Using Old Tools for Old Junk

[liliysdad]

I have always felt like it makes for a more enjoyable hobby when you keep things period correct. I have never been a big "restomod" guy, for example. I like to modify cars and trucks, but I always try to use era-correct parts when appropriate. I know that I am in the minority on this sort of thing, and that's ok. I have always been weird in a lot of ways.

This same preference often holds true with tools for me. I don't have a box full of 40's era wrenches and sockets because I am not a sadomasochist, but I do find myself digging out things I've bought over the years, "just in case." I bought this K-D ring compressor set several years back, and kind of forgot I had it. I have no clue how old it is, but its not new. Its half worn out, the ratchet doesn't always hold like it should. The bore diameter for the L134 is 3.125, and that's the split for two bands, the max for one, the minimum for the next. A little bit of finesse and it worked just fine. Much like the old Parts Lists, better options are available, delivered to my door in two days...but using old stuff makes it feel more like fun and less like work.

 

[Packard V8]

For true. Even though we've been doing this for sixty-five years, we always have the Studebaker and/or Packard Shop Manual on the bench, because the memory isn't what it was.

And don't sneer at '40s-era wrenches. I'm still using Blue-Point combinations from that era and they're as good as new.

jack vines

 

[liliysdad]

For true. Even though we've been doing this for sixty-five years, we always have the Studebaker and/or Packard Shop Manual on the bench, because the memory isn't what it was.

And don't sneer at '40s-era wrenches. I'm still using Blue-Point combinations from that era and they're as good as new.

jack vines

Oh, my wrench remark was not referring the tools, but the work and cost involved in rounding up a set of decent ones at this point.

 

[rust in the eye]

Like the old cars it would be nice if the tools could speak.
I have a few old tools that are sentimental having belonged to departed friends. I don't often use them but keep them in my box where they remind me of those guys.
Anything old and not sentimental I try to see that it gets passed on to a collector.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

I still use my dad’s CMan 1/2 drive breaker bar and speeder from his set that he got for HS graduation in 1948. Them and a couple of the sockets and tin box are all that remain from the original set but are still see a lot of use.

 

[NHtoolguy]

I have always felt like it makes for a more enjoyable hobby when you keep things period correct. I have never been a big "restomod" guy, for example. I like to modify cars and trucks, but I always try to use era-correct parts when appropriate. I know that I am in the minority on this sort of thing, and that's ok. I have always been weird in a lot of ways.

This same preference often holds true with tools for me. I don't have a box full of 40's era wrenches and sockets because I am not a sadomasochist, but I do find myself digging out things I've bought over the years, "just in case." I bought this K-D ring compressor set several years back, and kind of forgot I had it. I have no clue how old it is, but its not new. Its half worn out, the ratchet doesn't always hold like it should. The bore diameter for the L134 is 3.125, and that's the split for two bands, the max for one, the minimum for the next. A little bit of finesse and it worked just fine. Much like the old Parts Lists, better options are available, delivered to my door in two days...but using old stuff makes it feel more like fun and less like work.

I share your desire to keep projects period-correct. I also enjoy using vintage equipment appropriate for the task, like Kent-Moore service tools for my older Cadillacs. I keep older tool catalogs as references too.