Very first set of hand tools

[zendriver]

Found the missing socket in another box to return the set to its former glory

Very first tools I’ve ever owned 10 piece SAE set in 1975. I think I paid $135 for the set which was just ridiculous for the money I was making at the time. Pumping gas., my brother had a box full. seemed like the thing and my family never shopped at Sears.

Too broke to buy a box to put them in, so I found this one in the trash, scrub the rust off of it and painted it. Ratchet is weakened inside and has chrome chipped off, plan on doing nothing with it, but use it



What’s yours?

 

[mervyn]

Whatever I had is loooong gone

 

[gtae07]

I still have the Craftsman mechanics set (with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) that my parents got me for Christmas when I was about 10 or so. Still use the sockets all the time, and the ratchets occasionally.

 

[rsanter]

my First tools that were mine were a Christmas gift from my parents that I asked for.
It was one of those craftsman sets that came in a box about the size of a shoe box

 

[Shoreline_]

My first tools I have in my first toolbox. I bought a snapon upper and lower for like a grand haha. All the tools of my childhood are in my dads garage barely hanging onto life. My dad bought us a set from Kmart that my brother and I slowly lost over time.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My first set of tools was a Christmas present in 1968(?). 1/4" Craftsman socket set. No metrics. CMe in a plastic blow mold case (I am on the second of third case). I have added metrics sockets, extensions, and a universal.

This is STILL one of my most used tools !

 

[DAustin]

Mine was also a Craftsman tool set for Christmas 66. It came in the gray toolbox and had 1/4,3/8, and 1/2 drive sockets and ratchets, 5 or6 open end wrenches, a set of ignition wrenches, some screwdrivers, hex keys, and a hacksaw with extra blades. All this was SAE as I was trying to keep an old 56 Ford going. My folks liked this deal because every Christmas and Birthday they would get me tools, no wondering what I would like, just what do you need.

 

[WisJim]

I think I've mentioned it elsewhere, but my first set of tools was Craftsman inch and metric purchased as a set with a tool box at Sears in downtown Chicago around 1969. I still have almost all the tools and the tool box, but the tools are now in a different tool chest along with many others, and the tool box sits in a corner of the shop awaiting some derusting and cleanup.

 

[chris142]

i was 8 in 1977. My uncle sent me a 3/8 and 1/2 socket set for christmas. I believe it was made in Taiwan.

The sockets were so soft they would spread on any nut or bolt. It had weird sizes and I found one that would fit the 12 mm stuff on my dirt bike. I believe it was a 13/32'nd size.

The sockets didn't last long but the round head 3/8 ratchet lasted several years. All long gone now.

 

[tamaraw]

Not my photos but I got one of these from Home Depot probably around 2000 when I was maybe 4:




It was all the cheapest **** imaginable, but it was so cool at the time. There was also a telescoping magnetic pickup, an extension, a measuring tape, and two screwdrivers not in that photo.

I filled the organizer box with random rusty screws and bolts that I found on the ground, even a lug nut I found in our driveway once.

I still have a few of the tools but the box is long gone, a victim of the hinges and latches falling apart.

 

[rd65]

First hand tools I bought was in 1982. I was 17 working at my Grandpa's John Deere/Ford dealership in New Town, ND. Bought a set of SAE offset box end wrenches and a set of metric combi wrenches and a tool box. Still have and use the wrenches. Still have the tool box stuffed under my bench at home.

 

[30-30remchester]

I got a set of combo spanner wrenches from Napa that are BON-E-CON make. I believe they were made by Mac but not sure. 3/8" thru 1 1/4". Also got a set of 1/2" drive sockets and ratchet set by BON-E-CON. I have had several construction companies over the years, and these were shop tools and they got a lot of abuse. A few ended up broken or missing but most are as good as new. I acquired the set in 1971 and still in my toolbox.

 

[AEAdam]

Found the missing socket in another box to return the set to its former glory

Very first tools I’ve ever owned 10 piece SAE set in 1975. I think I paid $135 for the set which was just ridiculous for the money I was making at the time. Pumping gas., my brother had a box full. seemed like the thing and my family never shopped at Sears.

Too broke to buy a box to put them in, so I found this one in the trash, scrub the rust off of it and painted it. Ratchet is weakened inside and has chrome chipped off, plan on doing nothing with it, but use it



What’s yours?

I think it’s cool that you have these.

 

[nadogail]

My first "real tools" were Craftsman, ordered from Sears, about 1955 or so. I paid for them with earnings from my first real job in an Automotive Machine Shop and engine re-builder, I was in High School at the time and earning an hourly wage 25% more than the minimum wage at the time.

I paid $10 for my first tool box,a used Kennedy Kit, the Hip Roofed cantilever tool box; popular at the time.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

The first ones I ever had was a big $10 socket set from Harbor Freight sockets were soft pot metal and I’ve broken almost every single one of them. My parents got it for me for my 9th birthday so I mean it is the thought that counts. I still have the remainder of it but I haven’t torched those knuckle busters in years. The first tools I bought for myself was a set of Pittsburgh Pro chrome sockets deep metric that I saved up for by mowing and shoveling snow. Still have them 10 years later in my home toolbox. Still going great and well made.

 

[Schurkey]

I don't remember the order I received my first two tool sets.

1. 1/4" drive ratchet and socket set from JC Whitney. I'd have been about nine or ten years old--I don't remember for sure. I really needed the 3/8 drive set, but nobody including me could see past the low price of the 1/4" set. Money was artificially tight--Both my parents had decent jobs, but since both were the product of "the depression", were also very good about saying "no".
2. Globemaster wrenches in a plastic carry-around tool box, given to me by my wonderful cousin who was much older than I, again when I was nine or ten years old. Poor bastage died at 50 due to massive heart attack--apparently his third, they determined at autopsy--but the only one he knew about. The first two were "silent".

 

[driftpin]

My first set I asked for, for Christmas, and it probably was about 1966. It's a 3/8" metric Powr-Kraft (Wright) drive socket set, and open-end wrenches (the latter not pictured, but I have 'em) and featuring the famous Wright 'Tootsie-Roll' rubber handle on the ratchet. I later got the 1/2" drive Powr-Kraft socket set, in SAE.



Some things in the box have been added.

 

[signcrafter]

My first tool set came in a metal case and was 1/4 and 3/8 cheap overseas **** my grandpa gave me when I was a teenager. He had a few sets that came from cleaning out relatives houses after they passed. I used it for a bit until I ran into issues with sockets as I started getting more into auto repairs. I saved some money at 16 and bought one of the craftsman 3xx piece sets with all the sockets, ratchets, wrenches and fillers which served me good for a while. That set was stolen at some point and replaced with other tools, some snap on and other brands and have gear wrench 1/4 and 3/8 sets that are pretty complete and have used for years and been great. Added many additional sets for 12pt and mid length and all the flex and wobbles. I wish I still had my first real set I bought with my own money but somebody needed it more then me I guess.

 

[Houdini5150]

Do the 2 channel lock tongue and groove pliers from the 90s that I 'borrowed' from my dad in like 2004 that I still have in my possession count?

 

[jeffmoss26]

My dad’s mechanic gave me a pair of Channellock 420s and a 10” Crescent adjustable when I was 4. I turned 37 this past Friday. I still have and use them!

 

[Beerhippie]

I turned 16 in '76. My father gave me the old family rig for my Bday--badly rusted '67 Ford Falcon Supervan. For Christmas that year, I asked for a set of tools--metric and SAE--and, of course, I spec'd Proto as there was a factory about five miles away from where I grew up.

I got the tools in the rolls (or some of them, anywho):



The SAE are Pro-Tech (India). The metrics--I don't recall if they came in a roll that fell apart or not, the fabric roll I made from some worn-out bell-bottom jeans--were what we called "Maidens" back then: The only mark was Made In ..... (NOT USA). The metrics were much cheaper **** than the Pro-Tech and most have been replaced with yard-sale USA tools since, but there still have to be a couple of Maidens in there.

The socket set I picked up a yard sale, not knowing Challenger was Proto. I'm sure Dad gave me a set of sockets, too, but it's been years. The S-K 3/8" ratchet was the first tool I bought new.

Amazingly for a bunch of 1970s Pro-Tech Made In India end wrenches, I'm still using them and they've been subjected to much severe use and abuse over the years!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought some AllTrade tools when I got to my first duty station 29 Palms MCAGCC. I kept them in a .50 ammo can. I still have a few of them.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I turned 16 in '76. My father gave me the old family rig for my Bday--badly rusted '67 Ford Falcon Supervan. For Christmas that year, I asked for a set of tools--metric and SAE--and, of course, I spec'd Proto as there was a factory about five miles away from where I grew up.

I got the tools in the rolls (or some of them, anywho):



The SAE are Pro-Tech (India). The metrics--I don't recall if they came in a roll that fell apart or not, the fabric roll I made from some worn-out bell-bottom jeans--were what we called "Maidens" back then: The only mark was Made In ..... (NOT USA). The metrics were much cheaper **** than the Pro-Tech and most have been replaced with yard-sale USA tools since, but there still have to be a couple of Maidens in there.

The socket set I picked up a yard sale, not knowing Challenger was Proto. I'm sure Dad gave me a set of sockets, too, but it's been years. The S-K 3/8" ratchet was the first tool I bought new.

Amazingly for a bunch of 1970s Pro-Tech Made In India end wrenches, I'm still using them and they've been subjected to much severe use and abuse over the years!

I was removing a fender from a Ford pick up truck and using a Challenger stubby screwdriver for the screws that hold the inner well to the fender. The screwdriver broke. I’ve not felt good about Challenger since then. I also have what is left of a Challenger 1/4” drive set. The sockets have peeling chrome and distorted drive ends. I never use an impact on a chrome socket. To me, Challenger ranks with S-K and Walden as an inferior American brand.

 

[Beerhippie]

I was removing a fender from a Ford pick up truck and using a Challenger stubby screwdriver for the screws that hold the inner well to the fender. The screwdriver broke. I’ve not felt good about Challenger since then. I also have what is left of a Challenger 1/4” drive set. The sockets have peeling chrome and distorted drive ends. I never use an impact on a chrome socket. To me, Challenger ranks with S-K and Walden as an inferior American brand.

There might be one or two Challenger tools left in the box. I broke the ratchet years ago, with loss of knuckle flesh and bought the S-K. I used to belong to a bunch of shade-tree mechanics who all wrenched on our various semi-running junkers, often several of us at a time, passing tools around as needed. Needless to say, our tools got pretty well mixed up, so every year we'd have a big cook-out which featured pit-roast and beers, while we got out tarps and dumped our tool boxes out on them. Everyone would walk around, trying to put their own kits back together and then trading dups for other tools we needed or wanted. I'm sure a few of those Challenger sockets are still around in someone else's kit.

 

[GTO]

My first set was from around the same time frame as the OP.
My set was from KMart and made in Japan.
I still have the 3/8 Ratchet after all these years...

 

[toolmutt]

My first set was a mishmash my dad put together from extras he had. All SAE. When I bought my second vehicle, a Datsun pickup, I needed some metric stuff. I bought some BenchTop sockets and wrenches from Kmart. I carried the socket set in the original plastic clamshell until it fell apart. Most of the pieces now ride in a truck/roadside emergency box. This is the only pic I currently have of any of the BenchTop. Original SAE pieces are long since scattered.

 

[Beerhippie]

Here's my original tool box, also from dear old Dad:



Total mish-mash of SAE, Metric, chainsaw, bicycle, etc tools, but when driving a Vanagon, weight just didn't bother me much.

I'm now driving a '93 Toyota Corolla, so not much need for SAE or bicycle tools on the road. I consolidated the Metric and hand tools for a little road box:

 

[oldpliers1]

My first set from my apprenticeship purchased 79/80 They are different as they are Stanley Australia screwdrivers , Sidchrome Australia cutters and tounge and groove pliers, Bahco wrench, Bahco long nose , crescent 3800-8T lineman pliers, eclipse junior hacksaw( conduit cutter) and a 2BA nut driver made by Paulcall a aussie company . Regards from Australi.

 

[bobg03]

I think I've mentioned it elsewhere, but my first set of tools was Craftsman inch and metric purchased as a set with a tool box at Sears in downtown Chicago around 1969. I still have almost all the tools and the tool box, but the tools are now in a different tool chest along with many others, and the tool box sits in a corner of the shop awaiting some derusting and cleanup.

That was the first tool box I purchased for myself in 1976. I still have mine, It's been on a lot of adventures since new. I'm giving it to my very mechanical 28YO step son, he'll see it for what it is.

I purchased it to keep the SK tools I had purchased earlier in life in one place and out of what I once thought were silly little sardine cans they came packaged in...