Ever buy tools & not use them?

[Kev Godwin]

I did some heavy duty shop cleaning and rearranging this last weekend and began to realize I have serious case of TD (Tool Disease). I buy tools and equipment just because I find good deals or something really appeals to me; not because I really need such a tool.

A small example of what I haven't used includes a new compressor, 2 high-end circular saws, a Delta tenoning jig, several table saw blades, more router bit sets than I care to say, a belt sander, 6 inch grinder, 2 detail sanders, mortise attachment for DP, and so on and so on....

I already have many tools that fill my needs for what I already like to build. I realize I am fortunate that I can make such purchases but I am running into a space problem now.

(I have the same problem with fishing poles, 44 at last count.)

My wife told me the first step to recovery is admitting I have a problem. Yes, my name is Kev, and I have TD. Anyone else suffering from TD?;)
Kev

[harry strasil]

My problem is salvaged material, LOL

[David DeCristoforo]

You have a "disorder", not a "disease". The correct term for what you have is "Tool Acquisition Disorder". It is good that you have faced up to having a "problem" and your wife is correct in her statement that this is the first step to recovery. I believe there is a "twelve step" program for this.

One effective cure is to force your self to actually use the tools. Many who suffer from this disorder are cured as soon as they realize that every time they acquire a new tool, they have to do some work. This has proven to be an effective "aversion therapy".

Another "technique" is to set a limit on the number of tools you allow yourself to own. What that means is that every time you acquire a new tool, you have to get rid of one you already own. This does not actually "cure" the disorder. In fact many experts feel that this "enables" the disorder by permitting the affected person to continue to indulge his "tool gluttony". But is does address the storage space problem.

You can also try a treatment in which you must think of and design a project that can be completed only with the tools you currently own that have not yet been used. Often, this creates such a strong mental strain that the "victim" simply becomes distracted and forgets all about buying new tools.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Of course the alternative treatment is:


1. Sell all your tools
2. Move to California and borrow David DeCristoforo's tools:eek:

PM me for his address....:rolleyes:

[David DeCristoforo]

"...borrow David DeCristoforo's tools..."

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Actually, I have a few I would not mind selling myself....

[Roger Jensen]

I rarely regret buying a tool I purchase to do a specific job - I can look around my shop and associate the first project I bought a tool for. It seems like if I need a tool once I'll probably use it again on other projects. It probably suits the way I work.

The items sitting around gathering dust are the "cool" things I see in email offers from Rockler, Woodcraft, Woodpecker, etc. and buy without a real need. I have nothing against these companies at all - they are good companies and sell great products. I just seem to have a fair amount of things I've purchased from them that seemed interesting in the email/catalog but I can't justify digging out of the drawer when I could use it.

Roger

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I use EVERY tool at least once. When I take it out of the box and look at it......:)

I know I have 2 engravers somewhere. I bought the second one just before I found the first one that I was looking for for weeks. Now I can't find either. Again. LOL.

[Vic Damone]

I bought the Dial-A-Dado. I didn't realize the arbor on my table saw was too short for the tool. Instead of returning it, it's become a motivator to upgrade the from the contractor saw.

[Mark Elmer]

Steps two through twelve are to send any surplus tools to me! :D

[Myk Rian]

Anyone else suffering from TD?

Well DUH. I'm a guy. Of course I buy things I don't use.

[Cliff Holmes]

What a ridiculous notion. NO man has tools he hasn't used, they're just tools he hasn't used YET.

[Pat Germain]

I bought a Porter Cable dovetail jig when I first got back into woodworking three years ago. I have yet to use it. I now realize I need an adjustable dovetail jig. That will be a much nicer and more impressive jig which I won't use.

[Peter Quinn]

It seemed I had the disorder when I first started setting up shop and changing careers. I bought a lot of things I "envisioned" I might need as a professional wood worker but would not be able to afford once I left my reasonable rate of pay to become a poor apprentice in a new field. One such item that comes to mind is a Lie Nielson Scrub plane. Beautiful piece of work I have yet to put in a single piece of wood. In fact i have a number of old hand planes that I have been reconditioning and putting into service as my facility with hand planes and my fondness for them grows, but for a time it seemed the collection was far outpacing any actual need.

Anyway, at a certain point I decided I was done. I will not buy ANY tools or tooling for which there is not a specific need and without which I cannot proceed. It turns out you can do most things with very little. Now I generally buy a tool AFTER I have found a work around so I will be able to work more efficiently and pleasantly the next time. Did you catch that little justification? Seems I am not cured but I have at least become functional using a sort of "pay it forward" strategy. Build first, buy second.

[Cary Falk]

I fall into the category of "I haven't used yet". Finding a tool that you need on sale when you need it is a hard thing to do. I sold a few things that I bought and never used only to find out that I could have used it the following week. No more selling of tools unless I upgrade. I am into woodworking to justify my tool collecting. You can never have too many tools!!!!!

[John Thompson]

Over 38 years.. with the exception of a PC biscuit joiner... no.

PS.. want to buy a PC biscuit joiner used once? ;)

[Chris Harry]

Ive bought plenty of tools because they appealed to me, or I got a good deal on.

There are NEVER any BAD tool purchases. Ive run into a bunch of projects that went a lot easier just because of the tools I bought that appealed to me or that I got a good deal on. Once you make your job easier with something you bought forever ago, you feel very justified in your purchases.

Even the wife is sorta impressed now, when I can say "hey this would make it easier", run down to the basement and come back with it.

[Augusto Orosco]

Over 38 years.. with the exception of a PC biscuit joiner... no.

PS.. want to buy a PC biscuit joiner used once? ;)

If it is the 557 7.5 Amp I would be interested... PM me if you want to be my enabler :p )

[Larry Fox]

(I have the same problem with fishing poles, 44 at last count.)


To me, this is the more impressive stat. I have about 10 and never let them all appear in the same spot at the same time lest SWMBO see the size of the collection and start asking questions.

[Sean Hughto]

I have some tools I thought I wanted and needed, but later came to realize I don't for the ways I like to work. My Powermatic 54 (6" jointer) and my router table come to mind. Acquired inthe days before turning strongly to handplanes.

[Jim O'Dell]

That's a disorder? I thought that was a hobby!! Don't tell my wife, PLEASE!!!! :D
I got my MM E16 bandsaw and Clear View cyclone about 17 months before I had electricity in the shop! I have a Delta 22-580 planer now for over 4 hears. Finally got it out of the box and built a stand for it last Spring. Still haven't even fired it up. For all I know, it was dead out of the box. I've only used the E16 sparingly in the last 5 years. But these were all items that were on introductory or close out sales, and it made sense to get them. If I waited to purchase them until I had power to run them, it would have cost me $1100.00 more than it did. Jim.

[Gary Herrmann]

Does it count if you do this with wood? Like you see a chunk of amazing burl and think of the vase, box etc you could make.

Of course not, what a silly question on my part.

[Jerome Hanby]

You have a "disorder", not a "disease". The correct term for what you have is "Tool Acquisition Disorder".

That's a TAD hasty:p

[Matt Evans]

I Don't buy to many tools that never get used. Every once in a while I will buy a set of something, and very rarely use one or two items in the set, but by and large the tools I buy are used frequently.

But then, I also don't have a lot of money to throw around either, so that probably keeps the purchases I would otherwise make at a minimum. If I need a tool I buy it, if I get a tool that I think will work for some purpose or another, and it doesn't perform the way I want, I get rid of it and buy what I actually need.

That being said, eventually I will buy a Sauer & Steiner plane or three, and get a Clark & Williams set of moulding planes, items that, while they will be used, might be there for occasional use, rather than the daily use my Stanleys and other woodies see.

[William M Johnson]

I hate to be dense but I don't understand the problem. I have always been under the impression that he who dies with the most tools wins. By the way all you guys are in second place. I do wood and metal working and gunsmithing.

[Tom Walz]

I bought a woodpecker brand T square at AWFS. Don’t need it and probably won’t use it but it is just so pretty. Looks good next to the Bridge City T square I bought for the same reason.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Yah I have but they were used tools.

[Steve Kohn]

Is it still called TAD when you keep upgrading?

Let's see, I am on may 3rd table saw, my 2nd planer, my 3rd jointer, my 2nd and 3rd bandsaw (I use both).......

[John Lucas]

I won't get any sympathy from this croud...my disorder is a TAD different. In that I review products I have way too much of anything or everything. 28 routers, 8 dovetail jigs,...you get the idea. I will start boxing stuff and sell on craigs list or wait until I pass on and let my wife do it. Latter is very tempting.
jrl

[Garth Keel]

Every time my cats say no, I don't buy the tool!:D

And I have to agree with Jim, If I know I will eventually need a tool, and its on sale, explain to the cats and, with permission, go for it! :p

[Ben Hatcher]

I have a few that I completely intend to use buy haven't gotten around to putting them together yet. If I take too much longer, I think that I'll put a bow on the box and give them back to myself for Christmas.

[Mike Cruz]

I have STD (Super Tool Disorder). Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that...

[Tim Reagan]

The Powermatic bench top mortiser 4-5 years ago. It was when amazon had for about $240, bought chisels, but not one mortise has been undertaken with it.

[Brent Smith]

Never bought a tool I didn't need (or MIGHT need in the future :))

[Will Blick]

This is a hilarious thread, thanks for starting it....

I too have TAD... Daves explanation was so precise, I thought he copied it from a Medical book :-(

But in all fairness, there is nothing more rewarding than having the right tool for a job. Nothing pisses me off more than not having the proper wrench when working on my car / Rv... makes you want to buy the complete set so this never happens again :-)

For ww, many of us are just as fascinated with using tools, trying tools, testing tools, looking at the tools.....sometimes the final product is a justification for buying / using the tools.... not the other way around..... you know, those projects we "might" build.

Nothing wrong with that, assuming its not taking food off the table :-) Just think of all the worse habits you can have, like booze, drugs, gambling, high end dating :-), or other high end hobbies that puts ww tool cost to shame...

Now, does anyone feel better?

[Rod Sheridan]

I did some heavy duty shop cleaning and rearranging this last weekend and began to realize I have serious case of TD (Tool Disease). I buy tools and equipment just because I find good deals or something really appeals to me; not because I really need such a tool.

A small example of what I haven't used includes a new compressor, 2 high-end circular saws, a Delta tenoning jig, several table saw blades, more router bit sets than I care to say, a belt sander, 6 inch grinder, 2 detail sanders, mortise attachment for DP, and so on and so on....

I already have many tools that fill my needs for what I already like to build. I realize I am fortunate that I can make such purchases but I am running into a space problem now.

(I have the same problem with fishing poles, 44 at last count.)

My wife told me the first step to recovery is admitting I have a problem. Yes, my name is Kev, and I have TD. Anyone else suffering from TD?;)
Kev

Are you daft????

Bringing logic and rationality to a hobby???:D

Who ever heard of such of a thing.........Regards, Rod.

[Gene Howe]

...all of them are good. Some are better than others.
There the likenesses end....for me. I quit collecting women.

[Will Blick]

Gene, so therefore, you have lots of extra coinage for tools? ;-)

JUSTIFIED!

[Mike Cruz]

Hey, what's wrong with booze?!?!?!?!?!

[Bruce Wrenn]

Certainly not me! Twenty eight routers, five tables saws, including a Uni that I have never cut a board on, four planers (two 12" delta lunch boxes, a Rockwell 13" monster, and Delta 15"), two Grizzly 6" jointers, three 14" Delta band saws, four Sears Model 100 RAS, along with a Delta 12", four drill presses. Saw blades too numerous to list, but including two WWI's, one of which hasn't been used, four dado sets- the list goes on.

[Larry Rasmussen]

Hey I don't technically have the disease. I have a disorder involving time warps. My projects are lined up two-three, ok 4 years out sometimes. But in each case with each one at any given time I'll be starting it within the month, just gotta get the tools and wood organized. Thank heavens for Craig's list. If I'm tripping over it and it's not in use, its gone.

Funny topic thanks,
Larry

[Joe Mioux]

Considering where the stock market is compared to money I spent on tools....

I think the tools have given me a better ROI if I were to sell them.

joe

[Matthew Hills]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested inoculation -- buying a lesser tool in the hopes of warding off the bigger tool purchase you are worried about.

Matt

[Erik Frederiksen]

Ummm, I'm in the market for a Leigh D4R, hint hint

[Bruce Wrenn]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested inoculation -- buying a lesser tool in the hopes of warding off the bigger tool purchase you are worried about.

MattWhen you buy a "lesser tool", you still wind up buying bigger/better one. Then you have to get rid of lesser tool, usually at a loss. Spend your money once.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,
Most fishing gear is aimed at catching fishermen & not fish.
Why should tools be any different?
;)

Now - you want to talk about having $$ tied up in things....
I have this really nice custom knife (Darrel Ralph) locked up in the safe.
It's right between the two Browning Hi-Powers & the Colt Commander....

[Keith Christopher]

I sleep well at night knowing, that if I needed to do that special one time cut I could. I might not.....but I could if I wanted to. I call it tool diversity.

[jason lambert]

SImple answer YES! And stop trying to make me regret it. Just kiddin. It is like everything else I am in the IT field I don't know how many people over buy laptops I woudl say about 85% sold are more than people need. At least with my tool they don't really outdate and last forever. There are worst way to loose money.

[MIKE BRAD]

Hi kev,

I understand your situation. Actually, we often costs a lot money to bought something, but we will found that its not in urgent to need after we got it, even want to abandon it. However, you can change your mind and too good to throw away. Maybe you can:
1.Sell it
2.To borrow it for person, whom need it

wish your health and happiness.
http://www.snagpic.com/users/img/4092/n09x0302vnsn/cl
ear.gif

[george wilson]

Too many tools is a major problem in my shop. I am the kind of person who works in many different directions now. From 1954 till 1974,when I started getting into making tools in a very small home shop,too small for guitars,my whole focus was on guitars,and other stringed instruments. now,I want to be prepared to go in any direction,and do have a bunch of tooling,some very expensive,that I am yet to use.

Most of the real expensive stuff was bought from a used machinery and tool dealer for pennies on the dollar. These 'bargains" have indeed been a very slippery slope!!

[Dustin Lorenz]

My wife laughs because she knows if we ever one the lottery (:rolleyes: wouldn't we all like too!) I'd have a shop so huge it would put most furniture shops to shame. Hey a guy can dream can't he. The one I remember the most though is the time I bought the Paslode airless finish nailer to put the brick molding around the garage door. Shot out about a dozen nails :D and there it sits for the last three years. Hasn't really justified the 300 some dollars but of course that falls in the yet category.

[Mick Zelaska]

I buy tools on impulse that I think I will need some day then forget I have them when I need them and buy another.:eek: I end up keeping both thinking it's a good thing to have a spare! Does that make any sense?:confused:

Mick

[John Lytle]

The question implies the existance of 'man jewelry'.

My wife would claim this to be fact.

I spend extreme amounts of time ensuring all tools provide the apprearance of being used (layers of fresh dust, moving around the shop, etc).

John