What do you do when you end a tools life?

[WildwoodChuck]

What!!! this is Garage Journal there is no such thing as ending a tools life. No really it isn't profitable enough to repair them and have them go out again.

I do detention work, I service existing Jail and Prison detention systems and I do retrofit. Airteq, Folger Adam, Southern Steel and so on. I get a lot of really cool tools but the work is hard on them. as mentioned in other posts I destroy Wiha bits like there is no tomorrow Monday alone I broke 5 1" T25 security bits and kept right on going. Yesterday morning the M18 impact started not going when I pulled the trigger, about 20 minutes before the end of the day my 6" Metabo grinder just stopped spinning after 3 hours of constant use.

We have 2 service trucks and 2 job boxes that 2-4 guys work out of. We kind of have a progression of tools that I started when I started with the company. New tools go in the trucks and then the road box gets the truck tool and the Wabash Box gets the road box tool. The reason for this is we always have fresh tools in the trucks for service calls and the most worn go to Wabash to die because we are the GC for that project and I can make as many trips as I need to outside the fence.

Since November of 2015 I have ended the lives of 2 DeWalt 20v and 1 18V drills, 3 impacts 1 DeWalt 18v, 1 20v and the M18 from yesterday, 1 Milwaukee grinder, 2 Metabo grinders and 4 DeWalt grinders and a 1 DeWalt 18v reciprocating saw. That may seem like a lot but remember they are already worn by the time they get to that job box. We go through a lot of pry bars and hammers, the Wilton unbreakable 32oz ball peen, not so unbreakable. The Gearwrench punch and chisel, junk! Stanley punch is strong but I don't like the stubby point for screw/bolt extraction, whoever makes the Craftsman punches as new as last year they are great we just beat on them.

We have a cart in the shop that worn stuff goes on because our Industrial supplier has trade in sales where we get 100 dollars or so off a tool if we trade in a competitor tool. Hand tools go in the scrap bin at the shop if it was a junk purchase to start with or it was bought as a beater tool like the black and red handle screw drivers for less than a dollar from Lowes, we drive them between the door and frame on the hinge side of the door to hold it while we weld on hinges and over time they get messed up.

I don't want you to think we trash everything because we do have really nice stuff that we take good care of but in our line of work some stuff gets worn out or is basically a consumable like grinders, drills and impacts.

 

[MushCreek]

I killed a cheap drill one time, and just tossed it out. I have a cheap 40 year-old circular saw that should be pitched, but it keeps on running. The bearings are shot, so the spindle bounces back and forth too much for accurate work, so I use it with abrasive wheels for cutting off, concrete, etc. I thought I killed my beloved Milwaukee M18 impact driver, but it just needed brushes, and it's good as new. Those are the only power tools I can remember killing.

 

[gdocktor3]

To answer your question, I exchange it under warranty if possible; or throw it in the garbage. I don't know what else you're looking for here? A 21 gun salute and full military funeral

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'd at least put them in a metal recycling bin.

 

[woody 73]

I am 100% sure you could give all your broken tools to those nice prisoners that are locked up 24/7; I just bet you they could find a million uses for every last broken tool, what do you think.

 

[CoogarXR]

I take my hat off, hold it over my heart, and have a moment of silence as a tear rolls down my cheek...

Just kidding. I fix it if I can, or scrap it.

If I broke it doing something stupid, I'll feel a lil' guilty. If I broke it using it like it should be used, then I look forward to getting something higher quality next time.

 

[Stadger]

I sharpen the long ones into shanks.

 

[Roobaix]

To answer your question, I exchange it under warranty if possible; or throw it in the garbage. I don't know what else you're looking for here? A 21 gun salute and full military funeral

What he said.

Warranty
Recycle
Junk it

 

[woody 73]

I sharpen the long ones into shanks.

I was just thinking the same thing, it would give those nice men in prison something to do to keep their minds occupied.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I've tossed some super cheap Allen wrenches, tools that come with furniture kits, etc, as well as an 18V DeWalt drill that someone else had already thrown away as well. I'm the person who takes old tools out of the trash and tries to fix them.

 

[pi_guy]

If I was going through that much electrically powered tools I would toss them in a pick bin in the repair/maintenance section and pick for used parts.
Other than that I would apply for bereavement leave and go to an irsh pub and console myself.

 

[thatguysb]

If I broke it doing something stupid, I'll feel a lil' guilty. If I broke it using it like it should be used, then I look forward to getting something higher quality next time.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Stooge]

depends on what kind of mood I am in and if the tool breaking is the cause of my mood. if it doesn't cause me grief, something's get opened up and repaired, saved, put aside for a taking apart later, other things get sworn off and angrily thrown in the trash after causing problems...like a paint gun causing a lot of extra do-over work

 

[tvtaurus]

It really depends on the bits. Screwdrivers, bits, and other small items will go straight to the trash bin. If it is a larger item like a tool on the other hand, I'll take it apart and find out why it broke. Then i will give fixing it a try before throwing it out. Obviously warranty the tools that you can.

I am not a tool murderer!

Tools don't die, people kill tools.

 

[Firebrick43]

Most stuff goes directly to the trash or scrap tub. The only thing I keep is the lager bondhus Allen wrenches. As an industrial mech I use the **** out of them. 4mm,5mm, 1/8,and 3/16 gets worn after a few months or more likely gets dropped and somehow bounces 3 times right into the chip sluice.

We don't have the ball end one individually so we just get a new set. I collect the 8 mm and 3/8, cut the ball end and angle ends off with the abrasive saw, and turn them on The hardinge (with carbide tools) into starter punches and starter roll pin punches that are hard to find. They are more durable than even good Mayhew punches.

 

[redwrench60]

It depends on what it is. Many things get repurposed. Worn out or broken drills are cannibalized for parts like power cords and chucks. Some things get relegated to "beater" status and end up in small boxes for use in a pinch. Other stuff gets turned into "specialty" tools for certain jobs like my GM door hinge pin bushing driver made from a broken 1/4" drive chrome extension. Other than these uses they just hit the trash or scrap metal pile.

 

[samss]

Recycle, repurpose. I needed a deep 11/32" nut driver bit with 1/4" hex adapter for my cordless screw gun. Cut the handle off of a 11/32" nut driver and brazed the shank to a worn out 5/16" bit.
Milwaukee has a $100.00 trade in allowance for cordless tool kits.

 

[APEowner]

I use to keep all or part of them thinking that the parts or materials would be handy some day. After moving five years ago my attitude has changed. They now go in the recycling bin or the trash, whichever is appropriate.

 

[2oolhound]

I know I've had several tools that I swore would go to an early grave by way of my sledge hammer. Now I'm trying to remember if I've actually followed through or if I'd been too busy to bother when the time came.

I do keep some for parts or to make one good one from several faulty ones when different parts break down on them. Otherwise it's the scrap bin or recycle.

 

[sberry]

I just toss about 6 boxes that look like that today, no one would give a dollar at a sale for them, I am not storing it as well as several wrenches got tossed in to scrap. I must have had a dozen 1/2 speed cranks that I scrapped, havnt used one in decades and finally had it with them.

 

[CoogarXR]

Around here, the recycler pays for electric motors. Lop off the cords, spike the tool on the floor, pluck the motor out. When you get a bin full of motors and cords, take them to the recycler.

 

[rambo19]

Broken power tools get left out on my bench, so if a scumbag breaks in, hopefully he will take them instead of my other tools.

 

[Kev442]

Broken power tools get left out on my bench, so if a scumbag breaks in, hopefully he will take them instead of my other tools.

Mine sit on the basement bench until I can take a look at them. Two years later they get tossed during a purge. I guess you could say they lie in wake before burial...

 

[Jon_E]

If it's a DeWalt power tool, it will usually commit suicide. I used to work at a construction company in the early 90's that bought into the "new DeWalt power tools" lineup, when it was just a change in the B&D color scheme. We used to fill a 55-gallon drum every couple of months with dead DeWalts. After a year or so, the boss finally got his head out of his *** and started buying some quality tools, this after he spent thousands upon thousands of dollars and actually fired a couple of guys who didn't deserve it, just for breaking that ****. You couldn't give me that yellow garbage to this day.

As for other tools that die? Repair if possible, scrap if not. Anything with a bit or a blade is more or less 'consumable' and will either break, dull or get used up.

 

[ilovevocs]

I store things for a year hoping to repurpose them in some capacity. After the one year mark in goes in the garbage.

 

[ilovevocs]

If it's a DeWalt power tool, it will usually commit suicide. I used to work at a construction company in the early 90's that bought into the "new DeWalt power tools" lineup, when it was just a change in the B&D color scheme. We used to fill a 55-gallon drum every couple of months with dead DeWalts. After a year or so, the boss finally got his head out of his *** and started buying some quality tools, this after he spent thousands upon thousands of dollars and actually fired a couple of guys who didn't deserve it, just for breaking that ****. You couldn't give me that yellow garbage to this day.

As for other tools that die? Repair if possible, scrap if not. Anything with a bit or a blade is more or less 'consumable' and will either break, dull or get used up.

We switched from Milwaukee to dewalt, then ridged and we come full circle back to Milwaukee.

Its about the time that the dewalt stuff started dying that someone pushed us to ridged with the "lifetime" warranty. Our tools spent more time in the repair shop then they did working.

 

[PureLeaf]

Might be interesting to send some of those tools to a youtube channel like AvE to see if he can open them up, see the point of failure, and even repair them.

Or maybe you could repair them for home use if they're still safe and just being thrown away?

You said your Metabo grinder died after 3 hours of constant work. Metabo says their stuff is for industrial settings and hard work. So I'd definitely try to warranty any tool thats under warranty, long as it wasn't abused. That being said. Good luck. I've had terrible warranty experiences (and eventually being ignored) by Metabo.

Could be very interesting to analyze how the range of brands you use fail from that heavy use.

 

[crewchief888]

I take my hat off, hold it over my heart, and have a moment of silence as a tear rolls down my cheek...

Just kidding. I fix it if I can, or scrap it.

If I broke it doing something stupid, I'll feel a lil' guilty. If I broke it using it like it should be used, then I look forward to getting something higher quality next time.

^^^ this.

some of the "****" i buy i dont expect to have a long life, for example the old HF orange grinders, got 2 of them on sale for $10 ea. 10 years of abuse, and they still work...
the amount i'll spend on a tool depends on it's frequency of use, and if it's for home or work.
if a home tool craps out, it's just inconvenient, and may delay the project.
if my working tools **** out, theres a possibility i cant finish the job, have to replace the tool, have to grab a "spare" from home, and then go back the next day to finish the job.

if something goes up in smoke while it's still under warranty, i'll get it repaired/replaced.

i tossed out a mig welder one night when i was building my s-10.

literally,
out the door, and about 35 feet down the driveway, almost hit the wifes car as she was pulling in...
i was slightly miffed...

 

[ecotec]

Warranty if I can. If I cannot warranty or repair a tool, I set it on top of my garbage on garbage day. Someone WILL take it. If it is not worth doing that, I recycle it or throw it away.

 

[Billythekid1]

Recycle, repurpose. I needed a deep 11/32" nut driver bit with 1/4" hex adapter for my cordless screw gun. Cut the handle off of a 11/32" nut driver and brazed the shank to a worn out 5/16" bit.
Milwaukee has a $100.00 trade in allowance for cordless tool kits.

How do u get the $100 trade in for Milwaukee ?

 

[driftpin]

I just disassembled a HFT orange grinder because it was making a hellacious sound. The splined fan below the head had become loose. I tried to stake it every 90 degrees to get it to grab the armature splines, but it soon came-loose. I might try spot-welding it w/my flux wire welder but I'm not expecting too-much success, I could see that it might make it very unbalanced and vibrate like a concrete ******** or something. Other than that, it's given me great homeowner service. The current HFT side grinders don't look too robust. I might break down and buy a Bosch or Milwaukee.

About recycling, today when I came home, I found my box to send my Sears Craftsman 10" radial arm saw motor and cradle back to Edison Electric for the $100 rebate. If anyone needs parts other than that for a 113.199250 Sears Craftsman 10" radial arm saw, PM me for what you need. I'll be glad to help you out. I have a new wood cutting table top I just fabricated, a 3/4" base and a 1/8" Masonite sacrificial surface.

^^^ this.

some of the "****" i buy i dont expect to have a long life, for example the old HF orange grinders, got 2 of them on sale for $10 ea. 10 years of abuse, and they still work...
the amount i'll spend on a tool depends on it's frequency of use, and if it's for home or work.
if a home tool craps out, it's just inconvenient, and may delay the project.
if my working tools **** out, theres a possibility i cant finish the job, have to replace the tool, have to grab a "spare" from home, and then go back the next day to finish the job.

if something goes up in smoke while it's still under warranty, i'll get it repaired/replaced.

i tossed out a mig welder one night when i was building my s-10.

literally,
out the door, and about 35 feet down the driveway, almost hit the wifes car as she was pulling in...
i was slightly miffed...

 

[jumbojak]

To answer your question, I exchange it under warranty if possible; or throw it in the garbage. I don't know what else you're looking for here? A 21 gun salute and full military funeral

Maybe a twenty one impact gun salute would be appropriate?

 

[ilovevocs]

^^^ this.



some of the "****" i buy i dont expect to have a long life, for example the old HF orange grinders, got 2 of them on sale for $10 ea. 10 years of abuse, and they still work...

the amount i'll spend on a tool depends on it's frequency of use, and if it's for home or work.

if a home tool craps out, it's just inconvenient, and may delay the project.

if my working tools **** out, theres a possibility i cant finish the job, have to replace the tool, have to grab a "spare" from home, and then go back the next day to finish the job.



if something goes up in smoke while it's still under warranty, i'll get it repaired/replaced.



i tossed out a mig welder one night when i was building my s-10.



literally,

out the door, and about 35 feet down the driveway, almost hit the wifes car as she was pulling in...

i was slightly miffed...

Did you forget to turn the gas on?
















I'm joking, but I had to.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

To the people saying buy quality I did state that we burn up Metabo, DeWalt and Milwauke so where would you go from there?

We take back very little for warranty replacement it just isn't worth company time and I don't need a rebuilt Metabo grinder in the shed when I have 3 nearly new ones in the driveway on the truck.

I was telling my coworker about the post today then tools in general and he said wrenches don't matter we don't care about lobster claws if the wrench wont take it out a punch will if not the plasma cutter will take out 3 inches around the bolt then we can weld in new steel.

The post was to find out home verses professional level of when to repair or toss. Some of you guys are really funny. 21 nail gun salute right?

 

[BlackLS2]

The first thing I ever purchased at Harbor Freight, 15 years ago, was a $12.99 orange angle grinder...the thing will NOT die. A friend even accidently left it in the lawn for a weekend....under 3 sprinkler cycles...still runs fine.

If I can still use a tool, but don't want to use it, I donate it; if absolutely worn out...its the recycle bin or trash.

 

[SuperCat]

I'm with the majority here. If I have a power tool quit working, I take it apart to see if I can make a quick and/or easy fix. My stuff usually lasts a long time, even though it is homeowner grade, because I do the best I can to take care of it. I'm not a professional, so my tools don't get daily heavy use. If I can't fix it, I strip out anything useful, all the nuts, bolts, screws, and washers, cord, drill chuck, etc. and then I toss or recycle it. I used to keep stuff for donor parts, but I usually don't have duplicate tools, so I finally admitted it was a wasted effort. I'm trying to not to become a hoarder. Besides, I need the space in my garage. If I had a shed, I might keep more stuff. But that might not be a good idea in the long run.

 

[Infinia]

Tools don't die, people kill tools.

Last year my electric chain saw died. I opened it up and then traced it out to an open wire after the switch. WTF! I replaced it with a lil length heavier gauge. Now it works again! Perhaps an extra long extension cord helped kill it IDK either way I'll put the blame on cheap Chinese copper wire.

 

[tvtaurus]

Last year my electric chain saw died. I opened it up and then traced it out to an open wire after the switch. WTF! I replaced it with a lil length heavier gauge. Now it works again! Perhaps an extra long extension cord helped kill it IDK either way I'll put the blame on cheap Chinese copper wire.

This statement doesn't rule out people making the tools to fail.

 

[Infinia]

This statement doesn't rule out people making the tools to fail.

OK the accountant that downgraded the tools OEM wire source did it
Anything electric has a lifetime! as the saying goes "rust never sleeps'.

 

[LXCam]

Well I guess it all depends on how close the tool and I were. Some tools are almost family, those get set on the bench until I either get tired of looking at it and trash it, or the kind of family I'll waste a half gallon of gas just to torch that POS. When I am making a living with power tools, they go bye bye without a second thought. Labor is expensive, tools are too cheap to f around with 95% of the time.


Btw, who you work for OP. I construct jails and detention facilities. It's a very small niche field that do the hard side, well soft side too. You a road dog or lucky enough to stay local?