buying tools when you dont need them
billfinch01
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Hi, Im new to working construction (started almost a year ago) and I love it. I’ve been buying all the tools that I need as I need them. Im finding that there are a lot of used tools coming up for sale (people getting out of the business), and some are great deals. The problem is I have no immediate use for them as I work for a contractor who provides most of the bigger tools. Im wondering what you folks think about buying a tool because you know you’ll want it in the future and saving 50-75% vs. waiting until you need it.
Replies
It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it....cheap....
I think you should spend all the money you earn on tools. We'll give you advice on the other problems that come up as you go.
""We'll give you advice on the other problems that come up as you go."" Wait a minute, I see no "problem" here to start with, do You?
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
No. What good is money when you could have tools?
Let me get this straight: You have a job and you still need an excuse to buy tools?
"Im wondering what you folks think about buying a tool because you know you'll want it in the future...."
Never stopped me before!
Proceed with our blessings.
I'm a severe toolaholic..
Not many tools made I don't have..
including a lot of real specialty tools.
However it's a hobby and I don't have to make any excuse other than I want it.
IF I'm looking at things as a career I would have to be more pragmatic about it.. Where is my money best spent..
Buying tools is good, building a bank account is good, getting training is good.. The problem is which has priority..
Maybe your priorities are split.. maybe the market will change and tools you buy today will be obsolete when you really need them..
Sit down with a long term plan of what, when, and how and do your spending according to that plan..
As you may have guessed, we are all toolaholics and have failed in recovery many times..
Buy, buy, buy, remember he who dies with the most tools wins!>G<
I thought it was 'he who inherits the tools from the deceased wins'
Edited 2/13/2009 5:11 pm ET by reinvent
That would be good, but you still have to keep up with the new ones.
Shoot, I can't work, much, anymore and I still have bought $2000 of new tools. I just can't help myself. They say if you admit you have a problem...... Ok, I have .....lots of tools>G <!!
>Shoot, I can't work, much, anymore and I still have bought $2000 of new tools. I just can't help myself.<LOLI remember walking at a flea market a few years back behind a zillion year old guy with only one leg, on oxygen, driving one of those scooter thingys with what looked to be a middle aged daughter walking beside him. He stopped at every table that had tools or parts and spent a lot of bucks on "stuff". He'd pick up a used hammer, tell his companion that he might need an extra someday, and buy it. Next table, it would be an obscure plumbing fitting, than an electrical part- always with the same "you never can tell when you might need one" line. Daughter just nodded and said "yes, daddy".=====Zippy=====
No, it is he who has the most tools at time of his great reward wins!
You are going to need the basic toos sooner or later. Also, just because the contractor you work for supplies tools now doesn't mean you can' bring some of your own on site.
Personally, I never liked using someone elses tools. They are dull or feel wrong.
Go forth on your quest for the almighty tools................. you may now leave the temple, grasshopper
I have more than one friend who calls me often asking for the "Rental dept."
He is a friend of yours too huh? Dang, small world what with the mutual friends.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
degrees of separation. (tool loaners)
I have a good thing going with one of mine--he's just getting licensed, so another to work with, and he's got some pretty refined metal skills. We worked together at a bike manuf. he as a welder, fabricator, and can do all sorts of great stuff with metal. Will use his skills for some exterior projects, gate parts, joining hardware, and inside for building framework to float cc counters in space and such. Fun!
I read in your other posts about the engineering problem with lookouts in that site-built truss. Classic. No matter the scope, the grey hairs and BP subject to rise.
I passed my roughs and framing, now on to sheetrocking the little place I'm working on down here, and not without same worries the whole way!
Pat
I agree the physical size of the project is no determinate of the # nor size of the problems that arise!! I have been the guy who built a small set of kitchen cabinets and when installing them discovered I hadn't allowed for the drawer pulls when figuring out the corner cabinet face frame dimensions. UHMM... anybody object to recessed door pulls? Believe me that caused much more anguish then the truss issue!! LOL I could stay on here for days telling stories about my own screw ups and creative solutions!
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Just to break with the pack ....
The best, most useful tool you can have is ... money. You can easily turn that cash into whatever tool you need, WHEN you need it. A hammer, on the other hand, is always a hammer - no matter how badly you need a pair of pliers. So, my advice is to put the money away, until you REALLY need a tool. There's no sense in buying something just because you can.
That's the problem with 'snapping up bargains.' You're buying what someone wants to sell ... rather than buying what you want to buy. Those dynamics favor the seller - not you.
Now, if you simply can't resist the impulse to spend your paycheck, here are three questions to ask:
1) Will I need this tool for a specific job I have planned?;
2) Is this a tool I have had to borrow in the past?; and,
3) Will this tool make an immediate difference, getting used nearly every day?
I will admit to some terrible purchases over the years ... as well as some brilliant ones. What is of note is that I had no idea how smart I was when I made the 'brilliant' ones.
For example, I was certain I would need the pricey Fluke multi-meter when I picked it up at a fire-sale price. Ha! It sits in my shop, collecting dust, having been used twice. I have other meters I use daily.
Contrast this with my $20 hand truck. That gets used far more than I ever anticipated. As does the angle grinder, rotozip, 2 ft. step ladder, and lable maker.
" A hammer, on the other hand, is always a hammer - no matter how badly you need a pair of pliers."I disagree. Hammer claws can be possible pliers in a pinch. :o)
Reason? When purchasing tools?
Are you my wife in discuise?
renosteinke,
I have to agree with you whole heartedly on this. the best tool---is money--with money you can solve just about anything I have quite a few things I bought--- that I THOUGHT I would end up using more than I did-- and that I wish I had the money back for much better to put things off untill you KNOW concretely you are gonna need it---and use it a lot---- when that time comes-- buy the best and don't quibble over weather you got a "deal" or not. all those other guys-- they are using a form of what i call "chick logic"------( look at the 3 pairs of shoes I bought on sale-- I saved.........)stephen
I have more than one friend who calls me often asking for the "Rental dept."I have friend in rental dept that call me when the rental get replace with new tool. Got my eye on a bobcat welder now.
Buy and hold. That's the best method.
If you someday replace an expensive tool, keep the old one cuz ya never know.
i think if you read dieselpigs post in "just when you think things cant get any worse" you may comeup with some things to keep your tools that you do decide to buy
Depends on the deal.
Cannot recall passing up any tools that was not totally trashed at a grage sale that was < 10% the price of retail.
In 1976 or so I did pass up a Bridgport milling machine for $800, still kick myself over that one.
However, what does an old 'duffer DIY' like me need 40 or so sidewinders, full size backhoe and 2 dozers and a dump truck, etc. etc. etc. never made a dime of any of 'em except not ever to hire anything done.
In 1976 or so I did pass up a Bridgport milling machine for $800, still kick myself over that one
You're a cheap engineer. You couldn't help it.
Google "tools you dont need".
Get anything?? Huh??
I thought not. - lol
There is nothing like the warm glow feeling of holding a new tool for the first time. I know I have a disease, and try to control it, but falling off the wagon can feel so good.
"Shawdow boxing the apocalypse and wandering the land"
Wier/Barlow
Edited 2/13/2009 9:43 pm ET by dedhed6b
All right, all the justification I needed. Thanks a lot guys! Also, Im thinking about the paslode finish nailer instead of the bostich that FH rated best value (I just like the feel of it better). Anyone have any experience with that?
Edited 2/13/2009 10:49 pm ET by billfinch01
I purchased an angled 16-gauge Paslode finish nailer last November, a refurbished unit from The Paslode factory outlet on EBay. The nailers were on sale for $154 (if memory serves) with free shipping. The nailer I received looked brand new and I have been happy with its performance so far. I bought the angled nailer because I liked its balance better than the straight nailer. However, the angled nails are more expensive than the straight.If you buy a Paslode nailer (framing or finish), I would buy an extra battery as the batteries take about 4 hours to charge. The batteries cost more than $50 at Lowes and HD, but you can order a Paslode Performance Pack through Amazon, usually for less than $30. The pack includes a battery, a 12-volt adapter (you still need the charger base) and small containers of oil and degreaser. Sometimes you can find just the batteries on sale on Amazon for less, but they are listed at $49.99 as I write.The fuel cells have a finite shelf life. I've always used the fuel cells before their expiration dates, but their performance is degraded after expiration.Steve
" buying tools when you dont need them."
Nothing wrong whatsoever in this basic premise.
The 'problem' lies in buying more or less USELESS tools- like the Porter Cable profile sander.
What is this foreign concept you speak of? When dont we need tools?
If your there, and a tool is there, its a good time to buy it.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
Bill
Just a word of caution.
It is an ugly economy right now. Be cautious and make sure you have cash reserves in case you loose your job. Now if you live with your parents and dont pay rent or mortgage, it is no better time to be spending your money on tools that you will be needing as long as you do it with good forethought.
I dont buy a tool anymore unless I really need it but am very cautious because money is really tight for me right now.
2 years ago i was buying and replacing tools regularly because I started my own business and was doing fine and the tools paid for themselves within months of purchase.
Shoot -- I've done that twice already today.
Bought a 40-foot fatmax tape because it was cheap, and I knew that I'd need it eventually.
And bought a shopvac hose accessory that will make cleanup just a little easier. Must not have truly needed it, since I've been cleaning up after myself for 30 years.
If you can afford to spend the money, then do it. Don't be foolish.
Use good judgement and buy the tools that will be most useful to you.
My $.02 would be to suggest buying those tools that your employer currently provides in case you no longer have an employer, or decide to try your own thing.
Sometimes, having that expensive tool that doesn't get used often onhand can be a lifesaver, or allow you to persue other work... but that only works if you can swing it financially. Finding those items used is even better... then you can sell it for close to what you paid. Think of it as a long term tool rental :)
Waiting until you really need it can eliminate a lot of deals. Being forced to outlay a ton of money for tools all at once to start your own thing is a bad idea.
Seems to be two schools of thought here. One . . . save your money and only buy stuff when you need it and know you're gonna need it and two . . . buy it if you think you'll need it if it's a good enough deal.
I've got a couple of thoughts. Do you have a place to store all those good deals? Some of the best deals I've ever gotten were when I wasn't really looking for them. These days with Craig's List and Ebay you can usually find something you need without paying retail.
Finally, I'm usually not willing to pay as much for a gas, electric or electronic gizmo that could have issues that don't immediately show up as opposed to a "dumb" physical tool like a plank, or stepladder or alumapole.
I'm a tool nut,so this goes with a grain of salt. If you can use,need it buy it. It is far easier to have the tool in the truck, or somewhere than having to run to the rental store for a tool that someone may not have taken care of.And you will be the guy to find out.
There are probably a lot of bargains out there and this is a good chance to be proactive.
(Of course, that advice, coming from someone with the handle "ToolBear", may be suspect.)
You may change jobs and it's nice to own what you need. My boss has a lot of tools, but they are used by a lot of people who don't own them ... you can fill in the blanks. I own what I need to do my work and I use my own tools. Often better quality, better maintained and single user.
Besides, "Whoever dies with the most tools, wins."
@@@
The ToolAholics Anonymous meets at the HD toolcrib on the 4th Tuesday, 7-8.
"Hi, I'm ToolBear and I have been tool-free for 29.5 hours."
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert