Why do you buy tools?????

[Junkman]

It seems that a lot of you on these forums buy tools just to have them, and others buy them for work. The real question is ............ Do you buy tools that you don't have an immediate need for, just because it is available and you have the $$$$$ burning a hole in your pocket? I admit that I have a lot of tools that I have acquired through the years, and that at this point, many of them don't get used like they used to, but I am not ready to part with them. I also knew friends that would spend the entire pay check with the Snap-On truck every week, buying tools that they never needed or used, but just to have them. When I bought my tools, I was using them daily, but since getting out of the business 35 years ago, I haven't had much use for them except to work on my own cars. I almost always bought them used whenever possible, since I couldn't afford to buy new back then. I will admit that when I find a "tool bargain" it is hard to resist, and sometimes I just buy it "for the future". My problem is that I have always had more tools than I had storage room for and now I am trying to get more organized and looking for good buys on some tool boxes. As a old friend once said to me........ "If this wasn't my own bankruptcy sale, I would be here buying what they are selling" He was a compulsive tool buyer......

 

[boiler7904]

I don't use tools for my job, just for projects around the house. Each purchase is for an immediate project and the thought that it will be used for something else down the road. There been a few impulse purchases because I had the cash and the price was right but those days are over. Having a mortgage and utility bills *****.

 

[wythors]

I have a memory from my childhood of my dad telling me that he hated working on things around the house or working on the car because he never had the right tool for the job. He had a small carry box (I still have it) with a couple of ratty screwdrivers, a few pairs of ancient pliers, pipe wrench and a Crescent wrench. When I started getting into cars, I found out just how important that "right tool" is when working on one. Later, when I got into "The Business", I found the difference between a quality tool and a cheap piece of **** could be the difference between being able to do the job or not for a technician. So now, while I don't work on cars for a living, I still want to have a the right, quality tool for whatever job I might want to do. I'm now at a point in my life where I have the disposable income to buy what I want, so I do.

 

[Deafautotech]

I bought a lot of tools for my work at chrysler dealership and most of techs dont have tools what i had it in my toolboxes. All of my tools are used and sometime it was borrow before but now i tell them to buy yourself... i did bought some tools that i thought that i may need it or not but i am glad that i did bought and i can be more production to make more works done in less time....

 

[Deafautotech]

even worse is my tech friend bought the Snap on 72in wide and have about 4 wide drawers are empties and small drawers are about 7 or 8 drawers empties. i am talk about this toolbox like this. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19719&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

i dont know why he bought it but i think he try show what he did bought from snap on because my other tech friend own bigger Matco toolbox (four bay toolbox)

both of them pay a lot of money and still payments. while i paid off and dont owe any money for my both snap on top and bottom toolboxes.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a memory from my childhood of my dad telling me that he hated working on things around the house or working on the car because he never had the right tool for the job. He had a small carry box (I still have it) with a couple of ratty screwdrivers, a few pairs of ancient pliers, pipe wrench and a Crescent wrench. When I started getting into cars, I found out just how important that "right tool" is when working on one.

I can relate to that story. But I also live out in the middle of nowhere, and stopping a job to go get a tool is a MAJOR issue. That is why I tend to buy what I think I will need when I see it (on sale)...

 

[wilbilt]

I can relate to that story. But I also live out in the middle of nowhere, and stopping a job to go get a tool is a MAJOR issue. That is why I tend to buy what I think I will need when I see it (on sale)...

Ditto on the "living in the middle of nowhere" thing.

Most of my automotive hand tools were purchased when I was working in the business and using them every day. I sold a lot of the specialty tools when I left the business about 10 years ago. I still buy general construction and fabrication tools as I need them. I also buy mechanic's tools as needed to replace broken or worn-out stuff.

I do everything myself, because I can't afford to pay someone else. Over the past couple of years, I have bought things like a framing nailer, paint sprayer, tile saw, etc.

I don't buy tools just to have them. Everything I own gets used on a fairly regular basis at least. If I need the roof replaced, footings dug or a sidewalk poured, I am the one doing it. I like to be prepared with the tools that make the job easier. A backhoe would be nice, but....

I know that some buy just to collect, and feel the need to fill those empty pegs or round out that drawer with shiny pieces. There is nothing wrong with that, and I admit it has a certain attraction. I would probably do it if it fit my cashflow situation.

 

[Larz]

I'm a weekend tinkerer and do more home improvement and woodworking type projects than anything. I try and do everything I possibly can on my own. I'm not much of a mechanic, but am learning more as time goes on doing maintenance and small repairs on our vehicles. I try and buy the best tools I can afford for the amount of use they'll see, and thats usually Craftsman, Klein, etc. I generally buy tools used or on sale as needed and always go for USA made. There's nothing worse than not having the right tool for the job when needed. However, I know my limitaions and don't buy things I don't or won't need. I'm pretty proud of my meager collection, and admit, it's hard to fight off the temptation of impulse buys!!!

It feels good to place a new tool in one of the drawers of my tool cabinet knowing that it was bought wisely and will be there when I need it!

 

[Fast Orange]

I'm in the same boat as Wilbilt-when I was doing all the mechanical work for a living,I bought whatever I needed to make my job easier or better.It's been over a year since I worked on anything but my own vehicles and equipment,so I haven't bought any new tools for a while.The urge is still there to get the newest widget,but I really can't justify buying anything I don't have an immediate use for.

George

 

[PAToyota]

A backhoe would be nice, but....

When I was building the shop, I looked into renting a Bobcat... Started totalling up the costs for a weekend here and a weekend there and the issue of picking it up and dropping it off on time. Decided I might as well buy one, use it, and then sell it when the shop was finished... Ten years later and it is still here - damn that thing comes in handy!

 

[ranger_dood]

I buy tools because I need them for a particular task. Example- I didn't buy my gear wrenches until I came across a fastener that was wedged in a tricky location without enough clearance for a standard socket. I bought the set I needed, and that's it.

I now also have a fairly good assortment of metric wrenches, because I use them for working on the bike as well as the car. I bought a strap gun because I had to run wire in a location that required me to hang off a barn beam while holding the wire and trying to staple it at the same time. Hammer and staple was not a viable alternative... I bought my tool box when I had a job that required me to use my own tools. I didn't have any place to put them, so I bought the box, put a padlock on it, and found a place to stick it. I left that job, and now have a nice 3 drawer box for home

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I'm fifteen years old but I have three jobs and I use my tools "professionally" in every one of them as well as working on my race kart (among other things) at home. I use my tools every day and they are what gets me the paycheck.

I think everybody would agree that it's hard to use every single tool you own, especially when stuff comes in sets. Just the other day on here a few people were talking about how they have literally never needed a 20mm wrench or socket but yet a lot of people still have at least one (I know I do) basically because it came in a set, they have it "just incase", or they wanted to fill up a tray. Another example for me is that everything I work on at my jobs is always metric but I still have duplicates of everything in standard that I rarely use because I never know what will be waiting for me to fix when I get home (be it an old lawnmower, for example) when I would need them. It's just nice to have.

 

[DR_K13]

Because ........I like shiny things

 

[ba614]

I buy tools because I enjoy owning them and using them. I spend my evenings and weekends working on old cars, trucks and motorcycles. I've raised 4 children and when they have something that needs service or worked on they bring it to me. My grandchildren are learning to do the same thing with thier bikes. There isn't anything I enjoy more than wrenching on something. But it wouldn't be any fun without the right tools.

 

[kartracer55]

I buy tools for various reasons, work, track and home. Im lucky enough to only NEED a few things for work of my own, because each bay is fitted with a set of tools... Its a smart setup. For example, Alignment rack has a pegboard with a set of XL matco wrenches, various alignment tools and 1/2 sockets, but thats beside the point.

At home, I buy tools because I need them to work on my car. Im also buying a "project" car, which I have been gearig my tool purchases toward as well. My thinking is that when I have extra cash, I can pick an item on my tool list that I find useful at the moment and buy it. Im getting into the realm of convenience though. I dont NEED a 1/4 air ratchet, but I bought one because it makes life easier and cuts down on wasted time ya know?

But it does seem like a bunch of people on here just have way too much disposable income lol

Jim

 

[snorvet]

I dont use tools at work - only at home to build and maintain things around the house and keep my yard equipment working. I 'usually' dont buy a tool unless I need it.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Why do I buy tools?

Mostly because I need them, although at this point in my life I have pretty much collected all of the mechanics/automotive and power/carpentry tools I will ever need. However, it usually doesn't take much for me to justify the purchase of a new tool (Say, I'm at Sears - I'd better get a new tool!)

Sometimes because I sorta need them. I just bought a brand-new Bosch jigsaw last week because I fell in love with it, and besides my 20-year-old Craftsman Professional jigsaw couldn't cut a straight line if its life depended on it.

(BTW The Bosch jigsaw is fantastic - it's incredibly precise. This was my first Bosch power tool purchase and probably won't be my last.)

And sometimes just because it would look cool in my toolbox. I've had my eye on a 24" digital level for the last couple of weeks. I can't really justify the purchase yet (I have all the manual levels I'll ever need), but the idea of a digital readout on a level is almost too much for me to resist.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Why do I buy tools? Simple, cause whenever I need to work on one of my cars I got the tools to get the job done without having to borrow them. I've been buying alot of tools used off eBay lately and only need a few more before I will call it quits. When i was young I spent alot of my money on foolish things like alcohol and chemicals, then when I was around 16 starting getting into cars and tools

 

[the dude]

To do a job. That's it. Except for those stupid hansen socket trays. I just couldn't stand them not being full. It was my only tool purchase that I have bought purely out of being vain. I hated it, and they are still not full

 

[-lecroix-]

i buy tools just so i can be part of this little group of people and brag about what i have bought

 

[jim m]

I guess im kind of a collecter of sorts now I have alot of tools but I do alot of different types of things woodworking automotive home repair\remodel and sometimes building \equitment matance at work plus I really like old tools
I enjoy going to the local flee market on saterday to look for tools and such I do not buy off the tool trucks cant aford that almost all my tools were handed down or bought used so much for sets of this tool from these guys but thats ok
sometimes Ill only find 1 or 2 peices and others Ill buy whole tool boxes loaded with tools if a good enough price(thats how I get my best deals) this last weekend I found a ploumb 7/16 wrench 2 craftsman mini wrenchs 3/8-11/32 3/16-5/32 a pair of williams slip jount plyers and a pair of channel lock side cutters all for $4.00
over the last few months I have bought 3 differnt tool boxes one I just wanted was the 1 willims 9/16 superwrench and metric blackhawk flex head gear wrenchs (now made in tiwaan how sad I have my granddads good old made in usa blackhawk tools) there was alot of craftsman and other brands and junk tools the guy looks at me digging stuff out say 20.00 for all
then being in love with old tools and tool boxes i found a craftsman royal crown 2drawer carry around with 288 craftsman sockets including almost a complet 3/8 drive set oh 8 points for 35.00 a craftsman royal crown tryfold carry around for 5.00
but best deal so far was a craftsman plastic toolbox with 3 metal dawers I dug out several proto pro wrenchs a armstrong pro wrench 2 more supper wrenchs a7/8 and a 1in a old cornwell 3/8 rachet some proto 3/8 exstenison and ahusky 1/4 drive radchet with 3 wobble exstenisons and some kd metric wrenchs 12 14 and16 mm I was figuering around 45.00 or so the guy says I wanted to sell it all together for 50.00 I offered 40.00 he took it got it home found the speed handle and sockets to the husky set a indutro screw diver several stanley craftsman screw drivers about40 or sockets manly craftsman but some others 2 set of craftsman raised panel wrenchs 8 to 18 mm and sea 1/4 to 7/8
do i need all this no but it sure fun finding deals plus my 3 year old has a little alltrade tool chest with a rolling cabnet so he gets everything I dont want
I dont used house hold moneys just what Ihave
Jim

 

[dink]

I buy tools so people can complain to me that I just buy tools just because and that I dont know anything....I figure if they want to complain I will be more then happy to continue to allow them there enjoyment

 

[1320stang]

I typically only buy what I need. I got a Sears gift card for Christmas and spent about 2 hours trying to find something I needed. I finally found a 9 pc. set of deep 3/8" metric sockets and as a bonus it had a 9 pc. set of SAE with them. I already had a SAE set, but they were only $4 more than the 9 pc. laser etched set and I don't have any other laser etched, so I splurged for the extra $4.

The next tool purchase I plan is a set of non reversable double boxed end GearWrenches. I don't need them, but I'm getting carple tunnel and my hands get tired quickly. I have one 18mm GearWrench and it's like heaven to use. Problem is, I don't have many 18mm bolts or nuts.

 

[eschoendorff]

Ditto on the "living in the middle of nowhere" thing.

Most of my automotive hand tools were purchased when I was working in the business and using them every day. I sold a lot of the specialty tools when I left the business about 10 years ago. I still buy general construction and fabrication tools as I need them. I also buy mechanic's tools as needed to replace broken or worn-out stuff.

I do everything myself, because I can't afford to pay someone else. Over the past couple of years, I have bought things like a framing nailer, paint sprayer, tile saw, etc.

I don't buy tools just to have them. Everything I own gets used on a fairly regular basis at least. If I need the roof replaced, footings dug or a sidewalk poured, I am the one doing it. I like to be prepared with the tools that make the job easier. A backhoe would be nice, but....

I know that some buy just to collect, and feel the need to fill those empty pegs or round out that drawer with shiny pieces. There is nothing wrong with that, and I admit it has a certain attraction. I would probably do it if it fit my cashflow situation.

Damn... you sound just like me. You sure you're not a long-lost relative or something? I'm STILL trying to convice my wife I need a backhoe - wanted one since I was 6!

 

[l_bilyk]

To fill a void in my life

 

[Jbullfrog]

I enjoy fixing things and helping others. I like to have the right tool for a job. Being able to say "yes, I can fix that" is great. I love helping others and hate having to charge for my services, but everyone else does. I started buying tools when I was in high school because dad didn't have what I needed. I took a hand box to college with me which paid for alot of pizza and gas. I have managed to get hands on paid education by working odd jobs in college. I was a student plumber / electrician in the dorms and learned about pluming, phones, cable installation, lighting, and steam systems while being paid. I worked summers for a neighbor getting equipment repaired and running for a retirement auction.

I pride myself on having to shop for what I don't have at Sears. My tools are paid for and keep paying me back just by being there.

I like to find specialty tools that make jobs easier and save on replacement parts.

 

[wythors]

Because ........I like shiny things

Well, there is that as well.

 

[ephotrod]

I buy tools because thats what seperates a man from a monkey. I buy good tools because thats waht seperates me from Joe shmo down the street. I buy alot of tools because i like buying them ratehr than buying my gf a dress.

Is there any other justification needed.

 

[jhn9840]

I am a hobbiest, but the happiest hours I spend are in my garage wrenching or welding on something. Takes me away from the high stress desk job that I have. Work on cars, tractors,lawn mowers, furniture repair ect for family,neighbors or coworkers. I only charge them for parts. Some time I get lunch or dinner for my efforts which is great. Been buying tools since I was 16 and I doubt that I'll ever stop. Wife is supportive because she knows where I am at and what I spend my SPARE money on. Tinkering is a great hobby!

jhn9840
John

 

[Junkman]

Did I mention that I also have a backhoe..... The picture isn't my machine, but my machine is just like the one pictured. Too lazy to resize my pictures of my actual machine... The picture of the rock in the bucket is my machine with a front mounted grapple.

 

[tweety652]

TO FEED THE ADDICTION !!! (MAJOR S.M.O. DISORDER)

 

[wilbilt]

Damn... you sound just like me. You sure you're not a long-lost relative or something?

Could be, you never know. Maybe it's the German in me. Or the stubbornness.

 

[pogi]

Why ? I'll tell you why ! It's all you guys' fault !

So here is 'kartracer55' telling us all how great this Proto ratchet offered on ebay is; he has one, a lot of you chimed-in saying you were going to order. And then, as each of you received your ratchet, you proceeded to exclaim how much all of you liked it. So, obviously, I had to have one also !

Just to show you how far this can go: Yes, I admit it : when some of you insisted that there was perhaps a smell to the handles of the Craftsman screwdrivers, I had to go into the garage to check for myself (couldn't tell on mine). As I recall, 'wilbilt' had something to do with that (danke schoen).

My doctor expressed the opinion that - as long as I am having fun - it's all OK. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

 

[wilbilt]

Why ? I'll tell you why ! It's all you guys' fault !

So here is 'kartracer55' telling us all how great this Proto ratchet offered on ebay is; he has one, a lot of you chimed-in saying you were going to order. And then, as each of you received your ratchet, you proceeded to exclaim how much all of you liked it. So, obviously, I had to have one also !

Just to show you how far this can go: Yes, I admit it : when some of you insisted that there was perhaps a smell to the handles of the Craftsman screwdrivers, I had to go into the garage to check for myself (couldn't tell on mine). As I recall, 'wilbilt' had something to do with that (danke schoen).

My doctor expressed the opinion that - as long as I am having fun - it's all OK. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

And another shall join us in the corn....

I guess peer pressure does have some effect.
Yes, I finally succumbed and bought one of the eBay Proto 3/8" ratchets. I do like it.

I believe eschoendorff started the "stinky screwdriver" thing, but after that exchange, I did buy a new set of screwdrivers...Wihas from Herr Willi...and they are still in the package. I figure I can stash the Craftsmans and pull out the new ones in case someone "nosy" ever comes over.

And I still say mine don't stink, LOL

 

[...dave]

i have a compulsive need to tinker with stuff. You can't get a satisfying tinker on without tools. i own very few tools that i haven't used, and i own a lot of tools (well, not compared to some of you guys, but compared to "normal" people i own a LOT). i have a very good memory for prices, and will buy stuff that i don't have a pressing need for just because it's an especially good deal. i've spent enough time breaking stuff to know that sometimes a slightly different tool can make the difference between getting a job done quickly and with minimal frustration, and spending half the day cursing and the other half driving around looking for replacement parts, so i try to be prepared.

And you guys got me on the Proto ratchet too

...dave

 

[Deafautotech]

i need tools to do repair to make money for Living. no tools equal no money!!

 

[Deafautotech]

Even other techs borrow my tools and I told them that they need buy yourself. they dont said anything. i told them that tools make me a money and you still make money from MY Tools. so it is not RIGHT!!!!

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Even other techs borrow my tools and I told them that they need buy yourself. they dont said anything. i told them that tools make me a money and you still make money from MY Tools. so it is not RIGHT!!!!

They still haven't gotten the message?

Just lock your box while you are working and use one word to comunicate "NO"

 

[Deafautotech]

They still haven't gotten the message?

Just lock your box while you are working and use one word to comunicate "NO"

i keep said (buy yourself) ........ they just said they think about to buy it.... but they never did because they dont have enough money to buy one or they keep forget....

i am think about to lock my toolbox bottom snap on because most of tools that being borrow are in my bottom box..... thank you for idea for me...

 

[PAToyota]

Start charging them for "renting" your tools...