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.

 

[DGersic]

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.

The socket sets are Crescent.

Thread 'My father’s tools'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/my-fathers-tools.553821/

They're good quality vintage tools, and the boxes are in good condition.

 

[RTM]

Yes, I am a vintage tool hoarder I am in a 10-step program just like AA.

Unfortunately, his AA in this case is Alloy Artifacts.

Alloy Artifacts Tool History Page

The Alloy Artifacts tool history page for hand tools of the 20th century.

alloy-artifacts.org

 

[Nofries]

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.

I decided that I am using 90% of them, even the few that were obviously his (He did love to go to estate sales and pick up random tools) there are a few machinist tolls and older "rare" tools that were his. Several he engraved his name on so I know he was using these in the 50's. I do have a lot of duplicates, and a few oddball wrenches now.

They are tools and meant to be used as such, and as long as they aren't abused there is no reason they shouldn't be able to be passed down to my son. I have moved on a lot of combination wrenches (Mostly USA Craftsman) to my son who is 26.

Even if they don't have good memories keep and use the quality tools and sell or donate the ones you won't use as you mentioned above.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If they are useful, sure I'll use them.

I think this is the key to the whole debate.

For example, some tools haven't changed design in 100 years or more. Putty knife from the 1940s is in all intents and purposes no different than one made yesterday.

 

[Stevettt]

I do not use tools all day every day like mechanic or tradesman.
I am a process operator, though, so I regularly do PM, maintenance and minor repair work on industrial equipment.
For many years I worked in a refinery, they bought only top-shelf truck tools and equivalent.
Retired and went to a university boiler house, all newer tools but mid-level (Home Depot/Grainger). Quite a difference.
The fastener cranking stuff (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers) do the job OK and I use them.
Beyond that I have assembled my own tool set for use at work.
I can't pay truck prices, so I buy all vintage at flea markets and tag sales.
I find plenty of vintage striking tools (hammers, punches, chisels, etc.) for almost nothing.
Likewise pry bars, scraping tools, pokey things, cutting tools and so on.
Good pliers are harder to find, but I have managed to assemble a high-quality but mixed brand (mostly Klein and Channel-lock) assortment.
I find the vintage stuff more satisfying to use and enjoy the treasure hunt.