[TheForge] Spent too much on tools

[RIES NIEMI]

I think the different mind set between someone who is doing something sole
for pleasure- a hobby, and someone who makes their living from it explains
the different approaches to spending money on tools, as well as taking the
time to make your own tools.
While some people prefer to work for others so that their free time is all
their own, I cant really separate what I do for money with what I love. Part
of this has to do with being the much maligned "artist". I would say that
the definition of an artist is not someone who welds scrap together and
calls it art-anyone can do that- no an artist is someone who cant help
spending all of his or her time making stuff. The art students fall by the
wayside and get real jobs- but the real artists just keep slogging along for
their whole lives, because they just cant help it.
I havent had a straight job since 1978- I kept quitting em to work on my own
harebrained schemes, so finally I gave up and admitted I was unemployable.
On the other hand, I have been an employer since the early 80's. Right now 2
guys full time in the shop, and a couple of other people part time in other
roles. Therefore, I have the greater responsibility of making sure there is
work to pay everybody.
But at the same time, I am just as much a tool junkie as many other smiths,
and any time I can figure out an excuse why such and such a job requires a
new tool, I do so. I dont want to think about how much I have spent on
tools- lots. But the joy of having an idea, and being able to make something
in ten minutes because everything is right there at your fingertips is
pretty cool.
So yeah, I probably dont really NEED that milling machine, or the
ironworker, or the angle rolls, but they sure are sweet to have, and as a
result of having this big pile of tools, I can take on jobs I otherwise
couldnt, and make money on them, and, of course, buy more tools.
Ries