Tools your dad gives you.

[CloseEnough]

Tools are better when your dad gives them to you.

He just recently hooked me up with these. They are fresh as hell.

Don't ask to borrow them!

 

[Trucky]

Starrett 120A's. Got a pair of those myself, they're pretty nice. Just don't loan them out or you'll find the inside measuring surfaces will be bent in no time

Apparently they're the last American made dial calipers. I was actually going to buy from Tesa/B&S but they were a little more pricey so Starrett it is.

 

[CloseEnough]

Is all starrett American made? cause I got these punches at work but they don't say anything about where they are made.

 

[ilovevocs]

My dads favorite tools are a hammer, slotted screw driver, and pliers. Those are really his only tools. Have you ever performed an oil change with only those tools thinking it was ok?

Needles to say I have learned allot since dad showed me how to change my oil for the first time. It would be neat if my dad was the type to that owned a dial caliper but that's just not his thing.

Congrats on your new tools.

 

[Steevo]

I doubt my dad owns a tool that I'd want.

 

[magova1104]

A long nose pliers. Made by Klein Tools. In 1981, I was 10 yo and I used 2 pieces of water pipes for "increase their power" in the handles and broke them trying to cut a 3/8 diameter steel bar. Maybe they were defective?

 

[2oolhound]

Very nice!

One of the few things my dad gave me hand to hand before he passed was a rigid pipe cutter. I valued it greatly but during a move they went missing. You gotta watch the hired help.

 

[CloseEnough]

My dads favorite tools are a hammer, slotted screw driver, and pliers. Those are really his only tools. Have you ever performed an oil change with only those tools thinking it was ok?

Needles to say I have learned allot since dad showed me how to change my oil for the first time. It would be neat if my dad was the type to that owned a dial caliper but that's just not his thing.

Congrats on your new tools.

Those skills could be just as valuable as tools one day.

My dad is the type of dad that owns a pair of dial calipers and still does stuff the way your dad does. Haha.

 

[Trucky]

Is all starrett American made? cause I got these punches at work but they don't say anything about where they are made.

Not at all of. Most all of the TOTL and basic shop tools are. For example, the punches, combination squares (NOT 1 piece steel squares, the only ones that are US made are the very expensive versions with .0002 tolerance. The basic ones are imported.), screwdrivers, etc. are all made here.

A quick call or email and they are very happy to specify where each tool is made, be sure to have parts numbers on hand.

Your punches are made in the USA, and are of very high quality. Starrett makes my favorite punch, along with Mitutoyo brass punches. They are a joy to use, no?

 

[CloseEnough]

Not at all of. Most all of the TOTL and basic shop tools are. For example, the punches, combination squares (NOT 1 piece steel squares, the only ones that are US made are the very expensive versions with .0002 tolerance. The basic ones are imported.), screwdrivers, etc. are all made here.

A quick call or email and they are very happy to specify where each tool is made, be sure to have parts numbers on hand.

Your punches are made in the USA, and are of very high quality. Starrett makes my favorite punch, along with Mitutoyo brass punches. They are a joy to use, no?

The punches are so nice. They are so precise looking; Just like you would expect from Starrett.

Mitutoyo... Stop reminding me that they exist. Every time I see their tools it makes me want to say "screw it" and pull my credit card out. Veeerrrry nice stuff.

 

[otis66]

The last tool my father gave me that was not a fire arm were these Diamond pliers. They were brand new when he gave them to me.

 

[Jure]

all tools that my dad have me were beaten up,screwdrivers were used as a pry bars,sockets were used like a punches,wrenches were distorted,Box "Double Ring" Wrenches were used as a slugging wrenches...etc etc,thanks dad but ill buy my own tools

 

[CloseEnough]

The last tool my father gave me that was not a fire arm were these Diamond pliers. They were brand new when he gave them to me.

Nice pliers.

I have that same ratchet... 25" right?

 

[toomanytoyzz]

My dad has been in the autobody business for well over 50 years. He's 74 and still goes in everyday. I couldn't begin to tell you how many of his tools were hand-me-downs from ones he's replaced through the years.

To me, the knowledge he's given me about doing bodywork is the most valuable tool he's passed down to me. Most of his actual tools (besides the hand-me-downs he gave me) can only be borrowed for now.

 

[plcguru]

Well... Santa gave me my first socket set as a teen and I still use most of them today 30 years later. He's past on but the tools haven't and are hopefully going to my son when I pass. They are craftsman by the way...

 

[PRH44]

My dad has passed down many tools to me over the years. The one that stands out the most was his box of STAR CHISELS. No one uses star chisels anymore and most of the younger generation do not know what they are.
He was cleaning out his shop and getting rid of things. He picked up this old box and asked me if I wanted it. I used to admire this box as a kid the corners were dove tailed and had brass plates on them. He built it with a hand saw when I was young.
I could not tell him no I had no use for those chisels. But I took them because of the box and what it meant.
Its tough watch your Superman get old and feeble. When a man starts to give his tools away that he cherished you know he is ready to move on.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have two Tru-Test socket sets that my dad bought in the 70s and still work great today. Also a set of Stanley Handyman (black and orange) screwdrivers, a claw hammer, and various other tools. They made their way into my toolbox over the years....whenever he wants to fix something, he comes to the basement (and asks me why I have so many damn tools!)
I also got a lot of tools from my grandpa this past winter, my grandma died and he moved to a smaller apartment. I've got them set aside in their own box and one day they will go to MY grandchildren.

 

[CloseEnough]

My dad has passed down many tools to me over the years. The one that stands out the most was his box of STAR CHISELS. No one uses star chisels anymore and most of the younger generation do not know what they are.
He was cleaning out his shop and getting rid of things. He picked up this old box and asked me if I wanted it. I used to admire this box as a kid the corners were dove tailed and had brass plates on them. He built it with a hand saw when I was young.
I could not tell him no I had no use for those chisels. But I took them because of the box and what it meant.
Its tough watch your Superman get old and feeble. When a man starts to give his tools away that he cherished you know he is ready to move on.

Man that is sad to think about! My dad is getting older and now I try to learn as much as I can from him.

Usually when it comes to working on stuff when people can't get something I'm the guy that comes in and does it with ease. I was doing something a couple years ago and I was having so much trouble with it and I remember my dad walking up to give it a try and just doing it with ease. It was just what I needed to tame my ego and to remind me that I have a long way to go.

I have two Tru-Test socket sets that my dad bought in the 70s and still work great today. Also a set of Stanley Handyman (black and orange) screwdrivers, a claw hammer, and various other tools. They made their way into my toolbox over the years....whenever he wants to fix something, he comes to the basement (and asks me why I have so many damn tools!)
I also got a lot of tools from my grandpa this past winter, my grandma died and he moved to a smaller apartment. I've got them set aside in their own box and one day they will go to MY grandchildren.

Haha Dad's will never understand!!! You will have some lucky grandkids.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

My dad and I are not on the same page when it comes to tools quality. He did buy me a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive set in my teens. No name stamped on them just sizes. Buy the time I was 21, 2 of the ratchets were broke and various sockets were cracked. Trust me, I was not rough on them. This encouraged me to buy a better set, most of which i still use. His intentions were noble, just the not the quality!

 

[Murphy4570]

Hell, my dad borrows tools from me, not the other way around.

 

[ianguilly]

My dad has given me a loot of good tools, even my first and 2 nd toolbox. Latest thing he gave me was this http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674949&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Just needs a breaker bar, dads can rock.

 

[Jarhead0408]

My Dad had ALOT of knowledge when it came do building things. Namely out of wood. And a great innate sense for handyman abilities. He learned it all through my Great-Grandfather who used to MAKE all his old tools. Mechanical and wood working. We still have a handmade hunting knife he made after WWI.

Unfortunately, even though he knows how to make things. My Dad knows nothing about mechanic's tools or the value of a quality tool. He would always buy the cheapest **** never realizing that he bought the same dang ratchet set 10+ times over. He always said, "Ahh, you're just paying for the name!" I guess he was right. but my stuff lasts!

I do owe him this though,
Because of the route he took I am definitely more into tools than he ever was. Doubtful I would be if he hadn't been that careless.

The bad side is I have 0 tools from my Great-Grandfather, Grandfather or Father.
Though, my Great-Grandfather had a huge box of tools that my Dad has somewhere.
Probably hasn't been opened in 50+ years. I'll probably get them whenever my Dad passes on. Hopefully not for another 40+ years or so. I'd rather have the old man than any tool. Even if it was the whole Snap-On truck!

 

[CloseEnough]

My dad and I are not on the same page when it comes to tools quality. He did buy me a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive set in my teens. No name stamped on them just sizes. Buy the time I was 21, 2 of the ratchets were broke and various sockets were cracked. Trust me, I was not rough on them. This encouraged me to buy a better set, most of which i still use. His intentions were noble, just the not the quality!

I will be honest; anything quality I got from dad he got issued from work. My dad buys mostly Craftsman tools, which I'm fine with. That is just not a brand that I'm interested in for the most part.

 

[CloseEnough]

Hell, my dad borrows tools from me, not the other way around.

West Deptford is where you live? I live in Glassboro.

 

[metaldad]

My dad would have screwdrivers that were used as paint stirrers and chisels. He was handy, I never figured out how he did what he did with junk.
I inherited his 1 tool box. And it sits, unused, intact as it was, next to all my boxes.
I occasionally rummage thru it, when I miss the old guy.

 

[DMAR]

My dad has passed down many tools to me over the years. The one that stands out the most was his box of STAR CHISELS. No one uses star chisels anymore and most of the younger generation do not know what they are.
He was cleaning out his shop and getting rid of things. He picked up this old box and asked me if I wanted it. I used to admire this box as a kid the corners were dove tailed and had brass plates on them. He built it with a hand saw when I was young.
I could not tell him no I had no use for those chisels. But I took them because of the box and what it meant.
Its tough watch your Superman get old and feeble. When a man starts to give his tools away that he cherished you know he is ready to move on.

Great thread, and PRH44 I think that old box of chisels will stay with you a long time...

My Dad is 76, and still going pretty strong. I don't know anyone his age that can do what he does. I keep telling him he needs to scale it back, he's not 35 anymore. He says the reason he's able to do what he does, is because he doesn't slow down. He's always been one hell of a competitive guy. So, I guess he's still kind of my Superman, but it is tough to see him no longer at the peak of his game.

To the point of the thread, my Dad has never given me any of his tools. He has always had a philosophy that you work for what you want, carry your own freight. Great guy, just does not give stuff away, I guess he's too busy using them, anyway... He's a tradesman, made his living as a plumber, but is a great overall mechanic, machinist, carpenter, electrician, engineer, etc. With all of this, he's got an unbelievable amount/variety of tools and equipment. He even makes tools, and parts. His father was also mechanic, machinist, and like my Dad, an overall incredibly mechanically inclined guy (too bad that trait skipped a generation with me! ).

All my father's stuff is quality, pro brand tools (he does have some old Craftsman, too), never would buy any "junk". His stuff is not shiney, but it is well taken care of. One of the things that always stands out in my mind from when I did jobs with him is how he was able to lift and sling around these big ol' heavy tool boxes, and crates of fittings; you'd have to see it...

I suppose some day, hopefully a long, long, long time from now, my brother and I will inherit these tools. I've accumulated most of what I need for my purposes, but I'm sure some of these tools will be a nice lasting reminder of him and how he lived his life. It is tough to see them get old.

 

[frostys]

We had a joke back when me and my siblings were in our teens and twenties that "Tool Santa" came every Christmas. I still have a lot of the stuff my Dad gave us back then. Pretty much all Craftsman, and all still working.

Dad passed on in 2005 and thanks to him and my father-in-law's collection my two boys both have a Craftsman 18" toolbox with a better set of tools than I had back when I was their age.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

I have a few tools from my grandfathers body shop, which he owned for over 40 years. and also a few old snap on, mac, and new britain wrenches. I have no idea how to use the body repair tools, but i keep them for sentimental value, as i never met my grandfather, he passed away before i was born. Its very hard to see your dad get old and not be able to do the things he used to. im 21, he was 44 when i was born and now hes 66, so i learn as much as i can from him and always try to spend time together.

 

[Daedalus]

A lot of my dad's tools were my grandfather's. Not mine now, but probably some day, and I will look after them. My father was NOT much of a tool guy. He only ever bought a single 40 piece ratchet set, one of the early Chinese products that cost I think $2.99 back in the 70s and was REALLY poor quality. Neither one of us knew what a torque wrench was, and I grew up thinking that if you over-torqued something, the socket split, which his always did. Good times indeed.

 

[litng1]

Dad gave me this and he got it from his dad.

Sent from my Milestone X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[beerdog]

My dad was a car mechanic in the 50's and 60's. Then built locomotive engines for 30 years. Retired now. Sold allot over the years at garage sales. Slowly feeds the tools still left to me. Lots of good stuff so far and allot still there. Has a nice vintage craftsman and snap-on roller that I will get. There are also some old wood rolling tool boxes that his dad made for his trade back in the 30's that are filled up with his tools which are in like new condition. Plus, there are these 2 large hardware organizers with pull-out divided drawers. Like the cheap plastic ones you buy today only gramps made them from wood and they are like 2'Hx4' long. He used them to store screws and stuff when he worked. Visually beat to **** from years of use but still solid.

 

[hickmlg09]

I can use my dads tools anytime That is one thing he is leaving me in his will! He gave me my very first craftsman toolbox. No tools yet.

 

[bobbar]

A vaco scrwdriver and snap on nut driver. The only 2 tools what werent broke...

 

[bungy42]

My dad usually gives me all the stuff he breaks. He says, "If you can fix it, it's yours." But just last week he gave me a nice new Porter Cable router. Gotta love it!