When do you stop buying tools

[jamesemery728]

For those of us who are not kids anymore and have retired or are close to retiring do you think that you will all of a sudden just stop buying tools? It seems like I am constantly checking Craigs List, going to yard sales, going to Flea Mkts still looking for something that I don't have or that unbelievable bargain on some kind of tool. Even though it may take 2X or 3X longer to do something now then it did 20 or 30 years ago I still am going to do it as long as there is a breath of life left in me so I am going to need that tool "someday". How does anybody else feel about when you will stop buying tools?

 

[canuckian]

I don't see it happening. I'l likely be the guy who's in the hospital on his death bed and sees an interesting screwdriver in the maintenance man's tool belt and whispers with one of his last breaths......"what you want for that screwdriver?"

 

[Lump]

I don't see it happening. I'l likely be the guy who's in the hospital on his death bed and sees an interesting screwdriver in the maintenance man's tool belt and whispers with one of his last breaths......"what you want for that screwdriver?"

+1, Canuckian!

 

[Kev442]

I haven't bought a tool in over 3 months, should I see a doctor?

 

[Jim C.]

I've got just about every tool that I'll ever need, but I still enjoy picking up a new old one here and there. Now days, I mostly buy used stuff. I don't think I'll ever stop buying altogether. I've got a real passion for old hand planes. Those still count as tools. At the very least, I'll likely keep collecting those for the rest of my life.

Jim C.

 

[bobcatdan]

When you are in the ground, hard to get on a tool truck then.

 

[Bull]

I don't see it happening. I'l likely be the guy who's in the hospital on his death bed and sees an interesting screwdriver in the maintenance man's tool belt and whispers with one of his last breaths......"what you want for that screwdriver?"

This gave me a good chuckle!

 

[treasureseeker]

I have a basic set of hand tools that I am close to completing then I we be left with completing my air tools and filling in my impact sockets when I get an air compressor at some point. I see that there will always be a new tool needed but I can wait for the great deals or the situation presents itself.

 

[byoungblood]

My grandfather kept buying tools up until the point where he just couldn't get up and down the steps to his shop without difficulty. He was probably 79-80.

He was constantly giving us grandkids (mainly me and my brother) and my dad and uncles tools that he'd buy because he got a good deal on it. When we cleaned out his shop after he passed away, we still found tons of things still new in the package.

In short, I don't think any real man ever stops buying tools until they are physically incapable of doing so.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I haven't bought a tool in over 3 months, should I see a doctor?

Yes, for depression.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I only buy tools to use, not to collect...but I still have a whole lot of mechanic's tools to buy, and then, power tools - compound miter, bench grinder, good battery-op screwgun/screw impact, circular saw, sawzall, etc. I have a few power tools, but they're homeowner-grade and are more of a hold-over than anything.

In short, I'll stop buying tools when I have all the tools I need....which won't be for a long, long time.

 

[Outlawmws]

When I'm with the and am in Tool Heaven...

 

[Hammer1963]

I don't see it happening. I'l likely be the guy who's in the hospital on his death bed and sees an interesting screwdriver in the maintenance man's tool belt and whispers with one of his last breaths......"what you want for that screwdriver?"[/QUOTE

Thanks for the laugh.........my Dad is 75 and buys stuff every week. I just think it's part of our life style.

 

[jkeyser14]

I went on a binge between 2008 and 2010 and acquired 90% of the tools I need to do the things I want to do and I haven't bought a tool in about 6 months. I'll probably upgrade some of the things I use very regularly, but I don't see myself splurging like I used to.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I doubt it stops for me either.

 

[slip knot]

Guess I'm somewhat of a tool horder. I'm always buying up used american made tools anywhere I find them. Don't think I'll ever stop! Probably got 8-10 socket sets stashed around the place. I have a fear of losing all my tools one day and having to replace them with this imported **** that passes for good tools now.

 

[ibedayank]

when to stop buying tools.... when you own them ALL

 

[filtered]

I'll stop buying tools when i'm either rich enough to pay others to do everything for me, or when I own all the tools. Since that will never happen i'll just keep buying tools.

 

[outcast]

i buy a tool when i need it. otherwise i don't buy tools.

 

[Racr350]

I went on a binge between 2008 and 2010 and acquired 90% of the tools I need to do the things I want to do and I haven't bought a tool in about 6 months. I'll probably upgrade some of the things I use very regularly, but I don't see myself splurging like I used to.

I went on an all out tool hoard like that when I started getting serious about taking my career to the next level. Now it's just been specialty tools or diagnostic gear. But i don't think it'll ever end, and i don't mind, it keeps things interesting and ever changing.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

having kids puts a stop to it all , bought most of my stuff in my early 20s
to have a stay at home mommy raise them , you first need a home

 

[Borrego]

Unless it is something specific, a T55 torx bit comes to mind, I do not know what I am looking for until I see it. For example, if I come across a USA 1" socket set for $40 or so, I'm going to buy it, even though no immediate use for it. The thrill of the hunt is Novacaine for the wallet.
Considering there is a great swap meet a mile away, it could be decades before I stop.

 

[jethro29]

never.!!!!!!!!!!.lol.

 

[The Dutchman]

In my mid teens I would go into Sears on a Friday night with my Dad & spend my paper route money on maybe one wrench, screwdriver or whatever. Those purchases were EXCITING, but tinged with the reality of all the tools I didn't have. I remember thinking, someday I'll have "every tool"!, as though there was such a determinate quantity.

Now, as a mechanic, I still get that anticipatory feeling browsing the net, looking for the best deals on what I need. I'm real careful with this addiction, though. In the last few months I've spent a bundle on tools, but have taken great pains not to be redundant in my purchases.

The payback for all this is when one of my coworkers, who rib me about how many tools I buy, needs a certain tool. I'm always elated when I find that I have it, or maybe 2 or 3 tools that work. The other day one of the guys had some damaged threads on an axle nut & shaft. Not a common size. We were both elated when I found I had the exact right re-threading die.

This is what really turns me on about having enough tools.

Oh, yes, regarding the question. As an auto mechanic, if your goal is to have enough tools to do whatever you come across, then you have no choice but to keep buying, since cars & the tools needed to fix them have an ever-evolving symbiotic relationship.

 

[Kev442]

Good lord. I remembered this thread when I realized I have spent exactly $8 on tools since February. I got an email from HF asking if I wanted off their email list, seeing how I haven't been there this year.
Getting organized and putting tools where I can actually find them has finally paid off.
And just when I thought I needed supplies, I found a bunch of razor blades, drill bits, driver bits and saw blades new in the packaging in my old carry around I haven't used in 5/6 years.
I guess 2012 will go down as the use it up/ wear it out year for me.

 

[rusty65]

I have learned from my grandpa if you find good tools for good prices and have the money why not buy the tools.

 

[318fekim]

i buy a tool when i need it. otherwise i don't buy tools.

that explains your screen name...

 

[Jarhead0408]

I don't see it happening. I'l likely be the guy who's in the hospital on his death bed and sees an interesting screwdriver in the maintenance man's tool belt and whispers with one of his last breaths......"what you want for that screwdriver?"

That will be me^^

that explains your screen name...

Funny^

I can't pass it up when I can get 40-50 wrenches, sockets, punches, screwdrivers, pliers, nutdrivers etc. etc. etc. all US made for $35 bucks.

I need to start reselling but I haven't found the time.
Doubt I'll ever stop but I try to control the splurges.

 

[Mickey O]

I stopped last week on Saturday.
















I'm going to start again this Friday, possibly Thursday.





.

 

[Exceller8]

I'll never stop buying tools that I need.

 

[Griff93]

I can stop anytime I want, I just really like buying tools

 

[Redex]

I was, until very recently, a "buy it when I need it" guy. But now that I have a proper box and a place to put all of my accumulated tools, I have an urge to complete sets, expand my ratchet collection, etc. etc.

I'm a weekend warrior, so I might stop once I fill my current chest... But that is a long way off from where I'm currently at.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

For those of us who are not kids anymore and have retired or are close to retiring do you think that you will all of a sudden just stop buying tools? It seems like I am constantly checking Craigs List, going to yard sales, going to Flea Mkts still looking for something that I don't have or that unbelievable bargain on some kind of tool. Even though it may take 2X or 3X longer to do something now then it did 20 or 30 years ago I still am going to do it as long as there is a breath of life left in me so I am going to need that tool "someday". How does anybody else feel about when you will stop buying tools?

When it's a choice between food and tools or shelter I guess, grudgingly.. lol

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have left instructions for a prybar to be purchased and placed in my coffin, just in case......

 

[camarotoolman]

Hey, it keeps you active, gives you something to do, you like it, don't worry be happy. I wish you all woukld come over and buy from me! (free beer with each purchase.)

 

[kiatech]

When I stop breathing.

 

[TireTracks]

Seeing how tools are one of the few things, I NEVER regret buying, I'll just keep on buying them, when I find what I want for a good price.

 

[BWS]

"when do you stop..."


One reason is when they don't exist.Had to make some tooling the other day for enlarging table saw,arbor holes.Just some gaging "pins" and fixture parts,no biggy.But they're not sumthing you're going to find in a MSC catalog.

Or they exist but the price,usually specialty tools/equip...is so high,its not good economics.Shock tools come to mind.You can get them but dang,it just dosen't make sense....you pretty much have to make them.

Another is when,"they're all gone"........looking for certain old pcs of equip just honestly,ain't gonna happen.They've been scoffed up and folks don't get rid of them.Think season tickets for the GB Packers........the list is like 100 years long or some dumb chit.

Hell,if you don't have anywhere to put them......you know,your own place...then you might want to consider exactly whats important.

 

[cgv69]

When do you stop buying tools

When I die?

Seriously, I have been a tool junkie my whole life and while I still have a long while before retirement, I don't see me ever completely giving up tool buying (assuming I continue having the means to do so).

What has changed through the years is my justification for buying top of the line tools. When I was younger my reasoning was I will use this tool for the next 30-40 years or more. Now I think in terms of my son inheriting my tools and wanted something that will last through his lifetime.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm a weekend warrior, so I might stop once I fill my current chest... But that is a long way off from where I'm currently at.

Good luck with that !

We can tell you are new to the site.