To me, ERE means living with as few possessions as possible, that are of high quality, light weight, and low volume, to make them easily transportable.
I used to work construction and have amassed a respectable tool collection over the years. At this point, my tools are a sunk cost. The resale value for most is low.
One of the hardest challenges I've had with ERE is figuring out how to handle my tool collection. I've moved a few times, and each time, my tools are about 30% of the total weight of my personal possessions.
Before my last move, I sold a 100 pound stainless steel tool chest that I decided not to bring with me as it wasn't conducive to ERE living, taking up 20% of the volume of my car (the entire back seat). Part of ERE to me is being able to move with my possessions in my car, so volume and weight are both important.
I don't really do much with tools anymore because I'm busy at work. The goal is to work my ass off for a few years, and then retire according to ERE principles. At that point, I'd like the tools to do various projects. I still use some of the tools on minor projects but nothing substantial anymore.
The last time I moved, since I sold the tool chest, I just kept my tools in crates and dug through them when I needed something. After 6 months I separated out any tool that I didn't touch in the previous 6 months.
It turns out that for everyday and medium level projects, I only use about 20% of my tools.
When I did construction it made sense to have a lot of specialized tools. For example, I have
16 nut drivers (look like screw drivers but with 5/16" to 1/2" socket heads) - 8 Metric/8 Standard.
I also have a full socket set because they are used for different things. But I have a straight socket screwdriver thing that lets me snap a socket on the end, and turn it into a nut driver. The downside is that it takes an extra 10 seconds to set it up. When I did construction it was useful to have the color coded nut drivers because I knew Yellow meant 5/16" so I could visually grab yellow, use it, put it down and grab another tool.
When thinking about ERE, I have to make tradeoffs between value and cost. There's value in having the dedicated nut drivers (and I already have them), but there's a cost of weight and volume involved. Everytime I move, I'll have cost associated with transporting these additional tools to the new location.
Another example is drills. I have a corded drill, a cordless drill, and eventually I'd like to own a drill press. The corded drill is nice because since I don't work construction anymore, I don't keep the drill batteries charged. So if I need to use a drill for a quick task, I don't have to wait 1 hour to charge a battery, and I can simply plug the drill in and use it. Of course, if I was doing something outside, I'd want a cordless drill. A drill press is required for certain specialized projects, but I might be able to convert the corded drill into a drill press setup to make it more dual purpose.
I plan on taking some time to really map out which tools I need, which I can do without, and figure out how to trade/sell unnecessary tools to make my future ERE retirement allow for a more mobile lifestyle without sacrificing too much in my capability.
I'm curious to hear thoughts on how others have done this, or might do it.
ERE Tool Set/Collection: Machine/Power/Hand/etc.
I have tools, backpacking equipment, boating stuff and brewing equipment. I have a couple of weeks of vacation and one of the top things in my to do list is to sell off stuff and declutter.
I don't think I am going to sell my tools or brewing equipment. I use them and they can come in handy in emergencies. I don't plan on moving any time soon.
The answer to how to deal with tools seems to be based mainly on your plans to be mobile or to stay in one place. Storage space is a consideration. If you have storage space and you plan to live where you are located for a long time, I would keep the tools. Its not like you are going to get a good return on selling them.
+ I forgot to add, I want a table saw, so I may be adding to the collection.
I don't think I am going to sell my tools or brewing equipment. I use them and they can come in handy in emergencies. I don't plan on moving any time soon.
The answer to how to deal with tools seems to be based mainly on your plans to be mobile or to stay in one place. Storage space is a consideration. If you have storage space and you plan to live where you are located for a long time, I would keep the tools. Its not like you are going to get a good return on selling them.
+ I forgot to add, I want a table saw, so I may be adding to the collection.
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bananastand
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:23 pm
Here's a few off the top of my head - maybe we can build it into a Wiki for the site with others' thoughts. I'll also post a detailed inventory of what I have at a future date.
Hacksaw - full size with numerous replaceable blades. I believe mine is 10" or 12"
Claw Hammer - for general hammering
Rubber Mallet - for sensitive hammering - in reality I've used a rubber handled screwdriver as a rubber mallet, but I tore the handle up pretty bad over the years. Still cheaper and more multi-purpose, but eventually I may get an actual rubber mallet
4 - Full Size screw drivers - a Philips #1 and Philips #2, and 2 Different Sized flat head sizes - larger
2 Micro Screw driver sets - bits fit in the handle - one is Torx, and one is Micro Philips/Flathead
Diagonal Cutting Pliers
Linesman Pliers
Large "Channel Lock" type Pliers - that's a brand name, but it's what these are frequently called where I worked - size opening ones
PVC Pipe Cutter - if doing any medium to serious PVC work. Hacksaws suck for cutting PVC except in small quantities then it's tolerable
Quality Multi Meter
Needle Nose Pliers - fine
Soldering Iron
Drill and Drill bit set - I'd go cordless 18V if I could only have one drill
Vice Grips of 2 sizes
Foredom rotary tool (beats a dremel)
Socket Set - 3/8 is probably a good compromise
Set of Files
Level
My preference is to go with quality tools only. I used to like Craftsman because of the idea of the lifetime warranty but based on what I've seen over the last 10 years in declining quality control, and looking at the piss poor financial performance of Sears, I'm willing to bet they declare bankruptcy and shutter their doors within 10 years. However, replacing tools is pretty painless for the most part, for now.
Ideally, I'd like to come up with an "ERE" based Tool Set where it follows minimalistic mindset so it's highly portable and multi purpose.
I'd probably then have secondary "specialist" tools that would be added or subtracted from the main kit as necessary when traveling. For example, if I wasn't likely to do anything with PVC, I'd leave the PVC cutters behind because they are pretty big. If something came up, I'd either make due with the hacksaw, or buy a new set of PVC cutters at the new location, or just wait until I had time to go to my main "home" and bring the cutters back with me.
I haven't figured out how to have a drill press and vice while living in an apartment and keeping the setup mobile. Eventually, I'll come up with an interesting way to build an aluminum and wood work bench that serves to mount a vice and drill press.
I'm thinking the "frame" of the table will be aluminum with the main work surface made of wood. The theory being that aluminum is light so if I am moving to a new location, I can discard the wood (and it will be beat up from use after time), take the aluminum with me, and then at the local Home Depot, get a new slab of wood to serve as the main table. Cost/Value considerations will be made depending on the move. A cross-country move and I throw away the wood because it's not worth the expense of moving. A local move and I rent a pickup truck and take it with me.
Hacksaw - full size with numerous replaceable blades. I believe mine is 10" or 12"
Claw Hammer - for general hammering
Rubber Mallet - for sensitive hammering - in reality I've used a rubber handled screwdriver as a rubber mallet, but I tore the handle up pretty bad over the years. Still cheaper and more multi-purpose, but eventually I may get an actual rubber mallet
4 - Full Size screw drivers - a Philips #1 and Philips #2, and 2 Different Sized flat head sizes - larger
2 Micro Screw driver sets - bits fit in the handle - one is Torx, and one is Micro Philips/Flathead
Diagonal Cutting Pliers
Linesman Pliers
Large "Channel Lock" type Pliers - that's a brand name, but it's what these are frequently called where I worked - size opening ones
PVC Pipe Cutter - if doing any medium to serious PVC work. Hacksaws suck for cutting PVC except in small quantities then it's tolerable
Quality Multi Meter
Needle Nose Pliers - fine
Soldering Iron
Drill and Drill bit set - I'd go cordless 18V if I could only have one drill
Vice Grips of 2 sizes
Foredom rotary tool (beats a dremel)
Socket Set - 3/8 is probably a good compromise
Set of Files
Level
My preference is to go with quality tools only. I used to like Craftsman because of the idea of the lifetime warranty but based on what I've seen over the last 10 years in declining quality control, and looking at the piss poor financial performance of Sears, I'm willing to bet they declare bankruptcy and shutter their doors within 10 years. However, replacing tools is pretty painless for the most part, for now.
Ideally, I'd like to come up with an "ERE" based Tool Set where it follows minimalistic mindset so it's highly portable and multi purpose.
I'd probably then have secondary "specialist" tools that would be added or subtracted from the main kit as necessary when traveling. For example, if I wasn't likely to do anything with PVC, I'd leave the PVC cutters behind because they are pretty big. If something came up, I'd either make due with the hacksaw, or buy a new set of PVC cutters at the new location, or just wait until I had time to go to my main "home" and bring the cutters back with me.
I haven't figured out how to have a drill press and vice while living in an apartment and keeping the setup mobile. Eventually, I'll come up with an interesting way to build an aluminum and wood work bench that serves to mount a vice and drill press.
I'm thinking the "frame" of the table will be aluminum with the main work surface made of wood. The theory being that aluminum is light so if I am moving to a new location, I can discard the wood (and it will be beat up from use after time), take the aluminum with me, and then at the local Home Depot, get a new slab of wood to serve as the main table. Cost/Value considerations will be made depending on the move. A cross-country move and I throw away the wood because it's not worth the expense of moving. A local move and I rent a pickup truck and take it with me.