passing "it" along

[crewchief888]

for several years time has kinda been a downer for me, the wifes kids are all grown, and rarely visit. this year my stepson and his GF made the 8-9 hr road trip to spend here.

i spent some time talking to him, found out he's been having car troubles and that he doesnt have any tools to even attempt to do a minor repair, or even change his oil.

we spent some time in the garage this morning, , gave him a vintage CM cantilever box, a set of CM usa combo wrenches, some 3/8" dr sockets, some extensions, couple 3/8" dr ratchets, plug sockets, filter wrench, and some assorted screwdrivers.

i feel kinda good right now..

 

[mires]

What are the odds he will actually use them?

 

[gdocktor3]

What are the odds he will actually use them?

LOL my thoughts exactly!!

 

[valentine]

Yeah, it's a good feeling when you pass along one of your possessions to someone you care about. I've given each of my 3 sons pretty good starter tool sets. Not everything they'll need but certainly enough for minor maintenance and repair. When I drop dead, someday, they'll really get to have fun going through my stuff. Good for you, Chief!

 

[crewchief888]

What are the odds he will actually use them?

LOL my thoughts exactly!!

actually, the odds of him using them are pretty good.

he's kinda figured out that paying someone to do (simple) things is expensive, and depending on the kindness of friends is getting old ( and most of them know less than he does)

his dad is one of the mechanically declined...
kid was kinda embarrassed when i told him his older sister had done brakes and oil changes on my truck, under supervision of course

 

[Thumper68]

Good for you. I have passed along tools and some know how to my cousins all 10+ years my junior.

 

[jfcasey]

Re: passing "it" along

What are the odds he will actually use them?

When I was 18 you could have said the exact same thing about me when my step father gave me a little set of hf tools in a blow molded case. I had just got a $400 car and was about to take off from his house in KY for my girlfriend (now wife) in New Hampshire. I didn't know jack **** about fixing anything but bicycles but he wanted to give me a little something incase I broke down.

Fast forward 10 years and I've been turning wrenches for a living for 6 years and making a decent living all from a flame he sparked with that cheap *** emergency tool set...

Good on you crewchief.. it's always good to help someone towards self sufficiency.

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[jkherd]

You did a good thing and he should always remember and appreciate it. I gave each one of my sons a starter kit of tools just like my dad did with me.

 

[2oolhound]

nice work Santa!

A lot of young people now a days never get exposed to personal tool set ups in home workshops so probably don't know where to start even if they were curious about trying to do their own repairs. Without having a mentor around it would be a bit of a **** shoot. Now all he needs is to discover that youtube has hundreds of how to's just for his vehicle.

We'll be watching for him on the board

 

[crewchief888]

i have no kids of my own,
i like to think i helped raise the wifes 3 kids, they spent summers with us when they were younger, but 2 of them are 8-9 hour drive away, the oldest recently moved back in with us after a 3 year stay in florida

i dont have much of anything to "pass on" to them when i'm gone.

as i told him, if you take care of this stuff, you'll have something to pass on to your son someday..

just like my dad did to me....

 

[Ign]

As I upgrade I give away all kinds of tools to friends or acquaintances who have less. Basic wrenches, ratchets etc aren't worth trying to sell if I know someone who can truly use them.

 

[ptschram]

Recently, my stepson (who I NEVER refer to as my stepson) told me his bio father had called him for mechanical advice and when I heard his advice, I was over the moon.

Proud (step) dad moment!

 

[Richard Cranium]

I gave a friend's daughter a set of tools and a box when she got her first car.
Having no children, there is no one for me to give my tool to.

 

[930dreamer]

We have another grandchild in the oven, so another boy gives me a fighting chance to hand down everything.

 

[Coach James]

It is a nice feeling doing things like this. One of our gymnasts was going off to college to study theater and would have to help build sets. She knew nothing about carpentry so I had her help me over the summer building stair cases and decks. By the end, she could use a circular saw, recip saw, drills and basic hand tools.

I have given a lot of tools to my employees that want to start doing things for themselves, but lack the tools to do so.

You did a good thing Crewchief.

Coach

 

[JUNK-MAN]

i have no kids of my own,
i like to think i helped raise the wifes 3 kids, they spent summers with us when they were younger, but 2 of them are 8-9 hour drive away, the oldest recently moved back in with us after a 3 year stay in florida

i dont have much of anything to "pass on" to them when i'm gone.

as i told him, if you take care of this stuff, you'll have something to pass on to your son someday..

just like my dad did to me....



[emoji481]

My dad gave me a set of tools and showed me how to do brakes and oil when I was 9, I remember he gave me a red plastic tool box with a bunch of assorted tools in it, the most note worthy thing in it was a complete set of snap on wrenches. I also remember him saying something simular to that along the lines of "take care of em and you can give em to your son someday". Its good to here of someone doing good like that theres not a lot of that left now'n days. I gave my step brother a box of hand tools this year, he didn't seem to interested but oh well, maybe he'll use them someday....

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[jd_1138]

What are the odds he will actually use them?

He can't use 'em if he ain't got 'em. I inherited my beloved stepdad's SK and Powr-Kraft tools (mostly full set of each, & together are definitely a complete set). I love them and would never part with them. Everytime I use of those tools, I feel giddy.

 

[bcexplorer]

Great story. Nice to hear!
I never got to inherit anything, but left a round the house toolkit with a set of sk wayne wrenches and quality stuff i peiced together at my folks this weekend, to replace some random dollar store grade things. At least i have something to use when im down.

 

[L5wolvesf]

i have no kids of my own,

as i told him, if you take care of this stuff, you'll have something to pass on to your son someday..

just like my dad did to me....

Someday he may tell this story to whomever is here.

Well done

 

[Kent_B]

Crewchief, my guess is that in passing along the tools, you might also have passed along the viewpoint of "I can do this." We have to keep teaching kids to do stuff. Thanks for doing that.

 

[AZ Pete]

Dad gave me a set of Fleet tools when I was in High School, since I maintained the family cars.. Still have them, and returned the favor by giving my Grandson a large starter set for his High School graduation. It is what he asked for having helped me work on his car.


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[48548]

This is an awesome thread.

 

[jeeper46]

When I got out of college, I bought a $300 car, and I didn't have any tools. My Dad just had a few tools, so nothing to spare. I went to K-Mart, got a small S-K socket set, a set of DBE wrenches, and a few other small things. Like some already said, you can't fix stuff without tools. Due to lack of money and urgent need, I learned to tackle just about everything on my car, and my tools increased with time. I'm sure this young man will use those tools, and gradually figure things out.
By the time my own son was old enough to need his own tools, I was a Tradesman, and I had a vast assortment of tools, so he got a comprehensive set to carry in his car. It pleased me when I learned that he and his roommate at college made money building lofts in other dorm rooms for kids who had no tools or any know-how. (It's no secret that girls like a guy who knows how to fix and build things,too). I wish he lived around here so I could show him more things, but these days, he watches a Youtube video before he tackles any job,anyway.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'll be dropping a small chest and a small roller cabinet for my daughter. Cabinet was my dad's and was likely bought in the 60s. It's light weight, but will help her and my SIL to start organizing their tools.

They are good kids, and always willing to learn.

 

[Danglerb]

Something in a man's head lights up when you fix something, the feeling gets addictive for some of us.

 

[kctyphoon]

What are the odds he will actually use them?

So much for positive thinking..


Personally I think it's a great story..

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

If any of my sons step or biological put the effort to drive 9 hours to come home for Christmas as busy they seem to be these days are sure going to leave with something out of my toolbox to take back with them.. Then maybe one day they can pass on to their kids.. What you did was awesome..

 

[crewchief888]

Crewchief, my guess is that in passing along the tools, you might also have passed along the viewpoint of "I can do this." We have to keep teaching kids to do stuff. Thanks for doing that.

kids were getting up early this morning to head back home, i got up around 4:30 AM, woke them up, got dressed for work, woke the wife up, and started my service truck, then came back in the house to say goodbye.

he was visibly upset when he gave me a hug, thanked me for the tools, and told me "i cant believe you gave me all that stuff"

i've tried to pass along to them the idea that "you dont know until you try"

my dad never forced me to do anything he was doing, i always watched him and if i expressed any interest, he'd show me everything he could.

my dad was a welder, and showed me how to stick weld when i was 9 or 10 years old. i was in HS and he asked me, what do you plan on doing when you get out of school?
MY plan was to be a welder, it was strongly suggested that i pick another trade, when dad "suggested" something, it wasnt really a suggestion
i started working as a machinist, and later as a heavy eq mechanic.

 

[Kent_B]

I worked in automotive for about 12 years, knocked about a little, then went into electronics manufacturing My father wasn't at all mechanical, thought reading the directions was what one did when everything else failed. My best friend's dad had a gas station. That shifted the course of my life sideways.

My son graduated with a B.S. in Business Information. Yet he has what's necessary to replace a clutch in his car. I asked him last year how many people on his floor would even attempt that.

Glad that you're also passing on the desire to "do stuff."

 

[Jweebothee]

My dad passed on well, i should say still passes on whatever knowledge he has that i dont, kinda works both ways i teach him some stuff as well. We never had much, but had what we needed to get the jobs we were doing done. I cherish ever memory i have with him. I hope i have a son one day to share the same experiences, but until then, my 3yo daughter love spending time with me when im working on the car or around the house, sure as hell will make sure she is able to fix anything that she needs to

 

[joel63]

for several years time has kinda been a downer for me, the wifes kids are all grown, and rarely visit. this year my stepson and his GF made the 8-9 hr road trip to spend here.

i spent some time talking to him, found out he's been having car troubles and that he doesnt have any tools to even attempt to do a minor repair, or even change his oil.

we spent some time in the garage this morning, , gave him a vintage CM cantilever box, a set of CM usa combo wrenches, some 3/8" dr sockets, some extensions, couple 3/8" dr ratchets, plug sockets, filter wrench, and some assorted screwdrivers.

i feel kinda good right now..

This thread brings back to mind a post you posted a while back about doing something similar with your daughters.

There's nothing better than being able to do for yourself and being self sufficient.

You are an awesome parent and you have every reason in the world to feel good about yourself.

 

[Chief919]

My nephews are both out "on their own" in their own apartments this year, so we got them both good household tool sets with some basic stuff that Kobalt had.

Ones new wife remarked that I must have been spying on them for all the times they needed a tool over the last couple months trying to establish themselves.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Good for you. You gave him his man card. I bet in a few years he will be a changed man. It's not just the tools, it's that the tools will have sentimental value to him. He'll look forward to using them and look for reasons to do so. Suddenly, the urge to buy a new set of wrenches will be stronger than the urge to buy a new playstation or pink hat and he'll be well on his way.

My son (19 now) got a bag of tools last year while he was at home and now that he's moved off on his own he has those and a new Milwaukee M18 drill to go with them. I'll keep beefing him up year by year until he has a functional set of his own. It makes me so happy to see his friends coming to him when they need to fix stuff on their cars. It wasn't always easy teaching him but being a man that people also come to for help makes me feel good and I wanted to pass that along to him. It's our responsibility to set our kids up to be successful in life and a bag of old tools is a great start. Good for you.

My son also got his first pistol this year for Christmas... But that's another thread.

 

[crewchief888]

If any of my sons step or biological put the effort to drive 9 hours to come home for Christmas as busy they seem to be these days are sure going to leave with something out of my toolbox to take back with them.. Then maybe one day they can pass on to their kids.. What you did was awesome..

yea i was really surprised when they showed up.
(we've heard this story from him and his sister before)

he was having car troubles, and ended up renting a car. we sent him some cash to help out, his GF's parents gave him some "spending money" and paid for the deposit on the car.

his GF seemed to enjoy herself while she was here, she seemed a little more "normal" (despite the purple streaks in her hair and a couple small piercings) than a couple of his previous GF's.


he's already eyeing my harley....
and guns...

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Lol.. We all been kids once and our parents thought we were weird..