Slowly inheriting my grandfather's tools

[Revere Cycles]

My grandfather was a mechanic and all around handyman. He was constantly wrenching on cars, fixing things around the house, or helping his friends with big projects. Sadly, he passed away when I was three years old, before my brother was born. Being the only grandchild, all of his tools were to go to me. At first, all of the tools were left in the garage, as my grandmother still lived in the house. As I grew older, I would take a tool or two as I needed them, or as I took on a new trade. I am now 27, and in a great position to better appreciate and utilize the gracious gift he left for me.

His box was a modest red Williams, and the tools are all different brands; lots of SK, Williams, Wright, Craftsman, Crescent, and Utica. I was very surprised to find a smattering of Snap-On and Proto. I have not had much success finding early Plomb or Proto tools here in Upstate NY, but it appears my grandfather had quite a stash.

Like all posts, this thread is worthless without these:


The whole lot



Husky Breaker Bar


Utica Adjustable


SK


Early Proto 3/4" Drive socket


DR Barton Gouge


Action SAE Wrench Set & Channel Lock 420


Craftsman, SK, Cornwell, Metco and Unknown Wrench


Matco 13mm and "Wizard"


Snap-On Tentacle


Assorted Pliers


Untitled


Seymour Smith "Snap-Lock"


Mac Tools Alternator Tester

 

[sselander]

You have some fine tools there. You are fortunate enough that you actually got the tools. Your grandfather would be proud.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Very cool man. Nothing cooler than Dads/Grandads tools. Hopefully your Grandson will appreciate them just as much.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Damn sweet stuff! Lucky man to have a family that understands that your Grand Dads tools are something that should be passed on.

When my Grand Dad died, (some of) my family fought tooth and nail over his belongings and treated everything as if it had a dollar value.

The guy lived through the depression, retired after a LONG career with NYS, then, after deciding he didn't want to be retired anymore, went back to work for the local county DPW at 75 years old and worked for another 7 years until comp wouldn't insure him anymore. He worked with his hands for everything he had.....and family members were in his house sizing up and fighting over his **** BEFORE the guy died.

I don't feel the least bit entitled, but, I was the kid (and teenager) who did side jobs with him and am 1 of only 2 grandkids who know which end of a wrench is the business end......and I literally ended up with NOTHING that I can hold in my hand that was once held in his.

 

[Revere Cycles]

Damn sweet stuff! Lucky man to have a family that understands that your Grand Dads tools are something that should be passed on.

When my Grand Dad died, (some of) my family fought tooth and nail over his belongings and treated everything as if it had a dollar value.

Thanks! That's too bad that some of your family handled things that way.

My mom was an only child, so really, there was no competition. She loved and respected her father; in a way, I think keeping the tools in the garage for so long was a way for all of us to remember him. She has reminded me several times that all of the tools are for me, I can take them all at any time, but I still take only what I need. The box, bench, and several hundred more tools are still there.

What I find really great about this experience is every time I uncover a special or unique tool, my mom can tell me a story about my grandfather; where he found it, who he was working for at the time, or how he used it.

 

[3baygarage]

It's nice to have all that to remember your grandfather. Do you have his box also?
Real cool looking Mac Tester too.
I found my grandfather's spud wrench long after he was gone. Most of his tool stuff went to others over the years.

 

[fitz11]

That's a cool story! Neither of my grandpas were really into tools but I did end up with a few tools when each passed away. To this day every time I use them it makes me few feel good and wish they were still around.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice. That is what I like to see!
BTW the Snap-on 'tentacle' pliers were originally made by a company called Vacuum Grip.

 

[sparky5982]

You're a lucky man to have a treasure like that. Use them well.

 

[WNYflyer]

My grandfather was a mechanic and all around handyman. He was constantly wrenching on cars, fixing things around the house, or helping his friends with big projects. Sadly, he passed away when I was three years old, before my brother was born. Being the only grandchild, all of his tools were to go to me. At first, all of the tools were left in the garage, as my grandmother still lived in the house. As I grew older, I would take a tool or two as I needed them, or as I took on a new trade. I am now 27, and in a great position to better appreciate and utilize the gracious gift he left for me.

His box was a modest red Williams, and the tools are all different brands; lots of SK, Williams, Wright, Craftsman, Crescent, and Utica. I was very surprised to find a smattering of Snap-On and Proto. I have not had much success finding early Plomb or Proto tools here in Upstate NY, but it appears my grandfather had quite a stash.

Like all posts, this thread is worthless without these:


The whole lot

Those are some nice old tools that your grandfather left you. Like you I am the only male grandchild and thus ended up with my grandfathers very large tool collection. Luckily I was 28 when he passed so those tools are my reminder of him.

If you hit the local garage and estate sales you will find a whole lot of Williams stuff in the area as well as quite a bit of SK. And for some reason I find a ton of old school Husky USA ratchets in the area

Thanks for sharing

 

[Revere Cycles]

Do you have his box also?

I do! The box is still in the garage and is mostly full of tools. It is identical to the sticker covered top box you posted in another thread. One day, I hope to chance upon a matching bottom box, but they're pretty rare as far as I can tell.

I recently picked up these boxes from my local craigslist. I will be dividing my grandfather's tools between them:

 

[trexdoink]

Nice, reminds me I need to bring my late Dads snappy stuff home. All those old tools are just cool. There was more quality in the cheapest tools back then than in most "good" tools now.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks! That's too bad that some of your family handled things that way.

My mom was an only child, so really, there was no competition. She loved and respected her father; in a way, I think keeping the tools in the garage for so long was a way for all of us to remember him. She has reminded me several times that all of the tools are for me, I can take them all at any time, but I still take only what I need. The box, bench, and several hundred more tools are still there.

What I find really great about this experience is every time I uncover a special or unique tool, my mom can tell me a story about my grandfather; where he found it, who he was working for at the time, or how he used it.

Cool story and glad to see a few people actually appreciate that that these tools help tell part of the story of how their family helped build this country over time and through hard times...

When you can, write those story's your mother is telling you about down. NOTHING can replace those memories, and it's hard to remember them over the long haul...

 

[MBfreak]

Great tools.
I am impressed by the " MAC alternator tester".
I believe it is commonly called a " growler". It is designed to find short circuits in electric windings as found in generator rotors, stators for ac motors and the like.

Unvaluable when you need to find a short circuited turn in an electrical machine

Ola

 

[jeffmoss26]

Those boxes are really cool!

 

[lilredex]

Growler it is...... in use...