How To Pick The Right Tools

If you are into tools in any way, shape, or form, you know how valuable a good set of tools can be. I make my living with the tools that I carry so I am very particular about what is in my tool box at work and home. If you do any type of home improvements, tinkering, or do any type of job that requires tools, you also know how having the right tools to do a job can also make the job go faster and smoother. I take my tool selection very seriously and I am very specific when family or friends ask me what they can get me for Christmas or as a gift. I recently needed a new quarter inch drive metric rachet and socket set so when Christmas came around, I wrote down all the specifics of the set that I wanted and gave it to my mom and dad who were delighted to get it as my gift. You are not imposing on a person when they ask you what you want as a gift and you give them the specifics on a particular tool that you need. On the contrary, the person will probably be glad that you saved them time having to figure out what to get you. Also, don't just tell them that you need new screwdrivers and expect them to read your mind and get you exactly what you want. In most cases, they probably don't share the same passion that you have for tools have or the same interests. If my friend told me that he wanted some knew fishing lures as a gift for Christmas, I wouldn't know what to get him since there are so many. If he said that he wanted some surface plugs to fish for bass, that would narrow down my choices considerably. Then if he was even more specific and said he wanted a surface plug callled 'the Jitterbug' in the frog color pattern. I would know exactly what he wanted, where to get it, and save time in the process. Tool choice is very personal so why not be specific.

I have also found over the years that you generally get what you pay for when it comes to tools. Most of the quality hand tool manufacturers will give you a lifetime warranty on such items as wrenches and screwdivers. There has been several times where I have busted a good quality open end and box wrench and that lifetime warranty came in handy. Tools that are not manufactured well can lead to injury or damage to the device, machine, or whatever it is that you are working on. By a cheap set of wrenches and you can expect to round off nuts and bolts and bust your knuckles frequently when the wrench slips off or breaks. Before I purchase a tool, I check the tool for 'feel' as well as quality. The tool needs to fit comfortably in my hand so that I can get a good grip and be comfortable using it. Many people are brand loyal when it comes to tools which has its advantages. I tend to be a little more open minded. Because there are many quality tool manufacturers, I tend to check all the quality brands to find the one that feels right in my hand. I may have a set of Proto open end and box wrenches, but my open end and rachet wrenches may be manufactured by Gearwrench. It depends how they feel in my hand as well as the quality. After all, I'm using these tools on a daily basis. They help me earn my paycheck so they need to fit well in my hand. I am also not brand specific when it comes to power tools either. For example, I personally like Dewalt Cordless Drills, I favor Metabo grinders, and when it comes to reciprocating saws, I like the Milwaukee Sawz-All. These tools work for me. The bottom line is when buying tools never sacrifice quality and find what fits best and works best for you.

Do some research before you buy, websites such as this will provide you with tool reviews and forums where you can ask other 'tool guys and gals' about a particular tool or brand. I also suggest that you invest in an engraver and mark your tools. I have misplaced several tools when working at my job. They were returned because the people who found them recognized my name or initials on the tool. You will run in to some thieves sometimes but most people are generally honest. Tools can get expensive, especially when you buy quality so you want to have them marked so that they can be returned if found. Some technicians and mechanics will buy better quality tools for home and get by at work with cheaper ones because of theft. Fortunately, my place of employment replaces tools that are broken, lost, or stolen. Check what the policies are where you work and see if your tools are covered.

Now when it comes to tools, you can never have enough and having the right tool for the job can save you time, money, and tons of aggravation. You may only use that tool once in two years but if you have it when nothing else works, that tool is worth its weight in gold. Since I have been using the example of wrenches in this article, I'll stick with them. I have drawers filled with different types of wrenches and on one occasion or another, I have had to use them all. I have open end & box wrench combos, open end and socket combos, open end and rachet wrench combos, stubby wrenches, wrenches with swivel heads and many others. They all serve their purpose and have saved me much aggravation. My motto is: 'If a tool served it purpose to make a job go smoothly, quickly, and safely, it was worth the price that I paid for it.' Tool selection is personal and quality should never be sacrificed. You need to make smart decisions when purchasing tools.