vintage tools for my dad

[brainypencil]

What can I buy for my dad who's 72 years old and still loves to fix things? I can't buy the very expensive ones so maybe those that are affordable but good for the old man. I know it would make his day.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And maybe most importantly, what does he need? What doesn't he already have?

 

[misterbill]

Not a tool, per se, but just to get everyone thinking outside of the box. Several years back my dad got a firebox insert for their seldom-used fireplace in the basement. It's very efficient and generates a lot of heat with not a lot of wood. Well, he found a small old maul and several wedges and used them to split the wood to feed the firebox. Then he needed a whetstone to keep the wedges sharp. Then he built a woodbox to hold the kindling. One thing kind of led to another. So maybe the focus isn't on the tools as much as finding things to augment what his tinkering interests are.

FWIW,

Bill

 

[Farmer J.]

My son just bought me a plug in electric workshop fan heater. Very pleased, and warmer!

 

[goodvibes]

Maybe, you could buy a complete toolset for an old man or rather based on his interest.

 

[ALLFAST]

Start with a nice, modern, 1/4 horse bench grinder with a wire wheel and stone. With lights and nice eye shields., And of course, a decent 3.5 to 4 inch vise !

 

[Farmer J.]

Could do with more about what type of jobs he likes to do, and what he needs. By the time most of us reach his age we usually don't actually need more tools as have got all the stuff years ago.
If you are on a limited budget with not much to spend some workshop consumables can make a very welcome present, whatever it is that gets used up on his jobs. Some of the best presents I have got which didn't cost a lot but I enjoy very much are:

Magnifying plastic safety specs, they improve and may save the eyesight i still have.
Disposable gloves for oily stuff, and good for paint and glue too.
Good quality paint brushes, what a treat they are!
Selection of wood screws, self tapping screws and tiny nuts and bolts.
Some rolls of duct tape, and coloured electrical tape.
Selection pack of cable ties.
Big roll of paper towel for cleaning stuff up with.
Cans of WD40, and anti sieze, and spray grease.

Whatever you get your Dad he will surely be pleased with it. The best present you are giving him is showing that you are interested in and value what he is doing, I bet that is what will please him the most.

 

[My Old Tools]

My dad was a woodworker. I outfitted my shop with vintage Powermatic and Northfield stuff. While I was at auctions I saw a lot of good Rockwell Delta school machines going cheap. I ended up buying him a shop full of Rockwell Delta tools and eliminated the Craftsman stuff. He used them until he passed.

 

[brainypencil]

Great suggestions, all of you! Thank you!

My dad's great with doing handyman jobs so maybe I can buy a box full of assorted stuff like screws, wires, pliers. It's also part of his online therapy recommendation, to relive a hobby or continue with what he loves doing. So I wanted him to be more excited about an old habit and buy him something new. I do hope it will help him.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

The man is 72 years old. He doesn’t need a bunch of starter tools. FarmerJ had some good options. Maybe some carving tools, Dremel, and paints, brushes to finish off the projects. Maybe some of the grandkids could help and learn something with Granpa in charge.

 

[Bigwheels]

The bench grinder set up with a wire wheel and a stone if he doesnt have it already he can spruce up tools he has grind his wedges its a great tool for tinkering.

 

[winchman]

The bench grinder set up with a wire wheel and a stone if he doesnt have it already he can spruce up tools he has grind his wedges its a great tool for tinkering.

Good idea.
Does he have all the modern Torx type drivers?

 

[goodvibes]

@Miss the Pontiacs' idea is also good.