What would you do different if you had to start again?

[michelin]

inspired by the 'Money wasted on tools' thread.

Imagine a situation where you sell all your tools for whatever you spent on them, no more no less.

What would you do with the money? Would you buy exactly the same stuff you had? For simplicity, let's assume there's no tool that you cannot source.

Me, I've invested heavily in the Snap On gear but, being a DIYer, it sits untouched 5 days of the week. Given the hassle-free exchange by popular DIY chain stores, I'd be tempted to spend less money this time around. For the record I enjoy working with quality tools as much as the next guy and won't be selling my tool collection

 

[trackwelder]

Would have bought a lift right from the start.

 

[jt777]

Built a big garage with lift as said. Would have bought a deeper top chest as my top chest is only like 12 or 13 inches deep. I probably would have have liked to get 3/8 6 point metric deep sockets from snap on. Instead of my 12 point saes since i already have six points. I used to build/fabricate alot of things with hardware so they seemed like a good buy. I hardly ever use them. For the price i coulda got gearwrench or blue point in both sae and metric for 12 point for as much as i use them.

 

[jekquist]

Radiant floor heat for sure! Poured the slab end of October and was in a rush. Should have put a bunch of pvc in. Overhead heater is nice but not when you are working on the floor. That should change when my lift goes in.

 

[rockinacummins]

If I could start over with the money I've spent, I would not buy anything craftsman. None.

And instead of buying a wrench at a time, I would buy a set of each metric and standard, stubby and long, all in the same brand. Same for sockets. Honestly, I would have saved quite a bit doing it this way but I still can't pass up those $2 USA wrenches at pawn shops. But for my main use wrenches, I would want them all to match.

And, I would buy all Milwaukee fuel tools instead of 18v dewalt.

And a good mig welder and a good tig welder.

 

[WWShop]

Gone to welding school many years earlier.

 

[DekeT]

I would have spent more time on my golf game.

 

[gdocktor3]

More research. Buy everything from Oem as much as possible.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Would have spent more time partying when young and gotten married young and had kids, would have phoned that girl up that I had that amazing night with.....oh wait this is about tools.....would have went for higher quality tools to start (instead of Candian Tire specials)

 

[drink]

Hmmmmm.....I might have bought an Armstrong Ultimate Master Tool Set.

 

[Fixed]

I'm hardly a DIYer with years of experience, but I would skip some of the "entry-level" tools I purchased: I subscribed to the buy-cheap-and-replace-what-breaks/fails policy, but it was stupid to use that rule for basic things like pliers and screwdrivers, where I've had to replace every single one.

Thanks for making this thread, I'm really interested in seeing what the experienced guys here would do differently.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I would of built my garage bigger, and taller so I could put a lift in. I would of purchased the two nice parts cabinets that restore had instead of being cheap. I would of taken better care of my body so that I didn't hurt all the time. I would most likely buy the same tools that I have. I have been very happy with what I have. I would not of sold any of the snap on tools that I have sold in the past.

 

[jwsia]

I don't know if I would have changed anything as far as the tools go. What I have is mostly a mix of this and that USA. IMO the fun is in the hunt and the stories and deals along the way. But I'm not a pro, just a work on my own stuff guy

 

[woody 73]

One Monster box the size of Godzilla, instead of several small boxes that eat up space in my small shop.

 

[dodge610]

One Monster box the size of Godzilla, instead of several small boxes that eat up space in my small shop.

You sound like me Woody should of bought the the top box to match my Matco triple bay bottom.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Never buy any chrome sockets. All my sockets would be good quality impacts.

 

[ssdave]

I'm going to talk about the mechanics tools, the range of woodworking, electronic, building trades, machinist, gunsmithing, jewelry and other tools is too wide to discuss.

I'm going to change the rules; I have as close to nothing invested in my tools as you can get. I picked up most all of them a piece at a time for pennies at yard sales, bought large boxes full of stuff, sold most and kept the profits in the best tools, put together sets and traded up to matched stuff that I wanted, etc. It's been a lot of fun doing it; it's something I enjoy. So, if I got out of my tools what I've invested in them, it'd be the loss of a lot of effort I've put into them over the years, and no cash.

If I got out of my tools what they were worth, and had that to invest back into them, I'd go to Proto and Snap-on and buy a comprehensive, basic setup:

Snap on ratcheting screwdriver, and 3 phillips and about 5 flat sizes fixed blades.
Snap-on full range of torx drivers.
Snap on 1/4" drive, regular and deep, metric and SAE sets.
Snap on 1/4" flex sockets, up to 12mm and 1/2".
Snap on 3/8" flex sockets, from 12-17mm and 1/2" to 3/4".
Proto 3/8 and 1/2" drive sockets, full range of sizes, regular and deep, 6 and 12 point; up to about 24mm and up to 1 1/4".

Proto 1/2" drive impact sockets in SAE and Metric
I'd purchase 1/4" Snap on ratchets, regular and flex.
I'd purchase a full range of breaker bars from Snap-on.
In 3/8" ratchets, I'd deviate from my new Snap-on and Proto mode, I might buy a few Snap on, but I'd look for my favorites, which are old Indestro. I have well over 20 ratchets now, I'd aim for about 15 that I really like.
About 30 extensions from 1" through 18" long, all 3 drive sizes.
Snap on mini combination wrench sets in SAE and metric.
Snap on short combination wrench sets in SAE and metric.
Snap on Long pattern wrench sets in SAE and metric, through 1 1/8" and through 24mm.
One set of long pattern Snap-on double box wrenches in SAE and Metric
One set of short pattern Snap-on double box wrenches in SAE and Metric
Two of each size Proto adjustable wrenches from 6" through 24".
Two of each size channellock slip joint pliers.
Full range of Snap-on needlenose, duckbill, end cutters, side cutters, etc in small pliers.
Complementary range of Knipex pliers for what Snap-on doesn't sell.
Full set of Snap-on Torx and hex key sockets, in 1/4 through 1/2" drive.
Wide range of Proto Universal pullers and gear pullers.
Wide range of ball pien, cross pien, deadblow, plastic faced, brass, and other hammers. I use about 20 different ones overall.
One comprehensive Snap-on chisel and punch set.
One rull range Snap-on spiral extractor set.
Snap-on Tap and Die Sets in metric and US.
IR impact driver, 1/2".
Snap-on hand impact driver set and bits.

From here on, I'd buy things as they occurred to me that I need them, in the brand that I like the features best.

The two things that I have now, that I would think about not re-buying are:
Proto 3/4" drive socket set, SAE through 2 1/2 and Metric through 55mm. Matching ratchet, extensions, etc.
One set of Proto combination wrenches from 1/4" through 2 1/4".

I use some of this big stuff, just not all. I might expand my 1/2" drive socket set to 1 1/2" and my SAE wrench sets in the "basic set" above to 1 1/2" to eliminate the need to buy these two sets I have now. And then, buy the individual larger tools only if I have a need for them specifically.

The notable absences I have in my list above that many of the guys here consider essential are ratcheting wrenches (have some, have had a lot, didn't use them so sold them) and extensive air/impact tools.

I have been paring down my mechanics tools a lot over the past 3 years, and upgrading to exactly what I want. What I described above covers probably 1/3 to 1/2 of my mechanics tools. The other 1/2 to 2/3 is in danger of me excessing them in the future.

 

[afazz]

If I lost everything, I would replace every item with exactly what I have. I've spent my life curating the perfect set of tools to fit my needs. The only things I'm unhappy with are the 4-5 items that I'm currently saving money or time to replace.

 

[BK13]

If I could start over with the money I've spent, I would not buy anything craftsman. None.

I mostly agree, but in hindsight, I would have bought a bunch of the CM mid-length sockets to sell on eBay ten years later... I should go buy some CM pinless impact swivels...

I should have bought less 12 point sockets, though. Not that I have any complaints with my Snap Ons...

I should have bought a compressor and impact wrenches right after I bought my first rusty Jeep...

 

[Spoiled Bradt]

If I lost everything, I would replace every item with exactly what I have. I've spent my life curating the perfect set of tools to fit my needs. The only things I'm unhappy with are the 4-5 items that I'm currently saving money or time to replace.

Same here. I have nearly everything I ever wanted and lost a lot of money by buying the wrong thing, selling at a loss and replacing it with something else. Many twice !

 

[2mJps]

I wouldnt have gotten married because when i did i couldnt have a shop were i lived. I missed my tools so i started buying more now i have alot of stuff i dont need.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I would have bought nothing Craftsman. Spent more on larger tool boxes, cabinets and good quality basic tools. I'd have paid more attention to used tools. I've bought some that looked clean but were worn out and others that were covered in oil or rust that cleaned up nicely.

 

[bczygan]

I think everyone would do some things differently.

When you first start out, you just don't know enough to make all the best decisions.

You learn as you go along.

Your needs and desires change along the way.

When you buy, what you buy, where you keep it, how you use it.

And almost as important, what you don't buy.

All subject to change, with the benefit of hindsight.

Would have more clearly defined my goals and done more research on what was needed.

Would have done less of "grabbing good deals willy nilly", and more planning what I needed and then looking for it.

Would have resisted the lure of multiples, especially sockets and ratchets and wrenches and toolboxes.

Would have had a nest egg of money, so when opportunities came, I could take advantage.

Would have waited for tools, until I had the place to put them.

Would have gone house repair and maintenance tools, carpentry, plumbing, electrical,concrete, then garden, woodworking and metalworking and electronic.

Bill

 

[sberry]

inspired by the 'Money wasted on tools' thread.

Imagine a situation where you sell all your tools for whatever you spent on them, no more no less.

What would you do with the money? Would you buy exactly the same stuff you had? For simplicity, let's assume there's no tool that you cannot source.

Me, I've invested heavily in the Snap On gear but, being a DIYer, it sits untouched 5 days of the week. Given the hassle-free exchange by popular DIY chain stores, I'd be tempted to spend less money this time around. For the record I enjoy working with quality tools as much as the next guy and won't be selling my tool collection

I am going to quote this and some of the guy above. Todays world is different and its so much easier and the cheap stuff has got so much better and again,,,, so much cheaper where I often spent on the best, bought the extras vs spending my time and being more realistic and getting closer to the practical demands.
I have a lot of parked money from doing all thqat and a lot of the things I bought up at the last minute I really needed are what I really need and use. I got a lot of parked sockets, I am thrilled they are Cman and worthless collection of junk not worth selling and perfectly useful to the point there is no real reason to get better.
I could still sell wrenches I got a dollar to 3 in to and I beat the snot out of them for decades, they wouldn't still be there if they didn't work. Its all the better I didn't have to spend 30 for them 30 yrs ago.
I got every hard line tool I need to do everything, some I have 1 or 2 and some 12X and a few 20. Sure the whole thing is only worth 5 or 10K but I only have that in to it too. Doesn't bother me a bit and not ashamed to say I don't have a big chest packed with 75K in chrome.
I should have bought a lift 15 yrs earlier.

 

[AV tinker er]

I need more wrenches like I need another hole in the head. Sometimes you buy something just to get by and you find out you are greatly surprised by how long it lasts/lasted. I wouldn't change much. A few times if I waited I could of saved a few dollars. The internet is a powerful tool to have now.

 

[upndown]

I'da been born rich, instead of just so damn ugly! As far as tools, I've always bought what I needed to get me by. Tools are meant to be used, not for lookin at! And I would have gotten my fishing kayak much sooner, best tool I have ever purchased.

 

[crewchief888]

in reality not much i would have changed.

my working tools are 99% truck brands (mostly SO) that i've made my living with for 30+ years.
i've accumulated a good selection of home tools as well.

my tool boxes are truck brands, with the exception of a CM top box in my service truck, a couple of cantilever boxes, and a more portable CM 3 drawer top.

there are a couple things on my garage wish list, that i may pick up in the future,(depending on my needs) but i'm kinda running out of space in my smallish 19x22.

i'm pretty frugal when it come to tool buying, i dont make purchases of tools just to "have them".

 

[winlinmac]

Along with the Tool Chest as well.

Hmmmmm.....I might have bought an Armstrong Ultimate Master Tool Set.

 

[TheMadMech]

When I first became an industrial mechanic I'd have bought everything from Harbor Freight. I then would have developed a relationship with the local Snap-On guy and started getting nice tools right away. The one nice thing I'd have gotten off the bat is my Fluke meter. The Craftsman and HF I used for years scares me in hindsight.

I had to have most everything day one and I bought a mix of Kobolt, Craftsman, Husky, and HF but then I was dumb and didn't maintain my stuff. I lost time and money replacing junk with junk.

This is my clever signature.

 

[racin72charger]

Never buy any chrome sockets. All my sockets would be good quality impacts.

This. I have several 3/8 Snap-on chrome sets in my box and I don't use them since getting impact sets. Using chrome on power tools always felt like I was flirting with tool destruction so I picked up impacts. The only chrome I'd use is my universals, impacts don't have the same dexterity. I recently replaced all my c-man 1/4 drive sockets with impacts so much better tools.

 

[Cato]

I think I would have avoided buying socket and wrench sets.

I have a lot of tools which get little or no use. I'm a DIY guy, not a professional. I wish I would have just bought a specific socket or wrench that was needed for a job. Eventually, I would have had a tool collection that was more tailored to my needs. Then I could have a smaller tool box, too.

 

[MrWrencher823]

Definitely more research. I bought junk tools that broke frequently, upgraded mildly and didn't have much better luck. Decided to watch some YouTube videos on tool reviews (actually how I heard about this place) and now I am pretty confident when I buy tools thanks to reviews online. I can't justify spending $130 on a breaker bar, but the fear of a HF one was real. After watching youtube videos and three years of abuse. the $12 one has lasted me!

 

[larry_g]

Today if all my tools turned into cash I'd buy a fishing pole and learn to fish. I'm to old to start wrenching again...

If I got my youth back again with the cash I'd invest more in the machine tools and less into wrenches.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sberry]

If I got my youth back again with the cash I'd invest more in the machine tools and less into wrenches.

This is most of my point about economics. If I was to build the set from purely experience would have to say the cheap wrenches were super profitable and were no loss if they weren't. Would have been different if a cman cost 30 vs 3 but it didn't and I got and paid for it fast even if I have others its still in service.
I never lost any money buying cheap tools, most well exceeded my expectations. I have bought expensive tools I never fully utilized. I have bought expensive ones I did.
In comparison to chrome I think the juice spent up in wire welders is a good investment, same for the difference in an AC or a DC, makes it a whole different tool. Same for air comps, change a class of machine and it works 2x better. The battery tools may fall in to this class too.

 

[sberry]

If I was on a steady diet of cars would get in to another layer with 3/8 battery impact. As it is now I only 1/2 and air ratchet 3/8 but I am a part timer and fairly heavy duty, not so much under hoods of cars and I got what I got down to an art.

 

[maydaymike]

Hmmmmm.....I might have bought an Armstrong Ultimate Master Tool Set.

WOW! One stop shopping for sure. Still at least twice as much as many people would really need though.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[Brownsfan]

I would have skipped Craftsman and started with SK instead of Craftsman. Filling in the specialty stuff with Snap On. When I started I bought all Craftsman. Knowing what I know now I would have mixed it up. Would have bought Klein pliers,SK sockets and wrenches. Now I will say the Craftsman has been great but it was bought in 96 and of much better quality than now. I haven't broke but a few sockets over the years. The first thing I upgraded was screwdrivers. And have been buying quality ever since

 

[Sprintman]

Bought Toptul from day one and saved a ****** fortune!

 

[Cruzomatic]

When building my home, I would have had my builder put me a 220/240V run in my garage so I could have me a 60 gallon air compressor.

I would have bought all my tool boxes from HF "US General"

 

[Burl]

I would have married a rich woman.