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WHY do you all buy tools?

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musgofasta

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Aug 28, 2006
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Location
Corona CA
I'm sitting here with my Christmas haul wondering WHY we buy the things we do. I know most of the "Snap-On or Die" use them near everyday, but how about everything else? Are you one that has to have the newest and shiniest Tools?

What are some of the reasons you buy tools?

A. NEED them to finish a job/project
B. NEED them for your profession
C. WANT them to make your projects easier :thumbup:
D. WANT them because you're sure you'll need them sometime :lol_hitti
E. NONE - Just want it to throw in the box or impress your friends

1. New Dewalt Table saw - No immediate NEED for a table saw, but dang this is fun to play around with. Intend to fab up some cabinets for the office and garage this year. Hardwood floors will be easy with this thing.

2. Craftsman Pivoting head ratchets - definitely make the car engine easier to work on - header bolts, spark plugs, starter bolts

Me personally, I'm just short of 26, and I look at my tools as long term investments. If I need something now, I'm sure I'll need it again in the future, so might as well buy one now!

Most of my tools will probably last a decade or two. I take good care of everything.
 
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Red Green

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Dec 5, 2007
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South Central Michigan
musgofasta said:
What are some of the reasons you buy tools?

A. NEED them to finish a job/project
B. NEED them for your profession
C. WANT them to make your projects easier :thumbup:
D. WANT them because you're sure you'll need them sometime :lol_hitti
E. NONE - Just want it to throw in the box or impress your friends
Click to expand...

A. Might buy New or wait to find a deal or borrow.
B. Will buy New if I need it when I need it.
C. Buy used and wait for a deal.
D. Only buy if very cheap.
E. No
 
C

Chris Adams

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Oct 21, 2007
Messages
2,117
In my case answers;
A. Buy/borrow/rent
B. Not anymore
C. Of course, always looking to make a repetitive job easier
D. If cheap, or really cool
E. Nope, my friends are either not mechanically inclined or real pros who have way better tools
 
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Fedwrench

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Dec 9, 2007
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14,952
Location
Valley of the sun
I buy tools as a part of my job and to increase productivity and make life easier for me. I don't buy to polish or to impress but, to use and abuse. I am a sucker for things chrome. I have amassed so many tools that, I only get something now when it's a new model car specific, or a greatly improved version of an older tool.:beer:
 
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64merc

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Jan 24, 2008
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Location
Texas
I started off buying tools because I needed them to finish a project, but now I mostly buy them to make life easier or because they are cool and cheap. I went through this cycle for both mechanic's type tools, and home improvement type tools.
 
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Uncle Buck

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Mar 7, 2005
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Kansas
If I did not have a real damned good selection of tools I would have to tote the wifes car off and pay a mechanic for everything. Imagine how much I have saved by handling about 95% of my own vehicle repairs in 30 years? I have no clue what the dollar value of my hand tools is, but you can bet paying a shop for repairs over that 30 years would have outrun the dollars I spent on those tools.

Besides, after I have fixed the cars with my thousands of dollars worth of tools, I still have the added value of owning the tools themselves.
 
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nordstar

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Nov 30, 2006
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256
Location
New Mexico
I do buy some tools for work: pliers, screwdrivers and some stuff to make things easier. But mostly they are for my collection or adding to my grandfathers stuff. Who can really pass up Snap-on and other top notch tools at garage/yard/estate sales for pennies on the dollar. :thumbup:
 
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afazz

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Nov 25, 2007
Messages
860
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
I already own most of what I need, and can usually borrow the rest. Now I buy tools either becuase they will make future jobs easier or because I might need it someday and the price is right. I'm not a professional, and definitely not a polisher, but I prefer to buy new and tend to abuse my tools. I buy the best so I can abuse things and they won't break. Despite the warnings, Snap-on screwdrivers CAN be used as a prybar AND a chisel (sometimes even simultaneously!) without breaking but my Craftsman's bend :) Crappy tools are my pet peeve. I enjoy buying tools, I really can't explain why!
 
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RickP330

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Apr 12, 2007
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Middle Island, NY
I look at tools like appliances. Someone said that with all the appliances and services (electric gas...) we have in our houses it's equivilant to having 100 servants. Try washing your own cloths in the sink and drying them on the line.

Do you need a wrench to remove a nut? I'm sure you could do it without one, but it might take you all day. 5 seconds with a wrench. I'm all about saving time ;)
RickP
 
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paramudduck

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May 24, 2007
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1,758
Location
ohio
I would rather spend a few thousand on tools. Then to pay these parts changers around here hundreds of thousands to half *** the work.

Just no dependable techs that you can get a vehicle into.

Besides none of these young whipper snappers even know what points are.
 
T

T00lJunk1e

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Dec 28, 2008
Messages
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Location
IL
afazz said:
I already own most of what I need, and can usually borrow the rest. Now I buy tools either becuase they will make future jobs easier or because I might need it someday and the price is right. I'm not a professional, and definitely not a polisher, but I prefer to buy new and tend to abuse my tools. I buy the best so I can abuse things and they won't break. Despite the warnings, Snap-on screwdrivers CAN be used as a prybar AND a chisel (sometimes even simultaneously!) without breaking but my Craftsman's bend :) Crappy tools are my pet peeve. I enjoy buying tools, I really can't explain why!
Click to expand...

used tools FTW!!!!!

i dont really buy new tools. on occasion but rarely.
AS SOON as you turn that first nut/bolt, tools used, cut the retail in half....

S-O screwdrivers are expensive, you could just go buy a lil $10 6-8" prybar from sears and not comprimise the integrety of your screwdriver.
 
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speed bump

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May 28, 2008
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Butte Montana
Used tools, new tools, hand me down tools generally none of that matters. The only thing that matters is can it do the job. After that it then becomes I question of what can do the job best/fastest.
 
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PAToyota

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Jan 20, 2006
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South Central Pennsylvania, USA
A. Definitely - will buy or rent accordingly
B. Not in a profession that needs tools for the most part - at least not as discussed here.
C. Will weigh my options - as I grow older having certain things be easier means more than it used to - buy or rent accordingly, or keep an eye out for deals or used tools
D. I'm getting to the point where I have to have a fairly definite idea I'll be using it - you can't have everything, where would you put it all? But I have a list of things I'm looking to acquire if the price is right.
E. There are a couple minor things that I have for the sake of having - a few of my grandfather's old tools (but most of his are still in use) and some odds and ends to show how things used to be done like an old mechanical calculator that operates off of gears and sprockets.
 
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T00lJunk1e

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Dec 28, 2008
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IL
IF YOU HAD EVERYTHING YOU WOULD PUT IT:
in here my friend....
med_1176585583-BigToolBox.jpg
 
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MOPARHOUND!

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Oct 1, 2008
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Kansas City
Probably C, for working on the Dodge/Plymouth musclecar projects. :thumbup:

Also, E, NONE OF THE ABOVE, but not for the reason stated. Best word to sum it up, boredom. I enjoy collecting, and the entertainment value, the "thrill" of the hunt. If the tool collection impresses friends and acquaintances, so be it, may they enjoy them also.

:)
 
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dxdexter

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Aug 1, 2006
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WHY do you all buy tools?

Because my hands and teeth aren't strong enough to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts and the kitchen knife will only work on slotted screws.
 
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rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
Messages
18,505
Location
visalia ca
I cover 3.5 out of the 5
I buy them when I need them for a project. if the cost of the tool is lessa than or close to the labor cost then I buy the tool.

I used to work as a mechanic so I used to buy them for my profession. I still do some side work so I will buy the tool if I think I can get a reasonable return on my investment.

I will buy tools that will make the project easier or come out better if I feel it is justified

if I find something that is a deal I just cannot pass up and I think there is a reasonable chance I will use it then I will buy it. sometimes if its a screaming deal but I do not need it, I will buy it to use as trade material or to sell and make a quick buck.

nope, I do not buy anything to impress anybody. if I did I would only buy new shiny things with lost of bling. I buy used if it is in good chape and is a deal and I will buy HF if its a use it once in 10 years deal and I just need it to last the project.

some reasons to buy tools that you forgot is:
1 because you have had a hard day and it makes you feel better to have bought a tool
2 I dont have a tool just like that. the other one is a satin finish and this is a polished finish
3 I had to have this years model. if my friends see me using this last years model tool I will be the laughing stock
4 Im not really addicted, I could stop anytime I want
5 but mom, all of my friends have one of those


bob

bob
 
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Nik_95Cobra

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Nov 18, 2008
Messages
241
I'd fall under A, B, C, and D. I use them every day at work and tools are a hobby at the same time. Tools are like man-jewelry. I'm super **** about them too, I don't want anything worn out, dirty, or torn up in my main boxes so I'm always cleaning or rotating tools.
 
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riley.m

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Dec 10, 2008
Messages
348
Location
Port Townsend Wa.
I just love tools,i use them and collect them.If a new tool will make the job any faster or easier ,without sacrificing quality,i will buy it.And deep down i think the vintage tools remind me of my grandfather and his shop and how fascinated with all the different and old tools he had and used.
 
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KustomZ

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Oct 27, 2008
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Location
Dewey, OK
He who leaves this earth leaving behind the largest collection of tools wins the game! I'm not even in close competition to some of you guys!
 
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iamhistory

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Nov 14, 2008
Messages
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Location
PA
I buy tools for the well being, happiness and mental health of my family.

I find myself getting into a variety of projects on a regular basis, especially in the summer when I have time off to complete said projects. I have little patience for having to complete a task at hand and not being able to do so due to piss poor, improper or no equipment at all.

First, I NEVER pay full price for tools. There is no need to do that. Second, I am always keeping my eyes open for deals, various types of tools and equipment, etc. that I am confident that I will no doubt have a use for at some point. And finally, with those points in mind, and knowing me, I end up purchasing necessary tools and equipment ultimately to benefit my family's, as I said, well being, happiness and mental health because if I get into a sticky situation, knowing the lack of patience that I have as I pointed out, I tend to end up somewhat irritable, mumbling curse words incoherently and possibly flinging something across the shop.

Therefore, I justify my habit by using my family as an excuse. I makes me feel like I'm taking care of them. :)
 
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peteco

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Feb 23, 2008
Messages
207
Like iamhistory I buy tools to make jobs easier. I also look for deals.

I also have started a list of "nice to have" tools that I give my wife. These are tools I don't have to have at the moment but will most l likely need in the future. She can go buy them whenever she wants to as birthday/Christmas gifts. Makes it easier on her and I get something I can really use. An example is the 3-jaw oil filter tool discussed recently here. I put it on the list and surprise, it showed up under the Christmas tree.
 
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autoace

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Oct 20, 2008
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Maine,USA
I need tons of tools to make a living. I focus on quality, not quantity. I spend the most on specialty tools and scanners. These days one off specialty tools are the bulk of it, basic hands tools are only the tip of the iceberg.
 
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Frank Elson

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Apr 12, 2008
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Location
Lancashire, UK
I work on my car and other projects because it's my hobby that hasbecome a job - writing about the work i do.
So I buy tools to do the job easier.
 
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