Visually Pleasing Tools

[Bolster]

I'm nuts for beautiful tools, as are most of you, I suspect.

In particular, Art Deco tools make me light-headed. Art Deco was in full swing in the 1920s and 1930s, and often features steps, arcs, chevrons, and repeating bars as design elements. You never know where 'Deco is going to turn up.

Case in point, this humble little drill stand. Try to ignore my pathetic collection of bits, and enjoy the sheer design of this unassuming object. It's seldom you see anyone "designing" such things today, seems to be all about making it as functionally inexpensive as possible.

Do you have any visually pleasing tools, that are works of art in their own respect, above and beyond their functionality?

 

[Bolster]

Here's another...I think this is the 'prettiest' wrench I own (although it gets used regularly nonetheless). It appears to be an industrial finish (black oxide) Plomb 1130.

 

[Elroy]

Man that drill stand is just flat out beautiful. Excellent.

Elroy can't really recall having anything so simple yet so ****. He does find his old tachometer attractive yet functional

 

[Bolster]

D*mn that is a nice item. If I had one of those I would mount it to the top of my tool box so as I could see how fast I'm pushing it around the shop.

 

[Elroy]

We discussed this in the past.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18268

Check it out.

 

[Elroy]

Man that drill stand is BAD *** dude. Really cool. THANK YOU for posting it up.

 

[Stanger]

I think the Cornwell ratchets are pretty attractive...

 

[wrenchr]

I think the Cornwell ratchets are pretty attractive...

I agree!!!!!!!!

 

[Vinko]

Many might laugh, but I think the Craftsman raised-panel wrenches, which contain elements of art-deco, have aesthetic appeal. Maybe more so those of 20 plus years ago, but I like them. Also some of the Starrett squares and other measuring tools.

 

[Merkava_4]

That Cornwell takes the cake for visually pleasing - this thread is over.

 

[wrenchr]

Here is a few I like.....

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I've yakked about this WF-21 prepebble Plomb in other threads but I'm really taken with it. While SO is normally my ratchet of choice I really admire the engineering and elegance. It operates as smooth as it looks and it's a joy to hold.

Many might laugh, but I think the Craftsman raised-panel wrenches, which contain elements of art-deco, have aesthetic appeal. Maybe more so those of 20 plus years ago, but I like them...

I'm not laughing they do have an art deco elegance. In particular the ones with the 3 dimensional V shaped selector switch.

~Steve

 

[wrenchr]

 

[wrenchr]

 

[gofastman]

that black one looks sick! (that means good, for all you old farts on the board )

 

[Vernmotor]

Do I need to get my gold tools out take pics ?

 

[Vernmotor]

Who you callin a old fart ! fool LOL ( In my MR. T voice )

 

[gofastman]

Who you callin a old fart ! fool LOL ( In my MR. T voice )

case-in-point, who the hell is Mr. T?
Just kidding, lol :

 

[MAD]

I have a bunch of older pliers that have visually pleasing patterns on them.

(sorry for the small bad pictures)

 

[chad s]

that black one looks sick! (that means good, for all you old farts on the board )

Im not an "old fart", but I do think that the term "sick" for describing something thats good is really ridiculous sounding.

 

[Bolster]

I have a bunch of older pliers...

Wow, I have never seen such an array of artistic pliers grips, they're stunning!

 

[senlow]

I have a bunch of older pliers that have visually pleasing patterns on them.

(sorry for the small bad pictures)

Let's not forget the handles of Snap-on Vacuum Grip pliers.

 

[MAD]

Let's not forget the handles of Snap-on Vacuum Grip pliers.

I have a couple of those, but I did not include them because they are not very "Visually Pleasing" compared to the others.

 

[MAD]

I have always admired the look of this Millers Falls drill that I rescued from the trash.

 

[Bolster]

That drill looks like a rocket ship....

Actually I think it would qualify as an example of "Streamline Moderne" style, which followed Art Deco, and was known for fast-looking shapes.

Such as...this toaster, which was once clocked going 165 mph...

 

[billymade]

Here are some links for further reading:
http://art.learnhub.com/lesson/page/5948-an-intro-to-streamline-moderne
http://www.anticlopedia.com/html/reference/streamline_design/art_deco_streamline_design_index.htm
http://www.streamline-moderne.com/index.html

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a bunch of older pliers that have visually pleasing patterns on them.

(sorry for the small bad pictures)

I actually have a pair of Crafty diag cutters from the day that have handles that look like those.

 

[Bolster]

Here are some links for further reading...

Cool beans. Did you see the auto hood ornaments under the last link?

Streamline Hood Ornaments

I'm guessing the old Proto "Swan-diving Naked Lady" was probably Streamline Modern...

 

[G1K]

Bolster, I have probably the ultimate in art deco tool design. Give me a few more days and I'll post it up. You're going to love it.

Ryan

 

[davestlouis]

I'm still laughing about sick=good. I don't suppose that's any worse than bad=good. At least it's not a cuss word...I hear lots of young people using language that makes me sick, and not in a good way.

 

[NotEnough]

The pliers are too cool and that impact would look good split in half and mounted on a wall (assuming that it's non-working) as a piece of industrial art work.

 

[Kevin54]

The pliers are too cool and that impact would look good split in half and mounted on a wall (assuming that it's non-working) as a piece of industrial art work.

The plier pic would look great made into a poster and framed for garage art. All of the different designs are really artistic.

 

[old salvage]

Wow, I want to make out with that Cornwell that Stanger posted.
She's a beauty.

 

[krusty the clown]

Wow, I want to make out with that Cornwell that Stanger posted.
She's a beauty.

merkava's rubbing off on you huh?

 

[old salvage]

merkava's rubbing off on you huh?

Yes ,
and overall this whole board has corrupted me beyond rehabilitation.