, 2009
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Michigan
Too many tools? Depends what you're doing. Nothing's more frustrating than having to stop in the middle of a job because you haven't got the tool or tools to finish.
 

RobertMo1988

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Mar 19, 2011
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Northern California
I buy and sell tools depending on what i find, i just started buying/selling tools probably about a year ago now,i find a pretty good amount of good stuff too. Half of the cool stuff i seem to hold onto lately so i have been spending more than i am making off of selling them haha, but i usuallly wont buy something if i think i wont make back what i have in it.i dont have a huge selection but i would say its pretty good for a years worth. i do not buy my tools from pawnshops.i do love my tools but too be honest i havent used any of my tools probably in the past year, i Sell what i know i can make profit on and i saved my profit and just bought a box with it. but this ones for keeps kr1000 with a kr550b top box(not pictured) and a kr290 sidebox(already had the sidebox), for 1500
IMG_20110823_182838.jpg

the guy even threw in these green files
IMG_20110823_182459.jpg


i guess i do buy alot off ebay and craigslist tho!
 

slip knot

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Mar 22, 2010
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Texas gulf coast
My tools bring me joy. How bout that!! When I use my tools to repair the POS truck/tractor/house/rental/boat/whatever it brings me joy:bounce::bounce: As far as to having to many. You can never have enough tools just too few projects.

My final instructions have a 1/2 and 9/16 to be included in the box with me. Doesn't really matter where my soul ends up i'll have the two most needed toools to fix it!!
 
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