Well, that was unexpected

[Kev442]

My (step) Grandpa finally decided that a rest home would be a good idea at 93. He is nearly blind and has had two bouts of pneumonia he has fought off. So, he has lived in the same apartment for longer than I've been alive , 52 years.

I was not expecting anything from the basement storage room and was not disappointed. A $12.99 tool box with virtually nothing in it.

Except the bottom yielded a little metal box with some round crows feet. Useless as is, something is missing. Then a box of misc junk revealed a little ratcheting mechanism. Success!

I present the TAC 500 by Proto:

 

[Kev442]

There were a few other little guys too. I was unfamiliar with Walden Worchester as well as TAC.
The adjustable is Proto L.A., the slugger is Williams.

 

[fasteddie313]

It's nice to have tools that mean more than just turning fasteners..

 

[Model A Fan]

Is he a WWII vet?

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

Nice collection to get and appreciate! What brand and model are the pliers? I remember Dad having a pair like that when I was growing up.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice treasures you found.

 

[Kev442]

Is he a WWII vet?

Yes, he is. Cool little story, like the Sullivan's, 5 of the seven brothers served. 2 were too young. Unlike the Sullivan's, all 5 came home. The local HS did a couple WW II books and they are on one cover.
He told me a story where they had been near, or even coupled up with an ammunition supply ship. They were just out of sight of it when it took a direct hit. They saw the huge fireball. No survivorers of that. Two hours earlier and he would have been dead. He is Leonard, he married my Grandmother after my Grandfather died in 1953.

 

[Kev442]

Nice collection to get and appreciate! What brand and model are the pliers? I remember Dad having a pair like that when I was growing up.

These? They are Walden USA 5". I really like them, they remind me of a dental tool.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Sending good thoughts your Granddad's way... Prolly broke his heart to make the decision, but ya never know, there are a few folk I know in their late 90's like the couple we bought our home (and the Forge) from (Lloyd & Isabella) made the jump almost a decade ago, and without the burden of the house they can do more than before - and enjoy it. BTW - He still drives and drives well (they came down last year), and while his wife's eyesight went to hades a few years ago, she still has a brilliant mind and is sharp as a tack. And to look at them, you'd swear they were in their early 70's...

BTW - he is retired Navy, the youngest of 5 brothers (and the only survivor)... He met his wife when he was liberating the camps in Eastern Germany in '45. Incredible story there. And you can see it in their eyes - they never lost either the love or the romance in all the years since!

BTW - it looks like your Granddad may not have had a lot of tools, but it looks like most of the ones he had were top shelf stuff. Cherish those, sir!!

 

[SweetD]

Great story and good luck to your Grandpa!



Dave

 

[Kev442]

Thanks for the good thoughts for Grand pops. I honestly think he is happier with the extra human interaction at the home. He is getting a bit healthier, we didn't think he was going to make it after the most recent pneumonia episode.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Nice find! That is a really nice set and comes with some great sentimental value as well! I would love to get one like that.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Great story, some really cool tools.. and be sure to go over to the rest home and visit him often.... swap stories .. have him give you advice on "how he'd do it" for problems you encounter, etc.. It'll keep both of you connected and vibrant!