the oldest tools still in use.

[Gmonkee]

As a kid I used a lot of those sockets and wrenches that are now being collected. It would be impossible to remember exactly which but some of the sale finds and alloy artifacts articles are very familiar somehow. My dads old castoffs are now probably in your display cases.
That was 30 years ago and now after my move to mexico I have seen a lot of mismatched wrench sets that include stuff from the 30s to the 60s in daily use. About half of them are old us made standards, the rest mexican brands. Most of my current co-workers use a horrid mix of whatever they found being sold in a street market to fill the hole in their "set". Craftsman raised panel wrenches are very desired and sell used for almost what the get new.

My Q is...what do you use? I am almost all converted to actual sets of new as the mismatched stuff bothers me. All the odd stuff sits in an emergency use box to fill holes if I break something.

Brian

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I use what i've got, old or new.

 

[barney rubble]

I for one could give a **** less if my tools all match. I like tools and like adding to my collection but as long as its a good tool I dont care what the brand is. I wipe mine down when done with them and but them away but could care less how bright they shine. There a tool made to use and abuse sometimes. JMO.

 

[T56 Impala]

I collect old stuff for both display (Plomb WF) and for use (Bonney Streamline style as well as the Bonaloy stuff). I also have a nice modern selection. I don't really care if they match or not. (Well, all the WF stuff is matching.)

 

[Old Donn]

I use what i've got, old or new.

Me too.

 

[rsanter]

I have a lathe from the 40s that still gets used
I just sold a lathe that was about 80 years ols that the guy was buying it to be used

FORD has a large press that they have been using for about 100 years now. its the first of the large press they bought and they still use it

bob

 

[willf650]

Oldest tools I use on a regular basis are from my father. A table saw, vise and some plumbiing tools that are around 60 years old. Time frame from the late 40's to mid 50's.

I have a mix match of open end wrenches in my work van that I use from Fleet, Easco, SK and Bridgeton. I'm guessing they are from the 60' to the 80's. I found most of them and puchased only a couple off Ebay.

I'm only 35 so my oldest tools I purchased new are around 20 at this point so that not old in the scheme of things. I'm just now looking to collect some old tools. Funny thing is I'm specifically looking for stuff I don't currently have so I can use it.

 

[fireguy]

I used an S & K brand wrench yesterday, it is etched "FLR". It was my grandfather's wrench. He retired about 1965 from Amalgamated Sugar, so it is at least 45 years old. There are spots of rust, but still is functional.

 

[Indy_500]

I saw a guy today with a Matco hat on at a baseball tourney so i asked him where he got it and he said from his tool truck guy! he advised me never to go on one because it would be a nice thing to have something in your bank account. lol


I use what i got which is cheaper tools for now. But i'm only 15 so i got plenty of time to get better stuff. My only "good" tools are used ones. Very Very old but i still use them too.

 

[crewchief888]

I use what i've got, old or new.

Me too.

for the most part my "work" tools are 20+ years old, sometimes i'm "forced" to buy a new socket or wrench to make the job go easier.
my "home" tools are a mixture of 50+ year old SK, some 10-30 yo CM, and older truck brand deals that i pick up @ swap meets and flea mkts.

it always sucked having tools at work, and not having much of anything at home, so over the years i built up a good size set or home use.
my home air tools are stuff that i purchased 20+ years ago, and replaced with better quality over the years.
even with my service truck sitting here, it's nice not to have to drag tools out to do anything.

 

[Wrenchette]

Old tools are made better, have more character and just plain work harder than most new tools. They don't have to be shiny to work well!

 

[iandh]

As a kid I used a lot of those sockets and wrenches that are now being collected. It would be impossible to remember exactly which but some of the sale finds and alloy artifacts articles are very familiar somehow. My dads old castoffs are now probably in your display cases.
That was 30 years ago and now after my move to mexico I have seen a lot of mismatched wrench sets that include stuff from the 30s to the 60s in daily use. About half of them are old us made standards, the rest mexican brands. Most of my current co-workers use a horrid mix of whatever they found being sold in a street market to fill the hole in their "set". Craftsman raised panel wrenches are very desired and sell used for almost what the get new.

My Q is...what do you use? I am almost all converted to actual sets of new as the mismatched stuff bothers me. All the odd stuff sits in an emergency use box to fill holes if I break something.

Brian

So, you could theoretically make a living smuggling Craftsman panel wrenches into mexico?

 

[Gmonkee]

I know for fact that a few guys go into texas and california and buy swap meet tools for resale. They do ok making a living at it too. I have a proto usa 1 7/16 and a few other larger size wrenches they sold me. About 30 bucks each the bigguns. 3/4 and 1 inch sockets in any usa brand get 30 bucks up to 1 1/2 and 60+over 2 inches, pure relative values because if you need it they are your best chance of getting in time to do the job.
Nobody has these larger sizes in stock. Our local sears had a 6ft square tool section in a corner of the 3rd floor last Xmas....they had raised panel wrench sets at least....why bother?
You can make money reselling new, newish and bigger tools in Mexico without smuggling a thing. Just need to have a trusted partner here or have the time to move them to the clients.

Brian

 

[arkangel06]

I saw a guy today with a Matco hat on at a baseball tourney so i asked him where he got it and he said from his tool truck guy!

No way really?








Sorry I had to....





I use anything that is still a current brand with warrenty service regardless of age.

 

[Kev442]

If it's a tool, I use it. I believe a pipe wrench floating around here is from the teens or twenties.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a Ford adjustable wrench in my box - I think it's from a model T, although it could be newer from a Ford tractor or something - it's really handy because the handle is 90 degrees from the jaws, rather than a smaller angle like most newer adjustables.

 

[s_ontario]

I use many old tools some Big like the drill press some small like a wood 24" level of grandads

 

[A29]

I use this one all the time works good and who cares if it matches anything.

 

[Gmonkee]

its not about everything has the same brand or finish, its about all the wrenches being combo style with same handle so they all feel and reach in a similar manner. I don't have all new shiny chrome, in fact most of my stuff is well scratched and worn.
A29, that old set is neat, I would use it too. Tools are not decorations for red steel monuments in the garage. Tools are to be used for fun and profit when possible.

Brian

 

[Stick Figure]

i have a couple of back up sets that don't match, but for me wrench, sockets, etc sets need to match to make my OCD happy. As far as age most of my stuff is newer, but i do have some Snap on date codes from the 50's that i still use on almost a daily basis.