Anybody NOT into old tools?

[bchee]

Anybody else NOT into the old vintage stuff?

I can definitely appreciate the quality, history, heritage, durability of the old stuff, I just don't go out of my way in pawns/fleas to look for it.

I've never had much desire to try and complete older sets of wrenches, like old proto or plomb stuff.

Anybody else feel the same way?
I never got infected with that specific GJ virus yet.
For a while I was sick with the "high tooth-count ratchet" virus but have since recovered.

 

[Indy_500]

i'm into old tools, but only to collect. I never use em, for my go-to tools i like em new

 

[DanCo]

I hate old tools, everyone here should send me any/all tools over 15 years old. I'll dispose of them in a proper manner.

 

[bchee]

I don't collect them, not sure I even have any to use. I basically don't go searching for them at estate sales, stuff like that.

I'm definitely not against them.

 

[D9H 90V]

Im not into old tools, Yet somehow I ended up with a 1955 SO 1" 1/2"dr. impact socket and a couple other SO sockets from the 60's

 

[2drx4]

I buy stuff only to use it. If I'm buying an old tool it is because either; it is no longer made and I have use for it, it is a good price and comparable to a new one and I will use it, or it is the same as a tool I have or want to purchase but I like the character of the used tool.

I'm not really a fan of excessive chrome, or working tools being visually perfect, I have a few wrenches in my box that are quite old and have no chrome left on them. They function identical to a brand new one, so they suit me just fine.

I'm awaiting a Plomb 12 point line wrench in the mail, that I purchased off a member on here. If it is as useful as I think it will be, I will track down more. If it isn't, it will be pushed to the back of the box or sold to somebody who appreciates it.

 

[Red Green]

I have an assortment of old tools that one of these years I will post pics in the classified section and sell for scrap price. Most of them came with something I wanted at an estate sale. Other than a couple of tools I have left that were my grandfathers. I only buy tools to use.

That being said I like to look at the pictures of the old tools that guys have here.

 

[nate379]

Only old stuff I would hang on to is something that has a story to it. Like perhaps tools my grandfather owned or something along those lines. The rest, just old rusty "junk" to me.

 

[Bolster]

I've never had much desire to try and complete older sets of wrenches, like old proto or plomb stuff.

GOOD! Stay that way. Don't ever change.

All the rest of you, follow bchee's example.

 

[Stick Figure]

99% of the stuff i buy is to actually use. I do still use some older stuff, the old wrenches are great for machine set up, so i tend to grab those when i'm setting up the mill. I would probably collect more if the money and space were there, but i have too many things i still want to add to my "shop" before i start collecting too many pieces that are just for looks.

 

[dankicksass]

I'm into using tools. If I don't feel like I need it, I won't buy it. I don't throw any tools away unless they're broken, though. Going through the... vintage... garage I'm cleaning up, I've found buckets boxes and bins countless full of tools I don't think I'll use but I may put in a vintage kit. There's neat stuff in there, like Ford branded open end wrenches, a fire hydrant wrench and the oldest looking set of metric open wrenches I've ever come across.

 

[RAYJAY]

I hate old tools, everyone here should send me any/all tools over 15 years old. I'll dispose of them in a proper manner.

I do this all ready its called the scrap yard

 

[tjmonsen5]

I dont understand the people who buy all the old wrenches, especially when they only get one of each brand or something like that. I like my tools to be matching. I guess it would be kind of cool to have a complete set. But one on its own is kinda dumb.

 

[north]

GOOD! Stay that way. Don't ever change.

All the rest of you, follow bchee's example.

Nice try my friend.

I dont understand the people who buy all the old wrenches, especially when they only get one of each brand or something like that. I like my tools to be matching. I guess it would be kind of cool to have a complete set. But one on its own is kinda dumb.

Well, a working wrench is a working wrench even if it's the only one of that brand and besides, I can see the fun of building a set over time. Sometimes that may be the only option.
Or buy just to own as many wrenches as you can.

 

[g9m3c]

I only buy a tool to use; can't afford anything else. I appreciate the history, quality, and everything else of old tools, but I'd rather spend the money on "collecting" the things those tools built and maintained.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I like my old tools. I got my first large lot of "old" stuff from a friend of mine. They were his ex-wife's grandfathers tools. He had been a pipefitter for Anheuser Busch is St Louis. There were sets of old BE C-man ratchets and sockets, in both 1/4 & 3/, & 1/2 sizes. Plomb and P&C wrenches from WWII. I can't remember what all was there. It was stuff I could use, so I cleaned it up and put it to work. As I got older and realized what I had, I replaced it with newer stuff, and phased some of the older stuff into "retirement", but will use it if needed. I buy any and all old tools. Just bought three P&C deep box ends the other day. Look like new for $5 at a pawn shop. Used one of them the next day.
I guess as an old guy, I like old tools. Don't get me wrong, my boxes have a constant flow of new stuff coming in, but the old stuff has a place there with them.

 

[sberry]

I buy stuff only to use it. If I'm buying an old tool it is because either; it is no longer made and I have use for it, it is a good price and comparable to a new one and I will use it,

I don't care if my stuff matches either, my stuff is for work and am not a "collector"

 

[back2class]

I only buy a tool to use; can't afford anything else. I appreciate the history, quality, and everything else of old tools, but I'd rather spend the money on "collecting" the things those tools built and maintained.

About how I feel. I buy tools only if I have a use for them or to re-sell them. I can appreciate some of the quality, like how the older Snap-On pliers make the new ones look like junk. But to be honest, on average new top of the line tools seem to be of better quality on average. Truth is I could care less on both ends! I keep the tools that do the job and are of HIGH quality. The pretty new ones and the ones for collectors get sold. Rather let the prople who need bling and people who need rare pay for my real working tools.


My mixed brand ugly tools are of high quaity and will get the job done as well as the prettiest tool sets here. Only thing I hate are mixed sets of wrenches and sockets. But that is a not about looks. It is so things are easy to keep in order.

 

[imok]

The only really old tools I have belonged to my grandfather and I will always keep them. I never hesitate to use them if needed. My first "new" tools were Craftsman =v= and I still use those all the time.

 

[babzog]

Nah... never got into the old tools habit. I have some and try to use 'em as much as any others in my toolbox (tools are tools - use 'em till they break or wear out, is my philosophy), but I certainly won't go out of my way to look for and buy old vs new if I need something. Which is not to say that I won't buy used vs new... I'll happily let someone else pay the depreciation and I'll scoop the deal.

I like reading about guys here buying buckets of old rusty ratchets and wrenches and screwdrivers but, for me, it's more about the story of "the hunt" than drooling over the buckets of old rusty stuff.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I keep old tools from my grandpa and my grandpa's grandpa, I don't use them....I don't go out looking for them though, not yet. I do like them, and would love to have a box of pre-50's tools, but I need to get the rest of my "now" tools first. I pretty much will want to have any tool I will ever need, before I get every tool I don't.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I'm with the OP. I appreciate the old stuff, but I do not go out of my way to get any. I inhereted some old tools, and I bought some at garage sales and such when I was young and poor, but I don't give a rat's *** about all the "Plomb pebble grain" and what not that I hear on this board. My oldest tools are in my junkyard box that I bring to the Pull-A-Part.
What I think is even less logical is people who collect new Snap-On tools just to collect them, not to use. If they are making more then they are not collectible.

 

[Bolster]

I don't give a rat's *** about all the "Plomb pebble grain" and what not that I hear on this board.

Woo-hoo! Just keep bein' you, Major! When you find that worthless ****, send it my way.

Man, I am thankful you guys exist. We need more people like you in the world.

 

[Scout Driver]

Wow! Great to hear the lack of interest in the old tools. Makes it easier for me to obtain International Harvester tools and to stock my 1930's Blackhawk box. Everyone should stay away from Barcalo Buffalo tools too!

Scott

 

[Bull]

While you are at it, keep your grimy mitts off of any old Blackhawk, Herbrand or Truth pieces! Box 'em up and send them to:

Bull's Rusty Implement Center
869 Iron Oxide Lane
Corrosion, MA 01002

 

[Jononon]

I'm interested in stuff I inherited, I like to know what it is and, ideally, continue to use it. I'm not remotely interested in bidding for a Snap-on A098#3 with the rare WW2 markings* on Fleabay or hunting through mounds of junk at the car boot sale.

There are some tools where I actively seek out older items, but it's down to quality, not collector's instinct. Bench vices, in particular.

*before you go off and look for this, I made it up...oh, too late

 

[t100]

I normally don't give a F' of old tools, I'm into good tools, new or old, domestic or import doesn't matter.

 

[kythri]

I tend to not go out of my way for older stuff - when buying, usually preferring something that's in production, but I make exceptions if it's really good and a really good deal, or if there's a unique reason to.

Case in point - I've been in the market for an 18" 1/2" breaker bar. I recently discovered that P&C, when they moved to Oregon, originally setup shop here in Lebanon, where I live.

That intrigued me, because Lebanon isn't anything flash - it's a little town of about 16K people that exists/survives because of it's proximity to a couple other larger towns within 10-20 miles that actually have some kind of industry.

As such, when I saw a P&C breaker bar for sale at a reasonable price, I jumped on it, just to have one. Other than this, though, I really have zero interest in other P&C tools. If I happen to see an old ratchet or something, and it's cheap, I might grab it, but I'm not looking for one.

 

[treasureseeker]

I am into quality made tools and see them as a type of art. I went through the old tools phase. I used to buy up all the valuable old stuff at estate sales then sell it on eBay and order German tools from Chads with the profit. I now have a few vintage ratchets and drills, push drills, and Yankee screwdrivers and the rest new stuff. I now just buy what I like old or new just what impresses me. I just a got a set of current SK Superkrome double box wrenches and they don’t show the quality of the older wrenches or current ones from the truck brands. If I run my finger down edge of the length of the wrench it has high spots. It lacks the hand finishing time that was once common and now seems to be only common to the most expensive stuff. The wrenches are going to be used for a car emergency kit and I will be looking for an old set or Current snap on ones.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Scout and Bull,
Are you guys saying that old Blackhawk stuff is valuable? I have an old Blackhawk ratchet and socket set from my grandfather or great grandfather, where the ratchet looks like two pieces of sheet metal and you push the 1/2" square drive piece through to the other side to change directions. It's what I use in the junkyard. Maybe I should see about putting it on Ebay.
Edit: I just checked and it is pretty much worthless. Oh well.

 

[Bolster]

Edit: I just checked and it is pretty much worthless. Oh well.

See? This game is not for neophytes. Stay away, Major!

Tool Nazi says: "No old tools for you!"

 

[Major Ramifications]

See? This game is not for neophytes. Stay away, Major!

Tool Nazi says: "No old tools for you!"

 

[woody 73]

You should stay away from old tools,only buy the new tools. Now if you do happen to find any of course you could just post them in the selling section.

one day you will pick up that old Stanley cast level,the one with the old glass bevel and the gorgeous scroll work.
Or the old stanley wooden ruler you know the one made out of boxwood,with the brass hinges.
or that old hammer the one with the beautiful makers label...
Don't ever collect those nasty old starrett tools from the past (don't say anything to Jack (packard).
Yes it is good to keep a closed mind the less you know the better...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm not into them. I have some, but only because they're there to do a job. I don't actively seek older tools, i just buy what works and what suits my needs. I have various older sockets and obstruction wrenches because there's no newer equivalent.

If i were to make a set of something i'd go with new(er) if possible.

There are some older tools i'd buy as a piece, like a collectors item. But largely i buy to use.

 

[jpoe]

I just bought a bunch yesterday with the intention of upgrading from my Harbor Freight stuff and selling the rest. Looking today, I have some snap on sockets that are from the 30's and 40's. The only info I can find on the internet sites are from tool collectors.

The older tools to me seem to have character. I will pick them up whenever I get the chance.

 

[Abbott]

Anybody else NOT into the old vintage stuff?

I can definitely appreciate the quality, history, heritage, durability of the old stuff, I just don't go out of my way in pawns/fleas to look for it.

I've never had much desire to try and complete older sets of wrenches, like old proto or plomb stuff.

Anybody else feel the same way?
I never got infected with that specific GJ virus yet.
For a while I was sick with the "high tooth-count ratchet" virus but have since recovered.

Yeah, I don't have a care if they are old or not, I just work my tools. Old or new, patina or shiny, American made, Chinese made, Taiwan or anywhere else doesn't matter to me as long as they do the job. I actually like many of my tools that are made in Taiwan very much, they are of good quality and always do what I ask of them. The funny part is I have never owned a car or truck that wasn't built by the big three and I only ride Harley Davidson motorcycles, go figure

 

[Gary S]

I don't buy tools because they are old, or just to look at. I buy tools to use. When I need a tool, I buy the best I can afford at the time. If it lasts a long time, it might eventually become an old tool, but I will continue using it as long as it works or until I die.
I'm not a collector. I'm a user.

 

[mrholeshot]

I like some old stuff but I'm not really into collecting for collectings sake. If I see a box of old wrenches, sockets, ratchets I'll but them at a really good price and then resell them at Flea markets. The stuff like is the stuff thats new and highly useable. Things like old pear head Proto ratchets don't do a thing for me but make a few dollars on, The heads are too big, to clunky and just not real comfotable. I love seeing it, holding it and reliving the past but I use my stuff and thats the stuff I collect. Not much old stuff fill that need with the exception of old SK sockets, extentions and such. Now I do love collecting old diagnostic tools.

 

[t100]

one thing I have to say, Old machinist tools can run circles around the newer ones in most cases.

 

[Bolster]

one thing I have to say, Old machinist tools can run circles around the newer ones in most cases.

(t100, you are NOT helping!)

Everybody: t100 has no clue of what he's talking about. Please continue purchasing new machinist's tools from Enco. Thank you.