I believe that there is a legitimate market for specialized tools, but I find that most woodworkers are not that specialized. I think many of the trades really do need some of these tools. It’s like the old <!—-><!—-> <!—->Stanley <!—-><!—-> planes, there’s like 100+ different planes. But in the end only five or six are really needed if someone is working by hand, the rest are really specialized versions meant for a specific task.<!—-><!—-> <!—->
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I think there are a large number of people with tools galore in their garages… but in reality these people are not woodworkers at all they’re tool collectors.<!—-><!—->
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In defense of the tools though. Your lumping fine quality tools in with specialized tools. Just because someone buys an expensive tool (Festool) it does not mean they are lacking in some way. I’ve visited many pro shops that use these tools. I’ve also visited many amateurs that own these tools and do spectacular work… when they can (But they enjoy every second they can).<!—-> <!—->
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There is always going to be someone who feels superior because they can produce mediocre work with a rusty hammer and a sharpened screwdriver…<!—-> <!—->
Replies
valid question. Can one have too many tools? Can one love too much? I'm in the school of "to each his own". I have a lot of tools, big ones, little ones, power and hand. I use and love them all for the unique functions that each one brings to my woodworking. I have a mini lathe because I don't need a larger one. I have a 3hp Jet table saw that gets used constantly for small and large projects alike. A cabinet full of old wooden hand planes compliment my selection of "modern day" planes. Each again has it's place and function.
I would hate to see a shop of any size stocked with tools of any age, caliber and function that were never used (not discounting the collector of course). Tools, like knowledge are meant to be used.
I don't feel a Chippendale reproduction piece made with power tools is any less a creative master piece than an original made with old-world hand tools.
I like to use all my tools. I encourage my children, and even my wife, to use them properly. If they don't know how, I'm happy to show them. I'll even loan out tools, just bring them back and in good condition. Don't bring me back a dull chisel, you didn't get it that way. Of course if you do, I won't loan you any more of my tools.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
butch
I am primarily a power tool guy and sometimes I do feel that it is getting a little crazy as newer and better tools keep rolling out. I think a person needs to understand the diference between a shop full of power tools and a cabinet full of classic hand tools is fairly simple. There is a great lurning curve with traditional hand work where as power tools simplify things by performing one or more processes at a time. Consider the loose mortise and tenon joinery performed by the Domino, how many hand tools would one have to be able to use and how many steps would be involved in cutting the same joint by hand? Those who do this professionally and that own all the power equipment probably rely on the speed , repeatability and simplification that such equipment provides. Those that pursue this as a hoby will probably gradually develope some hand skills as their repretoire demands but since there are so many machines to speed the process not as many are required. Power equipment has really in my opinion made woodworking possible as a hobby. Could you imagine going out and hand riving stock with a wedge and froe everytime you needed build a piece? Could you imagine building your own kitchen cabinets and hand cutting dovetails for 20 or more drawers? Back in the days when they didn't have electricity and power tools they didn't pursue woodworking as a hobby it was a trade and you spent several years learning it before striking out on your own. I am not knocking anyone who as a hobbiest has learned traditional skills, I actually admire them as they are keeping an art form alive.
""it dawned on me that there are way too many tools""
That's outright blasphemy, I tell you. There can never be enough. Never !!! How DARE you? You may look at my tools, touch my tools, perhaps even use a tool but, only I can fondle my tools. :0)
And fondle them I do. Some collect stamps, golf clubs, fishing gear, even money. Me................tools.
I get a satisfaction from acquiring a new tool and learning how to master it so that it produces something of value. It is, of itself, tangible evidence that I have achieved something worthwhile. I can contribute to the betterment of my little world and leave it enhanced in some way. I have worked hard to be able to afford them. I take pride in knowing that with the proper tool, when needed, I am, to a point self sufficient and I enjoy that feeling. Sometimes I do not have the right tool and I have to use what is at hand and think of a new way of getting the task done. That is immensely satisfying.
The fact that there are so many is testimony to the fact that we are creatures of creation. We can take a raw material and do something useful with it. It shows how fertile our minds can be. I find it amazing that the variety is ever increasing.
Just think, it probably all started with a monkey poking a stick into a hole looking to ........(fill in the blank). I'm in awe.
Too many tools ?
Indeed!!! ................... harumph
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Edited 1/16/2008 2:46 am by oldbeachbum
Hey, I thought he who dies with the most tools wins?Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Me too.
Geez............sex or tools.........tools or sex............ I can fondle tools or I can.... ;)
MAN !!!......................................finally get to a point in life where you can have almost anything you want and now a choice is presented. No fair, I tell ya' (Yeah, I'm getting close to that, unfortunately. Heart, meds & all) :0(
But, wait, there's more! I can still do both for a long while. I hope!...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
oldbeachbum!
Sounds like tool envy to me doesn't it? I mean I've never met a tool I didn't want to own have you? PLus part of the joy of wood working is finding the perfect place for that particular tool.
You know stored away but accessable at the same time..
Calls for a lot of wood working to make that many cabinets and shelves etc..
Since we need wood to make those cabinets shelves etc. that fuels another addiction,, wood..
Like tools you can never have too much wood..
I mean wood of various species, and varieties, differant widths and thickneses. differant lengths and grades.. wood with character, dull boring straight grain stuff, poor grade stuff for the jigs and fixtures needed.. (and for the manditory wood stove)
Too Much? Hhhrrruuumppphh ! Indeed!
<<<I mean wood of various species, and varieties, differant widths and thickneses. differant lengths and grades.. wood with character, dull boring straight grain stuff, poor grade stuff for the jigs and fixtures needed.. (and for the manditory wood stove) >>>
....as the Binford Man (aka Tim Taylor) wood(?) say, "Argh, Argh, Argh!"
;0)
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Dear Wine,
TOO many tools!!!!???? That's sort of like too much sex, right?
Best,
John
Wine:
You cannot be:
Too rich
Too thin
Or have too many tools.
It's an established law of nature – everyone knows this.
Hastings
Hastings,,
you forgot too much wood! Gotta have enough wood to justify all this tool addiction!
Wood! Mmmmmmmmm!!
Lataxe Simpson
I think of tools as an investment. I have some beautiful tools I purchased long ago, and their value has increased faster than a CD account in a local bank. Would you rather look at a bank statement or your fine tools? If push comes to shove in the US of A, tools can feed your family, by you having the skill and proper tool to repair, or make new useful things. Bartering may be a thing of the past at the present hour, but that can change overnight. Tools during hard times are the best things you can own.
~~Mike
Yep the last step, you can't have too many tools. Its like sex. Viagra can't save you--keep buying or die unhappy.
Edited 1/16/2008 10:01 am ET by 9michael9
There's no such thing as too many tools. Case in point...I recently bought a Porter Cable circular saw for my reno business when my ancient Skil died. Even though the Porter didn't make the cut in the Fine Homebuilding review (Jan 2005) I found it to be the best of the lot for my needs and purchased the right-hand drive model. I was so impressed I went right back to my tool store and added an identical but left-handed model to my arsenal. With both saws at the ready I've found I can trim out a whole house more accurately and in less time than I ever could before. By the way, I also have 350 clamps, 23 hammers, 56 planes and 16 corded, cordless and manual drills and I use them all when needed. Too many tools? Bullfeathers!
Those PorterCable twins.....ah yes. I, two (?) have a pair! Life is good, n'est pas?...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Winemane,Those who paint by the numbers need many numbers...Best wishes,
Metod
I was raised to believe that two of anything beats one of anything almost every time (two wives comes to mind as a valid exception).
There are three kinds of people in this world... those who can count and those who can't.
Do we really need to justify the purchases we make with our hard earned money to someone on the internet that may or may not know or even care about?
Unfortunately, there will always be people out there that feel they know how better to spend my money than me. If I had the money, I'd buy one of every tool just so I could put one of each in my living room so I could see and touch it while I watch my huge screen TV.
If the OP had control of my purchases what would he/she allow me to buy where would he/she draw the line at too much??? Is my 5hp 66 in my one car garage too much??? Please let me know where I went wrong...
Sorry, but when someone gets all hot under the collar because of their own money issues (or whatever issues) it just sets me off. Sorry.
Ralph
The reason you don't have more money is because you don't have enough tools. If you had more tools you could fix more things and make money. LOL
Well, funny this thread was posted as today I received the latest Lee Valley mini catalogue. After looking thru it once I went back thru and began to notice something that I previously missed: Those things which are in the catalogue, for sale, which I already have but, which I have made myself. I have saved over $500.00 just by making things for my shop. Now, a later poster states that he is satisfied w/ the tools that he has and asks a salient question,
"I have reached a point in my woodworking where I am satisfied with the tools I have.
Is this the last stage of evolution of a woodworker? "
The last project that I completed, a fireplace surround, required me to purchase no new tools, bits, clamps, .... Nothing! My thoughts were something along the lines of, "Can I make due w/ what I have? Do I really have to have a 1/2" core box bit or can I get by with the current 1" ?"
I think that the issue concerning too many tools boils down to contentment - are you satisfied w/ the previous purchases and can you justify a redundant, or somewhat, tool?
Is it a 'want' or a 'need'?
dlb
.
More fun to want rather than need.
"If my Grandfather was alive today he would ask how any one gets anything done with all these tools."
You made me think of a story from years ago that sort of relates to your observation about the number of available tools.
My grandfather was a carpenter, so naturally, I would tell him when I got a new tool. After buying a battery powered drill/driver when they first came out, I let him know that I'd gotten a "cordless screwdriver". He asked: "they're all cordless aren't they"? He was referring of course to the usual hand operated screwdriver. That was a long time ago and I still think of it everytime I drive a screw by hand. Funny how what was novel then is now commonplace.
you do make a point about to many tools. My mentor used to make up jigs to do lot of his work instead of buying tools. I thought he was crazy its so easy to just go buy something.
Now that Ive been doing this for awhile, I try to figure out how to things with out buying a tool. I try to make jigs or make things work. To me it just makes the work more satisfying.
My lovely bride (married 38 + yrs.) and her friends are quilters and crafters. If anyone thinks we have too many woodworking tools, check out the prices of sewing machines and the many tools - and supplies available to these activities.
Needless to say, we never chide each other about price or quantity.
I still use my great grandfather's tools as well as many of today's newfangled inventions. I have a suspicion my ancestors would have welcomed todays "toys". Every generation invented and used new tools.
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