It's a sure sign that you have too many tools when ...

[doug3030]

I was just assembling an Ikea when something happened. :rolleyes:

My thought was "I definitely have too many tools to choose from, so I thought I would start a thread on that.

If you can think of any good humorous or otherwise ways you can tell you have too many tools post them here. Photos of the situation optional but encouraged. :2tsup:

This could be fun. Here's mine from today.

It's a sure sign that you have too many tools when you get out your set of Henry Eckert Auger Gimlets and all you are doing is assembling an Ikea. :C

492769

[BobL]

"It's a sure sign that you have too many tools when" . . . .

You constantly come across tools that you have "never used".

You forget that you have a certain tool and end up buying another one

You start buying some of the same tools that you already have in the shed to keep up in the house or in vehicles.
or worse
You start buying some of the same tools that you already have at one end of the shed to keep in the other end of the shed.

You willingly start lending certain tools because you know if the lender looses or damages it you have another.

You start ranking tools,
- only for my use and hidden so no one knows you have one
- only for my use but visible in the shed
- can be used by anyone but only in my shed.
- can be loaned out
- even my BIL can borrow it
- missus can use this one if she likes
- awaiting donation to a mens shed.
- for next verge collection.

[AJ.]

Sorry but this thread is ridiculous, too many tools........ I am pretty sure that’s just not possible :D

Cheers Andrew

[woodhutt]

When I read the title I thought doug had meant to put this in the joke thread.
Then I was torn between reporting him to the mods and having him sin-binned or perhaps having them contact his nearest and dearest and suggesting they seek medical attention for him.
To cool off, I went out to the shed and counted my chisels (28), my spoke shaves (6), my planes (8)...
I'll leave it there...

Pete

[Huon pine fan]

You know you have too many tools when your shed isn't big enough to add your latest "investment"

[Aussiephil]

My first thought was...

I must have too many tape measures and can always find one to use.... maybe that is the criteria, except for those tidy people who always put stuff away :)

Cheers
Phil

[verawood]

You know you've got too many tools when you buy something you already have but forget/lost sight of. :?

[Chesand]

When clearing out my Father-in-law's garage several years ago, we found nine screwdrivers all the same size so they were spread among the family.

[rrich]

You have too many tools when you see a tool on sale and think "Oh Yes!" But then you realize that you already have one so you even stop reading the ad.

I have MANY one time tools. Each one reminds me of a task that was accomplished with ease.

There was a single one time tool that got used many times. The fuel filter on the Navistar diesel of the F-250 has a special nut on the top and it requires a special short socket. Yeah I used it several times. IIRC it cost $44. Assuming that if the dealer changed my fuel filter, the labor cost would have been many times that over the 10 or 15 filter changes.

[tonzeyd]

when you spend more time shopping for tools than actually spend making something
or in my case when i spend more time maintaining than i actually have to use them.

[BobL]

when you spend more time shopping for tools than actually spend making something
or in my case when i spend more time maintaining than i actually have to use them.

The more machines and tools you have the more maintenance time is required is dead right.

When I had a single tool box and bench consisting of two cardboard boxes and a door there was practically nothing to maintain and I was spending 99% of my time making stuff. These days I always seem to be doing the opposite ie spend 99% of my time farting around with stuff.

My work boss and I often spent time discussing "mean time between failures". If something fails on average once every 20 years and you only have one thing then you should have 19 years when nothing happens. OTOH if you have 1000 things and they all fail on average once every 20 years than means you will have 50 things a year to attend to. I know that's a very simplistic approach because maintenance also depends on things like quality and usage time but it seems to apply more often than I would like it to.

[riverbuilder]

Who’s Henry Eckert?

[Handyjack]

You have too many tools when you see a tool on sale and think "Oh Yes!" But then you realize that you already have one so you even stop reading the ad.

I have MANY one time tools. Each one reminds me of a task that was accomplished with ease.

There was a single one time tool that got used many times. The fuel filter on the Navistar diesel of the F-250 has a special nut on the top and it requires a special short socket. Yeah I used it several times. IIRC it cost $44. Assuming that if the dealer changed my fuel filter, the labor cost would have been many times that over the 10 or 15 filter changes.

I saw an ad for a Makita cordless jigsaw for $39 + postage yesterday. A ridicules' price. Tempted to buy but I already have one. (New retail is $200+.)

[DomAU]

When you can no longer even justify another tool purchase to yourself - let alone your wife (that ship sailed over the horizon long ago haha).

Cheers, Dom

[Bushmiller]

When you see a toolbox hidden under something else and wonder "What is in that one?" (happened to me yesterday.)

When you have an angle grinder for each of cut-off discs, sanding discs, grinding discs, flap disc, polishing pad etc..

Regards
Paul

[Aussiephil]

When you have an angle grinder for each of cut-off discs, sanding discs, grinding discs, flap disc, polishing pad etc..

Regards
Paul

Actually that is NOT a case of too many tools rather it is a completely sensible use of available resources in an efficient manner to provide timely access to the required tool without delay!

:):):)

Cheers
Phil

[Bushmiller]

Actually that is NOT a case of too many tools rather it is a completely sensible use of available resources in an efficient manner to provide timely access to the required tool without delay!

:):):)

Cheers
Phil

Phew! Panic attack averted. Equilibrium re-established. Time to go looking for more angle grinders.

Regards
Paul

PS: Is ten days sufficient respite between purchases?

[chambezio]

OK I will admit that collecting tools is very much in my DNA. I really do need to have a giant tidy up of my shed so that I can find those tools that I have bought and forgotten about. (I think there will be more than I think there are) I have a Kerf Master sitting on my desk here in front of me. I paid $24 for it new maybe a year ago. To use it I will need to have the computer on hand to tell me how to use it. Yes it was an impulse buy because the proper brand was some where about $100. It is well made and finished and resides in its own metal box with shaped foam packing.
Every morning sitting here in front of the computer I get lists of the latest tools on special from Hare and Forbes, Timbecon, Carba-Tec, Total Tools and a couple others. I waste a lot of time looking through the offerings. Only sometimes do I think "I need that". I just can't bring myself to use the "Unsubscribe" button.
If I did......I might miss a "bargain".....yes I have too many tools

[woodPixel]

Chambezio, those kerf makers are FANTASTIC. It sure feels like you are solving a Rubiks cube at first, but after a few times it really makes sense and works incredibly well.

Marvellous invention.


Confession time! I am a sinner too.

My failing is I'll have "Tool with 2 accessories" .... then I see a second-hand "Tool with THREE accessories" ... and will buy the whole damned thing just to get the extra widget. I have convinced myself it gives me Extra Capacity.

Its all a lie of course, but I can live with it :)

[doug3030]

I have convinced myself it gives me Extra Capacity.

I can relate to that. Having the ability or capacity to do something is far more important than actually doing it. :rolleyes:

[Simplicity]

Are we all just feeding off each other hear, I’m really only asking for a friends of a friend.

Cheers Matt.

[John Saxton]

Who’s Henry Eckert?

Henry Eckert Toolworks – henry eckert toolworks (https://www.thetoolworks.com.au/)

[DomAU]

I can relate to that. Having the ability or capacity to do something is far more important than actually doing it. :rolleyes:

Ah! Funny but also very true! I can't be the only one that's day-dreamed about making something and then when planning it in my head I realise I don't have the necessary tool for a particular operation. Then I can't get it out of my head that I need that tool/capability - even if that project is a long way off or I will never end up doing it. Knowing that you can / have the capability to do something allows you to enjoy planning/daydream on making it (and a million other things) even if you never do haha.

Cheers, Dom

[Jeffen]

Chambezio,

My dear old Mum always said "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!""

She's not a wood worker but might be in her next life!

Cheers, Jeff


OK I will admit that collecting tools is very much in my DNA. I really do need to have a giant tidy up of my shed so that I can find those tools that I have bought and forgotten about. (I think there will be more than I think there are) I have a Kerf Master sitting on my desk here in front of me. I paid $24 for it new maybe a year ago. To use it I will need to have the computer on hand to tell me how to use it. Yes it was an impulse buy because the proper brand was some where about $100. It is well made and finished and resides in its own metal box with shaped foam packing.
Every morning sitting here in front of the computer I get lists of the latest tools on special from Hare and Forbes, Timbecon, Carba-Tec, Total Tools and a couple others. I waste a lot of time looking through the offerings. Only sometimes do I think "I need that". I just can't bring myself to use the "Unsubscribe" button.
If I did......I might miss a "bargain".....yes I have too many tools

[Five Thumbs]

you go to a good hand tool shop and realise you don't need anything:roll:

[woodPixel]

you go to a good hand tool shop and realise you don't need anything:roll:

Pure theoretical fiction. You've just described a factual impossibility. :)

[crowie]

:2tsup:
Sorry but this thread is ridiculous, too many tools........ I am pretty sure that’s just not possible :D

Cheers Andrew

:2tsup: Absolutely :2tsup:

[Chief Tiff]

That's an impossibility.