A patent could be worthwhile, depending on what your invention is. The trouble with a patent is that it makes the item a matter of public record, which means if something else can be made which does the same thing but is distinct - say an internal rather than external modification to give the same effect that could be done easily by a tool manufacturer, then all you've done is give them the idea easily.
If there's only one way of doing this - a specific shape to a washer, groove configuration etc, then it may be worth getting patent protection.
What I'd do from the business perspective is to look hard at who you know, who your friends know, etc, and try to find someone who can make an introduction at executive level to a tool company. Friendly introductions are often your best guarantors of equitable treatment, as most already wealthy people don't want to damage their reputations by screwing a friend of a friend. Try to get the introduction and see if this person will help you. As soon as you get traction with one tool company, then you should look at a patent regardless, as you will have the back story and clout to enforce it. If you just do it off the bat and publicise your idea, then you runu the risk that all the tool companies do it and you've just not got anywhere to start.
You also need to know, before you spend any money, that it's not something the tool companies have thought of and simply discarded as not worth their while. An early conversation with a friend, or a friend of a friend, is always the best starting point.
If there's only one way of doing this - a specific shape to a washer, groove configuration etc, then it may be worth getting patent protection.
What I'd do from the business perspective is to look hard at who you know, who your friends know, etc, and try to find someone who can make an introduction at executive level to a tool company. Friendly introductions are often your best guarantors of equitable treatment, as most already wealthy people don't want to damage their reputations by screwing a friend of a friend. Try to get the introduction and see if this person will help you. As soon as you get traction with one tool company, then you should look at a patent regardless, as you will have the back story and clout to enforce it. If you just do it off the bat and publicise your idea, then you runu the risk that all the tool companies do it and you've just not got anywhere to start.
You also need to know, before you spend any money, that it's not something the tool companies have thought of and simply discarded as not worth their while. An early conversation with a friend, or a friend of a friend, is always the best starting point.