"He who dies with the most tools wins." Nuff said...
I agree with this statement. I have a lot of duplicate tools I picked up at Lowes for pennies on the dollar and ended up building separate mobile tool bags for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical for when I have to help out a family member. I picked up those tool bags on discount as well.I thought I had a too many tools problem, but then figured out I needed THREE sets of tools. Not necessarily complete, but two locations, plus a mobile set.
My grandfather was kind of the same way, and I remember him buying many tools and things because he couldn't find the ones he already had.My grandfather is a tool hoarder, since he goes to yard sales and has 10 of every wrench size "because it was a good deal" haha. I run a small engine side business, but most of my wrenching is on my own stuff or projects around the house. I pick up most of my tools used on ebay, or yard sales (probably get that from grandpa). The older used SK and Craftsman stuff is cheap, and better quality than Harbor Freight, but honestly the Harbor Freight stuff is just fine for most uses.
I don't think one can really have too many tools, unless like my grandpa you spend too much time sorting through drawers that have all of the same stuff in order to find what you need.
Adjustable wrench for tightening trailer hitch ball? For the nut I often use a 3/4" drive 6pt socket and I am pulling on the handle with both hands.Men have an innate instinct to fix things. The mere thought of "whoa I can do that with THAT??" makes it irresistible, either pleasing yourself or someone else.
I thought I had a too many tools problem, but then figured out I needed THREE sets of tools. Not necessarily complete, but two locations, plus a mobile set.
I got rid of old duplicate tools easy by inviting my cousin over and saying "you can have whatever you want but some things I might like, so ask before taking." 98% of the time it was "take it." He filled his trunk to the brim, and a bit in the back seat. It was a win-win because I have more space now.
Yesterday I bought a 2 5/8 OTC Wheel bearing locknut socket, a 1/2 to 3/4 adapter, and ANOTHER adjustable wrench to tighten a 10k hitch ball. Maybe I could have done it with two adjustable wrenches, but I left them all at the other location.
I know where my main tools are. It's the blow moulded case of some special tool that I use infrequently and might forget about.My grandfather was kind of the same way, and I remember him buying many tools and things because he couldn't find the ones he already had.
I buy a lot of things from yard sales, estates, and auctions for selling on ebay. I've bought a lot of tools with the intention of selling them, and then I end up keeping them.
I was at Home Depot a couple years ago and they had the 12pt wrench for Hitch nut size on clearance for about $2. I used it 2-3 times since then.Adjustable wrench for tightening trailer hitch ball? For the nut I often use a 3/4" drive 6pt socket and I am pulling on the handle with both hands.
An adjustable wrench is the 2nd to last thing I use. Channellock is last. 6pt box end wrench and sockets come first.
I bungled that one up, re-ordered a 1 7/8 socket. the adjustable wrench is to only hold the other end until the locknut takes over.Adjustable wrench for tightening trailer hitch ball? For the nut I often use a 3/4" drive 6pt socket and I am pulling on the handle with both hands.
An adjustable wrench is the 2nd to last thing I use. Channellock is last. 6pt box end wrench and sockets come first.
That was my mindset since I first started driving. I learned how to work on my own cars and did most of my own work. What I would do is calculate the savings on the job I did, divide it in half and bought tools with half the savings. The other half went in the bank or got spent. You can amass quite a tool collection using that math over the years.FWIW, my opinion is buying the tools need is often cheaper than paying someone to do the job. I have used this for my entire life for reasoning to buy tools and need and some tools I want. It has served me well. That said I have a significant collection of tools and do work on 4 family owned vehicles and several neighbors OPE and cars as they ask.
Just my $0.02
I would still prefer a 6 pt.I was at Home Depot a couple years ago and they had the 12pt wrench for Hitch nut size on clearance for about $2. I used it 2-3 times since then.
I know what you mean. In most cases I can get it tightened by holding the ball with my hand in a glove and a 6 pt wrench on the nut.I bungled that one up, re-ordered a 1 7/8 socket. the adjustable wrench is to only hold the other end until the locknut takes over.