When do you decide? Buy own tools or pay someone?

[Vern_in_IL]

So I've always been a DIY'er. I've always thought that why pay someone to do a job when I can buy the tools and do it myself, and then I would have more tools to expand my capabilities on other projects.

But often times buying your own tools and doing it yourself cost more than paying a garage, so where do you strike a balance?

 

[Ethan1]

I've yet to regret buying a tool

 

[Bandito440]

It's usually economics for me.

Many auto and motorcycle repairs have been cheaper for me to buy new tools.

When I needed some stumps ground down in the yard, the cost of renting a stump grinder was the same as paying a guy to do it. That was an easy sell.

 

[Artem]

Hold up, didn't you basically answer your own question already by stating that if you buy the tools and DIY, you'll come out on top because you'll now have said expensive tool for later use OR resale value, where you'll technically get some chunk of your invested cash back (if the item is good quality and sold properly online).

I recently had more work then I had time for so I decided to contract an engine swap out to a local shop. Cost me $600 in labor when another engine jack is $150 online... but do I really need a THIRD engine lift? Hahaha

 

[69GTX]

Looked into buying the tools and parts to overhaul my 2005 Raleigh 21 speed road bicycle. The parts were going to be around $125 and the specialty tools another $100 or so. Thing is, there wouldn't be another bike to overhaul for another 10 yrs. And the bike when done would only be worth $150-$200...with half of the orig bike parts ($150) still potentially needing replacing down the road.

It was just cheaper to buy a slightly used bike with under 100 miles on it. Having to buy the tools made it a bad deal. And I doubt you can get more than 30-50% back on the tools when it comes time to sell.

 

[bioburner]

70 to 100 bucks an hour at most shops can pay for a bunch of tools that as my collection of vehicles and other implements can use. Just a recent repair of my mothers tiller easily paid for the puller I have used several times and the local shop would not be able to get to it for couple weeks and knowing the job was done right. My biggest purchase was a multi purpose welder and tanks etc. Was the slowest payback. Closest smith with a welder is 15 miles away.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
I've yet to regret buying a tool


Me either! I recently paid a trusted mechanic to replace a signal light switch, not because I didn't have the tools, I didn't have the time. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!! If I don't have the tools I'll buy them. I never have any regrets buying tools!

 

[totegoat]

Stores like Auto Zone loan many specialty tools no-charge. I own enough SAE and Metric tools to wrench on my stuff to my ability and don't have a fortune invested in them.

 

[Leo99]

What car tools are so expensive that it would be worth paying someone else to do the job? What kind of work are you talking about?

I paid a garage to change out a fuel pump on my Rav4 because I didn't want to work with gasoline. On occasion, I'll throw parts at a problem if the parts are inexpensive enough. Some jobs are a headache (drum brakes) and it's worth paying someone else to do the work.

 

[dparm]

For me, it's not really a matter of specialty tools. I can rent or borrow those from auto parts stores or fellow owners.

My decision point is often on the perceived difficulty, as some of you have mentioned. For example, my old Audi S4 needed a new serpentine belt, tensioner, and idler pulley as preventative maintenance. The parts were
On my older Acura Integra GS-R, it needed a new clutch after about 90k miles. There was no way I was going to try and do that myself, even if I had the tools and know-how.

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Looked into buying the tools and parts to overhaul my 2005 Raleigh 21 speed road bicycle. The parts were going to be around $125 and the specialty tools another $100 or so. Thing is, there wouldn't be another bike to overhaul for another 10 yrs. And the bike when done would only be worth $150-$200...with half of the orig bike parts ($150) still potentially needing replacing down the road.

It was just cheaper to buy a slightly used bike with under 100 miles on it. Having to buy the tools made it a bad deal. And I doubt you can get more than 30-50% back on the tools when it comes time to sell.


Apples and eggs. Bicycles depreciate like crazy so what you did makes perfect sense. If the parts needed for a car repair equalled 1/2 or more the value of the car we'd think twice about doing it. If cars depreciated like bikes we'd never repair them.

I'm buying a set of wheel weight pliers since I just had a bad experience at Discount Tire.

 

[BalticBob]

Buy all the tools you can afford, best investment ever.
Have them available to loan to your buddies, for beer or mechanic help when you need it.
The garage money is gone when the job is over, like rent money.
If the job is too technical, then a good garage is the best, they should warranty the labor.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

I almost always buy the tools and do it myself, but there are a few jobs I just don't like. I don't know about losing money, I've always come out ahead even after the tool cost, sometimes by a huge amount. It's like buying extended warranties ... either you always buy them or you never buy them, but don't do both, because that's a roll of the dice. You will be money ahead overall once you pick a strategy and stick with it.

 

[Kruse]

The nearest distance that I drive to rent a tool would be at least 30 minutes away, so if I know I'm going to do a specialized job, I buy the tool. While it has been tempting, I've never used a loaner tool from the parts store. (Bummed a few from some fellow techs, however)

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

There are actually three parts to the DYI equation: Free time, ability/know how, and proper tools. (you could add in a decent work space to that as well). Tools are the least important in my opinion

Most regular maintenance jobs can be accomplished with a basic $200 Craftmans mechanic tool set.

http://www.sears.com/tools-tool-sets-mechanics-tool-sets/b-1021346

 

[CT8]

Only you can decide how much you want to spend on tools.

 

[Linctex]

Some specialty tools can be sold for near purchase price, when done.

Look at the spark plug extractor tools for the dreaded Ford 5.4 engine -
There are so many for sale "used" on amazon,
you are only out the shipping costs when done.
Buy it used, use it, sell it used......

An engine hoist is worth it to rent for $60 if you pull ONE engine in your lifetime.
If you use it a couple times a year, BUY one!
Keep it nice, and it will ALWAYS be worth $100-$150+ if you sell at any point in the future.

 

[Silk]

Don't clutter up your garage with tools and pay someone to fix your car - it keeps people like me employed.

 

[TooManyWheels]

I agree with the comment that the cost of the tools is the least important part of the equation. For me, the important question is whether I wish to spend my time that way. The more tools you buy, the more tempted you are to use them. If you aren't careful, that can drag your life in a direction you may not wish.

 

[ajchien]

For me, it's not the parts changing... it's the diagnostics.

Do I have what it takes to confirm the problem, or am I throwing parts at it?