Do you use vintage tools?

[DGersic]

So I am contemplating what to do with some tools I inherited from my FIL.

I've recently just started going through some tools that were my FIL's. Mostly Wrenches that were USA Craftsman, Long C a few, Snap On, Williams Etc. Some were his some I suspect were picked up at estate sales. Anyways I have tools that are duplicates of most of these however the nostalgic and USA made tools just have the COOL factor. Some are from the 30's and 50's. I don't want to put them away in a drawer and never use them, I am not concerned they are going to get damaged in any way they are tools meant to be used.

Anyways I wanted to poll GJ for what they do with a similar situation, I don't have much room to display them, I don't want to put them in a tool box and NEVER use them, but I have more complete sets and didn't "need" the additional tools.
Please post what you've done with your vintage tools you don't need but want to hold onto them.

I am going to have more in the future from my father, and he has his uncles tools that were his back in the 50's and 60's when he worked for Libbey Oewns Ford. (LOF)

I‘m dealing with a similar problem. Going through Dad’s house and tools, deciding what to keep, what to donate, what to sell, and what to toss. I don’t have a lot of good memories of time spent working with Dad, we were more on the hold-the-damned-flashlight-here standing. But some of those tools were the first ones I used, they’re good quality, and I can’t (yet) send them down the line.

If it’s something I don’t have, and will use, that’s easy. Incorporate it in to my tools. I don’t collect, I use tools.

What‘s difficult is when I already have one. 1/2” sockets, I have a full set of regular, deep, chrome and impact, SAE and metric. And now I have Dad’s vintage set of chrome SAE, in the nice metal box. No idea what to do with them, but can’t let them go either.

So, sorry, no good advice here.

 

[CGarage]

I‘m dealing with a similar problem. Going through Dad’s house and tools, deciding what to keep, what to donate, what to sell, and what to toss. I don’t have a lot of good memories of time spent working with Dad, we were more on the hold-the-damned-flashlight-here standing. But some of those tools were the first ones I used, they’re good quality, and I can’t (yet) send them down the line.

If it’s something I don’t have, and will use, that’s easy. Incorporate it in to my tools. I don’t collect, I use tools.

What‘s difficult is when I already have one. 1/2” sockets, I have a full set of regular, deep, chrome and impact, SAE and metric. And now I have Dad’s vintage set of chrome SAE, in the nice metal box. No idea what to do with them, but can’t let them go either.

So, sorry, no good advice here.

Are they American made or European made? If so, keep them.

If not, let them go and use your superior set.

If the memories of working together were less than great, pass them on to someone who can put them to use.

 

[tamaraw]

If they are useful, sure I'll use them. One of my main ratchets is a Plomb pebble, another is a modern production Cornwell 30T which might as well be vintage.

Almost all of my imperial wrenches are old Plomb or Mac because they were cheap to pick up and rarely get used. Or my 3/8" stuff is a random assortment of older stuff for the same reason. Cool factor and low price helps justify purchases.

I try not to collect things for display but I do have a snail brand spanner in a size I'll never use on top of my box because I think it's cool.

I also have a few 20's/30's tools that could be used but dont often because they are duplicated by stronger more modern stuff.

Flathead screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, vises, clamps, etc. haven't changed much though.

Main thing to watch out for on old stuff is cadmium plating because that can be a hazard.

 

[danielbuck]

Some of my machines are vintage, my big metal lathe, wood bandsaw, and some others are from the 1940's. I don't have modern versions of them, so anytime I need to use them, that's what I use.