At what point do you justify buying more tools vs making do with what you already hav

[Renze]

The proper tools for a job are a necessity, going cordless is luxury.

I bought a 14.4 volt cordless drill because it will put in any screw i can withhold with one hand. For self drilling screws to screw a wood floor to a steel trailer chassis (which needs torque AND rpm) i use the corded drill, its a deliberate choice because you need a top of the line cordless drill to screw self drillers, and i didnt want to spend three times as much money for the once in a while job that needs that raw power. 95% of those jobs are in the workshop or in house, with plenty of wall plugs to plug in the cord.

Furthermore, i buy tools whenever the job at hand makes me break even on the investment, so it payd for itself nomatter how long it sits in the cabinet waiting for the next job i need it.

 

[Diggin It]

What about something you never knew you needed?

My Ryobi blue and yellow drill died, so I went hunting. Found a promo package with a lime green drill and 1/4" impact drill/driver. Little sucka' sure makes driving and pulling screws easier. Zips'em right into boards and metal roof. Also takes out old rusted screws in PT wood that's been weather exposed for years.

 

[4570Man]

My first run in with the impact driver was in the wheel barrel of auction stuff I mentioned earlier. It would have taken years for me to have realized what I was missing otherwise. Impact drivers are way better for putting on screws especially Phillips and tapcons. And no wrist fatigue when doing a bunch of big screws.

 

[PILOON]

I often experience that when I can't find a tool, it shows up a few days or weeks after I purchase it's replacement.

Aaron Z

LOL, that's why I have so many tape measures, hammers sockets etc.
Funny, those screwdrivers always seem like a gremlin has moved them on me.
Vice grip pliers is another mystery, must have 10 but never when I need a pair.

 

[PILOON]

My first run in with the impact driver was in the wheel barrel of auction stuff I mentioned earlier. It would have taken years for me to have realized what I was missing otherwise. Impact drivers are way better for putting on screws especially Phillips and tapcons. And no wrist fatigue when doing a bunch of big screws.

LOL, being too lazy to fetch my driver drill I hand fastened 3 or 4 screws,
WOW, my wrist sure told me how lazy I had become.
Also with my nail gun assortment I forgot how hard a hammer is on your wrist.
To think I built a house without a nail gun (s) and compressor!

Try shingling a house without a nail gun just for fun!
Trust me it ain't fun anymore.

 

[k0ua]

My first run in with the impact driver was in the wheel barrel of auction stuff I mentioned earlier. It would have taken years for me to have realized what I was missing otherwise. Impact drivers are way better for putting on screws especially Phillips and tapcons. And no wrist fatigue when doing a bunch of big screws.

They are amazing aren't they? Even my little 1/4 inch Ryobi one is a powerhouse.

 

[Diggin It]

They are amazing aren't they? Even my little 1/4 inch Ryobi one is a powerhouse.

That's what I've got. Ran a 3" 'drywall' screw through a 2x into a 4x all the way faster than I was expecting and had to draw it back out a bit.

 

[k0ua]

That's what I've got. Ran a 3" 'drywall' screw through a 2x into a 4x all the way faster than I was expecting and had to draw it back out a bit.

yeah, and it can twist them off too if you don't watch it. But a very useful device when you need it.

 

[4570Man]

They are amazing aren't they? Even my little 1/4 inch Ryobi one is a powerhouse.

I have several ( 5 ) of the 1/4 inch impacts Makita, Bosch, and dewalt. There’s almost no difference putting in wood screws. For putting in a bunch of Tapcons the difference is clear. The Dewalt brushless is the clear winner. As it should be. It’s the newest piece running against outdated brushes and was the most expensive. I had a big job taking out several thousand tapcons. The lesser impacts could only get about half loose. My buddy showed up to help and had his Dewalt with him. It would get about 3/4s out and break the remaining 1/4. I bought one after that. I have an older Makita LXT 1/2 impact. It’s not up to snuff with the current offerings pushing 4 digit toque numbers but it’ll break loose most lug nuts and it’s a huge time saver.

 

[Jstpssng]

Just an aside about batteries... I've always run my cordless tools until they were dead, thinking that they wouldn't gain "memory" that way. Recently I was reading about the lithium batteries and apparently that's a sure way to cause premature death. They said to switch as soon as the tool slows down. Probably I'm the last person to figure this out... :laughing: