Sentimental Tool, just one?

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Is there anyone that has inherited tools or a tool from their Father or Grandfather that they would never swap or Warranty?

My Father left me this ratchet amongst other tools and every time I pick it up I think of him. I stripped, cleaned and re-greased this Ratchet today and it is as good as the day it left the factory.

It is still my go to 1/2" ratchet. Does anyone else get emotionally attached to a tool for these reasons?

 

[Super Sport]

I have a handful of tools from both my father and grandfather, but one I still use regularly is an old Estwing leather-handled claw hammer that was my grandfather's. When I use it I think of him and often wonder what he used it to build.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I have a handful of tools from both my father and grandfather, but one I still use regularly is an old Estwing leather-handled claw hammer that was my grandfather's. When I use it I think of him and often wonder what he used it to build.

Is it similar to this? It has sort of ring of leather over a hard handle. I use this daily, it was my Dads and I think the same thing.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Sorry I forgot the pics.

 

[yamaha0343]

I have a claw hammer that was my grandfather's. My favorite hammer by far, and I think about him everytime I use it. Doesn't really have any markings that I can tell, so I have no idea who made it.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I have a claw hammer that was my grandfather's. My favorite hammer by far, and I think about him everytime I use it. Doesn't really have any markings that I can tell, so I have no idea who made it.

It is nice though to think that you are making or fixing somthing that your Father did before you.

 

[Super Sport]

Is it similar to this? It has sort of ring of leather over a hard handle. I use this daily, it was my Dads and I think the same thing.

Yeah, that's pretty close. Estwing still makes the leather handles. I bought a new one, but still like to use Grandpa's once in awhile.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Yeah, that's pretty close. Estwing still makes the leather handles. I bought a new one, but still like to use Grandpa's once in awhile.

Thanks for the reply buddy. This is the last night I will reply to this forum. It is a real shame as people like yourslef make guys like me feel welcome but the other peple that just want to argue make me feel like I am intruding on your space make me feel very, very unwelcome.

I am not very good at writing things as I am an Engineer and can only work with my hands. I hope yourseld stay on here and the other douc****s stay off as it really makes people like me just stop posting and go somewhere else to chat about tool.

Thanks

Chris

 

[woody 73]

well if I can only pick one it would be this guy...

 

[rjvjeepster]

Any of my grandpas stuff. Old SK/Snap on/Craftsman sockets, an old =V= Craftsman 1/2" dr ratchet, an old SK 1/2" drive ratchet, 20 tooth Snap on 3/8" ratchet, =V= 3/8" breaker bar, another 1/2" Craftsman breaker bar, and a 18" old Craftsman adjustable wrench those are the main things he gave me. I actually don't use any of the ratchets heavily besides the SK, since that's the only one I can rebuild. I'd rather use something that's purely a tool and not a heirloom.

 

[gamescastspencer]

1/2 inch Blackhawk breaker Bar that has a nice bend in it. Makes me wonder how that was obtained, 3/8 Craftsman BE breaker Bar, and Plomb W-F8 9/32 ratchet with one whole socket to match.

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

 

[bobcatdan]

The bulk of my shop is sentimental as I have a number of key items from my grandfather's shop. His toolbox, main bench, vise, floor jack and a number of other items. When he passes, it will probably be hard to go in there for a few days because everywhere I look, I will see him.

 

[McFarmer]

My table saw was bought by my grandfather in the early 1960s when he retired.

I'll never part with it.


I'm glad he bought a good one.

 

[McFarmer]

Thanks for the reply buddy. This is the last night I will reply to this forum. It is a real shame as people like yourslef make guys like me feel welcome but the other peple that just want to argue make me feel like I am intruding on your space make me feel very, very unwelcome.

I am not very good at writing things as I am an Engineer and can only work with my hands. I hope yourseld stay on here and the other douc****s stay off as it really makes people like me just stop posting and go somewhere else to chat about tool.

Thanks

Chris

Yeah, no there isn't anyone bent on making you feel unwelcome.

Americans are in general pretty brash, you shouldn't take it personal.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I've had the privilege to restore Vises that belonged to my customer's ancestors. They appreciate how I preserve the blemishes, which keep their childhood memories.

 

[TheSasquatch]

I've got a whole shop full of my grandfathers tools, as well as my fathers and my own. I'm sentimental about way to much stuff honestly.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

I have nothing from my grandfather's so to those that do that's pretty neat - I know you cherish them. I do however have an old pair of pliers and a 2lb. Sledge hammer that were my dad's. I cherish them both but use the hammer regularly.

 

[joecon]

I have a 1/2 inch ratchet that my father gave me and I would never part
with it. It is a herbrand and it is the art deco style with the pointy handle.

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

I have nothing from my grandfather's so to those that do that's pretty neat - I know you cherish them. I do however have an old pair of pliers and a 2lb. Sledge hammer that were my dad's. I cherish them both but use the hammer regularly.

 

[lbhsbz]

My grandfather passed about 3 months ago. He owned a VW/BMW shop for about 15 years and retired in about 1990. It's interesting to see the difference in tooling between then and now. He was a one man shop, and made do with pretty much just the basics in a craftsman roll away. He preferred craftsman screwdrivers and wrenches to snap on because he liked the handles better, except in the larger size wrenches.

He had a set of snap on deep and shallow 3/8 metric sockets, a few assorted 1/2" drive, but only what was necessary. He had a few sets of craftsman open end wrenches, a set of snappy offset box wrenches, and larger size snappy, but only what he needed. Every single tool in the box was well used, except the 12 and 14mm. He kept several sets of open ends on hand to bend/add to/modify for specific tasks, and had about 4 of every screwdriver craftsman made...about 1/3 of which were bent/modified to do something special. He had plenty of diagnostic stuff, but minimal...he had everything he needed to diagnose and work efficiently, but not a dime was wasted...except on test lights that I grab out of his box to play with at the battery rack and pocket screwdrivers who's magnets I'd play with in the chip bin at the brake lathe when I was a boy and my mom dropped me off at the shop on a Friday after school....I lost a lot of those.

I was a mechanic too, and have amassed quite a collection of high end tools before I changed careers.

There will always be something about picking up that 32mm snap-on combination wrench about 2 feet long with grandpa's name engraved in it that makes me remember the shop and feel godlike, along with the biggest most beat up flathead screwdriver you can imagine...musta been before prybars were invented.

But my favorite is this ratchet. I remember using it as a kid, it just felt so much better in the hand than a craftsman, which my dad had. I find myself in the last months grabbing this more often than my old favorite hard handle swivel head...the first tool I bought off the truck. Brings back memories every time...

I have a few blank work orders and a stack of his old business cards I keep in the top drawer.

 

[seagravedriver]

My dad's 3/8 drive Plomb ratchet. Still use it. The feel, the look, even the sound is nothing but great memories.

 

[SweetD]

My Great-Great Grandfather's Stanley Sweetheart Vise

Dave

 

[CJM8515]

I really have too many to list. I inherited a lot of my grandfathers tools, and have plenty given to me by relatives.

 

[2oolhound]

My dad gave me a rigid pipe cutter in like new condition. When I moved my business some SOB lifted it. I didn't realize it was gone for probably a year as it took me a while to get re-established. It was the only tool I got from him and I think of it often even though that was 10 years ago now.

 

[MikeF2316]

I've got this Blue Point tappet wrench that was my Father's. He found it somewhere, but he had it as long as I can remember. I always liked it as a kid, and used it whenever possible. Probably in some situations when I should have been using a socket or boxend wrench.

 

[jw3]

Hand tools were never something my father would spend much money on. But the one thing I remember him purchasing and using was a brass plumb bob(16oz) on A retractable lanyard with a a leather sheath to fit on his tool belt. The sheath bit the dust years ago, but I still use the plumb bob regularly. If I hire a new man, he gets the lecture. I don't mind you using it, but you can't replace it. SO DONT F$$K IT UP. That normally conveys my point. Lol.


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[anndel]

When I pick up my dad's Stanley-Bailey wood planes.

 

[kwschumm]

My Dad bought me a Snap On screwdriver, one of those with multiple bits in the handle and a magnet in the tip. That was the perfect screwdriver for my job at the time, it's shaft was narrow enough to reach the recessed screws in the computers I was working on at the time. Had that screwdriver for years and years until someone stole it from my cube at work. I still miss it. Replaced it with a MAC screwdriver of similar design but it had a much fatter shaft and a less elegant design and I didn't like it nearly as much.

 

[crewchief888]

I've got this Blue Point tappet wrench that was my Father's. He found it somewhere, but he had it as long as I can remember. I always liked it as a kid, and used it whenever possible. Probably in some situations when I should have been using a socket or boxend wrench.

i have one of those tappet wrenches that belonged to my dad. no idea where he got it from or why he had it, but it was the right size for the pedals on my bicycle.....

 

[timbitca]

My Grandfather wasn't one to spend a lot of money on tools, he could fix anything but he was sort of cheap when it came to buying tools. But even then he had quite a bit of good stuff (minus ratchets/sockets) which I ended up with. A bunch of it is still at home in "his" garage, and a bunch of it is here with me in mine. Most of his stuff is hung on the pegboard over my bench and constantly reminds me of him.

I'd be hard pressed to single out one item, so let's go with 3...

1) His Record No 4 vise, it had been on his workbench in the basement since new up until I removed it a few years ago, I've been using that thing since I was a kid.

2) His drill press. I have so far been unable to identify it, but it also was on his work bench in the basement forever. I never asked him how he got it, but if I were to guess it's probably something he rescued from the paper mill he worked at. I've been drilling holes in various pieces of scrap lumber with that thing since I can remember

3) His hammer. My Grandfather owned two claw hammers, this Stanley is the one he used the most and it is most likely responsible for building his whole house and three garages. Funny to say, but this hammer built the life I knew as a kid.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I received an Indestro Select 1/2 drive socket set through my dad's estate.

I have the original case, and an open geared ratchet. As a kid, I used that set to change spark plugs on the mower and snowblower, later as I learned more, to do maintenance on my car, my parents' cars, and my sister's car.

That old ratchet has had countless "drain oil" baths, and kept going strong.

I still have the set, but only use it in situations where it is unlikely to damage or break anything. Those tools bring back memories every time I use them

 

[Al Bundy]

Hard to pick one. I have a 3/8" and a 1/2" drive Snap-On ratchet that were both my dads. One is from 1959 and one 1960. Both needed a rebuild, the driver wanted to replace them both because the chrome was wearing off. Obviously I wouldn't let him.

 

[a52-830]

My Father left me this ratchet amongst other tools and every time I pick it up I think of him. I stripped, cleaned and re-greased this Ratchet today and it is as good as the day it left the factory.

very nice. were it mine, i would pick up a repair kit, just to make sure . . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272369228932

19$ after shipping seems like a reasonable insurance policy. if you were me, just buying it will make sure it was never needed. . . . . . .


(not my auction, i just remember seeing it while looking for a repair kit, and went and found it again.)

 

[onarant]

My Dad's 3/8" Blackhawk ratchet. He used the heck out of it I still use it frequently. It has never been rebuilt. Works as good as the day he bought it back in the late 70's.

 

[oh1ws6]

This is my grandfathers snap on ratchet from 1935 that I recently acquired. It still works perfectly! He passed away when I was really little so it's awesome to have something like this to remind me of him.
<a href="http://s847.photobucket.com/user/mopedracer112/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/CB3E1AC5-399D-4C5D-87E8-6C7759F20DDF_zpsfxqhpvwk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab38/mopedracer112/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/CB3E1AC5-399D-4C5D-87E8-6C7759F20DDF_zpsfxqhpvwk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CB3E1AC5-399D-4C5D-87E8-6C7759F20DDF_zpsfxqhpvwk.jpg"/></a>

 

[bwringer]

After my Dad died, I ended up with my Grandpa's Montogomery Ward air compressor. The electric motor is obviously a much later replacement, and is much better spec than original. My Dad did a lot of work in manufacturing plants, so I suspect that's where it came from.

As far as hand tools, I've got a lot of stuff from Dad and Grandpa. The ones I use most often are two 10" Crescent wrenches my Dad used regularly. I think of him whenever I put them to work. Even though they've been heavily used, the high quality is just so obvious compared to the Chinese dogshit sold under the Crescent name nowadays. Seriously -- you can hand one of these to someone, and the right kind of person can instantly tell how much better and stronger they are.

That said, we did consider sending a letter to the manager of the local Harbor Freight when Dad died warning him to prepare for the lean times ahead since his best customer had just passed away. Dad was sort of an experimentalist when it came to tools -- he'd give just about any dodgy Chinese POS a fair try, so we also found quite a lot of broken or non-functioning HF junk he had never bothered to return.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I've got quite a few tools that belonged to family members, but the only real sentimental one would be my grandfather's old estwing hammer and combination square. He was a carpenter and home builder, and even though he died when I was quite young, I can remember him banging together a picnic table with that old hammer. It's gotta be 40 years old at a guess, still my favorite hammer, and his old combo square is my go to anytime I need one.

Another thing that I rarely think of, is my garage itself. I bought my house from my great aunt and uncle when they were ready to move to a retirement home. My garage was built in the 70s by my great uncle, my grandfather and my dad. So I guess the building itself is pretty sentimental.

 

[amorrow]

I keep some of my Grandpa's better hand tools in a drawer of my KRL7023 box. Whenever my Dad and uncles come over to work on projects, they like to use his old tools which is pretty cool.

 

[Lump]

Thanks for the reply buddy. This is the last night I will reply to this forum. It is a real shame as people like yourslef make guys like me feel welcome but the other peple that just want to argue make me feel like I am intruding on your space make me feel very, very unwelcome.

I am not very good at writing things as I am an Engineer and can only work with my hands. I hope yourseld stay on here and the other douc****s stay off as it really makes people like me just stop posting and go somewhere else to chat about tool.

Thanks

Chris

Hey, Chris! Hang in there with us, buddy. We're glad to have you.

Mods like me try to identify people who attack others too harshly, and spend a great deal of time booting them off of Garage Journal. But you must realize that there are LOTS and LOTS of people on GJ every day. And when you get ANY large group of people together, SOME small percentage of them are going to be sarcastic, loudmouth smart asses. Plus, some people think they are being funny, when in fact they are making hurtful, belligerent nastiness. We send out warnings to folks to lighten up the tone of their messages, and sometimes give them temporary bans. Then if they don't improve their behavior, we ban them permanently. They reply about how awful GJ is, and declare that they will NEVER participate in our forum again. Then, as often as not, they try to rejoin under other user names, etc. But most of these types just can't resist being nasty again. So we mods check them out, realize they are not welcome here anyway, and zap them again.

With all the posts on GJ, we can't possibly find all the ugly stuff. But when we do, we put a stop to it.

I urge you not to allow a few self-appointed life-critics ruin your experience on the best garage-oriented forum on the internet. And if you encounter some online nastiness, notify any one of the mods. We'll deal with it...it's our job.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

My wife got me a Sheffield multitool, formerly made in the UK, but now made in China. But it has sentimental value to me.