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

[dltflt]

I buy tools because I know I am going to the use them. I may not use them often but I definitely use them. Now if you ask my wife she will call me a tool collector.

 

[mike_aa]

I never regret buying a tool that ends up not getting used, but I always regret not buying a tool when there is a really good deal! LOL

Mike A.

 

[Paul G]

Q: Do I buy tools because I know I need them or because I might someday?

A: Yes  [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

I buy tools for need versatility and performance. I do buy things like router bits for future projects.
For example I've been making a lot of picture frames so I bought a set of picture frame router bits and a box joint bit for some paintings I'm going to be framing.

For whatever reason you buy tools, I buy the best I can afford at the time.

 

[Ed Bray]

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

Thanks for the advice Jack but it seems that model is NAIUK

 

[charley1968]

@ PaulG: +1

 

[JeromeM]

@ PaulG: +1

PaulG: +1

 

[Gary in Texas]

Both, but I tend to lean more towards near term usage rather than collecting.  I've been guilty of perhaps buying gadgets because they are neat, but not often used....

Gary

 

[leer]

Q: Do I buy tools because I know I need them or because I might someday?

A: Yes  [big grin]

What he said ... plus:  Because they were on sale. 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Hand held power tools, no.  Stationary machinery, yes.

I am almost out of user projects on the machinery side, just my lathe and a louver groover left.

I do have a long term planer project from 1862 and a few Bentel machines that I did collect (collecting old machines is a cheap hobby).

 

[Mort]

(collecting old machines is a cheap hobby).

I guess compared to collecting yachts...

 

[wow]

Q: Do I buy tools because I know I need them or because I might someday?

A: Yes  [big grin]

What he said ... plus:  Because they were on sale.

Likewise - but I have never purchased a tool that I didn't 'need'...

[wink]

(that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

 

[BMH]

I buy the tool because I need it for an immediate project. It has to save me time or be critical for the project, if not I can usually work with what I have. Festool use tool sale will make be buy one a couple of month before needing it but not always.

I have very few one time tools or collection tools, mostly specialty wrench that I will use once every 2-4 years. I do have a collection of metric measurement tapes as none of them made me happy till I hit the festool tape and talmeter tape especially the 6 m one.

 

[Mavrik]

There should be a rule that people are forced to invent needs for unused tools. A good way to inspire creativity.

 

[Mort]

My brother-in-law has every tool ever invented, so if I need to borrow one of his more than twice I buy my own. Some I know I'll use, rarely is it just because there's an empty space in my toolbox.

Is that reconditioned sale every year?

 

[jacko9]

I get a new tool for every project I build for my wife and she has a good laugh about it.

Jack

 

[semenza]

My brother-in-law has every tool ever invented, so if I need to borrow one of his more than twice I buy my own. Some I know I'll use, rarely is it just because there's an empty space in my toolbox.

Is that reconditioned sale every year?

No schedule at all on the recon sale.

Seth

 

[BMAC]

I buy 'em 'cause I need them. When I have a certain tricky job and a specific tool will help me complete the task quicker with professional results AND I'm likely to use the tool in the future on other jobs I'll buy the tool.

When I can, I build the price of the tool into the job. When the size or scope of the job is too small to justify the whole cost of the tool I'll amortize the tool cost over several jobs where the tool use is employed.

BTW, can anyone here in Canada tell me if there are recon sales here ever? Our US friends talk about the great deals to be had there on recon tools but I don't know if we here have the same opportunity? Perhaps the returned Festool tools get shipped back to the States and we don't get a sniff at them here? Am I wrong, I'll stand corrected if I am mistaken?

 

[flair woodworks]

I buy tools only if I have an immediate need, or have encountered a need in the past and foresee needing it in the future.  Generally, I don't worry too much about whether it's financially justifiable, but more whether or not it will be useful and whether or not I have enough cash.  I rarely, if ever buy tools on impulse or solely because I think they woluld be nice to have.

If an amazing opportunity presents itself, where I know I can sell it at a later point and turn a profit, I have been known to make impulse purchases.

 

[copcarcollector]

BTW, can anyone here in Canada tell me if there are recon sales here ever? Our US friends talk about the great deals to be had there on recon tools but I don't know if we here have the same opportunity? Perhaps the returned Festool tools get shipped back to the States and we don't get a sniff at them here? Am I wrong, I'll stand corrected if I am mistaken?

Here is a post from Shane back in January addressing Canadian recon tools:

Canadians have access to reconditioned tools year around, based on what I know. I would suggest talking to your dealer. Note that there are fewer tools to choose from in Canada and we do not currently have a way to list real-time inventory.