Too many tools?

[Kayos]

Don't worry, I'm ok

Just sorting some stuff out and my top box has a screwdriver drawer, realised though it is more of a screwdriver graveyard as I only use the same few these days

Thinking of a reorganisation and putting the screwdrivers elsewhere but it also got me thinking, do we all end up with too much of one thing?

 

[Mark 2]

I blame Lidl.

 

[MattF]

but it also got me thinking, do we all end up with too much of one thing?

Absolutely. Especially nowadays, we don't have to worry as much about simply surviving, financially, & are able to humour some of our wants as well as just our needs. Simply looking back one or two generations, simple things were more luxuries than readily available & cheap, so we're in an enviable position, nowadays, where we're able to indulge ourselves. I'm sure many on here are old enough to appreciate how different things are now compared to how things were when we were growing up.

 

[Parm]

I’ve got way too many pliers, have dedicated hanging rack to keep them all in one place, needs to be bigger

Only use the same few set all the time

 

[JOEPRO]

No such thing as having too many tools, don't be silly.

 

[Craig-SM]

Just threw out a load of odds and ends screwdrivers but still have a drawer full of them but they're all full sets and different uses. That doesn’t include the small sets in the house for odd jobs.
Same can be said for other tools but over time they’ve been replaced with better quality ones. The problem is parting with the old tools.

 

[Tangledfeet]

I blame Lidl.

I blame this bloody forum.

 

[Cato]

Don't worry, I'm ok

Just sorting some stuff out and my top box has a screwdriver drawer, realised though it is more of a screwdriver graveyard as I only use the same few these days

Thinking of a reorganisation and putting the screwdrivers elsewhere but it also got me thinking, do we all end up with too much of one thing?

Having multiples of screwdrivers/tools can be useful as you can cut/grind/shape them for particular purposes.

For example I have a screwdriver that has been shaped and ground purely to use for carburettor idle air screws, another turned into a narrow fork for lifting poppet valves. The same with sockets, they can be turned to have a narrow wall, a slot cut to make a 'crow's foot' etc. Spanners are the same sort of thing, I still have one bent to perfect shape to access the starter bolt on a Dodge 50 series with a perkins engine. I never use it now, but keep it as a reminder never to work on a 50 Series again.

 

[zzr1200]

I have 2 Costco 42" roll cab plus top boxes, a Snap-on roll cab/mid section/top box, and several other tool containers as well.

Do I have too many tools, yes way too many, but I still have trouble finding some types of tools even though I have multiples of said tool. I just look upon it as a better chance of winning the bet.

The last time I purchased a tape measure, I ordered a job lot of 10, I'm lucky if I can find 3 atm......

I must have also purchased at least 15 sets of Aldi's Electrical (1000 volt) Screwdrivers, the trouble is they get used as cold chisels for knocking back locktabs.... and end up in the bin after the tips give out.....

 

[Kayos]

I'd never bin them, because that unused long pz1 that barely fits in the draw will be the tool I need, minutes after a clear out

The roll cab doesn't roll out of the shed and I'm unable to lift the top box these days so I have a smaller box with my most used stuff

I'm thinking the screwdriver draw could now be better used, put (most) of them elsewhere

The main ones I use is actually a sparkies set, one handle and 10 or so screwdrivers that clip in, that lives in my laptop bag as it is very handy and takes up little space

 

[zzr1200]

I'd never bin them, because that unused long pz1 that barely fits in the draw will be the tool I need, minutes after a clear out

The roll cab doesn't roll out of the shed and I'm unable to lift the top box these days so I have a smaller box with my most used stuff

I'm thinking the screwdriver draw could now be better used, put (most) of them elsewhere

The main ones I use is actually a sparkies set, one handle and 10 or so screwdrivers that clip in, that lives in my laptop bag as it is very handy and takes up little space

Old screwdrivers end up being hit or used as podgers to aline holes/things, and tool cabinets on wheels get roll into position, until we unload them to move them to a new place of work.

Here is a picture of my flat roofing tools in their tool box/container (another item I buy several of at a time when at B&Q)..... I also have one for small tools for minor car repairs/servicing.......

 

[Kayos]

Old screwdrivers end up being hit or used as podgers to aline holes/things, and tool cabinets on wheels get roll into position, until we unload them to move them to a new place of work.

Here is a picture of my flat roofing tools in their tool box/container (another item I buy several of at a time when at B&Q)..... I also have one for small tools for minor car repairs/servicing.......

Big fan of the tool bucket, I remember learning that as an apprentice when I was inevitable sent under the floor to do the pipework

Had some lads on a site once, kitted out in embroidered Snickers workwear, Vito tool bags (man bags we called them) and they were hopeless. All the gear, no idea in person

 

[Robotstar5]

Big fan of the tool bucket, I remember learning that as an apprentice when I was inevitable sent under the floor to do the pipework

Had some lads on a site once, kitted out in embroidered Snickers workwear, Vito tool bags (man bags we called them) and they were hopeless. All the gear, no idea in person

My last job involved climbing a lot of steps or fixed ladders so a bag with a shoulder strap worked for me, some of the lads preferred the backpack type, although one big lad (rugby player) did get wedged going up a hooped ladder

 

[Smallfry]

I probably have around 100 or so screwdrivers, they are always handy for something, levering chiselling, scraping, or even being modified. Drawer in the toolcab keeps getting jammed too, which does nothing for my patient and placid temperament

Even cut them up for dowels or pins.

I have an CK electricians set for "best" but these are getting worn now, so maybe time for some more ! Only decent quality mind.

 

[Seadog]

These are most of my screwdrivers.

But this doesn't include several sets of jeweller's screwdrivers and terminsl sized ones that are in my electronics toolbox.
The drawer is a pain and I keep wondering how to reorganise. I don't have enough room

 

[bricol]

Never mind tools, my cutlery drawer after clearing my mum's house...

 

[addjunkie]

These are most of my screwdrivers.

View attachment 534005View attachment 534006View attachment 534007

But this doesn't include several sets of jeweller's screwdrivers and terminsl sized ones that are in my electronics toolbox.
The drawer is a pain and I keep wondering how to reorganise. I don't have enough room

Those pictures and the sentiments in many posts on here are why death clearing is becoming so fashionable. Cheap and easy supply of stuff, low will power to exercise self control in Lidl etc all add into clutter addition. Youmay never have enough tools, but if you cant find the ones you want it's pointless having them. Now wheres my 73 10mm sockets?

 

[fizzy]

No such thing as having too many tools, don't be silly.

Sadly there is. I must 300 various screw drivers alone. I don't think I have bought any since the 80s I just have a habit of acquiring things.
Apart from small tools I have
9 lathes - from a Unimat up to a Holbrook H20
6 milling machines - from a little Proxxon up to an Elliott Sturdimill
3 surface grinder - I did have 4 but actually sold one
A universal cylindrical grinder
5 vertical drills
4 bandsaws from little to huge
A whopping 4 ton engine crane
Mig welder
AC/DC tig welder
Stick welder 375amp
3 plasma cutters
4 compressors
And loads of hand tools, engineering tools and power tools.

So yes I think it is safe to say you CAN have too many tools

 

[Blobber]

Old screwdrivers end up being hit or used as podgers to aline holes/things,

Trouble is it's remembering to use the designated podger screw drivers and not grab the first one that comes to hand!

 

[addjunkie]

Trouble is it's remembering to use the designated podger screw drivers and not grab the first one that comes to hand!

Just don't use your fingers when putting up steel frame buildings! As the young lad, new to the squad did at son in laws place. I took him to hospital…lets just say he can no longer pick his nose properly