Tools you really dont need, but want, and buy anyway...
 

Today, I feel like a kid in a candy store...

Planning to go out and buy a plasma cutter. Just getting a cheap Chinese one, cant justify the big buck items. building a roll cage/bar, and really wanted one :)...

I already have an expensive miller tig and mig...

Anyone else buy tools, "just because"?

I also have a scissor lift, but REALLY want a 2 post lift... don't really need one.... Hmmmm.....

Bo

Tools= Big Boy Toys ;)

This could be a great thread.

I have crossed the Rubicon with regards to buying tools. There is no worse feeling than not having the right tool. I will buy missing tools after a job is done, just so I have it for next time. It simply makes no sense to engage in this hobby without being prepared to buy the right tools. The despite what "just a socket set" people say, it seems like there is an infinite number of tools one can need. I have built up a fairly complete set over the last few years. I love it.

Yep, I am addicted...

I think I have 10 of everything, though its unintentional... you build up a big collection with time...

A mig/tig/plasma starts getting into the big boy toys...

Love my sandblasting cabinet...

Just built a powdercoating oven...

Short of a milling machine and lathe... I am running out of things I "need" :) .

Best thing I've ever bought was a Schumacher battery charger, simply for the amount of use it has gotten.

Most recently I bought a set of extended handle box end wrenches. So nice for the extra torque. I did not need them but for twenty something bucks at Harbor Freight I just could not resist.

As for impact wrenches, I have 3 or 4. Most have never seen the light of day outside the box, but were part of a package deal with the other tool that I needed at the time.

Most oddball is the Audi nut tool needed for upper strut bearings. It has a special place in the toolbox but has not been used since an Audi has not been in my garage since 1997ish.

Also new is a 90 degree drill adapter. That thing rocks.

Great thread!!

Just thought of another great tool, two actually...

Gas powered 50cc post digger. $200. Ihave used it for posts, digging holes for plumbing, basketball poles, trees, landscaping, etc... Awesome bang for the buck...

Also, bought one of those chainsaws on a stick for $150. Spliced in an aluminum pole that's used for painting. Now, I have a 30ft reach... This little saw just keeps going and going. Can't believe how many branches I have trimmed, or trees that I have cut down with it (good medium sized trees/medium oaks, etc).

Both tools have paid for themselves 20x over... yet, seemed like silly purchases at the time...

Air wrenches, yes they are nice to have but I really don't need them because I'm not wrenching away everyday. Most the time I see them, then think about the turning on the loud compressor, and say forget it.

And this baby. A 62mm crescent wrench. Why?? Because it exists.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471033463.jpg

I was gonna post a picture of my 36 mm combo wrench, but it would just be shamed by Matthew's wrench above...

Who Doesn't
 

Uhh - yea

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/631556-i-love-tools.html

Plasma cutter would be fun...

Gordo

Hi,
I bought a lathe.
Always dreamed about one.
Have only used once, lol.
But... It is mine.

Thanks.

Anything Snap-On

-e.

I actually need to downsize.... or open a rental company

Garage: Tig, Mig, Plasma, metal bandsaw, glass bead cabinet, 2 & 4 post lift
Basement: Milling machine, a few lathes, drill press, various woodworking including table saw & shaper.
Plastic Printer(homemade) and many tools used in home construction (scaffolding, laser levels, tile wetsaw, ladders)
Kubota tractor, with attachments, and a Bobcat Mini excavator

Bought the Stomski DigiDix (rotary digital encoder) as opposed to using my old $15 degree wheel I bought 40 years ago.
I then set out and bought darn near every 911 timing tool Steve sells.

They are cooler than cool.
Not as cool as a plasma cutter though....

I'm looking forward to when HF starts carrying petri dishes and stem cells

I want a tractor.

Held off for years because i just didn't have room in the shop for it, but then i started a project where i really needed a metal band saw. Bought the $260 one from Harbor Freight. I love the damn thing. Works better than i had expected, and really no complaints. Use it all the time.

For leverage, I have a 3/8" breaker bar and it's a great tool.
It's smaller than a full sized 1/2" breaker that I use for breaking lugs.

I also have something like this extra long flex head ratchet

Please post a link to your 90 degree drill adapter.

I don't lament the oddball 1-time use. If you never use it again, that's ok.
You used it once, it saved a lot of grief. It did its work, and already paid for itself.

Have you considered getting a cordless electric impact wrench? Milwaukee is a popular one. Comes in 3/8 and 1/2, the latter being larger and more powerful.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2763-22-Inch-Impact-Wrench/dp/B00GFUA7FC

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring Kit-2754-22 - The Home Depot

There is something to unpack in that statement. You bought it for a reason even though you have no actual use case at the present time. This is the voice of experience talking.

The first level of DIY is to have tools for the job at hand. That is how you build it up.

But the next level is to have tools for jobs you haven't even yet done.
If I do a project and realize there was a certain tool that would have made it easier, I buy it after the job.
No questions asked. If I never use it, that's ok. It's now a matter of principle.
Almost every time I've done this, I've eventually used the tool in the future, and I've never regretted buying a tool yet.

This mindset has filled out my tools and made this a much more gratifying hobby.
It's a great feeling to be prepared. My projects have gotten so much smoother over the last year since my tools are more complete.
Proper tools are the lynchpin of this hobby. Do it right, or don't bother playing the game. You will not enjoy yourself. It's hard enough as it is. Why handicap yourself?

My pliers drawers below. What can I say - I like Knipex pliers.

My first tool purchase was in the '60s - the $49 Craftsman set that came in red tool box with the pull out tray. Funny, it didn't have any pliers.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471094541.jpg

The drill attachment is from Milescraft Drill 90. The first time I saw one was on Wheeler Dealers when they were doing the 911 Targa. Edd was taking off the chrome wheel arches and used one of these to drill out the rivets. When I was doing a home reno project this summer I had a situation that was not going to allow using a hammer and I remembered this thing and saved me loads of work and aggravation.

The red handle attaches to give leverage at the 90 degree angle. Got it from Home Depot for about 20 Bones

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471097366.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471097520.jpg

Common trait.......
 

I think many of us have a common trait or tendency (behavioral) in our genes. And I could easily relate my experience with these people too. I have four (4) engine stands including one built by Mainely and 4 engine yokes (P-201) as of today. And looking for another one to buy. Anyone got one for sale? My inventory of Stomski special tools is getting bigger too. Yet, I consider my self cheap and frugal. I buy some of my clothes from thrift (used) stores.

Tony

Best tool I ve found is the Snapon MG725 3/8 impact
Light and very powerful and less than half price on Craigslist as I choked on the $429.00 on the truck.
Bruce

I love tools too - have fully stocked wood shop, metal shop, and yard care - I even have a tractor (backhoe!). More importantly, I love using them and am able to create wonderful things with them. I could use a digital printer I think.

Almost forgot about this gem. HF for $200 then sold it when basement was completed. 1 man wrecking crew for hanging drywall on ceiling and potential a marriage saver...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471102221.png


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471102286.png

Sorry about multi images, one big one exceed limit

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471102525.jpg

Now who wouldn't want that tractor?? Awesome.

I can be a spoiler here
Rob @ dC Auto has a big Porsche tractor

A couple of months ago my son asked me to build the engine for his new Ultra4 4400 class racer. I thought about it for a while as I have two Porsches jammed into my townhouse garage along with two workbenches and a lot of tools. Oh yeah, my 964 engine is currently out and apart, so both benches had Porsche parts all over them. And, I was just finishing my term as Rotary Club president, and I own and run a small business. So, of course I said yes!

In return for taking away all my free time and a lot of my sleep, I treated myself to some new engine tools. First, I bought myself the best valve spring compressor I could find. For decades, I have used an old Craftsman lever type compressor, but it was always a struggle with heavier springs. This new one is great. Adjustable on both sides with ball bearings on both the foot that presses on the valve head as well as the cage that presses on the spring retainer. Absolutely a breeze to install the big double springs on that 6.2L engine.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471107988.jpg
I also bought myself a nice bore gage and a set of top quality telescoping Gage's to replace the HF ones I have been using. They're both Mitutoyo and the bore gage is advertised as being accurate down to .0001".
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471108170.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471108195.jpg
Finally, I bought a little piston ring grinder. This really made the ring gap filing much easier. If I were doing this daily, I would buy one of the electric grinders that measures how much you are taking off, but this hand grinder is much better than filing the rings by hand.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471108457.jpg
Anyway, the big 6.2L V8 is now done and gone, and my term as Rotary president is over so now it's time to use these new tools on my 3.6 overhaul (along with some of the new Stomski tools that I have purchased!).

Some updates...

So, I bought a Cut 50 plasma cutter yesterday. Normally $280 on eBay or Amazon. A Miller would cost me $1500... An Eastwood $600...

I heard these thing are notoriously crappy. 20% failure rate on arrival, Yada, Yada..

Well, found a repair shop in Milwaukee that buys these things in bulk, tests them, replaces some of the failure prone components, and sells them for $375.

Took a chance, went to the guys house, and bought it... The guy warranties it for a year...

Talking to the repair guy was interesting. He said the cheap chineses plasma cutters do fail. But the parts to fix them are a couple bucks tops. Buying parts for a Miller or hyperthermia run $400+++.

He charges 50$ to fix it if it breaks out of warranty...

That said, this thing is a hoot. There is something super cool about a $375 plasma cutter. Cuts great, no issues...

As an aside, almost started my garage on fire. Was cutting and smelled smoke. A tiny bit of slag flew 5 feet and landed on some pvc piping and started it on fire...

Ah, life's adventures...

What are you going to cut?

Iv got my eye on those Kreg automaxx clamps. They are like vice grips but adjust automatic to the size. Really tempting

It was on sale baby, yea!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471145768.jpg

Tractor
 

+1

Safety tip: don't use a plasma cutter while wearing shorts and sandals. Don't ask me how I know. :rolleyes:

Sweet Sounds of Milwaukee
 

Got this today. Getting ready to add a wall and must attach it to concrete floor. This should be fun!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471206532.jpg

MILWAUKEE, ASSENMACHER, SNAP-ON, STOMSKI all USA manufactured -- Best way to go......

Most of my hand tools are Snap-On as well but I've got some great tools from MAC, Matco, Cornwell, Hazet, Stahlwille, Facom, S&K, Gedore, Hayco, Herbrand, Elora, Dowadit, Proto, Craftsman Professional, Bonney, Utica and others.

Like the rest of the posters, I love tools! :D

Custom made roll bar... Bought a used auto power that was supposed to fit my car, wasn't even close. Too tall, and rear mounts didn't match up...

So, making custom mounts to the sills, and custom rear mounts that attach at two point... Plan to add seat brace brackets too...

Cut off wheels are slooowww...

This thing is a hoot. Ran it on 115v and it was cutting pretty crappy. Ran it on 220 at 50 amps and holy moly....

Ran it over 3/8 inch steel, and it just sliced right through it... It supposed to go way thicker, but this is the thickest I would ever cut...

The guy selling these is on Milwaukee craigslist, just search for plasma cutter...

He charges $100 more than buying straight from a Chinese distributor, but he makes sure it works...

Loving this thing... If you get one don't bother with 115 v... Go straight to 220 unless you are cutting sheet metal.

That's a lotta tool for $375...

Bo

I want a Tractor too....A Minneapolis-Moline would be ever so nice.