I'm certain we all suffer from the same addiction...

[turner66]

I have to laugh at myself sometimes... I've gone close to 50 years of hanging on to some tools which I've had no need to keep. Some, i dont even remember i have. Some are otherwise useless because they've been replaced with better technology or better quality, etc. I'm in a mode now where I'm determined I will slowly work my way through all the "lonely misfit tools" and donate, give away, or just chuck it so that i can clear out some space. Prime example, I was cleaning off a long forgotten high up shop shelf and stumbled across this "gem" of an analog engine analyzer I know i haven't used since probably the late 1980's... If I had the ambition I could probably put it on ebay and advertise "original factory packaging" LOL/.
FWIW - Don't tell my wife she's been right all these years about having too many tools Ya'll are just as bad as me, admit it!

PS. By the way, I love the fact it says it's Made in USA!

 

[mv213]

I had that same one sitting in a drawer for years. I may have gotten rid of it and my timing light finally.

 

[rsanter]

It’s not hoarding if its tools

 

[OccupantRJ]

I actually hunted down a used dwell/tach online about 6 years ago when I had an air compressor with a Ford 302 industrial engine in it. An older guy like me was selling it about 3 miles away. I ran across it the other day when I was sorting and re-organizing my test equipment. I mostly use my timing light to test for misfires on a spark plug wire of an older engine or small engine these days. You can see if it misses a beat while running.

 

[zendriver]

Pretty much.

I have that exact meter, (purchased cheap at estate action) planning to keep it as an "upgrade" to my 1970's RAC.

Still have both (unused in decades) the only thing I can possible use them on now, is my 1960's 3 cyl Ford tractor (after doing some heavy math) which I'll probably end up converting to electronic ignition anyway.

Maybe I'll pitch them both

 

[turner66]

And it's "brother" which I bet many of ya'll had too! ...
Just imagine all the new space I'll have to put "new" stuff

 

[Hakeem]

Good for you. It’s always good to declutter, hard as it may be.

Post some more photos, these are interesting to see

 

[JeepYJ]

I have to laugh at myself sometimes... I've gone close to 50 years of hanging on to some tools which I've had no need to keep. Some, i dont even remember i have. Some are otherwise useless because they've been replaced with better technology or better quality, etc. I'm in a mode now where I'm determined I will slowly work my way through all the "lonely misfit tools" and donate, give away, or just chuck it so that i can clear out some space. Prime example, I was cleaning off a long forgotten high up shop shelf and stumbled across this "gem" of an analog engine analyzer I know i haven't used since probably the late 1980's... If I had the ambition I could probably put it on ebay and advertise "original factory packaging" LOL/.
FWIW - Don't tell my wife she's been right all these years about having too many tools Ya'll are just as bad as me, admit it!

PS. By the way, I love the fact it says it's Made in USA!

Hey those are still handy to have around sometimes!
I break mine out occasionally still.

 

[driftpin]

Coincidentally, I have 'brothers' of those in my collection. Bought new. I was going through some things being located to another place of storage, and I had those in my hands last week. My Craftsman timing light has a blow-molded plastic box (white) it's in, and the Craftsman tach/dewll meter was before the Penske line. It came in a plain white cardboard box in which I kept it for decades, until I found an insect infestation treating it like a smorgasbord, the box got pitched.

I used the meter on everything from a 400 Pontiac to a '42 Mercury 239 cu.in flathead.

 

[WildBill]

I am using both that engine analyzer and that timing light today on a 67 cougar. They both were sitting for probably at least 15 years since last used. But I'm glad I didn't get rid of them.

 

[mopar66]

I have that exact same model of timing light. I recently used it to set the timing on my foxbody mustang. But I am guilty of keeping tools that I have not used in over 20 years. I have been getting rid of them over time.

 

[Nutria]

And it's "brother" which I bet many of ya'll had too! ...
Just imagine all the new space I'll have to put "new" stuff

I have that exact same model of timing light. I recently used it to set the timing on my foxbody mustang.

No past tense for me either-- mine is still in regular use.

 

[zendriver]

An inductive timing light, can be used as a "spark tester" on any ICE

 

[Bert_]

I have 2 vehicles with distributors.

I just upgraded to an inductive dial back timing light. And I had to buy a tach to do an advance recurve..

 

[vwpieces]

And it's "brother" which I bet many of ya'll had too! ...
Just imagine all the new space I'll have to put "new" stuff

Scored the non advance chrome sears at a Flea for a few bux Many, Many years ago.
10yrs Later scored the advance, again for a very good deal.
At some point I needed a light while nowhere near my shop and bought a Horrible freight w/ advance to get something sorted. Don't remember when or why anymore.
Also have a nice digital Inova that might be 15yrs old now. Lotsa options on it, think it does 6v too.
But I always used a jump pack to supply 12V for a timing light when using on 6V cars prior.

Each had it's time and used as needed. But of course I still have them all, piled in the same drawer.
Chrome Sears advance is still the first grabbed, quick and easy to use.
Innova takes some thought, but has 3cyl mode for the Kawi triple. Used for the more technical setups.

 

[KnurledNut]

Replaced a dizzy not long ago and set the timing. Vintage Craftsman gun got some action.

Edit: Oppps not Craftsman, just Sears branded...

 

[WisJim]

I have both the "analyzer" and timing light, very similar if not identical, still in the original boxes. I bought them both new in probably the early 1970s and used them a lot. I've been thinking seriously of selling or giving them away--but haven't done it yet.

 

[turner66]

Thanks for joining me in the past few days guys, It's been a fun short little trip down memory lane
Someday we'll be the only ones that even remember what some of this stuff is and how to use it!

 

[DAustin]

I have to laugh at myself sometimes... I've gone close to 50 years of hanging on to some tools which I've had no need to keep. Some, i dont even remember i have. Some are otherwise useless because they've been replaced with better technology or better quality, etc. I'm in a mode now where I'm determined I will slowly work my way through all the "lonely misfit tools" and donate, give away, or just chuck it so that i can clear out some space. Prime example, I was cleaning off a long forgotten high up shop shelf and stumbled across this "gem" of an analog engine analyzer I know i haven't used since probably the late 1980's... If I had the ambition I could probably put it on ebay and advertise "original factory packaging" LOL/.
FWIW - Don't tell my wife she's been right all these years about having too many tools Ya'll are just as bad as me, admit it!

PS. By the way, I love the fact it says it's Made in USA!

I have one I bought new and never used, it's waiting for my next "old car".

 

[Skellyii]

Thanks for joining me in the past guys, It's been a fun short little trip down memory lane
Someday we'll be the only ones that even remember what some of this stuff is and how to use it!

A couple of years ago, I was packing up to move to my current house and my son was sorting the stuff out in the garage into three piles, pack, trash and donate. He was 25, somewhat proficient with cars, and he pulled out my timing light and analyzer out of a drawer.

He asked what it was and how it was used. I had to REALLY think about it, since I don't think at that time I had used one in over 15 years.

 

[rharman]

Many, many years ago, I tossed the inductive timing light I probably bought in 1971 for my first car - a Chevy LUV pickup. Also tossed the dwell meter I bought at the same time.

Maybe 5 years ago, I went through one of the drawers in my roll-away and tossed all the old pullers, crank separators, clutch holders, etc. that I had accumulated (or built) from about 1971 for various motorcycles I owned or fixed for friends. I used to make them buy me the special tool(s) needed for repairs they wanted me to do. Among others, I figured I wasn't going to need a magneto rotor puller or crank separator tool for a 1973 CZ-400 any more! Or, those for a 1972 Husky 250, or a 1971 Yamaha AT-1.

 

[Houdini5150]

I have had a mix match of tools over the years... I had some basic tools to do oil changes when I went to college but I stopped working on my cars because I bought newer cars and 'lost' tools. Then I got an apartment and started collecting basic tools but then I lost a few here and there and got random stuff again... For a minute I did not use tools they just sat in the box. I just had the drill and basic screw driver and pliers. After my divorce I located my tools again and got basic tools. Eventually started dating my fiance and eventually moved in. Did some work and replaced a few things here and there that needed to be addressed bc her ex did not do sh*t around the house and expanded my collection. Now I have a tool box and several power tools etc etc. I may look into some tools for demo work in the future since she wants to re do the kitchen and bathroom but we may definitely contract that out cuz that is outside of my YouTube Certification