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

[MossRoad]

42" bolt cutters from Harbor Freight for $32 will cut 1/2" rebar all day long. Only batteries to wear out will be yours.

Back in high school I worked for a brick mason. I cut a lot of rebar with bolt cutters for him. It's faster than a power tool, too.

 

[Diggin It]

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

You too, huh?

 

[downsizingnow48]

I had no problem with bolt cutters when I was of school age but started to lose interest sometime in my 40's. I had a nice 42" US made bolt cutter for years that finally got stolen somehere. I never replaced it in favor of power options.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I also had one of those big heavy rebar bender-cutters which worked fine but sold when I got out of that line of work. And I tried a sawzall but like the OP found it was not that great a tool and hard on blades. I also tried an abrasive cutter but managed to start a grass fire right under my feet which was demoralizing. All in all the bandsaw - quiet, cool, easy to use - is the best thing I have ever tried.

 

[LittleBill21]

cut wheel on a angle grinder takes seconds to cut metal, i use nothing else. battery li,ion have their place. i still use my corded stuff alot. i did build a deck using cordless tools for all screws and everything but cutting wood. that said 2 guys, need a minimum of 5+ battery's and 4 chargers to not stop.

 

[/pine]

The only time I was ever injured on a job where I had to file a WC claim involved a rod buster...It was a big iron shear for snapping rebar (up to 1")...the base was probably 2 feet and it weighed about 200#'s...it was bolted to an actual 2"x 10" board but only on one end...I was unloading it from a truck with the wrong (bolted) end down and the entire thing swung around on the single bolt and crushed the steel toe of my boot to where it had to be cut off my foot...crushed one toe badly...foot injuries are no fun...!

 

[jjp8182]

You too, huh?

Glad I'm not the only one that has that problem ..... though it's not going to stop me from continuing to intentionally add to the collection (buying another because I forgot I already had one doesn't count -- or at least that the story I'm sticking to).

 

[jjp8182]

So the title pretty much sums this one up. Examples. I was driving precut rebar grade stakes and due to rock probably half of them needed to be cut shorter. I didn稚 have any bolt cutters so I used a sawzall. That one is an easy choice I値l be getting some bolt cutters before the next rebar cutting project. Next tool need. I have an upcoming plumbing job with lots of holes to drill. I already have a Dewalt equivalent of a Holehawg but ditching the cord would be really nice. At close to a $400 investment I値l probably hold off on that. Next desire I already have a top quality jigsaw but it also has a cord. I really want a cordless one but the Dewalt XR base tool one is close to $200. I could think of plenty more but that痴 some of my more immediate wants-needs.

When buying the tool will allow me to do the job fast enough to justify the price of the tool (which may also be balanced against the cost of hiring someone else to do the job if it's a one time thing). ...... of course the quality of the tool I purchase may also depend on whether I'll be using it again, or for other projects, and how long I want it to last.

 

[Diggin It]

Glad I'm not the only one that has that problem ..... though it's not going to stop me from continuing to intentionally add to the collection (buying another because I forgot I already had one doesn't count -- or at least that the story I'm sticking to).

Was wandering around the clearance racks at TSC one day and saw a 1/2" air ratchet kit with a bunch of sockets. Hey, that's pretty cool and for under $20 ......

Got home, went to put it in the toolbox with the other air tools. Guess what I found? Almost identical, including the sockets.


Oh well, one for the garage, one for the shed.

 

[PILOON]

Well I'm a tool nut and also a lover of yard sales.
Consequently I have a garage full of tools. (garage is too small)
I generally justify any tool based on one or two uses.
Making things worst I weld and enjoy wood working.
I was also an aircraft mechanic so my collection is extensive.
A typical 'yard' example is a hi lift jack that joined my collection for $6.00 that I used once, Paid for!
A small drill press for $7,00. (really, I kid U not)
A wood lathe that came with tools that set me back a whole $100. and as time went by I probably have 30 tools and all at bargain prices.
Couple of months ago I popped in to a discount store and acquired a 3 way laser for the awesome price of $2.00, shucks did not even argue, just paid the asking price. LOL
OK, I'm a tool nut and know values but also I don't argue or beat down prices when I see a good deal.
If it's good I simply pay the asking.
On a few occasions I've been told 'if you can figure what it is' it's yours free. Now that's fun.
OK. I have one tool (looks like it cost mega $$'s) that I simply can't figure out. at the mega cost of $2.00 I had nothing to lose, LOL, I soon plan to post a 'what is this' on the forum.
All Net searches suggest that it is a specialty tool used in particle accelerator technology, this based on the brand name imprinted on the tool. The extreme precision of the machining suggested that the original cost had to be vert high. (pics and post to come probably titled, What is this)