Each drawer is full. I use mine, too.
But I paid cash.
But I paid cash.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
Bad times are coming for some, things can go downhill real fast leaving you out of work, the last thing you need is debt. We talked about lending your tools before, it is okay to let another mechanic occasionally use a tool but letting it become an open box for everyone in the place to plunder is crazy.
JMO, other than maybe a house or a vehicle, if you can't pay cash - you can't afford it.
The first step is to realize you have a problem. I hate even typing that because it sounds so trite.
It's hard to really know anyone on an on-line forum, but FWIW, I (and others on here) have the opinion you're a very decent guy.
Pay off that debt, and then only pay cash. You don't gotta have everything.
Best of everything to you, AutoMechanic, but without the debt.
A lot of really smart and successful people, are giving you good advice.
You cannot spend your way out of debt.
Buy NOTHING until you are out of debt.
Plenty of us have lots of tools and never bought it on tool truck debt. You are reinforcing a bad habit. You do not want to end up hurt , sick, fired, with debt.
Self disciple with money is important.
If you can't manage small debt , you can't manage large debt.
Stop digging!!!!
Sam_Julier
$50 Site Donor 2024
@AutoMechanic I fully support what @Astro14 just said.
Buy your tools with cash.
No purchases with debt.
Buy your tools with cash.
No purchases with debt.
+1 Bingo!
None is better . Take a break from purchases and paydown highest rate . We learned the hard way . Took around 25 years to wise up . The Katrina / Rita gas crisis was also inspirational . No debt for now . We've always purchased small fuel saving cars under $17,000 for low monthly payments under $250 . Trade ins ( Toyota / Honda w/ higher value ) , low interest rate and gas savings contribute to 3 years or less pay offs .
Last edited:
@AutoMechanic it is just like AA - the first step is to admit you have a problem! I dare you to walk up to the door of the Snapon truck, look at the salesguy, and then turn around and walk away. If you can do that, you are in control of your destiny. If not, you might be a tool-aholic...
Not that I'm advocating going into debt to buy tools, But.....Why is going out & getting a $30,000-$50,000 dollar vehicle loan acceptable debt? But spending a fraction of that amount on tools isn't?
I retired in 2020 from working maintenance in a food production plant and I learned early on not to take my good tools to work. My tool locker was crammed full of stuff from Harbor Freight and the like.
We used to joke that if you set down a Snap-On wrench it would be gone as soon as you turned your back but a HF wrench would still be there two weeks later. It sucked working with cheap tools but unfortunately that's just the way it was.
I rather have 50K in tools than a new car any day.
This is an excellent point! It is easy to stomach the idea of large home and auto loans because cash purchases for these items are out of reach for 99% of the population. Personally, I am less concerned about small loans than I am about compulsive buying, whether it be tools or anything else. Of course, only @AutoMechanic can determine whether he is truly a compulsive buyer or not, but several comments suggests he is drawn to the snapon truck like flies to a honeywagon. Nevertheless, of all the vices one could have, tool buying is probably among the more desirable!
And yes, I am jealous of his tool stash...
More German tools on the way, the 78 dollar Stahlwille set open end wrenches that go from 6-32 mm, with case, on Amazon. Trying to change someone by telling them what you think usually makes them do it more.
Telling yourself not to do that anymore, most of the time, results in doing it more too.
Joy riding in 15 mpg trucks is an addiction that literally burns money, many things to point fingers at. An addiction is also being thrifty and controlled as a source of enjoyment. In the end there is a headstone and no one says anything was wrong. People will say he enjoyed his tools. He enjoyed his one ton truck to go for rides in. He was a good father, good son, that's it.
Telling yourself not to do that anymore, most of the time, results in doing it more too.
Joy riding in 15 mpg trucks is an addiction that literally burns money, many things to point fingers at. An addiction is also being thrifty and controlled as a source of enjoyment. In the end there is a headstone and no one says anything was wrong. People will say he enjoyed his tools. He enjoyed his one ton truck to go for rides in. He was a good father, good son, that's it.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Some more vise grip style pliers lol. Big set of Jobsmart from Tractor Supply. Had to have them because of the size. Wish my Tractor Supply had a good selection of tools like the other ones do. Then a set of Milwaukee MaxBite ones. Like I mentioned when I bought the last sets of this style jaw from Irwin and Bremen I really like this jaw for rounded bolts and such. Not a huge fan of the red plastic adjuster though wish it was like the other ones.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
I'd rather have the 50k sitting in my safe.
I get your point. To each his own. My impression is from reading your posts, you are a !@-" good mechanic. I'll bet AutoMechanic is to. Perhaps I would see it differently in your shoes.
Though it is NOT the same, to me it's similar to racking up a huge student loan debt so you can get a good job. Then spend a significant part of one's adult life trying to pay it off.
And, FWIW, I would never spend that kind of cake you mention on a vehicle. I could pay cash for it. Just wouldn't.
Again, JMO. YMMV.
I have never understood spending that kind of money on a car. I just signed on the dotted line for a new welder from the snapon man because I got a good price for what I got and a financing package that made sense. Ive never borrowed a dime to buy a car, my current 2003 grand marquis is the most expensive car I have ever owned at 1500 bucks. Paid 300 for my suburban and 500 for my blazer
Today I agree but as a young mechanic needing tools the tools were a better investment for my career, once I had all the tools I needed (always paid cash) I have owned new cars mostly for the wife, she doesn't like stick shifts or weird Euro stuff I like.
I don't own a pair of these Knipex "mechanic's pliers". I just thought they have an odd shape. Anyone here own a pair?
www.knipex.com
Mechanics' Pliers
Hohe Biegefestigkeit der Zangenspitzen, Gekröpfte, flach-runde Backen, Vanadin-Elektrostahl, geschmiedet, ölgehärtet
Do you have a weird Euro car as a daily driver?
