I'm sure most everyone here has them. Whether they be most basic or elaborate, they are a must for any car enthusiast. Who here, however, cannot stop looking and buying them? Whenever I go to a tool store I wander around aimlessly, wanting to try them all and envisioning all I could do with them. Mechanical, power, air, it doesn't matter. Today I went to look at toolbox organizers. Should have spent about thirty dollars. Tops. Instead I dropped almost eight hundred dollars on some really cool burs, air toys, a heat gun, and drill bits. I rushed home and tried to find room for them in my tool boxes (that in itself a fetish). Tomorrow I'll find things for them to do. This happens far more often than it should. Anyone else share in my sickness?

 

I wish I had them

In the future I sure will. Got no job and my parents won't let me dish out money like that. My dads got a lot of tools though. He's kinda like you, keeps buying them haha.

I still need to learn to work on cars. Just having trouble where to start. I wanna do my next brake job. But where can I learn?

 

I do. BTW thanks for reminding me, I have to go and unwrap my air compressor...

 

The first step in overcoming your problem is admitting it.






























I know how that feels. But ever since I've strayed away from the auto repair business, not really. I remember wanting a really expensive Snap-On rolling toolbox or something similar. Now that I look back on it, I'm not sure how I'd transport it or where I'd keep it

 

By just trying it. Start out with disc brakes. They're easy. If you have trouble give me a PM.

 

Will do in the future Still got a good amount of brakes left.

I'm just scared to tackle it, not knowing how to do it I guess.

 

I have a good collection of tools and I love spending time in the Tool section of any hardware store eyeballing everything I want. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to spend mass amounts of money on new tools recently, hopefully someday I can get more.

 

It's weird. I need to talk myself out of getting particular tools. An inline nozzle so I can still use the air tool? Why not? Look at this! A twenty ton hydraulic pipe bender! Sure! And look at these 82 degree indexable countersinks. Only sixteen bucks!

I mean jeez........... I don't need these things. I have to take a deep breath and walk away. Those countersinks sure might come in handy though.................

 

i have the same problem Terry. Only with engines.

This is what we decided to put in the '55. It'll be a tight fit when completed, but oh so rewarding

http://performanceparts.com/part.php?partID=412477

I need help......later

 

Isn't that what you say about watches and pens too?

 

Oh, I like watches. They're mechanical. Pens, ...........not so much.

 

Blasphemy!

 

I'm waiting on my Snapon Tool set to come in. It's been 3 weeks now.
Then I can start making my own collection instead of using my dads.

I need a toolbox to go with it but I can't find a decent cheap one. Thinking about HF.

 

I always pick up more than i go in for. But, not having a large rolling toolbox keeps me from buying more since i can't stand the tools just lying on my bench.

Terry, if you want some cool burrs, look up pferd. That is one of the line of abrasives that we carry and they have a pretty good selection.

 

Terry, I'm with ya there. Unfortunately funds dont always allow, but when they do, you can find me at sears.

 

My garage is turning into a complete machine tools shop. Some might say I look ready for the apocalypse

 

Yes, but generally in the cheapest way possible. A friend of mine lives in phoenix and I swear he needs help moving to a different apt every six months. If I were a good friend I would tell him no and force him to just stay put. Instead I spend the days before scouring the craigslist tools and autoparts sections for any tool or vw part that will fit in the cl. I then start calling and setting up meetings an hour or two apart from each other after about 1 pm. When the day comes I drive to my friends place, throw all his shit in a trailer, put it in a pile in his new place, and then I go shopping.

You can't tell me I'm not sick.

 

it needs to be a sleeper

 

I can't say that I have this condition exactly. I don't buy tools because I can, but if I'm going to tackle a project that requires a tool that I don't currently own, I'm happy to go out and buy it.

 

I kinda wish I had that problem. Instead I find myself searching for and usually buying a particular tool when my car is in mid-repair and my wife is driving me to the auto parts store in her car.

 

Haha me too.

Went in last night looking for switch plate covers.... came out with....





And had to go back in cause I forgot the switch plate covers.

 

I've done that too.

Nice toys.

 

I could really use a Dremel tool kit. I have some grout that I need to remove...

 

I have noticed I have spent a lot more time every time I'm at a hardware store looking for tools. Starting this year, I have purchased some tools to do maintenance work on the car (spark plug socket to change spark plugs, torque wrench for various things, sockets etc.). I started doing this stuff myself mainly because I don't want to pay stupidly high prices at the stealership for very simple things, like changing the ATF fluid for over $100...twice! (I did it myself for the first time in less than 20 minutes...won't be going back to the dealer for that again).

But ever since I started doing maintenance work on my own car, you start to get a emotional attachment to your car (in a different way than just driving it)...which is pretty cool. Now every time to go to CT or wal mart, I would spend time out of my way to look at things I don't need...apparently for reasons I can not understand. But for the Canadians...do anyone realizes that CT charges a lot vs. the competition on certain items? I was looking some sockets to go with my new torque wrench and I found just ONE socket at CT costed $9-12 while I got the same thing at Princess Auto for $2-3 ea?

 

No disrespect intended, but Princess Auto is one place I refuse to set foot in. Their prices are low for a reason. I wouldn't even trust something as simple as an axle stand from PA. Up until a few years ago I purchased the odd thing, usually with the intention of using it once. The last straw was a floor jack that actually cracked at the weld. It was rated for two tons and the weld split at about a thousand pounds. Many others have had the same experience.

In regards to tools, you generally get what you pay for.

 

Is princess auto similar to harbor freight?

 

Princess Auto= Harbor Freight?

 

Thats what I was starting to think lol but Harbor Freight usually has lifetime warranties hand tools. I don't get much at Harbor Freight but thats where I usually go when I shop tools or ebay for single sockets. Luckily I have better self-control then Terry. But I have limited space and limited mechanical knowledge so thats another part. I just have basic tools.

 

I'm not too sure about Harbor Freight, but Princess Auto is kind of like a discount mechanical surplus store. They have their own brand of tools called "Powerfist". Stuff like complete socket sets for $19.95. Not to knock those who use them, but they are certainly not professional grade. Not even amateur grade. My friend purchased a hammer from them once, and head flew off after the forth nail. Stuff like that.

 

If I had a place and use for them...yes.

But my "collecting fetishes" are bad enough with other pricey items.

 

I buy tools as I need them, usually. I have a brand new palm sander I have yet to use and I bought it about 3 months ago.

Harbor Freight isn't too bad, they do have a lifetime warranty on many of their tools. It's mostly cheap tools but they get the job done. They also seem to have the oddest tools. Why would someone need miniature locking pliers?

 

Yikes, I was only lured there because of the low prices. I never thought of the safety risks that their products might carry. Thanks for the heads up. I guess minor tools are alright, but I will definitely rethink buying anything major, especially if there is a chance of injury. No life (or injury) is worth the savings on an axle stand.

 

Honestly Terry, I could spend hours in Lowes and Home Depot, plus any place that sells tools. Sears comes to mind.

Speaking of them, 95% of my tools are Craftsman, and their warranty works for me. Lifetime is OK in my book, plus they are reasonable in price compared to other places. I won't buy cheap tools just to have a cheap tool, it has to be safe as I am putting my life or my families at risk if a tool does not function correctly.

 

I always window shop, but I have been trying to avoid buying anything. No real need for any more "toys" these days.

 

Agreed. I love buying and collecting tools (some I don't immediately need) but I try to limit my purchases to the essentials for whatever project I'm working on at the time.

And +1 to getting what you pay for.