Tools. Love/Hate relationship

[GotSmart]

I have been trying to cut down my traveling weight, so I reviewed my tools.  I went to my insurance pictures, and realized I had 14 separate pictures of my tool collection.  Each picture is showing a different collection of tools gathered for a specific reason.   

I just realize I am a tool junkie!

I have not bought any tools lately, mostly because what I have is better than what I have seen. I need help from a professional selling my unused treasures.  :s

Those sockets do 80% of my work.

 

[rvpopeye]

Tools can definitely be addicting.....
I kicked my addiction when I had to get rid of most of mine when I moved into my first rig.
I can walk through a store full of tools and actually not buy ANYTHING !
My name is popeye and I used to be addicted to tools......................

 

[ramblingvanman]

You never get over your addiction. It is one day at a time. I had the same problem when I pared down. I do plan to buy another tool though. I need/want a cordless impact. I also wouldn't mind a cordless jig and circular saw. Aside from that I think I am good.

 

[GotSmart]

You never get over your addiction. It is one day at a time. I had the same problem when I pared down. I do plan to buy another tool though. I need/want a cordless impact. I also wouldn't mind a cordless jig and circular saw. Aside from that I think I am good.

That is about 50 LBS and 3 CF of the problem

 

[SoulRaven]

I've only recently begun discovering the delights of tools. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Window shopping for tools online and creating wishlists is a large part of how I relax lately.

I find tools really empowering. I don't have a lot of strength and my hands are pretty small. I only began getting excited about tools last year when I discovered that if I looked hard enough there were ones that actually fit my hands and that I feel comfortable using. I still get all happy every time I handle this socket ratchet.


There's no stopping me now!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Mostly  :heart:

It is the only reason I am still in my S&B.  Hard to lug around a 3000+ lb. lathe, 2000 lb. mill, welders, drill presses, plasma cutters, etc.  I spent 30 years filling my workshop and I derive too great enjoyment from it to abandon it.  If I had it to do over again, I would build a 40' X 60' pole barn (with floor heat) and  make a small living area in one corner.

You'll have to pry that old Craftsman ratchet from my cold, dead hands. 

-- Spiff

 

[Txjaybird]

I've only recently begun discovering the delights of tools. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Window shopping for tools online and creating wishlists is a large part of how I relax lately.

I find tools really empowering. I don't have a lot of strength and my hands are pretty small. I only began getting excited about tools last year when I discovered that if I looked hard enough there were ones that actually fit my hands and that I feel comfortable using. I still get all happy every time I handle this socket ratchet.


There's no stopping me now!

ELECTRIC STAPLE GUN.... it's amazin' what can be done with one of those rascals... JUST DON't PUT OUT SOMEONES' EYE WITH IT...  .... TJB

 

[GotSmart]

I've only recently begun discovering the delights of tools. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Window shopping for tools online and creating wishlists is a large part of how I relax lately.

I find tools really empowering. I don't have a lot of strength and my hands are pretty small. I only began getting excited about tools last year when I discovered that if I looked hard enough there were ones that actually fit my hands and that I feel comfortable using. I still get all happy every time I handle this socket ratchet.


There's no stopping me now!

That is part of the problem.  I can look at every tool and remember the jobs I have used them on.  Some are obsolete!

 

[Konaexpress]

I've only recently begun discovering the delights of tools. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Window shopping for tools online and creating wishlists is a large part of how I relax lately.

I find tools really empowering. I don't have a lot of strength and my hands are pretty small. I only began getting excited about tools last year when I discovered that if I looked hard enough there were ones that actually fit my hands and that I feel comfortable using. I still get all happy every time I handle this socket ratchet.


There's no stopping me now!

Hahaha! It's amazing what you can do with a few basic tools. Even non power tools!

John

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

It is the only reason I am still in my S&B.  Hard to lug around a 3000+ lb. lathe, 2000 lb. mill, welders, drill presses, plasma cutters, etc.  I spent 30 years filling my workshop and I derive too great enjoyment from it to abandon it.

This begs the obvious question:  Do you own your tools, or do your tools own you?

Regards
John

 

[Tinman74]

Optimistic Paranoid
My tools own me, no question about it.

GotSmart
Where did you ever find those long nosed Aviation snips, and what brand are they????

Love/Hate? It was always love but now as I am getting older I have been trying to get my sons to take them over but neither have a garage large enough to handle all of them. I am talking LARGE tools, Brakes ,rolls, sheer, welders, compressor, drill press plus hundreds of hand tools. I would hate to sell them but! I hope it never turns to hate but!

Another Bob

 

[GotSmart]

Optimistic Paranoid
My tools own me, no question about it.

GotSmart
Where did you ever find those long nosed Aviation snips, and what brand are they????

Love/Hate? It was always love but now as I am getting older I have been trying to get my sons to take them over but neither have a garage large enough to handle all of them. I am talking LARGE tools, Brakes ,rolls, sheer, welders, compressor, drill press plus hundreds of hand tools. I would hate to sell them but!  I hope it never turns to hate but!

Another Bob

That was an emergency lumber company bin buy.   I visited my in laws without taking the whole tool arsenal.  It was worth it to get the flashing job done.   They are potmetal frames.  I would love a set of real ones!   (NO NO NO!) more tools?   :blush:

 

[rvpopeye]

I had a full cabinet shop with all the cast iron monster tools ,plus an ever expanding collection of smaller power and hand tools ,,,, and mechanic tools for my bikes.

Now , some of the mechanic stuff and a box of the small stuff. Borrow or rent anything else , which surprisingly doesn't come up much. I pay someone else to do the stuff beyond my weight class too.

My name is popeye and I kicked the tool addiction ,is it ok if I miss them though ?

 

[GotSmart]

I had a full cabinet shop with all the cast iron monster tools ,plus an ever expanding collection of smaller power and hand tools ,,,, and mechanic tools for my bikes.

Now , some of the mechanic stuff and a box of the small stuff. Borrow or rent anything else , which surprisingly doesn't come up much. I pay someone else to do the stuff beyond my weight class too.

My name is popeye and I kicked the tool addiction ,is it ok if I miss them though ?

This said as he presses his head to the window of Grizzly tools 500,000 sq ft warehouse showroom.

 

[rvpopeye]

Actually I have no desire to look or touch anymore. I will go in if I'm with someone that wants to go but I just don't buy.
RV 101
"If something comes in something has to go out."
The stuff I have has been picked over a zillion times by now , I do still bring something (or someone) in from time to time . Hate trying to find the out stuff !

Yes . I use the "stuff" reference as a salute to George Carlin , way ahead of the curve with so many of his monologues.

 

[debit.servus]

I am building a tool collection to handle 90% of all jobs, as any more tools to handle less frequent jobs see diminishing returns (Law of Diminishing Returns). Looking to have at least 2 tools that can accomplish one job (two is one and one is none), and conversion bits (Like those hex powerdrill bits that can connect to 3/8" deep sockets. I don't obsess about weight, but space is going to be a consideration due to the small space of a van.

Better to have tools, even though they cost energy to move around than to leave them behind and get stranded without them.

The best tool/part storage for vandwellers I've found are metal toolboxes, HFT has an all-steel 21" toolbox for $27 (before coupons/discounts). Similar toolboxes in other stores cost at least twice as much, so think about that before disparaging HFT quality tools. Metal toolboxes have easy access, great portability, and when stored have minimal deadspace. For automotive fluids, milk crates work great.

 

[GotSmart]

You have to know what you are buying.  Metal boxes`are heavy and rust.  I have replaced them years ago.  I use hard plastic Craftsman boxes, and mesh tool bags, and one bucket boss.  If you wait long enough, the tool you want is 1/2 off at Sears.  

When it comes to HF tools, go to a home depot and ask someone the difference between a $12 pair of electrician pliers, and the $60 pair. Then go back to HF and look at what they sell. Shovels, no problem.  Sockets, No way.  The same with electrical connectors.  Bad metal can cause a failure or a fire.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

That is part of the problem.  I can look at every tool and remember the jobs I have used them on.  Some are obsolete!

Not only that but tools that were handed down to me remind me of my father or grandfather teaching me how to use that tool.

This begs the obvious question:  Do you own your tools, or do your tools own you?

The way I see it, my tools allow me to do things that give me great pleasure and giving up said tools would deprive me of that pleasure.  So I choose to keep my tools (and my workshop) because of what they add to my life.  I accept the cost of having a permanent structure for the enjoyment of working with my hands, with tools (and work) that aren't portable.

I still get out to wander around 3 - 5 months a year 

-- Spiff

 

[debit.servus]

You have to know what you are buying.  Metal boxes`are heavy and rust.
...
I have replaced them years ago.  I use hard plastic Craftsman boxes, and mesh tool bags, and one bucket boss.

Metal boxes are not like bags, they're easy to slide on carpet and maintain the same outside shape and size. This minimizes storage hassle and dead space.

Did you replace them because of the purported weight savings? If so; congratulations, you gained .002 additional MPG from switching from metal boxes to plastic containers.

Most HFTs are decent for the price. However for a lot of the under $10 items can be had for a few dollars more with much better quality elsewhere. HFT is best for consumables and things with no moving parts.

Yeah; I'd rather carrying a jack, jack stands, 4 way lug wrench, an intermediate tool set, intermediate amount of replacement/spare parts and fluids, 2 gallons of spare gas than be stuck without them. The cost of calling a tow truck 1 mile from the paved road to change a tire because one left behind their jack and jack stands to save fuel, wipes all any and all fuel savings.  It's another thing entirely if one didn't have the m-o-n-e-y for the required tools beforehand, I feel sorry for you for being too poor to be proactive.

Some people with macgiver mindsets will say "use the tools around you" and "it's an adventure", and not carry more than a couple swiss army knives with them. They are the ones that call for help after drinking their last ounce of water, and have spent 4 days trying to fix a tire with branches, rocks and their mind. I rather have the tools and not need them than to need the tools and not have them.

 

[GotSmart]

Metal boxes are not like bags, they're easy to slide on carpet and maintain the same outside shape and size. This minimizes storage hassle and dead space.

Did you replace them because of the purported weight savings? If so; congratulations, you gained .002 additional MPG from switching from metal boxes to plastic containers.

Most HFTs are decent for the price. However for a lot of the under $10 items can be had for a few dollars more with much better quality elsewhere. HFT is best for consumables and things with no moving parts.

Yeah; I'd rather carrying a jack, jack stands, 4 way lug wrench, an intermediate tool set, intermediate amount of replacement/spare parts and fluids, 2 gallons of spare gas than be stuck without them. The cost of calling a tow truck 1 mile from the paved road to change a tire because one left behind their jack and jack stands to save fuel, wipes all any and all fuel savings.  It's another thing entirely if one didn't have the m-o-n-e-y for the required tools beforehand, I feel sorry for you for being too poor to be proactive.

Some people with macgiver mindsets will say "use the tools around you" and "it's an adventure", and not carry more than a couple swiss army knives with them. They are the ones that call for help after drinking their last ounce of water, and have spent 4 days trying to fix a tire with branches, rocks and their mind. I rather have the tools and not need them than to need the tools and not have them.

Trying to teach your Grandma how to suck eggs?
The reason for plastic boxes is safety. If you bump something, much less chance of damage. No worries about rust or sharp edges. Slide a working metal box on carpet, and then look at the carpet. Usually trashed.
With bags you can pile them, stick them into odd size cubbies, and when they are empty, put them in another bag to save room.

After 55 years of collecting and earning a living with tools, I doubt you can give me any advice I could use.