Since you guys like old tools and stuff.....

[Fyrme]

I've been cleaning out my deceased step fathers house and garage. The first thing i snagged in the garage was the old tool box he got from his dad in 1971 when he died. My S.D. was never much of a mechanic/carpenter, nor did I ever see him use these tools much but I fondly remember this old box in the corner my entire childhood. I can't say there is by any means a treasure trove here but some good old vintage/antiques non the less.

 

[Conductor562]

Nice momentos to have. When my grandpa died my uncle snatched up every tool he owned and it was never seen again. I got a couple of little things I found in later years, but the bulk of it vanished.

 

[Packard V8]

Some diamonds in that dirt, but the memories are worth more.

jack vines

 

[Outlawmws]

You got some nice family history there! a lot of the Plvmb collectors here on GJ would LOVE to have the socket box!

Those odd pliers with the spiral knob are for twisting safety wire, originally designed for aircraft but find use on race cars, motorcycles and other off road vehicles as well give the spiral bit some oil and push in in, grip the ends of the safety wire and lock the pliers closed (the odd slider thing in between the grips), and pull on the knob. The pliers spin twisting the wire. Neat tool!

 

[Fyrme]

Unfortunately, there are no memories to be had in this situation. He and I did not have a good relationship until I moved away, got married and had kids. Then he divorced my mom 10 years ago. However he was the ONLY active grandfather my kids had, and had no obligation to do so. There is where the memories lie. Looking at pics and thinking of the three of them is the only time something gets in my eyes and makes them water. The only reason I got the tools is because 99% of what is in the garage is going to the dump and I'm not letting any tool abuse take place on my watch. So Now I have them. Not sure what future lies for them other than not getting scrapped.

 

[KnurledNut]

Thanks for sharing.
The Par-X ratchet is simply unique.

 

[Fyrme]

You got some nice family history there! a lot of the Plvmb collectors here on GJ would LOVE to have the socket box!

Those odd pliers with the spiral knob are for twisting safety wire, originally designed for aircraft but find use on race cars, motorcycles and other off road vehicles as well give the spiral bit some oil and push in in, grip the ends of the safety wire and lock the pliers closed (the odd slider thing in between the grips), and pull on the knob. The pliers spin twisting the wire. Neat tool!

Man Outlaw, I think I'd have to see them in action, your explanation gave me a headache trying to picture how to use them, lol. Or maybe its from the hours of stale nicotine I've been scrubbing off stuff for days.

Thanks for sharing.
The Par-X ratchet is simply unique.

That's impressive you spotted that ratchet from that tiny pic of it. I've never seen one. I wish I had the two missing Craftsman sockets. I'm pretty sure those go way back.

 

[zkling]

Cool history behind the tools, ***** how you came to acquire it though. I'd respectfully disagree on the not a treasure trove, some very nice stuff indeed IMHO, with even cooler family history. That plomb box is really nice.

 

[Fyrme]

The Plvmb box is in rough shape. One of the hinges is broken. But I think the box is still salvageable. The 2.25' Rocket container is definitely one thing I will be restoring. Not everyone has one of those. I'll see your 50cal ammo box and raise you a rocket box!

 

[zkling]

FYI Safety wire pliers demo

 

[Fyrme]

FYI Safety wire pliers demo

Ha! very cool. I'll be keeping them for sure. I have done that many times with a cordless drill

 

[zkling]

The 2.25' Rocket container is definitely one thing I will be restoring. Not everyone has one of those. I'll see your 50cal ammo box and raise you a rocket box!

IDK, it might be kinda neat to clean everything up and put it back in the box, in a corner of your garage.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thanks for sharing.
The Par-X ratchet is simply unique.

+1 I noticed that too.

 

[ZRX61]

If that Brace has "Bell Systems" written on it, it's a keeper.

 

[Bull]

+1 I noticed that too.

Same here!

 

[lowbucktruck]

There are some nice old Craftman sockets there too. In my humble opinion... if your step-dad does not have anyone else living to leave these tools to... soak them all in some cleaner, clean them up and put them all to good use. I would like to think your stepdad would rather leave these tools to someone who would use and appreciate them for what they are... and make them still useful. Those are some really good tools. Clean em up and use them. Don't let them go to waste.

 

[Conductor562]

Damn....now I need a pair of wire twisting pliers!

 

[rick carpenter]

The Plvmb box is in rough shape. One of the hinges is broken. But I think the box is still salvageable. The 2.25' Rocket container is definitely one thing I will be restoring. Not everyone has one of those. I'll see your 50cal ammo box and raise you a rocket box!

I've seen your resto thread and you do some good work. But you might think carefully to what degree you restore your step-dad's tools. You may want to keep some of his patina.

 

[Fyrme]

There are some nice old Craftman sockets there too. In my humble opinion... if your step-dad does not have anyone else living to leave these tools to... soak them all in some cleaner, clean them up and put them all to good use. I would like to think your stepdad would rather leave these tools to someone who would use and appreciate them for what they are... and make them still useful. Those are some really good tools. Clean em up and use them. Don't let them go to waste.

lowbuck, good advice. They won't go to waste. I know I differ from a lot of people on this board. What I don't decide I need to keep and what I don't give to my boys, I will be selling them to someone that does need/want them to help me pay for his funeral.

I've seen your resto thread and you do some good work. But you might think carefully to what degree you restore your step-dad's tools. You may want to keep some of his patina.

Thanks rick. I always consider condition before I tear something down to do a full resto. To me, neglectful rust is not patina. unfortunately, most of this stuff is just that. However, the Chrome tools and files and such will just be cleaned the Rocket box will be researched and the original color determined. if it's silver, then I will likely not do much more than clean it. The Plvmb box is very rusty on the outside. I will soap and water clean it first and see if the hinge is repairable, then go from there.The non chrome sockets will all make a trip into the ultrasonic cleaner then to the electro tank, then oiled. etc...

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Make sure you come back and add pictures to this thread!

 

[Steevo]

I have a couple of old Craftsman sockets of that vintage.
Send me a close-up of one, along with what sizes you are missing and I'll see if I have any to fill your gaps.

 

[woody 73]

like looking at pure gold...Nice job at saving those tools for the next generation

 

[Outlawmws]

Man Outlaw, I think I'd have to see them in action, your explanation gave me a headache trying to picture how to use them, lol. Or maybe its from the hours of stale nicotine I've been scrubbing off stuff for days.


That's impressive you spotted that ratchet from that tiny pic of it. I've never seen one. I wish I had the two missing Craftsman sockets. I'm pretty sure those go way back.

Start by oiling the spiral rod. Then get some thin wire and grip it; the lock won't work unless there is some wire in the jaws. play with the sliding gizmo between the grips if you get some tension/rebound on the grips the lock will catch and work. it sounds more complicated than it is.

 

[Outlawmws]

The Plvmb box is in rough shape. One of the hinges is broken. But I think the box is still salvageable. The 2.25' Rocket container is definitely one thing I will be restoring. Not everyone has one of those. I'll see your 50cal ammo box and raise you a rocket box!

Is the hinge broken, or just the spot welds popped on one side? If you can catch clean the hinge and mating surfaces to bare metal it's easy to have someone with a spot welder re-do the spot welds. (Sheet metal shop; or my place... )

 

[rick carpenter]

The non chrome sockets will all make a trip into the ultrasonic cleaner then to the electro tank, then oiled. etc...

The non-chrome sockets I've resto'd have done well with vinegar soak, neutralize that, then chuck them in an adapter in a drill with with lots of oil and various grades of wet-n-dry paper to clean them up. I can stop at whatever patina I want to keep. Then into atf til I remember to take them out. Usually though, they're older non-users so they go into a collection box. I have plenty of good ones for the garage and enough second-stringers to make a good tool bag set.

Back to your tools though... show us some pics after you're done with them please!

 

[Fyrme]

Is the hinge broken, or just the spot welds popped on one side? If you can catch clean the hinge and mating surfaces to bare metal it's easy to have someone with a spot welder re-do the spot welds. (Sheet metal shop; or my place... )

Yes the hinge is broken all the way across. I will have to replace it if anything.

I have a couple of old Craftsman sockets of that vintage.
Send me a close-up of one, along with what sizes you are missing and I'll see if I have any to fill your gaps.

Thanks Steveo, They are the circle U style. As of right now, I'm missing the 3/4", 15/16" and 1 1/16" I almost have the complete set from 7/16"-1 1/8", Even the 19/32". I will be going back to the house one more time to finish cleaning out the garage and I hope to find them. But let me know what you have. Unfortunately these all have been stamped with someones owner marks. However, they just happen to be the same initials as my oldest son. So guess who's getting those for Christmas