Learn to use tools. Learn to BUILD.

[goundra]

man, you don't buy generic tools at a hardware store. not if you can HELP it, that is. buy them at garage sales, thrift stores, auctions, pawn shops, for about 20% of what they retail for, usually. Christ, you are talking about wasting a TON of money! Try to buy an entire toolbox full of tools, for under $30. I mean a box that you can carry with one arm, without wrenching your back. say 30 lbs or so. a complete socket set, a hammer, a hacksaw, a basic set of combo wrenches, in 1/16th and metric sizes, adjustable wrench, a couple of plier types, 1/2 dozen screwdrivers ( blade and phillips) a locking plier or 2, a basic set of Allen keys, a Dremel type handgrinder and accessories, measuring tape, box cutter,

 

[buzzin_frog]

Sold advice Atom Smasher!!! I hope more guys read this thread and pay attention. Too bad there isn't more threads like this with excellent advice. I see more guys making excuses rather than using their tools and building a solid foundation.

 

[JohnChops]

Very nice, I remember last summer I wanted to take out my 80cc Honda moped and it wouldn't start. The carb was all gunked up because we let it sit with gas in it. I had no idea how to clean it , but my buddy did, i popped it out got it cleaned and put it back in and she stared! was a great day to say the least . I love fixing that thing, its like a second hobby when it gets warm up. I want to try to work on cars next, maybe get a project car, sounds like fun. I need to expand my knowledge about fixing cars to be honest, besides the basics which i already know.

 

[SJ413]

I thought this was a requirement of being a man? Yes, learn as much as you can! I've been lucky enough to grow up in the middle of nowhere, when we couldn't always afford to have things taken care of for us. I taught myself out of necessity. Now, I'm fairly wealthy, and I build even cooler things. Learn all you can with your hands!

Ps: ladies like rough (but clean!) hands

Great post, now I know why women stare at me while I work! Time to use it to my advantage...

 

[Atom Smasher]

The title of my own thread reminds me of Eddie Murphy doing his famous fake commercial on SNL:

"Be somebody. Be a ho."

 

[Aristippus]

man, you don't buy generic tools at a hardware store. not if you can HELP it, that is. buy them at garage sales, thrift stores, auctions, pawn shops, for about 20% of what they retail for, usually. Christ, you are talking about wasting a TON of money! Try to buy an entire toolbox full of tools, for under $30. I mean a box that you can carry with one arm, without wrenching your back. say 30 lbs or so. a complete socket set, a hammer, a hacksaw, a basic set of combo wrenches, in 1/16th and metric sizes, adjustable wrench, a couple of plier types, 1/2 dozen screwdrivers ( blade and phillips) a locking plier or 2, a basic set of Allen keys, a Dremel type handgrinder and accessories, measuring tape, box cutter,

Goundra,

You're assuming he knows what to look for or how to tell the difference. Yeah, maybe a person experienced with tools can go to the yardsales and flea markets and do ok. For the newbie who knows nothing about tools, you're better off bargain-hunting at the hardware store or your local Wal-Mart. I might have inflated the prices a bit to account for different cities/locations instead of giving a low-ball figure. Worst case he spends less than expected. Someone with no experience could wind up spending the same for junk or for worn out tools at a yardsale that he could have spent on brand new tools.

Yeah, he could find quality at a low price, if he knew what he was looking for, but this is for someone with no experience. He'd might as well do his bargain-shopping at the stores first. Eventually he will know what to look for and can either continue buying new tools on sale or for bottom dollar retail, or he can buy the used stuff. For the beginner the safest bet is buying new and shopping around.

 

[Atom Smasher]

I can tell you guys from experience that it almost never pays to buy cheap tools unless strapped for cash and you need to get the job done. You should always buy the best you can afford.

For the average guy, Craftsman tool sets are still an excellent sweet spot in quality vs. cost, especially when on sale. For most, a set of Craftsman sockets will last forever. They also have a lifetime warranty.

Hardware store or Walmart brands will round out after a few uses.

That brings me to another point... Tools should be respected. They should always be cleaned after every use and put in their proper place. The caliber of a true craftsman can be discerned by how much he respects his tools. A guy who throws his tools in a drawer all mixed together will never produce what a man who respects his tools can produce. In the heat of battle it's sometimes inevitable for tools to get mixed and misplaced, but once the project is done a man who truly understands tools will clean them and organize them.

I have mostly excellent tools, except for a handful of purchases from Harbor Freight for a tool or two that I know I will barely ever use, or perhaps that I needed for one time only. Other than that, tools are a lifetime investment because they are the means by which a man does what he craves most... to project power.