Can we talk about hitting the 50 tool mark with no real system?

I was cleaning out my garage last weekend and decided to count every power and hand tool I own. Ended up at 53 total, not counting screws and nails. That surprised me because I never thought of myself as a collector, more like a guy who buys what he needs for a project. But then I got to wondering, is there a right number for a DIY homeowner? My buddy says anything past 30 tools means you're a hoarder, but another guy at the hardware store swore by having a dedicated tool for every job to avoid shortcuts. I'm torn between wanting to pare down and feeling like each one served a purpose at some point. Has anyone else done a full inventory and realized they hit some milestone they didn't plan for? How do you decide when to stop buying and just rent the rest?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

leo6032mo ago

Oh man, I feel this in my bones. Did the same thing last spring when I was reorganizing the basement. Ended up with 47 tools and no clue how I got there. It's that weird moment where you realize you bought a tile cutter for one bathroom remodel five years ago and it's just been sitting there ever since. I keep telling myself I'll use it again but honestly, I probably won't. The line between being prepared and being a hoarder is way thinner than people think.

3

hugog432mo ago

Haha yeah man my buddy Tom did this exact thing with his garage. He found a pipe wrench he bought 8 years ago for a plumbing emergency that never happened. Still in the package with the receipt.

3