To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Paying back just a little.

Packard V8

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
7,380
Location
Spokane, WA
The kid who grew up across the street has been taking VoTech classes in high school, just graduated and is beginning Auto Body school. They gave him a list of $2200 in tools he needed for the classes.

We went to his graduation party and gave him a card with a generous check, just because the cops have never been called for any problems during his teenage years.

However, in fifty years of tool accumulation, I realized I had much of what he needed for his classes. I had him mark off his list what he'd been given as presents and was able to fill in most of the remainder. There were four hand-carry-boxes full.

One was most of a twelve-piece Martin hammer and body dolly set. He said, "These are $400 at the auto paint supply store, even with a student discount!" I said, "I quit using them because my painter told me I was doing more damage than straightening."

There was an air hammer with full chisel set, a 3" angle and straight grinder set, a Dahner/Easco combination 7mm to 23mm wrench set and a lot more.

He and his dad were, of course, very grateful. My wife asked, "Will I be able to tell any difference in extra room in your garage?" I had to answer truthfully, "No, probably not; but all those yard sale finds that filled the garage over the years is why I could do it for him."

jack vines

P.S. - after giving away the full Easco 17-piece combination set, I realized my Snap-on set only goes to 10 to 19mm. I'd planned to replace the three smaller and four larger metrics with Snap-on; The four larger will cost more than $250 retail and 7, 8, 9mm in Snap-on will be $140. Time to watch some eBay.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

BuffettFan

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2017
Messages
10,898
Location
Central Illinois
Very nice!
I've accumulated a lot of tools and a lot of duplicates, triplicates and more over the years, both mechanic's and machinist's.
I've already decided that when I retire, I'll keep a paired down, but full and comprehensive, set of tools and donate the rest to a cause I deem worthy, whether someone starting out in the trades or a school in need.
 

mitusa

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2011
Messages
1,997
Location
SW Oklahoma
Very kind gesture.........

A big pat on the back from me and a lifetime of gratitude from the neighbor....what more could you ask???

:thumbup:
 

PFSard

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Messages
2,423
Location
Mesa, AZ
Great stuff!!! Putting to use some of the excess we collect in our lives. People helping people. What a great story.
 

B.S.A. (ret.)

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2017
Messages
416
Location
Central Connecticut
Great gesture! As I don't have any kids, I was thinking of doing the same thing when I'm unable to use what I have. I just hope that I can find a kid who needs and appreciates the tools when that time comes. You are to be commended on your donation to the future! Great job!
 

Gmonkee

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
2,828
Most of my excess had been passed to family over the years and pretty much ended tool borrowing.

There is a certian satisfaction of knowing your extra and castoffs are helping another become more capable.

Well done. No better investment than helping a kid get a start.
 

M_George

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
966
Location
Eastern Pa.
It's always good to here a story like yours. Being there to mentor the young kids is the way it should be. The neighbor kid recently mentioned that he wanted a good old school set of ratchets because his HF ones didn't hold up. I went into my flea market stash and gave him a nice clean SK 1/2 and 3/8 pair of ratchets.. He loved them and they won't break that easy either.
 

Empty Pockets

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2015
Messages
4,942
Location
Rural New York
Great job, Packard. I have been picking up more and more duplicate tools, as time has gone on. Lately, I have been setting up my grandkids with basic tool kits as they enter high school, then more if they go into the trades. A tip of the hat to you
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Mgdoug3

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
1,391
Location
KY
After reading negative posts it's nice to see one like this. The young man will never forget and will always be thankful. You seem like a great neighbor and kind person. Well done.
 

tube_guy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
749
Mr. Vines. You and I had a few dealings years ago. I always thought you were a stand-up guy, but now I know for sure. Thank you!
 

Elsinore13

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2017
Messages
504
Auto Body school.....hope he does well and pays attention. We really need some good young blood in this industry. Are there any oddball specialty items he needs to fill some holes? I may have a few things to give to him myself. Let me know. Got a copy of his list?
 

yaidunno

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2011
Messages
1,336
Location
WI
Great thing to do Jack. I'm sure he'll look back on your kind gesture for many years to come.
 
OP
P

Packard V8

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
7,380
Location
Spokane, WA
Auto Body school.....hope he does well and pays attention. We really need some good young blood in this industry. Are there any oddball specialty items he needs to fill some holes? I may have a few things to give to him myself. Let me know. Got a copy of his list?

Thanks for the offer. I've seen his first effort on a '55 Chevy 4-door; better than I could do. Found the on-line link for his list.

https://www.nic.edu/uploads/18CollisionRepairToolList.pdf

jack vines
 

Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,821
Location
Sussex, England
What a great thing to do!

To be honest, I think you’re probably better off giving the tools rather than cash!

You are probably able to pick out and pick up decent tools at low prices that a young guy without much experience wouldn’t be able to do, so he wins twice over!
 

Toolfool

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
4,982
Location
Tallahassee, FL
Nice gesture, Jack.
When we sold our previous home out here, I dropped off two pickup loads of lumber, plywood and tools at the local middle school wood shop. The shop teacher was more than grateful.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom