who on hear would use old tools everyday

[59flatbedford]

so this might be kinda an odd question but who on here would rather use old tools over the newer stuff. Im talking tools from the 70s and older. From the few old tools i have im guessing that many of the older tools are a lot heavier and bulkier than the new ones. So who on here has old williams,wright, barcalo-buffalo, snap-on, etc,etc, that you would use every day if you needed to. Im facinated with old things so i like hearing stories of old stuff still being used.

 

[cglasgow]

I can't speak much of '70s stuff, but I bought most of my current tools new (CM, mostly) in the time frame of the late '80s to very early '90s. Still using them....

I do have a Par-X ratchet I got an estate sale that I'm coming to appreciate. As I understand, Par-X went out in the '70s?

 

[Flange]

Me, I use old sockets and spanners (wrenches) all of the time. Then again I work on old vehicles quite a lot. Currently I am working on a bike that is 72 years old and most fasteners are whitworth and most of my whitworth spanners and sockets are late 1930's to 1960's.

I used to have lots of mismatched old metric stuff but recently (say over the last 3 years) I have replaced the spanners with Beta Utensili and the sockets with new Snap-on.

 

[Goinlow]

I would use older snap on stuff (from the 70s) for everything except FDP wrenches and maybe ratchets.

 

[A_Pmech]

I use older tools every day. The bulk of my machine tools and supporting equipment were built in the 20's to the 60's.

I don't have many old common mechanic's hand tools though. But I'm working on it.

 

[impulse922]

"who on here"

 

[mrholeshot]

Sorry I rather use the new stuff. Ive been wrenching for well over 40 years. New tools are way more comfortable and easier to use. When you use them all day everyday comfort is a big factor. Use a Old SK or Proto all day and they grab up a plastic or Comfot grip ratchet and some smooth wrenches and the old ones will take the back seat. For the occasional wrencher they may be OK but for those of us that used them all day the new stuff can't be beat. If I want to feel nostalgic I'll get in my 71 Chevelle and look at my old *** in the mirror, lol

 

[wafrederick]

Some of the older Snap On,the parts are obsolete.I had a 1/2 drive braker bar from 1959 until my brother Andy broke it,one screw was obsolete and was told by the Snap On dealer down the road in my area.I have a Snap On Ratchet in 1/2 drive from 1939 that still works great with the original loosen/tighten lever.The lever on this ratchet is brass,is obsolete and the replacement is aluminum.I do use some older tools.

 

[Goinlow]

Sorry I rather use the new stuff. Ive been wrenching for well over 40 years. New tools are way more comfortable and easier to use. When you use them all day everyday comfort is a big factor. Use a Old SK or Proto all day and they grab up a plastic or Comfot grip ratchet and some smooth wrenches and the old ones will take the back seat. For the occasional wrencher they may be OK but for those of us that used them all day the new stuff can't be beat. If I want to feel nostalgic I'll get in my 71 Chevelle and look at my old *** in the mirror, lol

I wrench for a living and absolutely hate those "comfortgrip" ratchets. All mine are the regular chrome. My wrenches are new snap on but a other then the new flank drive a wrench is a wrench I feel

 

[Griff93]

I'm with A_Pmech on the machinery thing being older. My mill is from 1956 and my lathe is from 1943. I have some craftsman and sk sockets that are around the 70s vintage that I use regularly.

 

[skeletonizer]

I have some Craftsman -v- double box and open end wrenches that my dad used first as a driver/mechanic at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds and later in his own shop.

Even without the history they would be some of my favorite tools. They are from the late 60's early 70's.

 

[mrholeshot]

I wrench for a living and absolutely hate those "comfortgrip" ratchets. All mine are the regular chrome. My wrenches are new snap on but a other then the new flank drive a wrench is a wrench I feel

I like the hard plastic and polished chrome but despise the knurled grip. I don't like the foam (thats what I call it) grips just for the fact you can't clean them easy. Smooth shiny wrenches clean easy and are not as rough on the hands. Years ago when I used all the rough stuff my nads were like 60 grit sand paper. I also play guitar so I like my hands to be a little smoother. After 40+ years your hands got beat up pretty bad. The newer ratchets have finer teeth as well where in some spots older big head low tooth count ratchets will not work well. I like colleting them but thats about as far as it goes for me. Flank drive (invented by Bonney) is the best thing to ever happen to a wrench. Busted knuckles were a two to 3 time a day thing. Since Snap-On came out with Flank drive on the wrenches and sockets I only bust one open ocasionally. When you get old all those old injuries start earning interest and it's constant pain. All those hub caps I beat on by hand up til I was about thirty are a constant reminder to go the most comfortable route

 

[TireTracks]

I like the older wrenches and sockets( unless they are rusty), but the "newer" ratchets beat the **** out of the old clunky ones with a coarse action.

 

[slip knot]

most of my hand tools are pre 80's. But I use my 42 ford 2N almost every weekend.

 

[nate379]

I have a few somewhere that my grandfather gave me, they must be like 8 tooth or something!

I like the older wrenches and sockets( unless they are rusty), but the "newer" ratchets beat the **** out of the old clunky ones with a coarse action.

 

[Arne73]

"who on here"

what?....what?

I love using my old tools, most came down to me from relatives and remind me of them and lessons learned while using them.
I also like the fact that a consumer product can out live its owner and still be useful.

 

[aar0s]

I have a couple of older S&K ratchets (3/8 from the early 80's, not sure about the 1/4) that i use all the time. not every day but often. I take my old 1/4 every day over the new SO thats sitting next to it.
dad has a S&K 1/4 drive set in the box that he bought in the early 70's that im trying to figure out how to get from him. he's not even opened it in years, id like to make the set complete again and stick it away.

 

[737mechanic]

I have lots of tools that were my dads that I use all the time, I also have a 1937 Atlas lathe that works like the day it was built and I use it at least two to three times a week.

I prefer to use older tools because most of them just feel like they have the American quality that is slowly going away.

 

[Krokodil]

I guess people tend to prefer tools from there time period. I don't like old tools that much and I guess I'll use what I have (as new) now for many decades to come.

 

[cglasgow]

Years ago when I used all the rough stuff my nads were like 60 grit sand paper.

You wrench with your nads?

 

[larry_g]

Some of what you refer to as 'old tools' I bought new and still use. If a tool will perform and do the job then I use it. If something needs a tool I don't have then I borrow, rent or buy it. The other option that I now have the ability to do is hire it done.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[49tandc]

I'm restoring a 1942 Willys MB and a 1952 M38A1. I'm also putting together a General Maintenance Tool Kit (aka GMTK) for each Jeep with Barcalo/Williams/Vlchek stuff. I use new tools most of the time, but every once in a while I grab one of those thick, meaty wrenches and it just feels right to work on the Jeeps with them. You know they will take some torque. I also use my dad's old Snappy/Mac stuff from the 50s when he was an A&P Mechanic.

49T&C

 

[Stick Figure]

Machinist type stuff 99% of what i have is older than me (1977 or older), and yes i use a lot of it on a daily basis. Hand tools, i have mostly current items at work. I do have some older Proto, and Snap on wrenches that i use on occasion, usually to set up the mill or lathe.

 

[Rickster]

I don't think I have any brand new tools. I believe all of mine are used or purchased new long ago.

 

[Hiball]

I dont see much of a difference between Tools made in the 70's and Now, Other than specialty tools and some of the bling factors and some tools that make certain jobs easier. Its great to have a Ratchet with 80 teeth but when compared to the older Dual Paw setups there is very little difference and very few sitsuations where its required to get the job done. There may be some here that think you have to have a 80+ teeth and a Orange Snappy hard handle to get the job done but its simply not the case. Sorry Guys...

 

[foul_ball]

I have a Hinsdale 1/2" drive speeder wrench that I used daily for 6 months straight when I was working for a kubota tractor dealer a couple years ago...found that thing with some sockets at a second hand store that point to late '20s manufacture.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Wow do I feel old; your question just about nails my whole garage except for my welder. A few things from the 1980's and some more current stuff but, 85% of my stuff is from the 1930's to 1970's

All of my wrenches and hand tools are about the same size that current models are and my screwdrivers are all the old square black plastic type. I don't personally care for the "soft grip" tools. I do have a good digital multi-meter and special tools for the later model stuff I work on but as far as hand tools, machines and inspection I really favor the old stuff. The old stuff was built with pride and meant to last several lifetimes. I don't have anything against new tools but why would I replace perfectly good stuff just because?

Steve

 

[crewchief888]

most of my old tools, (late50's SK) have been relegated to home use, mainly because of sentimental value.
my last major tool purchases were made about 15 years ago,
for working tools i pretty much have what i need. an occasional purchase for something ive either lost, or a "solution to a problem" ie: limited access.
if/when i run across what i think is a deal on older truck brands i grab them to build up home tool inventory, or add to my off road box.

 

[Goinlow]

I like the hard plastic and polished chrome but despise the knurled grip. I don't like the foam (thats what I call it) grips just for the fact you can't clean them easy. Smooth shiny wrenches clean easy and are not as rough on the hands. Years ago when I used all the rough stuff my nads were like 60 grit sand paper. I also play guitar so I like my hands to be a little smoother. After 40+ years your hands got beat up pretty bad. The newer ratchets have finer teeth as well where in some spots older big head low tooth count ratchets will not work well. I like colleting them but thats about as far as it goes for me. Flank drive (invented by Bonney) is the best thing to ever happen to a wrench. Busted knuckles were a two to 3 time a day thing. Since Snap-On came out with Flank drive on the wrenches and sockets I only bust one open ocasionally. When you get old all those old injuries start earning interest and it's constant pain. All those hub caps I beat on by hand up til I was about thirty are a constant reminder to go the most comfortable route

I see what you mean. Yeah I have a few older ratchets but my f80 has came in handy quite a few times where a less toothed ratchet wouldn't get the job done.

The flank drive wrenches are very handy also.

Besides those just because a tool is old won't stop me from using it.

 

[Packard V8]

From my garage view, anything made in the last thirty years is new. What I've got less than thirty years old is some metric stuff.

jack vines

 

[Bolster]

I guess people tend to prefer tools from there time period. I don't like old tools that much and I guess I'll use what I have (as new) now for many decades to come.

Uh, how do I say this..."no." Leave the diagnosis of arrested development to professional psychologists. I adore tools that were made and discontinued long before I was ever on earth. I have no particular attachment to the cheesy 70s and 80s era tools I used when I seriously pursued a wrenching livelihood.

 

[doctorschmullus]

I am only a first year apprentice and i have a few of ads old australian made 70's stuff and it is flamin tought aye

 

[59flatbedford]

its cool to see people using older tools. I have some old williams superwrenches with the round shanks that are some beefy wrenches and ive always wondered if people still use these tools on a regular basis. I think it would be neat to put together a set of tools from the late fifties to work on my 59 ford f100 with.

 

[ZRX61]

Tools from the '70's are *old*?

 

[59flatbedford]

well i ment 70s or older. give me a break i am only 19 so 1970 was a long time ago to me but i would love to see some people using tools from the 30s, 40s, or 50s.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'd have no problem using Snap-on tools from the '70's.
Not interested in the other stuff from that era.