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Things you just can't explain.

2K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  AlaskaGuy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Last week,after several years of building up my shop, I finally had bought all the tools and equipment I needed - except clamps, but that's a different story. I even assured my wife that I was finished buying anything, outside a few shop supplies, and maybe some clamps.

After this promise, I went to Lee Valley and suddenly realized that I needed a detail hand vise http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=72081&cat=1,41637,41659. I mean, it's sort of a clamp, so that's ok. Of course, the planes I bought off of kijiji were necessary because I'm going to restore them and that's not the same as just buying them. Not to mention that the collet extension, knobs, t-bolts and hold down were all shop supplies, so no issues, obviously. Ditto for the epoxy, 6" bolts, and nitrile gloves. Naturally, I then needed storage bins to keep my shop organized. Plainly, none of this had anything to do with building my shop, and is required to keep a shop operational.

Despite this restraint, Tuesday, I was in Canadian Tire where I was looking for some non-shop related items in, honest, I wasn't even trying to go into the tool section. Yet, I just happened to be looking for some…I forget, but it was really important at the time…and I happened to see a pin nailer on sale for $40! Yes, I have a brad nailer, but now I can do a glue up without having to fill any holes. So, that makes this a very important exception.

I have been very proud of my commitment not to buy things for my shop, unless absolutely necessary. So can someone explain why my wife won't talk to me?
 
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#3 ·
+1 hesitant to get in middle of family issue:

When ever I have done something similar, am usually required to do one, two, or all of following steps to recover:
#1 Buy her flowers.
#2 Show her you still have money by scheduling a date night. Where you take her out for a nice expensive romantic dinner and movie; and you pay.
#3 Spend an entire day (or weekend if needed) doing all laundry, dishes, clean entire house, and cook dinner
Next you complain about how hard all this housework is and brag how lucky you are that she does it most of time.

After treating her special and complimenting her, ice berg melts and all is forgiven!
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Then you can buy more tools, and repeat process …. :)

Tool addiction is real. I typically need to schedule a date night about once a month. :)
Just last weekend, she asked me if I planned to buy any tools this week, as there is new movie out she wants to see. :)

YMMV
 
#4 ·
Excellent input from CaptainKlutz. That sounds like an odd thing to say, but whatever.

Now, this is a real tip for lumbering_on and all the rest of you who try to balance tool purchases with relationships. I used a foolproof technique. It worked every time.

Say you're looking at a new Festool Domino. They go for what? A grand or so? Here's the tip. Go buy one. When your wife or whomever is the ball buster in your life asks about it, tell them it cost $7,000. They will totally freak out. But then, when you tell them it was only $1,000, they will be like, OK, that's not so bad. See how that works?

In the interest of total disclosure, I'm divorced. But I don't think that was the complete reason.
 
#5 ·
What she doesnt know wont hurt her. Sure I told her about the big tools and motorcycles that are obvious, but pin nailers, hand planes, chisels, ammo reloading equipment? Not a chance. Has no idea whats in the shop. Still married too. It can be done.
 
#6 ·
CaptKlutz, that's what we call the gravel bouquet where I'm from. :)

Thanks for the info, I actually am planning to take her out to dinner this weekend, so I think I'm going to be good. I already do the dishes at night while she's at work. However, she does seem to have a new 'improved' Honey Do list, so I think she's going to make sure I put everything to good use. I think she's decided she will either teach me a lesson, or get a totally new decor out of it.

I've been fighting the itch to buy tools, and have actually been doing well. This week was just one of those weeks when it seem to flare up all at once. My brother actually had an addiction to buying shaving equipment a few years ago. He spent over $3K on soap, razors, blades, etc. I didn't know that was possible, but apparently, he knew people that spent even more.

Rich, now that's a great idea. I'm just worried she may decide to split the difference when she finds out the real cost. Did that ever come up?
 
#10 ·
Build her something little and nice and give it to her as a gift and tell her you love her more than all your tools. With any luck she won't call ur bluff.
If all else fails tell her "sure I have lots of tools but promise to only have one woman….. you"
If that doesn't work make some living quarters in ur shop. Lol
l
 
#11 ·
My wife is pretty good about me buying stuff as she knows that I m not buying something unless it s a good deal and I need it.

However, it also helps that I sell stuff that people throw away. So I use that cash to buy stuff as well.

- Steve

Do you mean old tools that you restore? Wouldn t be a bad idea.

- lumbering_on
That or anything good I find that's being thrown away. I just sold an electric bike that I found for $40. That basically paid for a gripper 3d that I bought.
 
#12 ·
well i'm a gun collector, and tool collector so to speak, normally she does not give me grief when i make a purchase, but i did come home with a new 6×12 dump trailer, hehe, as we already have a couple, but the deal of a life time just couldn't be ignored, when she pointed out our yard is full of trailers, i promptly led her to her closet, and we discussed shoes, purses and scarves, and with the end of that discussion the snake eye and attitude went away,

i say fight fire with fire, hehehe, but hey after 46 years of marriage, she knows by now i'm gonna do what i'm gonna do.
happy saturday
rj in Az.
 
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