The Grandkid Vintage Tool Project

[Chromdome35]

I've become a grandfather. My Daughter had a little boy about 16 months ago and just had twins (Boy & Girl) about 3 months ago. For those who haven't had the pleasure of being a grandparent, there really isn't much like it.

I've decided that I am going to put together a toolkit for each of them so when they get out into the world they will have a good basic set of tools. I plan on teaching them how to use each of the tools correctly and how to care for them correctly.

My plan is to populate each of the kits with vintage American made tool brands that I can pick up at flea markets, auctions, garage sales, etc...

Here is what I'm planning on putting in them

Rachets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")
Sockets SAE and Metric for each rachet size
Set of extensions
Set of Allen Wrenches (SAE and Metric)
Set of Combination Wrenches (SAE and Metric)
Set of Adjustable Wrenches (S, M, L)
Vice Grips (S, L, Needle Nose)
Set of Screwdrivers (Flat and Phillips)
Claw Hammer
Ball Pen Hammer
Pliers (Needle Nose, Standard, Channel Lock, Lineman)
Diagonal Cutter
Multi Bit Screwdriver with variety of bits
Files (Mill and *******)

Not sure what I'll put the tools in yet, thinking of either drawer chest or a Kennedy Lunch Box.

What would you add to, or take away from this list?

 

[markbugno]

Tape measure. Quality old ones like Stanley powerlock or lufkins.


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[Dirty Diesels]

Don't forget the hacksaw and a punch & chisel set!

 

[DWise]

I would add micro screwdriver and pliers sets for all the electronic gadgets, also maybe a tri-wing screwdriver.

 

[gdpolk]

Here is what I'm planning on putting in them

Rachets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")
Sockets SAE and Metric for each rachet size
Set of extensions
Set of Allen Wrenches (SAE and Metric)
Set of Combination Wrenches (SAE and Metric)
Set of Adjustable Wrenches (S, M, L)
Vice Grips (S, L, Needle Nose)
Set of Screwdrivers (Flat and Phillips)
Claw Hammer
Ball Pen Hammer
Pliers (Needle Nose, Standard, Channel Lock, Lineman)
Diagonal Cutter
Multi Bit Screwdriver with variety of bits
Files (Mill and *******)

I would add the following:

• quality tape measure
• an aluminum body torpedo level
• a small mini screwdriver or bitdriver set for glasses and electronics
• a pair of miniature needle nose pliers
• A box cutter
• quality shears or all metal scissors
• a round file
• file card
• an awl or scribe

Armed with the above listed tools they should be able to tackle 80% of anything that they would need to do. By the way, I think what your doing is really cool for them. I would have loved if my grandfather had done this for me.

 

[Chromdome35]

All great suggestions guys, thank you.

 

[6MocoA]

Congratulations Grandpa!!!

The toolkits are a great idea, but understand that now a-days those kids have a better than not chance of growing up not wanting anything what so ever to do with tools.

Hope their Dad is like their Gramps and teaches em right.

 

[6MocoA]

I would add ratcheting wrenches and breaker bars to the list.

 

[nickelmore]

Great Post! Years ago I gave my future brother in law a tool kit for a bachelor party gift. Every one in his family just made fun of me. As a golf pro he had no idea how to use any tools of this sort.

To this day he reminds me that that was the best presents he ever received. He now asks his family for different tools for Christmas.

 

[M6erfan]

Good suggestions here...

I'll chime in with a hand impact driver, priceless when it comes to the inevitable stuck or stripped fastener.

I disagree on ratcheting wrenches, they're more of a "nice to have" item. Not what I would consider part of a "basic" tool kit...

 

[oldldh]

They will need holes...

Where there aren't some...

Someday...

A good quality electric drill, and a selection of bits...

Would not be a bad choice...

And something of reasonable quality to keep it all in...HMMM???

By the way, "Welcome to the GranDad Club!!!"

I have nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren...

My favorite thought about grandchildren ---

"They are the arrows...

That we fire into the future...

Where we can't go..."

As long as they take your tools with them...

You'll be there...

 

[royesses]

I have 4 grandsons and three grand daughters. I just keep filling up my tool box with good quality tools and shop equipment. My son will inherit all of them and then the grandsons will too. I have still got to make up starter kits for all of them ( girls too) and as they are able to understand I'm going to teach them to use everything if I live long enough. Including welding and soldering and how to use the mini lathe and mini mill, hydraulic press,drill press, band saws and anything else I can. I started with a Craftsman $49.00 91 piece mechanics tool set(1964) and I'm planing on something similar for the grand kids. Grand children are the most fun of all the joys of life.

 

[leg17]

Possible that the 'ideal' tool-kit of 2035 will not be completely the same as we imagine today.

 

[Lee Celtic]

I'd add Goggles, gloves and ear defenders.. safety first..

Saying that I got hooked at 4 years old when my Dad gave me an old shed door and an electric drill to play with. I drilled into the bottom three feet so much that he had to turn it over after a few hours

 

[M6erfan]

Possible that the 'ideal' tool-kit of 2035 will not be completely the same as we imagine today.

I thought this too.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

An important tool they will need is a miniature/precision screwdriver set - a lot of toys use TINY phillips head screws for the battery compartments.

Jim

 

[gdocktor3]

Possible that the 'ideal' tool-kit of 2035 will not be completely the same as we imagine today.

My thoughts exactly. Also, I wouldn't ad any cordless tools to those kits!

 

[6MocoA]

Good suggestions here...

I'll chime in with a hand impact driver, priceless when it comes to the inevitable stuck or stripped fastener.

I disagree on ratcheting wrenches, they're more of a "nice to have" item. Not what I would consider part of a "basic" tool kit...

I see you've never removed the 10mm bolt holding the EGR tube on the back of the intake manifold on a 96-04 Ford 4.6L. Try using a combination wrench to get that ****** out and you will change your mind on the ratcheting wrenches as a requirement.

 

[gdpolk]

I see you've never removed the 10mm bolt holding the EGR tube on the back of the intake manifold on a 96-04 Ford 4.6L. Try using a combination wrench to get that ****** out and you will change your mind on the ratcheting wrenches as a requirement.

I'd say a set of ratcheting wrenches is more of an automotive repair specialty tool. When I think of basic tools, I think of the bare bones basics needed to do 90% of the most common, mundane, everyday tasks.

I will never be without some ratcheting wrenches because to me they are an important component of a toolbox for automotive work and they are simply a pleasure to use for general purpose applications too. However, I still consider them to be a secondary set of wrenches to a good set of 12 point combination wrenches. If my ratcheting set fits and has enough leverage, it's my go-to set but I would never trade them in for a set of basic combinations.

 

[M6erfan]

I see you've never removed the 10mm bolt holding the EGR tube on the back of the intake manifold on a 96-04 Ford 4.6L. Try using a combination wrench to get that ****** out and you will change your mind on the ratcheting wrenches as a requirement.

And I doubt the OP's grandchildren will either...to each their own but I still don't consider ratcheting wrenches a must have, let alone part of a "basic" set of tools. Matter of fact I sold my Gearwrench set a few years ago, they sat in my box unused.

 

[Chromdome35]

Great ideas and discussion guys, thanks so much.

My goal is to focus on what I would consider basic core tools first, depending on how it goes and how much room is available in what I decide to put the sets in, I may include some nice to haves such as ratcheting wrenches. I agree they are great to have when you need them.

My primary focus is to set them up with tools that will handle the majority of things they will run up against.

The comments about what tool sets in 2035 might look like vs. today is very thought provoking and appreciated. I think though, that if you go back and look at what tools people used 60 years ago vs. today, that there isn't a whole lot of change in what would be considered a basic tool set.

I'll definitely avoid any cordless tools as the technology changes so quickly that anything purchased today would be obsolete in 16 years.

Keep the thoughts coming, I enjoy hearing the varying opinions.

 

[Chromdome35]

Congratulations Grandpa!!!

The toolkits are a great idea, but understand that now a-days those kids have a better than not chance of growing up not wanting anything what so ever to do with tools.

Hope their Dad is like their Gramps and teaches em right.

Their dad is a solid guy who appreciates and knows how to use tools. He's an infantry officer in the 101st and is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

 

[WWShop]

Utility knife or a leatherman

 

[royce]

I'm thinking a set of trammels and a divider.
Then show them how to make a square with them.
Then move on to how to layout a triangle, hexagon, octagon and any flange with any number of holes.

Royce

 

[Chromdome35]

I'm thinking a set of trammels and a divider.
Then show them how to make a square with them.
Then move on to how to layout a triangle, hexagon, octagon and any flange with any number of holes.

Royce

I was thinking I would put in a good combination square, try square, and a sliding T Bevel.

 

[VoodooCLD]

A level and a stud finder. 99% of people who don't use tools regularly will use them to hang pictures in their house.

 

[rjvjeepster]

That's an awesome project to undergo! I'm in the process of inheriting my grandpa's complete collection, already have all his sockets and ratchets. They'll really appreciate the tools, but mainly because they came from you.

 

[DanD1]

IDK but maybe a set of tin snips. They do come handy.

 

[Gerard]

One tool I got recently that I wish I'd gotten years ago when I first started buying and using my own tools is my Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. It's one of my most-used tools and it just makes screwdriving a joy. The high price tag kept putting me off of buying one for a long time, but I eventually caved in and ordered one and after the very first time I used it I felt it was worth every penny.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is an electrical multi-meter. It was one of the first tools I got good use out of as a teenager, even just for simple things like checking voltage of batteries. For non-critical stuff like that, even a cheap one should do fine.

 

[ssdave]

Interesting project, but don't count on it being too relevant to their lives. The best value will probably be when they are 7 to 12 years old, if you can get together with them and have well thought out, interesting, achievable projects that you can work with them to teach them to use the tools.

I think that the relevance of the tools will be questionable at best. There is no way I would have essentially any use for either of my grandfathers tools. There are few of my dads that would do me much good. But, I'm into tools a lot more than they were, and use a lot more, at a higher skill level.

On the other hand, my kids value my tools very little, although I have an extremely comprehensive accumulation of mechanics, machinists, and general construction tools. They each have a tool box, and use them occasionally, but not a huge amount of interest.

The common items that are relevant are excellent screwdrivers, good pliers, a tape measure, utility knife, and hammer. Less used are wrenches and pliers. What 2 out of the 3 agree on is that there is no screwdriver worth using except for a ratcheting Snap-on driver. The third one doesn't care, they're all good.

They have no interest in the tools I own, when I'm gone they'll likely go to yard sale, auction, or CL. That may change as they get their own houses and do different things, but as of now, the thousands of Proto, Snap-on, and industrial grade construction tools are just useless clutter to them. There are some exceptions, my youngest is interested in my jewelers tools, and my middle one is getting more interested in woodworking and general construction. Maybe there's hope!

They were all involved in using the tools for countless projects as they grew up, just didn't take much interest long term.