Can you ever have enough tools - I think the answer is YES

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

I experience a weird sensation yesterday that I have never felt before. While attending the Wood Working show in Indy to help a friend that was selling CNC machines there, I toured up and down each isle, in search of that one new tool or widget that I just had to have to make my life easier, but alas it was not to be found.

Sure there were a few cleaver things there, but nothing that was leaps and bound better than they tools or methods i use to accomplish the same tasks. Although the feeling of contentment was rather nice, it certainly was not one I can say I am used to. As I partook in the 4.5 hour ride home in a terrible snow storm ( usually a two hour event), I just could not get over how I escaped a place like that with only the purchase of a coffee. Years ago, I would have dropped a few grand at a show like that and my wallet was in fact chuck full of dead presidents ready to do battle, but there was no reason for any to take arms. Of course the fact that a lot of vendors there lacked imagination and all tried to sell much the same items may have helped. For example there were 6 people trying to sell dovetail jigs, none of which were much different from each other, or for that matter what has been on the market for the past 4 decades, and you had 10 folks selling sandpaper in packages that you could buy practically anywhere.

When I got home, Mrs. Beaver said "So What did you buy?". She was shocked when I said " A simple cup of Coffee and nothing more!"

[mesquite buckeye]

Sounds like you would be hard to buy presents for. ;D

Already have everything you need.

Or time to start inventing the next breakthrough cool thing yourself.  ;D

Just a thought. 8) 8) 8)

[clww]

IMO one can never have too many drill bits, utility knives, pencils or tape measures.
Or chainsaws.

[Trahlin]

I am glad that someone else is feeling this way!  Been having the same thoughts.  My wife doesn't know whether to cheer, or send me to a shrink.

I usually get a grizzly catalogue or the Rockler catalog, and circle everything I want before Christmas.  This year I just asked for a couple hundred board feet of quarter sawn white oak, and ideas.  I would build what they wanted, and "re-gift"the wood back to them in a finished project of their choice.  Actually worked well.  I now have a list of things to build.  Love it!

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Chief, your 100% right when it comes to measuring tapes!  :D

[clww]

I like that idea of "re-gifting" the finished products back. ;)

[clww]

I have four tapes in my truck, yet I still have to dig for them. :-\

[martyinmi]

Or chainsaws.

A machinery salesman and I were talking about chainsaws at work a few weeks ago. He mentioned that he had an old Homelite 150 powerhead just taking up space in his polebarn that I could have for FREE! Said it just needed a bar and chain, maybe a carb kit and it would be ready to cut. He'd even throw in the case.

I turned him down. I already have one that runs and one for parts. :-[

Man, I'm losin' it!

[hardtailjohn]

It's gotta be an age thing...  I see we're about the same age, and I've got those same feelings sometimes....  I sure hope I can get out of this slump! hahaha   The Grizzly catalog only has one or two dog eared pages... I walk into the shop and think "where would I put it anyway"?   I hope it's just a passing "phase"!

[bill m]

Same thing happened to me. When I first started out as an arborist I would attend all the trade shows and come home with a truck load of new gear. After about 10 years of that it was like " I don't see anything that is really a must have for my crew". I watch some of the climbers around now and while they are doing a simple deadwood prune on a white pine  they carry more gear on their saddles than most people own. :-\ :-\

[petefrom bearswamp]

I'm sti9ll in the buy mode.
To paraphrase senator Phil Graham I have all the tools (he said guns) I need but not all the tools i want.

[DR Buck]

You are correct. You can have ENOUGH tools.   But you can NEVER have TO MANY tools. 

Two years ago the Woodworking Show lost ther venue here in Northern Virginia.  That has caused me to miss two years in a row of woodworking shows after 14 consecutive years.   That said, I found in the recent years my purchases have been replacement stuff, consumables and things like speciality router bits or the ocassional clamp.

I have also experienced the same "problem" at ham radio shows.  I pretty much have everything I need/want for my station.   I usually  go to Dayton every other year,which is the largest hamfest in the world.  In the 80s and 90s the attendees reached 42,000.  Now it's closer to 20,000 but still a large flea market and lots of vendors.   Mostly I buy small parts.  I went 2 years ago and spent more money on food than I spent on the show vendors.    I found now I enjoy the social aspect more than the early years when I went on  a mission to bring home stuff.

[mesquite buckeye]

I believe the solution to this problem is a larger, or better still, a much larger workshop. ;D ;D ;D

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

Hardtailjohn

I think you hit the nail on the head and I believe it is an age related situation. Funny how a lot of people who agreed with my opening statement were mid 40's to mid 50's. I also agree with the comments about replacing or upgrading. I have been doing some of that fairly regularly for the past 7 or so years. Most recently was considering an bandsaw upgrade, but alas, my local woodworking club bought the exact one I was going to upgrade to and saved me the expenditure. It is only 4 miles away and I go there and resaw on their machine. It also gives me a good excuse to see some of my woodworking buddies.

[Peter Drouin]

more tools, is always good  ;D

[justallan1]

I've reached the stage of upgrading and buying to resell. Ya, that reselling part is really working out. :D
It's got to the point that I really don't NEED anymore tools and right now there are only a few that I WANT. (Okay, this week anyway)
Yet, I've made the mistake of figuring out this is the best pitch to tell someone trying to sell me something, especially used tools.

Allan

[SwampDonkey]

Since I'm on the poor man's end of the scale, it's not hard to walk by. :D Every tool I buy is carefully thought out, not an impulse buy. However, I am glad I bought my new Incra fence though, goes nice with the Incra mitre on the table saw.   8)

[terrifictimbersllc]

Maybe too many when you buy another just because you cant find the first one.  : :

[mooleycow]

I made my wants and needs purchases before I retired.  I still see new tools I need and purchase accordingly.  I do not like to paint.  I inadvertantly need to paint for someone or myself.  I purchased the Mixing Mate and wished I had it forty years earlier.  I put needs and wants in my retirement goals years ago hunting, fishing, woodworking, yard work etc.. Therefore the financial outlay does not arise during fixed or limited income time. 

[Planman1954]

When I took a furniture making class in college, the common knowledge was not to buy a tool until you need it. Never buy it because it looks good in a store and you think you'll use it someday. Those are usually the ones that gather dust.  :D

[SwampDonkey]

A fixed income is much more certain than one you have less control over. The mills gates could be closed by the sheriff any morning. So I don't agree. Easier to budget when income is more certain. ;D

[LeeB]

I musta been deprived as a kid. I still got the wants even though I don't use the tools I have nearly enough. I might use them more if I cleaned up my shop so I'd have room to use them.  :D

[GAB]

Maybe there is such a thing as having enough tools, however I for one am not there yet.  Gerald

[mesquite buckeye]

I can say there is something you can never have too many of......clamps. ;D

[SwampDonkey]

I'm always looking for a good clamp and they are pricey to. But you can't get anything worth lugging home around here, mostly junk.