One of them tools that you would only need once....

[Slammed70]

I didnt buy a tool because I figured I would only need it once, that and I wanted some booze money left over for the drive home from the parts store.

For me that tool is some plug wire stripper/crimpers. And I have needed them about 15 times now and I still havent bought one because everytime I do a job needing them I keep telling myself this is the last time I will ever do this. Bad thing is they are only about $40 and are worth their weight in gold.

I think a tranny jack will fit in there somewhere too....

Who else has been this way about a tool?

[68gmsee]

Tie rod end removing tool for me. Finally bought one and have loaned it out more than I've used it.

Finally bought a code reader after getting tired of taking my old Tahoe to Auto Zone. Used it a few times and traded the Tahoe in for a new Trailblazer last year. Again, have loaned it out more than I used it. Mostly to B.I.L.

Now wife is still on me for buying a new $600 tiller that I used once and sits in the garage. That's one I should NOT have bought.

Sho/ hate to borrow or rent.

[Rokcrln]

I hear what you are saying about only using it once but I am the kind of person that will buy any tool that I need even if is only once. Because of this I have almost every tool I could ever need for when I open my shop some day. The only down side is I am in need of my third 5' tall 4' wide tool box to house everything My next big tools will be a 5' wide shear and 5' wide box break.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Bishops Trucks]

I like tools no matter how little I use them. My wife calls me a "Tool Whore". I'm always buying tools weather I need them or not.

[cdowns]

i'm a tool lover too and rarely hesitate when it comes to buying a quality tool

[sleepyboy]

NO such thing as too many tools.

[Pyrotechnic]

Sometimes that one time tool is still cheaper that one time payment of having else do it, and you get to keep the tool.

[Psycho71]

I live 30 minutes from the closest parts house, 2 of them actually. And 45minutes from addittional parts houses/tool suppliers. If I need it, I buy it. I'd much rather have it at home, and not use it, than have to stop in the middle of something and spend an hour or more trying to get the tool I need. I still have a mag base, and dial indicator sitting in the shop that got used once to set the gears up in my rear end. I can't think of anything else I'll ever use it for.

I will rent on occaision, but only those really big ticket items I know I don't need collecting dust/rust.

I'm known as a tool whore myself. And a tackle whore when it comes to fishing. And a gear whore when it comes to hunting. Hmm, maybe there's a pattern here. Nah, just neccessity.

Jay

[OLDCHEV4X4]

I'm in this boat too. If it's a J tool and i cant buy one or borrow one, i'll make one. Like the oil pump pick-up installation tool. Or the special spanner that tightens the input shaft nut on a power steering box. Or the posi clutch installation tool. Or the........
Sometimes its just easier to buy it than make it.

[ND_guy]

My avatar says it all.

[Billla]

I put off a lot of tools based on price, but last year I kind of "gave up" and figured having an "OK" quality tool for a purpose vs. none at all was OK...and it's made a major difference in my reality

Tools that I waited way too long to buy:

- Sawzall; made me rail at myself for all those times with a hacksaw.
- Bore gauge; reduced initial assessment and final assembly time by many hours
- Spark plug crimper I bought the MSD tool, and it really is a world-changer.

Outside of the automotive universe, my top two picks would be my table saw, drill press and router.

Next year I'm buying a smaller 3-in-one (drill press/mill/lathe), either a Smithy or something else.

[panhandler62]

I have a specialized wrench that puts the big threaded ring on the bottom of sink drain fittings.

Used it one time. can't see where it's likely to be usefull again.

[mrein3]

I work down in the suburbs northwest of Minneapolis. Down there they have a tool store called "Tried and True". They sell used tools. It is the best place on the planet! Quality, slightly used tools for one half to one fourth the cost of new. I was just in there the other day and left my name for an AC evacuation pump. The next one that comes in they'll call me.

I have a picture of a couple of the tools I waited way too long to buy (I've posted this picture once before).
1. Distributor wrench says snap-on and came from Tried and True. The used price at T and T was $15. The online catalog price for new is $48.50.
2. Brake bleeder wrench.
3. GM door handle/window crank spring clip remover.
All these tools were bought way to late in my life. You can get by without all of the tools in the picture - but I won't.

[Ace in the hole]

I would much rather buy the tool I need than borrow it. My luck is such that anything I borrow always seems to break

[MercPowered]

Hmmmm...One of them tools that you would only need once....
http://tinyurl.com/2hzshb

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'm a tool lover too and rarely hesitate when it comes to buying a quality tool

....and this is the crux of the issue. Quality tools......cost more, but will be there for you when you need 'em. However, I have a Snap-On 1/2x3/8 adapter for sockets, that I broke....a long time ago....still waiting to hook up with a Snap-On tool guy.

Tools that we think will do the job ONE TIME, seldom will do the job even once, I have learned. I hate when a tool breaks and I didn't do anything to abuse or misuse it.

Took a 3-inch bench vise back to Sears, waaaaay back in '72, because it was bent. I worked with a guy who had a pair of those shoes with the high heels (he weren't gay, either...it was the style), who chucked his shoe heel in the vise and tightened it up...trying to re-attach the shoe to the heel. When the heel kept moving, he tightened it up and bent the jaws of the vise out to about a 30-degree angle. Where I worked just tossed it out. I knew that Sears would replace it, retrieved it and took it to them and got a new vise, no questions asked. Gave it away, later.

[Yeller68]

I bought a 1 9/16" forstner bit. And have only used it once. And I'll bet I'm not the only person on here who has one slightly used...

[AuggieStyle]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

I have a specialized wrench that puts the big threaded ring on the bottom of sink drain fittings.

Used it one time. can't see where it's likely to be usefull again.

i have one of those too, during xmas went to afriends house and he was puting in a disposal and new sink. i went all the way back home 15min both ways just so he could use it. i just have to get my moneys worth........

[OrangeCrush1970]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

I hear what you are saying about only using it once but I am the kind of person that will buy any tool that I need even if is only once. Because of this I have almost every tool I could ever need for when I open my shop some day. The only down side is I am in need of my third 5' tall 4' wide tool box to house everything My next big tools will be a 5' wide shear and 5' wide box break.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Where to you live and is your neighbor's house for sale? HA!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Yeller68

I bought a 1 9/16" forstner bit. And have only used it once. And I'll bet I'm not the only person on here who has one slightly used...

Hmm.... 35mm euro hinge bit! Yep but I used mine for tons of wood projects. I was probaly the only guy to have a 78 Mini Wini motor home with custom cabnits all running 35mm's.

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush1970

Where to you live and is your neighbor's house for sale? HA!

No it is not for sale but it is open 6am-2am! "Irish Pub" "Hey hun I will be right back I'll be at the neighbors for a bit"


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[jhow66]

My son conned his wife into getting him a plasma cutter for Xmas. It's in "my" garage. He he.

[LockDoc]

-
My wife gets so mad at me. She never gets a chance to buy me any tools for Christmas or birthdays. If I want something I just go out and buy it. I bought a 60 LED hand held, rechargeable trouble light just before Christmas... I have so many tools I can't remember what all I have.

LockDoc

[Shane]

Used once? Heck, I've got tools that I've YET to use ... but I got 'em when I do need 'em.

I'm a sucker for a low price.

[Slammed70]

I finally bought the tool after all the feedback. Turned a job that usually takes me a few hours into about 15 mins.

[72gord]

Just got one of those infared thermometers from Sears....didn't know how much I would use it but wanted one anyhow. My son and I used it to figure out an intermittent misfire in his car, one exhaust port was over 100 degrees cooler than the rest....well worth the $50 already