Looking at my toolbox today I realized that I have at least 3 of each rather size and type. I know I am not the only one like that on GJ. Which lead me to the question. Why do so many of us have multiples of each tool? i understand that I would like to have more than one of each just in case of one breaks, however I can't even explain it to myself as to why I have 5 3/8" ratchets, or 3 100mm #2 screwed rivers, etc.
Why so many tools?
- Thread starter PavelK313
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Exceller8
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You've been here since 2012 and you dare ask that question!! 
BirdMobile
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What is this "too many" that you speak of?
BirdMobile
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Holzarbeiter
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Well lets see,
each vehicle has to have a basic tool set, in my case that's 5 3/8 ratchets right there, then the tool box in the garage, the one at the shop the ones in the trailer....
each vehicle has to have a basic tool set, in my case that's 5 3/8 ratchets right there, then the tool box in the garage, the one at the shop the ones in the trailer....
Yep... too many left to buy!
I think I bought three 3/8" last week, five altogether...
I have 70 year old ratchets that haven't wore out yet even if the first owner has by now. When that struck me every unused ratchet was rounded up and sold off. Except the best I have and the antiques.
The wrenches got the same treatment, maybe a little less brutally. I use those more.
It was too hard to keep track of it all. I'll be reducing more when business picks up around here. Maybe try to consolidate the home, bike and the plumbing kits. Antiques and the kit for work are sacred however.
The wrenches got the same treatment, maybe a little less brutally. I use those more.
It was too hard to keep track of it all. I'll be reducing more when business picks up around here. Maybe try to consolidate the home, bike and the plumbing kits. Antiques and the kit for work are sacred however.
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
I like to think of myself as a modest hoarder, I say modest because although I have a lot of tools I still don't have near what I need/want. It's like collecting. Who am I kidding I just like to look at shinny things
fred d
Well-known member
Speaking for myself(and I have way more than 5 3/8 ratchets)
I work at Lowes as a 2nd job
The deals I get on tools, I just keep buying. many times 80-90% off original price.
I have boxes of tools I have never even opened
The other day I was thinking of redoing all the drawer liners in all my tool boxes.
I counted the drawers and in all 9 tool boxes I have almost 70 drawers....so far.
I am still eyeballing 2 more to boxes at work.
I hope to be quitting lowes in the next 30-45 days, then maybe I can have time to use everything I have been hoarding over the last 7 years
I work at Lowes as a 2nd job
The deals I get on tools, I just keep buying. many times 80-90% off original price.
I have boxes of tools I have never even opened
The other day I was thinking of redoing all the drawer liners in all my tool boxes.
I counted the drawers and in all 9 tool boxes I have almost 70 drawers....so far.
I am still eyeballing 2 more to boxes at work.
I hope to be quitting lowes in the next 30-45 days, then maybe I can have time to use everything I have been hoarding over the last 7 years
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JR 42
Well-known member
Ha! I think owning five vehicles is kinda in line with the question the OP is asking.
And no, I don't judge, I've got more ratchets than I need and still want more.
JR
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Most guys own a hell of a lot more but most guys also have a preferred one and only use 1 of them so...yeah.
Let's see...1 stubby, 1 regular, 1 xl, 1 regular backup. Max 4.
At work:
1 long handled 3/8
1 composite 3/8
1 roto 3/8
1 long locking flex 3/8
At home:
1 plain-jane 3/8
1 roto 3/8
In my daily driver truck:
1 plain-jane 3/8
In the woman's car:
1 plain-jane 3/8
There. I have eight 3/8 ratchets and I can justify all of them without stretching the truth one bit. They all get used for certain things.
I guess I should stay out of this one, though. I'm one of the few around here who can usually leave a hot deal on the table if I don't need the tool. I don't collect anything.
1 long handled 3/8
1 composite 3/8
1 roto 3/8
1 long locking flex 3/8
At home:
1 plain-jane 3/8
1 roto 3/8
In my daily driver truck:
1 plain-jane 3/8
In the woman's car:
1 plain-jane 3/8
There. I have eight 3/8 ratchets and I can justify all of them without stretching the truth one bit. They all get used for certain things.
I guess I should stay out of this one, though. I'm one of the few around here who can usually leave a hot deal on the table if I don't need the tool. I don't collect anything.
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sqykkhickinb
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It's like collecting. Who am I kidding I just like to look at shinny things
I think this is a serious issue. I've seen a lot of tool boxes here full of both kinds of sockets 6pt and 12pt. That's not a socket set in my opinion. If you want to work on cars or sophisticated modern equipment, you need a few basic tools, and a few dozen specialty tools- emphasis on the specialty. And some tools are almost obsolete. I don't have a regular combination wrench in my box. I've got ratchets wrenches and high performance ratchets. (For example). I have very little 1/2 chrome. No need.
So I advocate a need based tool kit. If you are starting out, or getting ready to work on newer vehicles, read the thread in my signature line. Then consider "filling out" your tool "collection" with tools that will add capability- swivel sockets, various depths- especially low profile or mid depth, and seriously consider the myriad of new fastener heads out there and swivel versions, stubbies etc, of torx, e-torx, XZN, allen, etc.
So I advocate a need based tool kit. If you are starting out, or getting ready to work on newer vehicles, read the thread in my signature line. Then consider "filling out" your tool "collection" with tools that will add capability- swivel sockets, various depths- especially low profile or mid depth, and seriously consider the myriad of new fastener heads out there and swivel versions, stubbies etc, of torx, e-torx, XZN, allen, etc.
Tronyadorable
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I'm an impatient and short tempered lazy sunuvabyatch. I'll spend $500 to turn a 1 hour job into a 45 minute job.
"Oh you can cut that dovetail to the next size with a file". GRRRRR
" Hello. Bridgeport ? Can you have one delivered this afternoon ?"
"Oh you can cut that dovetail to the next size with a file". GRRRRR
" Hello. Bridgeport ? Can you have one delivered this afternoon ?"
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
I'm an impatient and short tempered lazy sunuvabyatch. I'll spend $500 to turn a 1 hour job into a 45 minute job.
"Oh you can cut that dovetail to the next size with a file". GRRRRR
" Hello. Bridgeport ? Can you have one delivered this afternoon ?"
I'm starting to like you
If I'm working on a vehicle, I don't like having to change sockets, so I pull out a ratchet for every sized nut or bolt involved with the job.
bczygan
Well-known member
The spirit and emphasis on this forum is to buy, collect and hoard tools.
So many members have way more tools than they will ever use.
That doesn't take into account the professionals here. Nor does it take into account the tool prepers who must have a set in each car, boat, motorcycle, bicycle and walker.
Even Joe-blow homeowners like myself have too many because of the emphasis of the forum. In my case this is also because I misplace them all over the house and yard. I have given some as gifts to family and neighbors, but still have sets and piles of loose wrenches that are never used.
And hoarding or collecting tools has 2 bad effects. It reduces availability for others, and it raises market prices.
At some point I will get organized and pare things down to just what is needed. But what will I do with the extra 20 vises, 12 bench grinders and 20 hand saws?
So many members have way more tools than they will ever use.
That doesn't take into account the professionals here. Nor does it take into account the tool prepers who must have a set in each car, boat, motorcycle, bicycle and walker.
Even Joe-blow homeowners like myself have too many because of the emphasis of the forum. In my case this is also because I misplace them all over the house and yard. I have given some as gifts to family and neighbors, but still have sets and piles of loose wrenches that are never used.
And hoarding or collecting tools has 2 bad effects. It reduces availability for others, and it raises market prices.
At some point I will get organized and pare things down to just what is needed. But what will I do with the extra 20 vises, 12 bench grinders and 20 hand saws?
Tronyadorable
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Yup. That's why I don't like bit "kits" and Allen or torx "key sets". Put me a handle on that thang man.95 degrees out and doing a headstand under a John Deer I got no time to be screwing around with little bits or sorting through keys.I'm starting to like you
If I'm working on a vehicle, I don't like having to change sockets, so I pull out a ratchet for every sized nut or bolt involved with the job.
Boredmechanic
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What is this too many?
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
I have some things in multiples, but I don't go overboard on lots of the common stuff that many others do. I don't own 12PT sockets, except for specific ones for jobs with 12PT hardware. I also stay fairly well organized, so I don't waste time hunting through multiples or piles of loose small stuff.
I do have about a dozen or more 3/8 ratchets. Partially because I have most every angle / flex / reduced / indexing handle option you can think of and also because I may have tools spread out all over the machine I'm working on - grab a second ratchet / socket cause I'm closer to the box than to the spot where I left that first one.
I do have about a dozen or more 3/8 ratchets. Partially because I have most every angle / flex / reduced / indexing handle option you can think of and also because I may have tools spread out all over the machine I'm working on - grab a second ratchet / socket cause I'm closer to the box than to the spot where I left that first one.
creativecars
Well-known member
Too many may be a bit harsh.
I have a back up or two for most everyday tools. I know many who think they cant have a gap in their sets and the sets must match. Sure I would like for them too, but I don't fill in until I really need to. My 1/4" stuff runs from3/16-1/2 and 5mm-14mm, 3/8 from 3/8-13/16 and 8mm-19, 1/2" from 7/16-1 1/4 and 13 to 24.
My wrenches above 1" are sporadic.
Thanks guys... I need more wrenches.
I have a back up or two for most everyday tools. I know many who think they cant have a gap in their sets and the sets must match. Sure I would like for them too, but I don't fill in until I really need to. My 1/4" stuff runs from3/16-1/2 and 5mm-14mm, 3/8 from 3/8-13/16 and 8mm-19, 1/2" from 7/16-1 1/4 and 13 to 24.
My wrenches above 1" are sporadic.
Thanks guys... I need more wrenches.
Because I find a lot of great deals at yard sales, estate sales, auctions, etc. Otherwise, I would just buy what I need. Speaking of which, there is a lot of action this morning as the weather has cooled down in this neck of the woods.
lilscorpion
Well-known member
I got three ratchets in my fist craftsman kit (late teens). Must have gotten the job done with one of each size for 20+ years (3 years of which was a machine shop) and then joined this forum and the set was no longer sufficient. I've added wera, gear wrench, 5 torque wrenches, a few breakers, and a few others to what I affectionately refer to as "the ratchet drawer".
I don't blame GJ but I also won't tell my wife that's where I get my ideas or she'll take the Internet away from me.
I don't blame GJ but I also won't tell my wife that's where I get my ideas or she'll take the Internet away from me.
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lilscorpion
Well-known member
Wanted : ratchets.
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DieselSaves
Well-known member
This, plus the love of shiny things mentioned earlier, and some times you just need to be able to work on anything.
Try putting together a tool set that will cover a Hitachi excavator, Stihl chainsaw, Chevy C60, circa 1962, Honda motorcycle from 1970 and then one from 1999, 2002 Volkswagen, Ford Diesel, and an iPhone. Seriously, try it, it's fun.
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
Unless space is an issue don't think its a big deal. Especially if cost wasn't an issue. You can easily justify having at least two of everything. Or even a third maybe. Two is one and one is none.
AceofSpad3s
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I got 6 3/8 and 1 1/4, probably gonna get a 7th today.
Letsgobowhunting
Well-known member
I don't understand what you guys are talking about. In my mind, i am disappointed in the manufacturers for not inventing additional tools for me to need and purchase. For example, the Knipex plier wrench. Just came across it and didn't have. Now I do!
When we have 5 or more of the same tool it is the manufacturers fault.
When we have 5 or more of the same tool it is the manufacturers fault.
This is easy.
Multiples of each tool allow misplacing all but one of them and stuff can still get done.
Putting stuff away can be delayed untill there are cardboard boxes of mixed tools everywhere in the way and there are just these little game trails in between piles of boxes to move around. Obviously putting all tools away all at once is more efficient.
Doesn't everyone do this?
Multiples of each tool allow misplacing all but one of them and stuff can still get done.
Putting stuff away can be delayed untill there are cardboard boxes of mixed tools everywhere in the way and there are just these little game trails in between piles of boxes to move around. Obviously putting all tools away all at once is more efficient.
Doesn't everyone do this?
lilscorpion
Well-known member
cat-mechanic
Well-known member
Being a field mechanic, I need multiples. I never see the tool guy.
I have ended up out in the middle of nowhere and break one. That's ok I have another.
Then when I get back to town, I can track down the tool guys when I need them.
I have ended up out in the middle of nowhere and break one. That's ok I have another.
Then when I get back to town, I can track down the tool guys when I need them.
BirdMobile
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OK...
I'll weigh in on this one seriously.
My grandfather told me many times:
"When you find an affordable tool, there's only ONE question you need to ask yourself: do I have a place to store it?"
Words to live by.
I'll weigh in on this one seriously.
My grandfather told me many times:
"When you find an affordable tool, there's only ONE question you need to ask yourself: do I have a place to store it?"
Words to live by.
Cato
Well-known member
We all have more money than sense.
Boredmechanic
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I wish i had more money than sense
Oldsmobile
Well-known member
If I'm working on a vehicle, I don't like having to change sockets, so I pull out a ratchet for every sized nut or bolt involved with the job.
Absolutely. Load up your ratchets before you get at it. When you're underneath the vehicle, it's a pain to crawl back out for a tool. Inevitable, but inconvenient.
So have your ratchets set up. Hell, take down a set of loosening ratchets and a set of tightening ratchets. We probably all have enough to make that choice.