Dad's hand me down tools

[ssentt]

Some of my tools came from my father. I particularly like using a tool that has been in the hands of my long ago deceased father. There is something about that makes me feel good deep down in my sole. A closeness that I still cling to. A wish that he was still around for that father know how and an occasional hug. Besides some memories, pictures, and a few guns, his tools are what I have left. As a matter of fact the tools he has given me I handle with respect. I try to prevent wearing them out or breaking them and I have passed some of these down to my son. I even have some some wrenches that were my grandfathers that came from the farm. These are cherished and seldom get used.

My wife thinks I'm a little out there, but anyone else feel like this?

 

[dirtmister16]

i know the feeling. for a long time i never could put some of grandpas tools to use. i generally only use the 7/16" snap on wrench i got and once in a great while my 1/2" craftsman ratchet, oh and the 1/4" drive ratchet i bought him years ago. he had alot of those tool kits his kids bought him so i got alot of misc chinese **** sockets and stuff.

i don't use the cruddy tools they got put in my junk/random tools box after a few years of sitting there.

everytime i pick them up i think of him and what a great man he was. i a few of my dad's tools and hes still alive so its a little differn't. but i do think of him and all the times we have shared tearing apart something or other.

 

[Alamedasam]

I agree with you. Well put. I have tools my Dad, Grandfather, & Great-Grandfather used.
When I use the same tool, I wonder what they were thinking about at that very moment.
I feel good knowing they had that very tool in thier hands also.

 

[Outlander]

+1 I took it one step further.....I bought the house my Dad built for my Mom when they got married in 1949. My family lives there now and the kids have always enjoyed hearing the stories of my siblings and I growing up there. The 'show us your tool boxes' thread includes pictures of my messy basement workshop with Dad's workbench.

So, ya..... using Dad's stuff, or making things he used to make for Christmas means alot to us.

 

[ssentt]

Forgot to mention I have his work benches...two 12ft long hand made benches with drawers plus cabinets below and topped with bowling ally lanes for the top work surface. I have never seen a more awesome set of work benches in my fifty yrs. I have had many positive/nice comments about the craftmanship and awesomeness of fathers work benches. Makes me proud.

 

[ssentt]

+1 I took it one step further.....I bought the house my Dad built for my Mom when they got married in 1949. My family lives there now and the kids have always enjoyed hearing the stories of my siblings and I growing up there. The 'show us your tool boxes' thread includes pictures of my messy basement workshop with Dad's workbench.

So, ya..... using Dad's stuff, or making things he used to make for Christmas means alot to us.

Thats pretty cool outlander and something to be very proud of!!!

 

[GarageDan]

You're not alone. Sometimes I feel like using granddaddy's tools or even just Craftsman tools in general makes me remember and feel connected. What you feel is just love man. The love only a son or grandson can have.

Peace.

 

[bathurst-racer]

My Grandfather opened his workshop in 1927. I have a vice that Dad told me was there as long as he could remember. I also have tools that they used when the workshop was running up until the early seventies. I agree with all of the memories and feelings about working with your families tools and gear.
I thought I was the only one.

 

[mnster]

Just something about working with the tools you were taught with. Some of the tools I have introduced me to the mechanic lifestyle. As they traded hands from my grandfathers to my own. They might be used up or even cheap brand. But, just something special about them.

 

[camarotoolman]

I wear my Dads work jacket, makes me feel good every time I put it one.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

Wish I would have gotten some of my grandfathers tools when he passed, he had a HUGE 3 car garage stuffed with tools of every sort......relatives took everything and kept or sold the minute he passed. Sad when relatives dont appreciate the sentamental value of memories and learning things passed down from generations.....

 

[metaldad]

I have kept the few tools I was able to acquire in his tool box.
Left, unused, on a shelf in my shop.
Every once in a while, I go thru it and remember.

 

[retDAC]

To each his own, but when I'm gone/unable to do anything I wish my son would wear out my tools with his own good honest work. Then hang a certain few on the wall or even frame them. Unfortunately that probably won't happen.

I have inherited all my Dad's tools. Makes me sad he couldn't wear them out - not enough time/health after he retired. Sure some he used a lot; some enough; some a little; and some apparently not at all.

I certainly will keep many but there's just too many and some of them I can't realistically make use of. So eventually after I get everything sorted, I'll sell those along with a lot of other stuff and split with my brother. Nope, he can't use any of this stuff.

Use it while you can; otherwise sell if your kids don't want it. Met a man who actually did that while he could still think straight.

 

[gringowillie]

My Dad wasn't much of a mechanic , but inhale the tool box he bought me when I graduated high school and his I Hoe . It hangs near the door in my shop and whenever I get a chance I kill a snake with it . He would be proud .

 

[Outlander]

On a side note, hanging in my basement workshop (of the house that Dad built - see above) is a small spiral notepad. In it, Dad scribbled I had borrowed a couple of his tools. This would be 20+ years old. I still have it hanging there, undisturbed.

 

[skulldrinker]

Wish I would have gotten some of my grandfathers tools when he passed, he had a HUGE 3 car garage stuffed with tools of every sort......relatives took everything and kept or sold the minute he passed. Sad when relatives dont appreciate the sentamental value of memories and learning things passed down from generations.....

It's the same with other stuff such as the old family coin collection. 200 year old coins sold just to pay the current electric bill. Gone forever out of our hands. But coins are a different thread.

 

[Daves69]

I feel the same with the tools and more important the guns I have inherited.

 

[Packard V8]

It's the way it is. I didn't learn as much from my father while he was alive as I have learned by reflecting on his life after he died. I'll always have a few of his tools.

More than thirty years ago, I became a Big Brother to a 13-year-old. Today, he's an aircraft engineer at Boeing and we're still close. He said recently one of the most valuable things was when he started his education and work, he already knew how to analyze a project, plan the work, find the materials and use the tools.

When my own son was younger, he didn't have any interest in tools, cars or DIY. Now that he's in his late 30's, just last week we spent Christmas with him and his wife. For five days, he worked me like a rented mule. In his garage we built a huge L-shaped workbench, hung cabinets and built shelves. In the laundry room we installed cabinets and built a countertop from a huge length of Corian we got at Habitat.

He said he learned more last week than he had learned in all the years before. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

jack vines

 

[Milton Shaw]

My grandfather on my mother's side graduated from apprentice school for carpentry in 1906. And I got his tool box and tools that he had made in school. Treasures that can never be replaced. Wood box planes, router planes and his saw sharpening vice and sets and files are still in good shape. I remember as a kid my dad taking his crosscut saw to granddaddies for him to sharpen it. Memories I will always treasure. I also have his graduation picture and the picture of his father's graduation also. That's going back into the 1880's. Treasures I hope my grandson will appreciate, I know my daughters do.

 

[dodge610]

I still have a lot of my dads tools that were handed down to me my brother and bil my bil has since passed on also. My sister I think is going to split dads stuff between me and my brother. but as far as using dads tools I guess I am out there also his tools are here and so is he in spirit.

 

[Outlander]

My grandfather on my mother's side graduated from apprentice school for carpentry in 1906. And I got his tool box and tools that he had made in school. Treasures that can never be replaced. Wood box planes, router planes and his saw sharpening vice and sets and files are still in good shape. I remember as a kid my dad taking his crosscut saw to granddaddies for him to sharpen it. Memories I will always treasure. I also have his graduation picture and the picture of his father's graduation also. That's going back into the 1880's. Treasures I hope my grandson will appreciate, I know my daughters do.

Very cool. I have an old plane and a spokeshave that came from a more distant relative via my Dad as well. Neat to know the history, and to pass on the memories to the next generation, isn't it?

When my Dad passed on I gave each of his grandkids something that was his. My nephew was given a hammer used to build the family home. He has never used it....it sits on display

 

[dadsEH]

my dad died in 2006 in Canada and he had very little tools left as he was over 90. When I was clearing out the basement for the house sale I found his old sliding 't' square hanging on the wall. Its now back in AU with me on my bench. I use it practically every day and think of him.

 

[ssentt]

My father died 12yrs ago at the age of 71. He was a machinest by trade and had a basement full of tools and bar stock. My mother sold almost all of his tools and extras gathered from his lifetime at auction for pennies on the dollar. I wasn't allowed to get much of anything. She needed the money and I understood that, my family was of modest means.

The stuff I do have is mostly what he had given me personally. When I see an engraving on a tool that he placed there I know the hard work and sweat that went into supporting his family. I appreciate that now in my 50yr life, working 32yrs at the same job and supporting my own family. See there was a time in my life when my father and I were not that close. It took me a from my teens till about 30yrs old before I realized Dad was right and I didn't know jackshit.

I have many early memories of hunting and fishing, working on things together with some of those very tools he gave me. When I use a tool he owned, one he gave me, there is so much more. Most of his advice/teachings were not handed to me through direct words. I'm sure they were there but I had to decode them. Some of the decoding took many years, after I earned some wisdom myself. I realized that he had taught me much, in his own unique ways. The most important thing my father taught me was; being a man has nothing to do with age, status, wealth or muscle. And everything to do with character. Qualities of honesty, courage, and integrity. Knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing. Put your family first yourself last. Do whatever it takes to get the job done. Say what you mean and do what you say. These are just some of the things a tool my father owned handed down to me means and so much more. It will be 12yrs this Febuary. I miss you Dad.