Father's Day Toolbox detail

[Billy Jack]

My father was a flat-rate dealer transmission mechanic in the 50's through the mid 60's and eventually a dealer service manager until his passing. During his last days he gave me instructions on distributing his tools. Since I already had a Snap-On roller cab purchased in the 80's, his went to his favorite grandson, but I kept his two drawer middle section. After 50+ years of being wiped off with a shop rag and parts cleaner, I decided to spend a few hours of my Father's Day doing a bit of detail work.
Here's what it looked like as I started removing hardware:

After a thorough cleaning & claying, I did some testing with various cleaner waxes, using my Griots D/A polisher and wound up using Meguiar's D151, their pro-line one step product with combination of a very fine abrasive and wax. The hardware got a treatment of Meguiar's Metal Polish by hand.

Here's the final result:

I don't visit his grave site much, but 23 years later I'm still reminded of all he taught me every time I reach for a tool.

Bill

 

[Kent_B]

That's a great way to remember your dad. Nice work!

 

[Ohmthis]

Great story and you did a great job on the box. My step dad passed 13 years ago. I haven't been to his grave site in nearly 10 years. But I don't feel him there. I do feel him when I'm at work with a huge issue and I'm stumped. I take a moment and say "Alright Jerry, you've helped me out all of my life. Let's fix one more thing.". It never fails that the answer always comes to me pretty soon afterwards. That's where I can feel him.

 

[thehorse13]

That's a great late 50s middle box. You've done a fine job putting life back into it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Wow, that turned out nice! Great way to remember him !

 

[2oolhound]

Awesome story and way to spend father's day.

I'm with you and Ohmthis on the visits to the grave. Nothing wrong with going there but too often you have to fit the time into a tight schedule and you have so much on your mind you're not connecting when there. There's a danger of it becoming just a habit you preform as a duty or to keep a clear conscience. I think we all connect meaningfully at all kinds of times throughout our days and even in our sleep. I know when I'm thinking of someone and just out of the blue decide to grab some flowers and visit their grave it's always more meaningful than scheduled visits.