I’ll add one more rule. Does buying it directly support an individual tool maker? This may excuse a bit of frivolous tool buying, but still contributes to the craft
Well this made me laugh, for sure. It’s the same thing in the camera business. Because obviously a better camera with a gazillion megapixels will make you a better photographer. I do happen to like tools but if truth be told the ones I use the most also fit in one box on my workbench. My real issue is collecting wood (as you know since I frequently visit the lumberyard). Every time I see a worm eaten-curly-spalted something or other I want it. There is a real lesson there. Thanks for making my day with this.
While I've heard a lot from other authors about not buying tools, I really appreciated the last section -- on how to buy time instead. It reminds me of advice for gifting --- give experiences, not things.
I've found another worthwhile use for the tool budget which is not tools is books & videos -- I've found that learning a new technique or a how to make a new appliance (e.g. shooting boards, bench hooks, etc.) to do an operation have served me better than buying a tool to do it (which of course usually requires its own learning curve/skill anyway).
From someone guilty of this when I started, the comical comment was "I am but one power tool away from being a true craftsman". Then, I read that knowing how to sharpen tools is the gateway skill to woodworking, so I bought all type and manner of sharpening jigs and stones, plus, the tools that needed sharpening, like chisels and plane irons. By now, one sees the pattern of never meeting a tool I didn't like. I now refer to this as my side hobby of tool collecting and restoring old ones for use, and building cabinets to store them. It is truly a slippery slope down the rabbit hole, and seeing that nature abhors a vacuum. However, now, with a daughter and grandkids getting into woodworking in a serious way, I have offspring to pass my tools and widgets down to. This will likely create more space in my workshop. Wash, rinse and repeat, is the likely outcome.
Such great advice here. Something I'm trying to abide by while building my own toolkit. I'm buying what I need when I need it. And that doesn't include gimmicky widgets!
Don’t you know….. he who has the most tools when you die wins!!
Seriously, I wrote a tool review for Highland Woodworking’s newsletter for six years. I received a $100 store credit a month for each review. Needless to say, I have more ’stuff’ than I know what to do with. It may be time to start a 6mo box!
My new purchase rule is simple:
1) Is it a specific tool I need for this project and I can’t do it with what I already own… buy it.
2) My two tool chests are full so I ask myself “What will it replace?” If I can’t come up with an answer… DON’T BUY IT1
These are perfect!
I’ll add one more rule. Does buying it directly support an individual tool maker? This may excuse a bit of frivolous tool buying, but still contributes to the craft
I normally don’t question those purchases. I simply buy their tool. Once I have it I give it away to a new woodworker getting started
Well this made me laugh, for sure. It’s the same thing in the camera business. Because obviously a better camera with a gazillion megapixels will make you a better photographer. I do happen to like tools but if truth be told the ones I use the most also fit in one box on my workbench. My real issue is collecting wood (as you know since I frequently visit the lumberyard). Every time I see a worm eaten-curly-spalted something or other I want it. There is a real lesson there. Thanks for making my day with this.
I’ll make my next post on the wood issue 😝
On no…😬
While I've heard a lot from other authors about not buying tools, I really appreciated the last section -- on how to buy time instead. It reminds me of advice for gifting --- give experiences, not things.
I've found another worthwhile use for the tool budget which is not tools is books & videos -- I've found that learning a new technique or a how to make a new appliance (e.g. shooting boards, bench hooks, etc.) to do an operation have served me better than buying a tool to do it (which of course usually requires its own learning curve/skill anyway).
Thanks for the post!
Most definitely. I purchase good books indescriminatly
From someone guilty of this when I started, the comical comment was "I am but one power tool away from being a true craftsman". Then, I read that knowing how to sharpen tools is the gateway skill to woodworking, so I bought all type and manner of sharpening jigs and stones, plus, the tools that needed sharpening, like chisels and plane irons. By now, one sees the pattern of never meeting a tool I didn't like. I now refer to this as my side hobby of tool collecting and restoring old ones for use, and building cabinets to store them. It is truly a slippery slope down the rabbit hole, and seeing that nature abhors a vacuum. However, now, with a daughter and grandkids getting into woodworking in a serious way, I have offspring to pass my tools and widgets down to. This will likely create more space in my workshop. Wash, rinse and repeat, is the likely outcome.
Such great advice here. Something I'm trying to abide by while building my own toolkit. I'm buying what I need when I need it. And that doesn't include gimmicky widgets!
Bingo
Don’t you know….. he who has the most tools when you die wins!!
Seriously, I wrote a tool review for Highland Woodworking’s newsletter for six years. I received a $100 store credit a month for each review. Needless to say, I have more ’stuff’ than I know what to do with. It may be time to start a 6mo box!
Often I’ll find what’s in the box can make a “set” of tools so I’ll gift them to a new woodworker to get them started
I love this. As a newer woodworker it took me a while to learn to buy what I need when I need it, not what other people told me I needed.
Nailed it.