Do you buy tools because you know you need them or because you might someday

[John Beauchamp]

    I liked the thread about accuracy as it showed how diverse the members here are.
    I'm curious how you justify your tool purchases in terms of need vs want. When I built my shop and started building cabinets as a business I had spent a lot of money and needed to keep my tool purchases as slim as possible and still get the job done. Since then I have added some things but mostly just buy as I have an actual need as in I can't get this job done without that tool.
      I have several duplicates for speed to avoid making multiple setups and also onsite vs in shop. For me because I do so many different things I find keeping tools and supplies organized is my biggest challenge. I can't keep everything on the vehicle so trying to make sure I have what I need when I leave the shop is a real challenge. 
    There are still some things I would like to have but not too many that I really need. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

I only buy a tool if I need it. I never buy one just because it looks irresistably nice. Sometimes I buy a tool not because I need it right now, but because I know I will use it in the near future. And sometimes I buy one that's not an utter necessity, but because I know it will make me work more comfortably and more efficient. 

But in short, I only buy tools that get used, and I try to be sure at forehand it will be used. In the rare occasions it turns out not to be so useful or necessary after all, it gets sold again.

 

[WildCard]

I use the company TS-55 at work and went out and bought a TS-75 for myself. Havent used it yet and its been about 2 months! I do have the worlds best excuse though, one word.......Baby. Once things settle down at home I'll finish up some projects I started and begin new ones. I love the tracksaw for crosscutting sheets.

 

[peter halle]

There was once a time that I would buy a tool based on anticipated future need.  Those days have passed.  I now buy tools as needed.  Accessories for the tools may sometimes be bought in anticipation of need but will usually be placed on gift lists.

Peter

 

[bigjonh]

my philosophy is, if I need it, budget it into the job or buy it. If it's something I want, as opposed to can't get the job done without it, or something I'll use periodically, then I watch for sales and Craigslist, etc.

If it's not absolutely necessary, I'm not going to buy it for full price.  Yeah I can write stuff off, but I still got to pay for it first. $$$

 

[charley1968]

I gotta admit: I sometimes buy tools without having a need for them. As an example: I bought a Bosch drill hammer, but i live in a treehouse. But i do anticipate that i'll need it. Sometime.

 

[SittingElf]

Ummmmm.... I think it is best that I don't respond to this thread! [scared]

I'm almost at the point where I'll have to wait for Festool to announce new tools in order to have something to add!

I know, I know!  It's not like I'm just collecting. I AM thinking of using everything I've purchased, but yes... I have gone somewhat overboard... Wayyyy overboard!

(I'm in Aberdeen, Scotland at the moment for annual simulator recurrency training, and I have a delivery of the newest Centrotec Woodworkers Kit being delivered to the hotel on Monday because it's NAINA and I WANT IT! It will be my THIRD Centrotec Limited Edition set of different flavors!  Yikes... I am Sooooo Sick! [blink])

Cheers,

Frank

 

[joraft]

I buy tools because I'm hopelessly addicted to buying tools (and machines). I also cannot bring myself to sell any tool or machine, so I've amassed a ridiculous collection over the last 40 years.

It's a costly, destructive, horrible, addiction. But, I'm sure glad there's no known cure.  [smile]

 

[Maddie]

As far as tools go, I'm careful about buying a shiny new "whatever".  I have, at the spur of the moment, bought tools on sale, discounted, or at a garage sale if the price was compelling. For instance, I bought a Festool router and plunge saw that I didn't have an immediate need for but the low price pulled me over the edge.  But, yes, I have bought some tools spontaneously and I've just about always regretted it afterwords.

For a number of reasons, I try not to buy anything that I do not actually have an immediate use for.  I have a hefty balance on account at my local retailer that I deposited before the end of the year knowing that I had a couple pricey purchases in the works. Some items pre-purchased but not delivered, more under consideration if I fine the "need" during one or more upcoming projects.  I try not to exceed my mental "monthly budget", or any large purchase without confirming to myself that I'm not just rationalizing the purchase.

Yet, every now and then.....

 

[pettyconstruction]

I buy tools that make me faster & or better,and that makes more money.
I can build a house with a hammer and a hand saw,but things like lasers and chop saws make me more accurate and faster.
I may buy a tool for a future job,but that job has to be already on the books.

And ALL of my tools are used,not a collector.

 

[Rob-GB]

When I started out the rule was if I had to borrow (I had some good friends/colleagues) or hire a tool more than twice I would buy one asap. Then as I got more work I would buy for the job with part of the cost in the price, I also, once arranged six weeks credit with a tool and fixings supplier for an Elu biscuit jointer for a job that went so well the client offered me an advance payment that I used to pay off the credit 3 weeks in. Another client wanted a particular job done on the boat we were building and offered to pay for the Fein multimaster to do it as it was the only tool I could see that would expedite the task, he then gifted me the tool on launch day. [big grin]
Since the loss of Elu as a brand and the corner cutting bean counters took over Dewalt I have been replacing my Elu kit with Festool and actually bought kit not just for a job but a perceived future need  [eek] which has actually paid off due to the whole 'system concept' and my seeming predilection for making joinery on site or in someones garage.  ;D
To try and balance my purchases, it is not unknown for me to make a tool or grind a scratch stock/ moulding cutter to do a job when the cost in time or money outweighs the use it will get, recently I re-ground two (inherited) 1/2" firmer chisels to make handed skew chisels..... so I guess I do have a foot in both camps but a middle leg with a mind of its own  ;D ;D

Rob.

 

[Mavrik]

Both. I've bought many tools due to known need. And others to intentionally discover new things to do. I could never figure out what I'd use a bandsaw for. Now I have one I couldn't imagine living without it. Equivalently with a small trim router. Now I've got one I use it all the time.

 

[Greg M]

Both. 

If I know I'll use a tool I'll buy it because then it's there when I need it.  I stocked up during the refurb sale.  One tool that I bought was the Planex and the CT36 AC.  Got a HEPA filter for the CT36 so I could use it as a regular vac while waiting to use it with the Planex.  Who knows when I'll get around to using the Planex but I eventually will.  It might be on the next house or it may not be for another 2 years but at 40% off I couldn't pass it up knowing I'll eventually buy one.

I should have bought more during the refurb sale!

 

[jacko9]

I buy tools because I like new capabilities that might be fantastic like the Domino joiner or just a bit better like the Kapex or T-18 drill.  I bought the CT22 because it was a fantastic idea to be able to sand without getting clouds of dust everywhere and I buy new hand chisels because I hate using a chisel and have to resharpen it before I finish chopping a mortise.  I have been buying tools and machines for over 60 years and just in case I live to be a productive 100 years old, I'll keep buying new tools.

Jack

 

[Sparktrician]

I buy only those tools that will show an immediate, demonstrable improvement in my own work processes, and only as I can afford them.  I do not buy tools on speculation that they "may" show some improvement or "may" provide me a means of getting my jobs done more cost-effectively.  They have to get busy and show benefit from the time they get unwrapped. 

 

[pettyconstruction]

A little off topic but I worked for a builder that would buy 1 tool for every job he got(house build) obviously the more needed tool first, but over a bit of time, he had what he needed.
That was 25yrs ago so I don't know if he is still doing that ,but it seemed like a good idea at the time
Charlie

 

[rst]

I buy tools that will improve the efficiency of the things I build and repair.  Unfortunately, I'm what I consider neurotically capable,  I work regularly with glass, aluminum, wood and plastic.  I'm almost done with my Festool addiction but a good bench milling machine, a 5' X 10' CNT cnc router, and a Hammer A341 are my next targets.

 

[Ed Bray]

I bought my Kapex because I was in a position to afford it at the time. I had a cheap sliding compound mitre saw which after fettling gave reasonably good results. I listened to both my heart and people extolling the virtues of the Kapex and decided the time was right.

I was a little disappointed a couple of days ago when I first tried it out and it was not giving square cuts either against the fence or in the fixed position for mitre cuts. I then downloaded the Kapex Supplementary manual and today went through the setup & calibration procedure.

Initially I spent ages trying to fine tune the standard cuts to as near 90 degrees as I could which I finally achieved after a few bits of 12" x 12" Birch ply and MDF.

Next, I turned my attention to the straight cuts in the fixed position, this was way out. I followed the instructions within the supplementary manual and could not seem to fine tune the movement to any degree of precision. It was either too far one way, or too far the other. In desperation, I set the blade up against the base using an engineers square and after again going through the testing procedure managed to achieve a reading of 0.004 degrees. This is certainly more than good enough for me, so now my saw cuts 90 degrees both against the fence and against the base. But, I have to say I was a bit disappointed with it's performance right out of the box, especially for a > £800 saw.

I have just purchased a OF1400EBQ Plus (delivery Monday), I already have 4 Routers, but when using a router on Friday, I realised that the only 1/2" Router I had was the Triton TRA001 that is in my router table (and that is where I want it to stay).

My big problem is the majority of my router bits (and I have a lot) are mainly 1/2" so this limited the bits I could use without taking the Triton out of the table. Purchasing a number of bits in either 1/4" or 8mm would have been an option, but I decided that for what that would cost I had just as likely then, buy a 1/2" router instead.

I do like all my hand & power tools (toys) though and if Festool have something else that I need (or want) then I may well buy it if the time/finances are right.

 

[tigger]

I did it before and I'm doing it again now. I made a list of all the Festool tools I wanted and needed. I put each tool in order of priority.
Every job I quote on, I include a tool cost. I'm religious about taking that money out of every paid bill and buy my tools accordingly. So almost once a month I buy a new Festool and I buy accessories with spare cash as needed.
But ultimately, I'm a Festool nut, so I won't rest until I own every Festool pertaining to joinery/cabinetry.  [big grin]

 

[jacko9]

I bought my Kapex because I was in a position to afford it at the time. I had a cheap sliding compound mitre saw which after fettling gave reasonably good results. I listened to both my heart and people extolling the virtues of the Kapex and decided the time was right.

I was a little disappointed a couple of days ago when I first tried it out and it was not giving square cuts either against the fence or in the fixed position for mitre cuts. I then downloaded the Kapex Supplementary manual and today went through the setup & calibration procedure.

Initially I spent ages trying to fine tune the standard cuts to as near 90 degrees as I could which I finally achieved after a few bits of 12" x 12" Birch ply and MDF.

Next, I turned my attention to the straight cuts in the fixed position, this was way out. I followed the instructions within the supplementary manual and could not seem to fine tune the movement to any degree of precision. It was either too far one way, or too far the other. In desperation, I set the blade up against the base using an engineers square and after again going through the testing procedure managed to achieve a reading of 0.004 degrees. This is certainly more than good enough for me, so now my saw cuts 90 degrees both against the fence and against the base. But, I have to say I was a bit disappointed with it's performance right out of the box, especially for a > £800 saw.

I have just purchased a OF1400EBQ Plus (delivery Monday), I already have 4 Routers, but when using a router on Friday, I realised that the only 1/2" Router I had was the Triton TRA001 that is in my router table (and that is where I want it to stay).

My big problem is the majority of my router bits (and I have a lot) are mainly 1/2" so this limited the bits I could use without taking the Triton out of the table. Purchasing a number of bits in either 1/4" or 8mm would have been an option, but I decided that for what that would cost I had just as likely then, buy a 1/2" router instead.

I do like all my hand & power tools (toys) though and if Festool have something else that I need (or want) then I may well buy it if the time/finances are right.

Ed,

The Bosch fixed base router with the on/off switch in the handle is a great buy.  I got one a few months back and it is now the favorite of my 6 routers,

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-mrf23evs-2-3-hp-fixed-base-router/bshnmrf23evs,default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=bosch-fixed-base-routers

Jack