Handy Andy Carpenters Tool Chest.

[Mike'smeatshop]

Early 1970s Made in Poland for Skil-Craft Chicago Ill.

I have read other reviews on other forums, and I am asking your opinion on a child's tool set back in the 70s and now? i would think this would still be good to inspire a youth to get off the iPhone.

 

[WisJim]

It always seemed to me that these tool kits were a nice idea, but they were toys rather than good usable tools, although they did function after a fashion. The saw always dulled quickly, and the plane was simple and not easily adjusted by a youngster. I ended up giving each of my three sons an assortment of real tools--a Stanley or equal block plane, a short Disston or Atkins handsaw, a couple of screwdrivers, an small hand drill, and a small hardware store hammer. They later got a No 3 size smooth plane, pliers, adjustable wrench, a few other wrenches, etc.
But I always like these tool sets that you show.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

It always seemed to me that these tool kits were a nice idea, but they were toys rather than good usable tools, although they did function after a fashion. The saw always dulled quickly, and the plane was simple and not easily adjusted by a youngster. I ended up giving each of my three sons an assortment of real tools--a Stanley or equal block plane, a short Disston or Atkins handsaw, a couple of screwdrivers, an small hand drill, and a small hardware store hammer. They later got a No 3 size smooth plane, pliers, adjustable wrench, a few other wrenches, etc.
But I always like these tool sets that you show.

I agree the saws are not top quality but do have an edge when starting. And the drill functions okay. But I think a great starter to get the concept of each tool. And the saws can be sharpened and taught to sharpened. Thanks.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

i would think this would still be good to inspire a youth to get off the iPhone

My Dad gifted one of these to a coworker's boys. They were inspired to saw a leg off of the coffee table.

 

[B Halverson]

You can not go wrong giving kids tools to play with. My father had a British motorcycle shop when I was born and it was fascinating to me from the time I was a toddler. I did not know what I was doing, but it was fun for me to grab some wrenches as a small child and undo bolts and take parts off of a 1947 Matchless G80 with a blown engine that was sitting in a junk-pile back behind the garage.

 

[RTM]

Twenty years ago the tool toys were all plastic and safe. Duluth Trading sold a great collection of tools for kids, and each was a decent quality tool

I still have a few of hers around from 20 years ago

Like WisJim said, you may still be disappointed with the tools, as nice as they appear.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I believe this set is for a particular age and child. Plus, a certain amount of time to spend with the child. That is something parents just do not want to do.

 

[imagineer]

I had that exact kit when I was a kid. I believe after the tools were lost or broken, the case was repurposed for carrying a chess set.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I picked up a similar set several years ago for cheap at a swap meet. It comes out when the grandkids are here and ask for it and holds their attention for a while. I consider it a toy just like the other construction related play equipment we keep on hand. I think it is a good thing to expose both the boys and the girls to these types of toys. A lot better than letting them park on the couch with a video game. Ed.

 

[Beerhippie]

You can not go wrong giving kids tools to play with....

Ask my father about furniture with holes drilled, nails driven, legs cut off short... on the mechanic's side, we kids were much more interested in how things came apart than how they went back together....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Feets don't fail me now!

I've been using this line every time a set or empty box shows up on GJ. Handy Andy has no feet. No legs to speak of, really.

I found a very similar set, similar configuration, similar wood box, different decal, a couple years ago, photos linked here and scroll down...

2022 Garage Sale Thread

I had a Handy Andy Toolbox/Set. Pretty sure it had a coping saw. Not a single piece survived my youthful ownership; not the box, not the tools inside. I think they disappeared one by one... Kids - they can't be trusted with anything...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Feets don't fail me now!

I've been using this line every time a set or empty box shows up on GJ. Handy Andy has no feet. No legs to speak of, really.

I found a very similar set, similar configuration, similar wood box, different decal, a couple years ago, photos linked here and scroll down...

2022 Garage Sale Thread

I had a Handy Andy Toolbox/Set. Pretty sure it had a coping saw. Not a single piece survived my youthful ownership; not the box, not the tools inside. I think they disappeared one by one... Kids - they can't be trusted with anything...

www.garagejournal.com

I did a search with no luck. But your post was what I was looking for.

 

[toolmiser]

My grandfather was a carpenter. He always let his sons use his tools. Someone asked why he would let them use his good tools, he replied "they aren't going to learn how to use them using junk". All three sons were carpenters, one of the got a masters in Education-Industrial Arts.

 

[Modern Garage]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have one of the skinny wood handled chisels in a drawer, still has that particular shade of blue paint on it and looked so familiar, but I just couldn't put my finger on where I'd seen it before. Driving me crazy every time I looked at it.
Joe

 

[toolfinder.us]

This is a pretty neat set. I put together a similar premise - but hand-picked separate piece set - for an adult work raffle a couple years ago... It took me too many times editing this message to see the "attach files" button...

 

[Rockable]

I got a Handy Andy set when if was about 5. Look at where it got me, still collecting tools at 70.

They were toys and didn't last long on the farm with 2 younger brothers but it got me interested in tools and doing work with them.

 

[Skyman]

It had never occurred to me that my life-long Tool Jones might have its origins in that POS Handy Andy set from back when my age was still somewhere in the single digits. But, it now seems possible that it contributed to this disease. Hell, I hadn't even thought of those Handy Andy tools since I can't remember when. That's a flashback, for sure.