It’s a common scenario: you’re a car enthusiast, maybe a bit of a tool hoarder, and your family is always borrowing your equipment for simple car tasks. Sound familiar? I used to have this problem, with boxes overflowing with tools, many rarely used, and a constant stream of borrowed items with questionable return rates. Eventually, I decided enough was enough and took a different approach that solved the borrowing issue and made everyone, including myself, think more practically about tools.
I invited my family members to take any tools they genuinely needed and knew how to use, completely free of charge. The result was enlightening. Seven people equipped themselves with tools they understood and could confidently operate. The remaining tools were taken by one family member, and just like that, the constant tool borrowing stopped almost overnight and has remained that way for years.
My wife received a curated set, chosen specifically for her needs and skill level. Interestingly, even with her own set, she rarely uses my tools anymore, and even some of hers remain untouched. What struck me most was that none of them even considered needing a socket set and ratchets – tools I considered essential. It highlighted a significant difference in perspective: they valued function and usability over complex or specialized tools they weren’t comfortable with.
This experience was a real eye-opener. Why did I accumulate so many tools? Why did I obsess over finding the “perfect” ratchet when my family didn’t even want one? Why did brand names matter to me when all they cared about was getting the job done? Looking at it from their perspective, I started to revise my own tool philosophy, prioritizing function over fancy features. Even after selling off a significant amount of my higher-end, unused tools to mechanic friends, I realized I could still downsize further without impacting my ability to do my job effectively.
So, what’s the takeaway for young adults starting to work on cars? Get them tools they can use now, and don’t break the bank on top-of-the-line brands. Start with practical, functional tools from less expensive brands. As their skills and needs grow, they can invest in higher-quality tools themselves. They might even discover, like my family, that they don’t need all the bells and whistles to get the job done right.
