So, what do us young guys think about old tools

[fury9]

I'm 32, Almost wish I was 60 years older, I have my Apple ****, I am quite amazed by how old things are made. I'm talking 50's era stuff not the 478 BC stuff. I own a 52 chevy styleline deluxe that needs work, I just picked up a kellogg-american 60 gal 2HP! 220 2 stage! Own a nice bench grinder circa 1961, I JUST- CAN'T- GET- ENOUGH of the quality of this stuff.... Am I sick? Had the krl1022 (thanks you guys) sold it, now my tools reside in a blueprint cabinet

 

[RatchetMan]

I like the old stuff but have come to terms with the fact that sometimes new is better. Just because it was made yesterday doesn't mean it's better than what is made today.

 

[Deej]

Haha, I know what you mean. I'm 31, staring at my iMac, and thinking i should dump all my dual 80 ratchets for some good old sk stuff.

 

[03protege]

Haha, I know what you mean. I'm 31, staring at my iMac, and thinking i should dump all my dual 80 ratchets for some good old sk stuff.

I'll send you a prepaid package to dispose of those in.

 

[Deej]

yeah, i was half way joking. my flf80 is just about the best thing in my box. There is something about old tools that i love though. I would die for an old set of mac wrenches

 

[jeffmoss26]

I'm 25. I buy old US made stuff as much as I can!

 

[fury9]

I do like my craftsman fine tooth, I have a flinch plate for the front of my workbench, snapped my palmgren so hard it flew 22 feet, had a cheater bar on it, gonna get a real swivel base vise soon

 

[rusty65]

I'm 18 and buy old tools when ever I can .

 

[Leadberry]

I usually prefer buying/using modern tools, but I feel there's something sublime about tools that consistently and repeatedly stand the test of time, e.g. American bench vises.

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

One Of my favorite tools is my 1 inch drive Truth ratchet. Ancient, and heavy as can be. Being 24 I love all the new fancy stuff I get off te SO truck, but some things cannot replace a vintage feel in your hands.

My favorite car I ever owned was my '79 K5. Sometimes, older is better.

 

[zkling]

I'm a young guy (25), and much prefer the older stuff. Not only is it made better, but usually comes at a substantial cost savings compared to new.

I wouldn't have even a small fraction of the quality tools I own if it wasn't for the used market. Thankfully so many people my age like the shiny new stuff. Now if only the old guys would prefer the new stuff there will be less competition.

 

[ADSR]

I'm 35 and find old tools a cool piece of history. I really like new tools. Ratchet wrenches are the best thing since sliced bread.

Most old tools are not very comfortable to use. New tools are designed to be more user friendly and comfortable.

 

[fury9]

One Of my favorite tools is my 1 inch drive Truth ratchet. Ancient, and heavy as can be. Being 24 I love all the new fancy stuff I get off te SO truck, but some things cannot replace a vintage feel in your hands.

My favorite car I ever owned was my '79 K5. Sometimes, older is better.

Nice! you ****!

 

[fury9]

I'm 35 and find old tools a cool piece of history. I really like new tools. Ratchet wrenches are the best thing since sliced bread.

Most old tools are not very comfortable to use. New tools are designed to be more user friendly and comfortable.

only the reversible ones

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

Nice! you ****!

Thanks! It's brutal to use, but sometimes it's worth it just to see the look on coworkers faces when I break loose counterweight bolts with it

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I'm a fleamarket/yard sale type guy. I just went to the local fleamarket over the weekend and got five Cornwell wrenches, a MAC wrench, and a few Snap-on sockets for $7.

It's obviusly not new, but not one of those items would cost you $7 new. All these brands come with a lifetime warranty, and my buddy who is a master tech for Toyota says his Snap-on guy LOVES old tools. He told him how he looks forward to seeing some obscure tool someone is looking to exchange for a new one. Basically no questions asked. Oh yeah, I love old sh@t.

 

[Haveblue]

If they are older than me, (40) and work,...I LOVE THEM!!! I love to see all the old tools posted here on GJ! Its interesting to think about how the industrial age came about, and the tool designs that made it happen! Oh ****, this was a question for the young guys...

 

[Super Sport]

Most of my tools are newer, but I do appreciate some older stuff. I like a lot of older power tools: bench grinders, drill presses, band saws, etc. That kind of stuff will outlast me if taken care of, unlike most of this new imported ****. I feel like most hand tools have improved over the years, so few of mine are older unless they are sentimental or unique.

The problem with new tools is that you often have to spend big bucks to (maybe) get the same quality some of that older stuff offered. For a lot of high-dollar items, I prefer to find something older or used at estate sales or something.

 

[montanafordman]

I hear what you're saying. I'm 32 also and love some of the old tools I inherited from my grandfather and some of the tools I have used on our farm that date back to the 60's and earlier. My favorite ratchet is my SK-Wayne 15" 1/2 inch drive ratchet. It has a distinct sound and feel that just screams solid design. I feel the same way about the SK 45170 3/8 ratchet. Its not as nice as my Dual 80 but its a design that is almost as old as my 31 model A and they're still making it. That says something. It may not be super fine tooth and super thin but its likely to outlast me. My 31 Ford Model A is also a marvel of engineering in my eyes for being 82 years old. Its a blast to drive and will go over incredibly rugged terrain and is also incredibly robust and reliable when mechanically restored properly. Dead battery? Crank start it or park it on a hill. Doesn't even have a fuel pump to go bad because its gravity fed. They made those cars for the common man and can be fixed with only the bare essential tools.

 

[ianguilly]

I can appreciate older tools, I'm just not to big into collecting them.

 

[Exceller8]

So let me get this straight... You wish you were 92 years old?

 

[uniballer]

One Of my favorite tools is my 1 inch drive Truth ratchet. Ancient, and heavy as can be. Being 24 I love all the new fancy stuff I get off te SO truck, but some things cannot replace a vintage feel in your hands.

My favorite car I ever owned was my '79 K5. Sometimes, older is better.

Where can I find one of those wonderful toys?

 

[fury9]

I hear what you're saying. I'm 32 also and love some of the old tools I inherited from my grandfather and some of the tools I have used on our farm that date back to the 60's and earlier. My favorite ratchet is my SK-Wayne 15" 1/2 inch drive ratchet. It has a distinct sound and feel that just screams solid design. I feel the same way about the SK 45170 3/8 ratchet. Its not as nice as my Dual 80 but its a design that is almost as old as my 31 model A and they're still making it. That says something. It may not be super fine tooth and super thin but its likely to outlast me. My 31 Ford Model A is also a marvel of engineering in my eyes for being 82 years old. Its a blast to drive and will go over incredibly rugged terrain and is also incredibly robust and reliable when mechanically restored properly. Dead battery? Crank start it or park it on a hill. Doesn't even have a fuel pump to go bad because its gravity fed. They made those cars for the common man and can be fixed with only the bare essential tools.

you get it....

 

[fury9]

So let me get this straight... You wish you were 92 years old?

you don't get it.....

 

[Exceller8]

you don't get it.....

Of course I do. I was just having a little fun with ya. I search almost daily for quality American made tools and when I come across older tools that is just a bonus. I picked up a really nice old "S" wrench today that must have many stories to tell. I bought it just because of the history of the tool and not because I needed it.

 

[pendragon1998]

My Grandpapa died when I was 5; he was an electrician and worked on all sorts of other stuff. Unfortunately, most of his tools were sold around the time of his death. My wife's grandfather owned a freaking independent garage business, but at the time, I had little interest in tools or working on cars, so I got no useful experience from him, and he passed several years after I met him. I have no idea what happened to his tools, but I expect they were sold or trashed.

Both of those things kill me now that I'm a bit older interested in all those things (just turned 30).

I love the quality of old tools in good restorable shape ... bench grinders, drill presses, lathes, saws, vises... I've also been watching more Woodwright's Shop episodes featuring antique tool goodness than is probably healthy. Just haven't been able to locate and/or afford the old stuff. There's not a very strong secondary market for stuff like that in NE Mississippi. Old tools seem to be mainly junk or over-priced. I am also a soon-to-be father, so tool money isn't exactly pouring forth. That's ok. I'll wait, I'll bide my time, and I'll keep looking.

 

[markduncan93]

I wouldn't mind being a bit older as well, but not over 30. I'm 19 and I've gotta say, old tools are the best. It's back when quality meant everything.

 

[shurik06_83]

flip side to this 20yrs ago Taiwan tools wer **** of the earth today they are considered quality over main land china 30 yrs ago japan tools wer slightly better then taiwan tools of that era today they are some really nice tools ,
so 30 yrs from now buncha guys are going to be sitting around and saying remember when taiwan made those good tools sure don't get quality like that from india now a days

 

[Super Sport]

My Grandpapa died when I was 5; he was an electrician and worked on all sorts of other stuff. Unfortunately, most of his tools were sold around the time of his death. My wife's grandfather owned a freaking independent garage business, but at the time, I had little interest in tools or working on cars, so I got no useful experience from him, and he passed several years after I met him. I have no idea what happened to his tools, but I expect they were sold or trashed.

Both of those things kill me now that I'm a bit older interested in all those things (just turned 30).

I love the quality of old tools in good restorable shape ... bench grinders, drill presses, lathes, saws, vises... I've also been watching more Woodwright's Shop episodes featuring antique tool goodness than is probably healthy. Just haven't been able to locate and/or afford the old stuff. There's not a very strong secondary market for stuff like that in NE Mississippi. Old tools seem to be mainly junk or over-priced. I am also a soon-to-be father, so tool money isn't exactly pouring forth. That's ok. I'll wait, I'll bide my time, and I'll keep looking.

There are many things from my grandparents I too wish I had kept. If only I had known then what I know now...

 

[blackz26]

Well not to be a downer, I like any tool that gets the job done and last a reasonable amount of time. I'm not prejudice. Ask my ratchet drawer! Mac next to Harbor Freight!

 

[gagreen]

I wouldn't mind being a bit older as well, but not over 30. I'm 19 and I've gotta say, old tools are the best. It's back when quality meant everything.

coming from a guy knocking on 30's door 19 is not such a bad age lol, dont wish away youth. I was in the air force and only a few hours from juarez from 19-21 tho haha.

back on topic. I prefer having tools that are newer for work, but my collection of barn find snap on, sk, and new britain is mildly impressive. I just don't like any kind of corrosion on work tools and I refuse to try to warranty tools that I obviously didn't buy new so the chipped chrome and mildly rusty tools stay at the house.

 

[Plombob]

Most old tools are not very comfortable to use. New tools are designed to be more user friendly and comfortable.

There are few wrenches that fit the hand better than those made back in the 1930s.
Bonney made a great wrench back in the 1980s. Modern wrenches can't compare IMO.

 

[Olliecampbell]

I'm glad its not just me then!

 

[Łukasz]

hello

 

[Łukasz]

I'm Polish and I would like to learn more about Snap on.
This brand of tools is not well known in Poland but I've heard a lot of good about it.
For example, rates of interest to me sockets 1/2, ratchet and extension.
I'm in the house rattle half Snap on the number 1,854,513, but were a little cut, and I do not know if you can buy a repair kit?
Is it true that he gives Snap lifetime warranty on their tools.
Thank you
Luke

 

[uppster]

I am not young, in fact I am too old to die young. I enjoy listening to the younger guys talk, about tools. On the same page different part of the book, my grand-dad owned a garage/gas station in WWII, and I have a few of the tools he had, they are odd ball Snap On things but I do like to get them out think about Grandpa.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

I love old tools especially one's that I can warranty out in case they break. When I do get a house I know for sure I will fill my personal garage with some older equipment (price wise). For now the oldest thing I own in my fiancee who is older then me 32 vs 27 and I have a old style 3/4 Drive C-Man ratchet set that I use everyday (diesel tech). Worth every penny I have. Also my Snap On Boxes...from the 60's and 80's

I <3 Cars...just not into this all original matching #'s overpriced BS. Just more into RestoMod. Old school look with modern technology.

I am currently finishing up my LS9 and Some swap on my OBS Escahoe, next project will be 68-69 Lincoln Continental With the Suicide doors either lowered or on air with some 22's all blacked out of course.

The Tool


The Hoe








The Boxes

<this pic is missing the Matching Side Box that I have

The Wife
https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/285599_10100610576332120_863149451_n.jpg

 

[HTGTS350]

If you want to use it buy new, if you want to polish it............can't see why you would but I wouldn't start with rusty old rubbish anyway.

 

[Steevo]

I am not young by any stretch of the imagination, but some of my tools are older than me, and still work well for what they were designed to do.

 

[Voi]

I just picked up a kellogg-american 60 gal 2HP! 220 2 stage! Own a nice bench grinder circa 1961.

Are these in the respective "Show Your Vintage Compressors" and "Show Your Vintage Bench Grinders" threads?

For the record, I'm 44 and own several tools that are older than me. I'd say all of them except for my Delta Unisaw are better than the modern day equivalents. The Unisaw should be a capable saw once up and running but a modern saw will have much better dust collection, a safer riving knife and would also come stock with a better fence. All my other vintage tools I own not only because I like that they're older but because I honestly believe they're better than their modern day equivalents.