new guy saying hi.. tool collecting and useing

[fasteddie313]

Hi all, I'm Ed, im 23 but ive been living tools and machines all my life, I knew the names and functions of most basic tools before I could even read, my dad was one of the best mechanics (4+ MMI degrees) and machinists (GM journeyman tool and die maker 34 yr retired) I have ever known, and I grew up in the home shop since I was in diapers..

so I turned out to be a somewhat competent mechanic, im always fixing everybody's everything and building my own stuff.. im getting closer to the end of my practical road worthy restoration of a 1980 Porsche 924 turbo..

wrenching is in my blood, its just what I do, and I am quite serious about it..

now the reason I wanted to join this forums is because of the tools themselves, I am always buying tools, I never buy anything new, any time I see a deal on a quality piece of tooling I cant help myself, I just buy it.. I want a place to talk about tools..

I am getting very into the collecting of tools, almost to the point where it is obsessive.. fine tools just make working with them so much more pleasurable..

weather it be modern quality Snap-On or a fine old Utica crescent wrench whatever I see real quality craftsmanship in makes me happy..

I don't get into collect any old tools that aren't practical to use though, I use tools, I collect tools that are excellent to work with, not just to look at...

I hope this is a good place to talk tools because that's what I want to do..

like for example...

my favorite "go to" torque wrench is a Snap-On click type from like 1973.. best/favorite ive ever had even though its quite old.... or...

I just picked up an ancient pair of channel locks, dated 1953, us patents and Canada patent, real original name brand channel locks, made at champion department Meadville PA usa...

that to me is fascinating....

am I in the right place?

 

[AV tinker er]

Nope, should be here.

Just kidding, welcome!

 

[franzdom]

Yes, this is the place, welcome!

 

[FJ 432]

Welcome. It may have been a long journey but you are now safe with fellow tool nuts!

 

[jakemac]

You are sooooooooooooooooooo in the right place !

Welcome to Enablers Anonymous.

 

[FJ 432]

A word of warning. This place is expensive.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Welcome! You'll fit in here just fine.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Welcome!!

 

[fasteddie313]

wow, thanks for the warm welcome guys!!!

where should I begin?

do you guys trade much?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Welcome from downunder, enjoy.

 

[jakemac]

There's horse trading going on all the time between members through the PM system, but most of it is between members who've built up some trust between them over time. Once you reach 100 posts, you can post for sale items on the classified forum off the main page.

Listing your general location (state and/or city, not street address) in your profile will help you connect with members in your area if they're so inclined.

As to where to start, try posting pictures of your toolbox set-up in the "Let's see your toolbox" thread- Here
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3949#post3949

There are also threads for Vise enthusiasts, Drill Presses, Grinders, etc.
Don't stay up too late reading.

 

[woody 73]

Welcome aboard.

You are so in the right place

Why just this morning I was standing in rat turds looking for old tools, just thinking about finding those golden gems! (not the rat turds).

 

[fasteddie313]

yes ill have to fix up my profile with my sig and location and stuff.. and then maybe some pics of some of the more interesting things I have accumulated..

don't get your hopes up too high.. I don't have an insane collection yet, ive only been collecting for a couple years.... but I am far past the point of kicking any tiawan/china out of my good boxes for the most part..

 

[jakemac]

Why just this morning I was standing in rat turds looking for old tools, just thinking about finding those golden gems! (not the rat turds).

HEY !!!!!!! THOSE RAT TURDS WERE IN MY PILE !!!!!! HANDS OFF !!!!!!!!!!!!!! View media item 38280

 

[Farmall450]

A word of warning. This place is expensive.

Welcome, and take heed of this warning. ^^^

 

[fasteddie313]

Welcome, and take heed of this warning. ^^^

cant be much worse than Porsche or bmw forums...

I rarely spend anything over $20 for tools, all used...

I suppose we shall see???

 

[Veto]

Oh you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into...

Welcome to the forums You should really check out these threads, they are probably the oldest, most active and definitely some of the most interesting threads if you ask me in the General Tool Discussion forum.

Tools from the old world
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28952

Show your new tool arrivals
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103272

Let's see your toolbox
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466

 

[Carla]

Hi, Ed,

I'll offer you some thoughts about small tools, if I may.....just a personal opinion, of course, others may differ......

I served a bit of an apprenticeship in the motor trade, back in the late 1960's/early '70's, and had to build up a suitable kit of small tools. (actually, a good bit later, I got my father to donate the tooling he had in storage, left over from his old machine business, at which point I had a 'life-time supply' of small tools.....but that was later, and, at the time mentioned, I had to learn about prudent investment)

After buying a few staggeringly expensive 'most commonly used' items from the Shap-on cat, I 'got serious' about learning 'cost-effectiveness' in small tool purchasing.

I suffered a minor hand injury when one of those icky cheap Sears-Roebuck 'Craftsman' wrenches 'let go' on me, which really got me motivated to learn about small tool quality.

In this moden 'information age' of the internet, you can save a lot of time by looking up the web-site 'Alloy Artifacts' for the recognition features of best quality American made tooling of the 'golden age', late '30's through to the mid-1960's, when the best grade of small tools were made by quite a variety of makers' firms, and easily available 'off the shelf' to anyone.

One of your best investments will be a good compressor and a blast-cabinet, which would run fine glass-beads. The blast-cleaning setup will quickly pay for itself on one's regular work, and will enable you to nicely salvage large amounts of best quality small tools which were 'industrial or military grade' so were not plated, and will be found for sale very cheaply, as they will have some surface rust.

The obvious example might be mil-spec Plomb/Proto, Armstrong, Williams, Billings, Snap-on, S-K, etc., tooling of the wrench, screw driver, pliers, hammers, pullers, punches and chisels, etc., class, vises in the many makes you'll see in the vise thread here, and many other oddments of useful tooling.

With any surface-rust removed in the glass-blast, they can be nicely polished-out with a Cratex wheel on your buffer, and refinished with a 'cold black' such as Brownells 'Oxpho'.

Aside from the aesthetic of ranks of gleaming Snap-on wrenches which are the 'working identity' of some wrench-pullers, a nicely refinished 1940's or '50's Plomb/Proto, Armstrong, or Williams wrench, found for 25cts to $1 at a swap-meet, will turn the fastener every bit as well as will the new $40-50 gleaming pretty Snap-on wrench.

That is personal choice, of course, and having fancy chrome-plated tooling is ever so important to some folks......I hear they call it 'bling' these days.

cheers

Carla

 

[fasteddie313]

what can you guys tell me about these???

solid old Utica crescent wrench

1953 channel locks with pat numbers

plomb 3/8 drive ratchet

speed master 3/8 drive ratchet (these two ratchets have what I think to be a bad design in ratchet mechanism)

Bridgeport (like the mill) usa flat head screw driver

challenger deepwell

p&c socket

barcalo strange wrenches.. the smaller doesn't say the barcallo on the other side, other side is identicle to the barcalo one..

 

[jakemac]

Utica 90 series - my favorites.

I'm guessing that they're 12", so that would make them model #90-12.
The chrome/nickel ones are the 91 series.

 

[SeanConklin]

A word of warning. This place is expensive.

I fear you have grossly underestimated "expensive". These guys have spent thousands of dollars out of my pocket between the classifieds, craigslist deal posts, and the hot deals thread.

Welcome man.

 

[fasteddie313]

I fear you have grossly underestimated "expensive". These guys have spent thousands of dollars out of my pocket between the classifieds, craigslist deal posts, and the hot deals thread.

Welcome man.

well maybe...

whats out there as far as quality compression/leakdown testing equiptment??

I feel that I could build a set of better quality than what I have scene offered..

I want brass and stainless, maybe glycerin filled gauges.. something nice..

I bet I could build a compression/leakdown tester multitool with nothing but nice brass fittings and quality usa gauges for less than $150

Im also in need of a smaller inch pound torque wrench, but I have 2 nice made in usa big ones, one could go...

 

[franzdom]

I came here to learn about torque wrenches a few years ago, it has been quite a journey.
Good luck finding a nice older torque wrench, that sounds like a good quest!

 

[dgxlh]

You know what I really like about this place is the mix of people. The only other person I know that I can talk about tools with is my dad. BUT HERE we a love the same thing and its refreshing to be able to just come on here and read and comment about tools and not get someone looking at you like your weird lol AND that there are some seasoned guys here and the younger guys like myself (24) guys my age don't really care about tools or craftsmanship (well at least in my experience) but its nice to know I'm not alone lol

 

[fasteddie313]

yep, to normal people im sure I look like a total geek when it comes to my tools....

 

[sonvolt]

This is a great place to discuss our fetish

 

[Jim C.]

Welcome to the forum. If you want to talk about tools, etc., then you'll find yourself here, like many of us, on a daily basis.

Jim C.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Welcome to the GJ....both fasteddie and dgxlh! When you both get some time, sift through the forum and soak up the rich, shiny goodness that is our obsession. It's summer so the number of new threads is somewhat light....but just wait until November or so.

it is VERY refreshing to see 2 young guys that are serious about working with their hands in lieu of sitting on their collective duffs with a video game remote glued to their palms! I'm not a betting man, but, I would wager that you BOTH have jobs!

Enjoy the site....there is A LOT of great stuff to read about. Just keep in mind.............you will pay.

 

[fasteddie313]

I don't have a job per say....

but my tools and trades make me better money than mcdonalds minimum wage would I do believe...

oh, and I don't play video games... maybe once or twice a month.. cant stand it

 

[3baygarage]

Welcome from another tool nut and great post. You found the right place.

I see you have some Barcalo wrenches there. I overlooked the brand for a long time because they are very common where I live. Over time found out they made wrenches under all sorts of names for various companies which to me makes them much more interesting now.

 

[Outlawmws]

what can you guys tell me about these???

solid old Utica crescent wrench

1953 channel locks with pat numbers

plomb 3/8 drive ratchet

speed master 3/8 drive ratchet (these two ratchets have what I think to be a bad design in ratchet mechanism)

Bridgeport (like the mill) usa flat head screw driver

challenger deepwell

p&c socket

barcalo strange wrenches.. the smaller doesn't say the barcallo on the other side, other side is identicle to the barcalo one..

A couple of comments aon a couple of those tools:

The Plvmb/Proto is actually quite good, if a bit coarse toothed. (24T) take it apart, clean the grunge and solidified grease out, lightly lube it (Light grease or synthetic grease like Mobil one works well in coarse toothed ratchets, super lube in fine tooth...) and then try it out.

The "strange Barcalo's" were made by many, and are commonly labeled, "Auto Kit"; and that hole dead center is for a screw and wing-nut to hold the set together.

While not top grade, (too thin to be super strong) they took a tack that standard combination wrenches did not: then don't have the same size on each end, so you are more likely to have a 1/2 open and 1/2 Box available for a nut/bolt that is 1/2"...

Std combos require two wrenches the same size...

So these are VERY handy for a road box or just to keep in the trunk for emergency use. I've got a set in two of my vehicles and am collecting more for the other's and my son's car. (not being metric is a handicap..)

While not "top grade" strength wise, they are decent within their limits. (I've recovered several vises from benches with my set..)

Not sure what answers you are looking for on the others but if just history, AA is the place to start.

One of the descendants of the founder of the P&C co. has this web site:

http://www.peterson-carlborg-tools.trechnus.com/

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: If you still hate the Plvmb ratchet after a cleanup, PM me for an address to send it to..

 

[fasteddie313]

ps: If you still hate the Plvmb ratchet after a cleanup, PM me for an address to send it to..

oh I did the cleanup as soon as I got her... pb blaster, scraped out head etc...

I cleaned it well...

but it seems like it needs a spacer or bushing on the gear/spline/square drive part to adjust its slop inbeetween the front and the back on the inside of the head body..

its sloppy whomped out, when its all put together the square drive can be slopped around in any given direction front to back and side to side... I believe its just run its course..

and the design problem that I see in both of those ratchets is the little deal thing that pushes one or the other paw away from the drive spline..

its somewhat shaped like an upside down heart on the inside between the pawls..

the little axle on the heart shaped thing that goes through the ratchet body to the external lever is weak, it doesn't center its self well..

depending on the bend of the heart to the axle to the lever and the crappy rivet on the lever that doesn't keep it centered correctly or muts the heart to a funny angle to the lever and is also whomped out as far as tolerances.. that is on both of those two ratchets...

in my opinion neither of them can be brought back to serviceable condition even to where they would compete with a cheap craftsman... sad..

I tried using the speed master for a while and it just went right back to intolerable almost instantly...

there just wall hangers as far as im concerned..

and are definitely up for trade..

id swap both of them for about any usa warranted ratchet (not craftsman) or any other usa warranted sockets/extentions/adaptors/spanners whatever (also not craftsman)..

I have plenty of crafties to know I don't really like them, there fun to break, there ratchets (except for those full polished fine tooth ones) just piss me off..
and I go through a lot of crafty 1/2-3/8 impact drive adaptors, snap them constantly, one a month seems like..

oh and if you leave your crafty screw drivers in acetone overnight to clean automotive panel seam sealer off of them the handles turn back into a like jello substance.. well the mac flathead in there did too so I guess you cant count that against crafty too much lol..

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

oh and if you leave your crafty screw drivers in acetone overnight to clean automotive panel seam sealer off of them the handles turn back into a like jello substance.. well the mac flathead in there did too so I guess you cant count that against crafty too much lol..

Since acetone is an almost universal solvent for plastic, that's not too surprising...

 

[fasteddie313]

mmmmm.. yep...

live and learn..

the somewhat dirty acetone hasn't ate the plastic planters peanuts jug I put it in yet though it is now a bit softer than I remember it being before...

 

[cagullett1]

well maybe...

whats out there as far as quality compression/leakdown testing equiptment??

I feel that I could build a set of better quality than what I have scene offered..

I want brass and stainless, maybe glycerin filled gauges.. something nice..

I bet I could build a compression/leakdown tester multitool with nothing but nice brass fittings and quality usa gauges for less than $150

Im also in need of a smaller inch pound torque wrench, but I have 2 nice made in usa big ones, one could go...

Have you found Harry Epstein's yet? A few years ago, my dad found a tool bad on the side of the road near our house. In it was one of these Armstrong micrometer torque wrenches. Somehow I managed to acquire it recently, and didn't really know what it was worth until Epstein's Day this year, I stumbled upon it. HJE is a great place to get quality tools at reasonable prices. They are great people to deal with!

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/oneofakind/64-038.html

You know what I really like about this place is the mix of people. The only other person I know that I can talk about tools with is my dad. BUT HERE we a love the same thing and its refreshing to be able to just come on here and read and comment about tools and not get someone looking at you like your weird lol AND that there are some seasoned guys here and the younger guys like myself (24) guys my age don't really care about tools or craftsmanship (well at least in my experience) but its nice to know I'm not alone lol

Welcome guys.... be prepared to spend a small fortune once you start reading through the forum. It's good to see there are other guys my age who still enjoy tools like previous generations. All my friends like cars/toys, but none of them appreciate tools like the guys on GJ.

 

[fasteddie313]

are the faults in that plomb ratchet fixable? are there parts available to rebuild them?

I mean they both look like they were made very well when they were new, but in there condition now they are passed the point of me being able to fix them..

 

[Outlawmws]

Proto still makes that ratchet, so a Proto 4749 (1/4" drive, right?) kit should drop right in.

 

[fasteddie313]

WOW... speechless..

im amazed that's possible, and now that ive done some research im sterting to get to know some stuff about oldschool tools, witch I have always just overlooked and passed by..

its a 3/8 dr BTW though..

im going to take another look at that plomb ratchet and see what parts exactly are bad..

the change lever and switcher thing on the inside are bad, and the spline drive part is whomped out in the ratchet body and face plate it rides in...

if by chance it is the spline drive part that's worn and not the ratchetbody and faceplate then it could be fixable.. idk, its horribly bad off as is...

 

[Zeroek]

I'm a user too!!!!