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

[buckeyefarmer]

IME... a 7.25" abrasive blade on a circular saw will cut a bunch of 1/2" rebars...without near the hassle of using a reciprocating saw...a cutting torch is even easier...

An angle grinder cuts rebar real quick, and they are cheap at harbor freight.

 

[4570Man]

If it’s a easy choice of I need the tool to do the job I’ll buy the tool and usually top quality. I also buy a lot of tools and have no issues with it. For this instance I already have the drill in the first picture but I want the drill in the second picture. I don’t use the monster toque drill very often so I probably won’t end up buying one.

 

[snymat68]

I have bought a lot of tools that paid for themselves with what i made with them.. Pretty much every tool i own, including a backhoe.

Me too. And I always try to buy the best tool I can afford at the time. Buy once. Cry once!

 

[snymat68]

An angle grinder cuts rebar real quick, and they are cheap at harbor freight.

So cheap in fact that I own 4 because I got tired of swapping out the cut-off wheel for the wire brush for the flap disk for the grinding wheel. :laughing:

 

[Ken]

I'm 32 and if I drove by your free pile of tools they would be gone.
My biggest issue is I'm to the point where I need someone to set a bigger workshop along the road with a free sign on it! :laughing:

snymat68
Lets see Pa only 16 hours away . driving cheaper than shipping. and could you use CB radios also .then the Electronis test equipment and maybe Model 14 or/and a Model 15 Teletype. The wooden boxes Labeled John Deere or Farmall. Kubota used some new parts.
Plumbing and electrical
Had a man come and loaded his car full of radio tubes including a tube checker. 2nd trip loaded fuil of radio parts and haven't seen him again.
trouble is all analog no digital test equipment. Need shelving have a trailer load and parked beside drive 1 looker then didn't want to put togather so left.
Next Monday final day. ken



,

 

[Thomas]

Depending on your age healthy arms back its a gut feeling call.

 

[4570Man]

Me too. And I always try to buy the best tool I can afford at the time. Buy once. Cry once!

Same here but in this case we’re dealing with technology that didn’t exist the first time around.

 

[snymat68]

snymat68
Lets see Pa only 16 hours away . driving cheaper than shipping. and could you use CB radios also .then the Electronis test equipment and maybe Model 14 or/and a Model 15 Teletype. The wooden boxes Labeled John Deere or Farmall. Kubota used some new parts.
Plumbing and electrical
Had a man come and loaded his car full of radio tubes including a tube checker. 2nd trip loaded fuil of radio parts and haven't seen him again.
trouble is all analog no digital test equipment. Need shelving have a trailer load and parked beside drive 1 looker then didn't want to put togather so left.
Next Monday final day. ken



,

I'm a ham, and also into electronics as another hobby, so some of that sounds tempting. But 16hrs is a smidge over my drive time limit. :laughing:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I occasionally run across a tool i forgot i had..

 

[downsizingnow48]

On cordless batteries and reliability generally. I started using Makita cordless tools when they put out their first 9.6v driver-drill. Now I have a bunch of the 18v and 36v lithium ion tools. I used to replace the NiCad batteries from time to time, but have never replaced a LI battery. I have never had a Makita cordless tool fail.

Here in Sacramento DeWalt cordless tools are extremely popular with tradesmen and on construction sites, they must be capable and reliable also.

The only new handheld corded tool I have bought in the last 10 years was a Bosch wormdrive saw, when my 40 year old Model 77 skilsaw finally gave up. The Bosch is like a Model 77 on steroids.

On the original question, I have generally got the tools I need when I need them. The options are to screw around trying to make do, which always wastes time, and possibly doing an inferior job. Or to rent the right tool. I have rented tools from time to time, but the waste of time and cost involved make purchase of most tools a better choice most the time.