Why so many tools?

[BDT/NWMN]

well, I guess I could get by with one pair of shoes and socks, a tent, and a bicycle; one good bicycle tool should work just fine.
But being that I also enjoy working
things like cars, tractors and semi trucks, a shop decked out with a bunch of tools comes in handy... But I do allot of service calls, so there is another large tool chest ready to go... Two other tool sets are called my vehicle boxes. I enjoy working with my tools, but dislike chasing after tools and raiding my shop box...
Don't be too concerned about a few extra tools..

 

[BK13]

We all have more money than sense.

I don't have enough of either.

 

[organ]

Better to have and not need than need and not have...

 

[sberry]

I have portables too but we have a lot of duplication in common sizes. We do it to reduce time and movement and bargain tools help a lot with that.

 

[byoungblood]

I have a couple of small spare sets for the camper and as a grab and go set.

Having a few extra screwdrivers is a must, I was always taught you can never have enough.

If I have duplicates of most anything else, it is probably because I got it cheap or free, or lost one, bought a replacement, then found the one I lost.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

If I took all the tools I owned, including power tools, hand tools, air tools, specialty tools, stationary equipment, etc. I doubt it would weigh less than 5 tons. I don't NEED them all, but they come in handy for work. Since I work in several different places, that means several sets of stuff. I also collect older tools just cuz I like old stuff and one day I plan to have the hot rod garage all set up, and only vintage tools for it.

My wife asked one time, why do you have so many tools? Like I said in another thread, I told her some guys collect girlfriends their wife doesn't know about, and some guys collect stuff. I'm the latter. My wife kinda appreciated that logic.

 

[metaldad]

the screwdriver shrine.
which is still in a state of re consolidation.
not to be used, since my daily users are on another wall.
and the overflow i stuffed into a 22'' box.
not to be confused with the ones on the job site, or the ones in the truck(s), or the ones in the carage box.

 

[BirdMobile]

the screwdriver shrine.
which is still in a state of re consolidation.
not to be used, since my daily users are on another wall.
and the overflow i stuffed into a 22'' box.
not to be confused with the ones on the job site, or the ones in the truck(s), or the ones in the carage box.

Schweeeeeeeeeet!!

 

[chipper]

So one day I can hand them down to my son!!! And then he'll pawn them for an xbox

 

[Big Pete]

I'm a godawful slob in the shop, partially because my available time is short bursts, so half the time the work area looks like an explosion in a tool and parts store. Multiples of common sizes (10,12, 13, 14, 17mm for example) means I can always find one when I need one. Otherwise I would waste the half hour I have to do stuff looking for one wrench. I have 3 hacksaw frames so I can have a different pitch blade in each one, same deal with 4 1/2" grinders.

 

[JKennedy]

Simple, you need a work set, a truck set, wife's car set, home set, backup set, and another back set. Not too mention another back up set.

 

[crewchief888]

ive had tools scattered around in different places for years.
most of them were at work, if i needed something at home i had to haul it from work, and remember to take it back the next day, not always convienent riding a harley back and forth.
i started buying a little at a time to keep at home, mostly CM stuff.

as my vintage SK stuff got "retired" from work use, it was added to home stuff.
about 15 years ago i was involved in short course off road racing, i kept a few tools at the race shop, a few more in a box in the trailer, and mainly fab stuff in the back of my truck.

over the past 2 or 3 years've been finding truck & industrial brand tools turning up in the $1 bins at pawn shops, and finding "deals" at the flea mkt.

i keep my "working" tools in my service truck, a few DIY tools in the house, and the rest of the (growing) collection in the garage.

i started my tool buying in '76 when i started my machinists apprenticeship.

 

[Beerman]

When I look back on my life I see that I spent the majority of my money on ratchets, wrenches and sockets-the rest I just wasted.


Beerman

 

[404]

the screwdriver shrine.
which is still in a state of re consolidation.
not to be used, since my daily users are on another wall.
and the overflow i stuffed into a 22'' box.
not to be confused with the ones on the job site, or the ones in the truck(s), or the ones in the carage box.

Why are the votive candles cropped out the the picture?


Regards,
404

 

[KinzeMech]

Tool duplication is the bane of my existence.

I do not allow myself to have more than 3 of something. That is one for my toolbox/workbench at work, one for my service truck, and one for at home. I won't have more than 3 of something. If I need another, I get one from the other location.

I have totaled my tools for insurance purposes. I wouldn't have any less in tools, but the thousands of dollars in duplicated tools could have otherwise been the same dollars in new, unique tools in my toolbox, which actually improves my mechanical versatility more than having two impact wrenches, two socket sets, and two of everything else I use daily either in the shop or in the service truck.

I'm damn near ready to demand they give me room to pull my service truck in alongside my workspace already.

 

[slip knot]

Lemme see here. you five 3/8 ratchets and three #2 phillips and you consider that TOO MUCH. Really? Thats barely considered a good start around here. I've got more than that scattered under the truck right now.

 

[metaldad]

Why are the votive candles cropped out the the picture?


Regards,
404

votive candles....................

 

[jrobb316]

Because you found a hot deal and couldn't pass it up even though you really didn't need it. I'm sure thats never happened to anyone. i have duplicates mainly because at work i'll buy a dual 80 ratchet for example. My older 30 tooth snap on or craftsman will get relieved to home use. Pretty soon I have a pile of craftsman ratchets that are worthless. I think I have 3 sets of standard craftsman ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 now that have been accumulated through the years. I'll be putting together a couple other tool sets for truck use or inside the house, the rest of the stuff will get donated to someone most likely.
As for 12 point sockets, they DO have a use. I use them for head bolts, flex plate bolts, clutch bolts, and rod cap bolts. There is nothing wrong with a good 3/8 drive set of chrome 12 pointers.

 

[metaldad]

obsolete photo, of one of 2 ratchet drawers.

 

[Josey Wales]

votive candles....................

Okay, first always leave lunch for Buddah....
second, a screwdriver shrine has to have votive candles.

 

[BirdMobile]

obsolete photo, of one of 2 ratchet drawers.

Now THAT is a good start... shows that at least you're trying!

 

[Duct Tape Man]

obsolete photo, of one of 2 ratchet drawers.

Dude you're awesome.

 

[rusty65]

I have 65 plus ratchets ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 and 400 sockets in a 10x7 workshop. That should make you relax about owning 3 or so 3/8 ratchets.
This is just what I could gather in 2 minutes.

Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[torogitools]

amen

 

[PavelK313]

I most definitely don't have nearly as many tools as some of you.

Some of my 3/8s.
I guess I have more than 5.
Still don't understand why I need so may of them, given the fact that I only work in my own home garage.

 

[PavelK313]

obsolete photo, of one of 2 ratchet drawers.

Again, my question is why?

 

[Fretters]

Again, my question is why?

Generally easier to ask: "Why not?". Because he wants to and he can, would be my first guess. Look at it this way; He has a drawer full of items he's spent money on there which he can appreciate for ever more. There are plenty of folks who could go to the pub and piss that amount of money away within a matter of weeks/months and have absolutely nothing to show for it. Personally, I'd rather have something to show for my money, whether it be classed as excessive or not. As someone said earlier, better to have and not need....

 

[metaldad]

Okay, first always leave lunch for Buddah....
second, a screwdriver shrine has to have votive candles.

would road flares suffice?

 

[metaldad]

Again, my question is why?

Generally easier to ask: "Why not?". Because he wants to and he can, would be my first guess. Look at it this way; He has a drawer full of items he's spent money on there which he can appreciate for ever more. There are plenty of folks who could go to the pub and piss that amount of money away within a matter of weeks/months and have absolutely nothing to show for it. Personally, I'd rather have something to show for my money, whether it be classed as excessive or not. As someone said earlier, better to have and not need....

some guys drink
some guys gamble
some guys collect ****.
i collect items, that i can use, professionally.
a little excessively, so what.

 

[KinzeMech]

some guys drink
some guys gamble
some guys collect ****.
i collect items, that i can use, professionally.
a little excessively, so what.

Why rule anything out?

I say drink while playing naked tool poker. Supposing one did it for hire, that about covers everything, no?

 

[metaldad]

 

[metaldad]

how abouts............. an obsolete photo of channellock?

 

[404]

votive candles....................

This is where your tools deserve to be stored.

 

[MrJason]

Why so many tools?

Well, I can quickly answer that, for my own experience- not a blanket statement.

I grew up in a racing family. Every weekend, we did something with our race trucks, and that's how I grew up. 18 years, of wrenching, building, fabricating, etc.

My father was a maintenance mechanic for an AG company. He built quite the impressive collection over his 25 years of working. When he passed, I inherited his collection.

Long before, I had inherited a desire to have tools. (I've mentioned that before in threads, so I won't bore you now.)

Every paycheck, even through college- I bought a tool. No junk, but appropriate for what I was working on at the time. I've done this since I was 16.

Now, yes. I do have duplicates, in specific areas. But by-and-large, I have a collection that I can use at any given time, and I didn't go into debt for it.
It's 100% mine.

The quantity of tools, just fortifies me to be able to work on a variety of different projects at once. If I lose my livelihood, I can always turn a wrench, without fear that I am unprepared to execute the job due to not having the right tool.

Granted, I don't have every tool. That's nearly impossible. But, what I have is a literal back-up plan. Every wrench. Every ratchet. Every single tool in my boxes, represents my ability to take care of myself- if Plan A, fails.

That's my reason. Some may say it's an excuse, so be it. I just never wanted to be unprepared for being able to support myself. My dad raised a better son than that.

Some would look at my collection as over-doing it. That's fine. I have what I need to do, most any job asked of me.

-Jason

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I can't even explain it to myself as to why I have 5 3/8" ratchets, or 3 100mm #2 screwed rivers, etc.

You only have five 3/8" ratchets?! What the hell is the matter with you?!!!

 

[BirdMobile]

You only have five 3/8" ratchets?! What the hell is the matter with you?!!!

Indeed! I keep 3 in my car alone...

(HF Long Composite, Husky Roto, Craftsman RP chopped to Stubby)

 

[egnorant]

So...Uh...Wait! So if I deliver pizza to an estate sale and they tip me 15 bucks. Then as I quickly return to my car via the kitchen, back porch, shed in the back and around the house up and down the aisles in the garage that has a cool yet overpriced collection of tools neatly bundled on the top of a workbench, I spy a Craftsman Crown top tool box with dark shapes inside on the floor tucked behind a box of car magazines. Said tool box is full of the oddball tools that had funny names like Bonney, Hinsdale, Walden, Industro, Williams and Blue Point Boxocket among others.

Now the guy says I could have the box and tools for 10 dollars!!!

I want a show of hands of those who would have walked away emptyhanded.
Now I have 30 new wrenches, 2 big screwdrivers and a Walden speed handle (I never use those...do you?) not to mention the Craftsman box.

Or am I just weird?

Bruce

 

[MaineGuide]

I don't tend to have many if any duplicates of the tools I own. I do, however, have a wide variety of tools in my collection.

Like many of the folks on GJ, having the right tool for nearly any job that could come up is important to me. I do quite a bit of small engine work, some automotive and off road work, as well as some carpentry and have been getting more and more into fine woodworking. That leaves me with a wide range of tool needs. Lately I've been buying tools I don't need at the moment because I can get a very good price for them new, and I'm not sure when I am going to leave the job that gives me that discount.

 

[neuralsnafu]

obsolete photo, of one of 2 ratchet drawers.

Addict. Lol.