Tools – The Simple Joy

See that picture up there? That’s my garage. My happy place. I have a comfy chair in there, I have a Bluetooth stereo in there, I have nice flooring which helps keep it warm and most importantly of all, I have tools. So, so many tools. But, I am not in any way, shape or form a mechanic. I am a hobbyist, a rank amateur, a bit of a moron to be honest. So why do I have all the gear, despite having a somewhat limited idea? Because I love them, that’s why. I love having them, I love knowing there are few jobs that can’t be tackled in my garage, I love knowing that as I build my skills and abilities, I have the kit to back it up. I don’t feel guilty about it, and nor should you if you’re in a similar boat.

I might be losing my mind here, I might be rambling the words of a bona fide lunatic, but trust me. Having lots of tools just, helps. There’s obvious, physical help that comes by having the right tool for a every job. Or at the very least something better than, say, using a pry bar and an ironclad last will and testament to remove a coil spring. Or a flathead screwdriver to remove something that should not be removed with a flathead screwdriver. Like a window. It’s just good to have that seldom-used but time saving ball-joint splitter, or the nut extraction set, or a tap and die set. These tools are the gatekeepers between you and failure. One snapped bolt can send most mortals into a three week downward spiral.

Then there is the other train of thought behind, certainly in my case, why lots of tools are a good thing. Remember when you were a kid and you got that football, or that really slick tennis racket, or bike, or skateboard or whatever? Remember how it made you feel boss? Like you were the master of whatever discipline your new ‘think’ was for? Tools are the same. I like having all the gear, because while my idea my well be limited, my potential is not. And that gives me more confidence. It makes me more willing to tackle bigger jobs of increased complexity. That’s powerful. Because as we all know, working on cars can be intimidating. But a set of tools more comprehensive than something by Playskool serve as your willing cheerleader. “You can do it” they whisper.

And before you comment about tools being expensive, no they’re not. There are things you, naturally, cheap out on like a torque wrench, or safety items like axle stands and trolley jacks, but by and large you can build up a good roster of kit for not a lot of money. There’s probably three grand in my garage? Maybe? Built up over years. And if you think cheap tools are a false economy, I pose this to you: If you get something cheap, but never use it, then no love is lost. If you use it lots and in breaks, then you know it’s worth investing more money into. Better than spending hundreds on kit that just collects dust.

Finally, there is the matter of pride. And we all like that feeling, don’t we? I love my garage, I love what’s in it and I love the potential that all the amassed tools afford me. There is nothing wrong with owning something just because you like owning it. I have thousands of Hot Wheels in that garage (bonus points if you can spot them) but I don’t covet or display them. I just like knowing I have them. And that’s okay. And it translates to tools as well. So treat yourself. Have a look at our old Weekend Shop posts. Right, I’m off to buy a new ratchet…