What first tools do you still have?

[Toolhorder]

First pro tool was a Mac adjustable oil filter pliers, Cornwell flip socket (19mmx17mm no longer made BTW)

 

[sonnyboy]

I've still got my set of combo wrenches my Dad got me for my 12th or 13th birthday or Christmas in '87 or '88. He made a point to tell me to always buy good tools, and that that set (although it was made in Tiawan) was good, since it was "Guaranteed Forever". Gotta admit though, I used and abused the heck out of that set until just a couple years ago, and only broke the 11/16 (anyone know where to warranty it?) and lost the 9/16.

Around the same time, I got my first socket set. My Dad had a friend that was a retired heavy equipment mechanic, and was dying from cancer, and decided to sell the tools he had left at a garage sale. He invited my Dad and I to come before the sale to see if there was anyting we wanted. My Dad pointed out a 1/2" socket set of with mostly S-K pieces in it, other than a few Challenger sockets and a Thorsen ratchet, in a nice portable toolbox for $20. I was hesitant (after all, back then $20 was a lot of money to a kid!), but Dad convinced me to get it. I'm glad he did. Over the years, I've lost or broken a few of the pieces, but I still have over half of it, as well as the metal toolbox it was in.

 

[oldwino]

Got the motor-head bug at 14 or so...bought a bunch of Craftsman stuff (early -mid 60's) paid for with paper route $$$...still have most of them. I've upgraded many of my tools over the years, but these guys still have a home here

 

[shampoop]

My first tools were basically one of the largest size plastic blow molded cases from sears. I still have all of the tools, but the only ones i still use are the 1/4" drive sockets, and combo wrenches. Got it probably 5 years ago.

 

[tyjoja]

For my 12th birthday some family friends got me 12'' stanley combo square. At the time I thought it was lame, but as it turns out, I still got it and use it all the time.

 

[wawa1]

bought my first real toolbox in 1994 during first year mechanics with tools in it for 200 dollars off of a retired bodyman. had a bunch of airtools i still use in work today. the box is retired in my garage beside my grandfathers snap on top chest sitting on top of my dads first toolbox. all the toolboxes are from the 70's i think as we imigrated in 1974 from england. tho oldest tool i have is probably my grandfathers snap on hammer with the little plastic ends on it.

 

[honcho]

I don't have my first tools but at least some of the set is still in the family. I was at my Dad's house in April and found one wrench of the USA made Sears Companion (their second tier line below Craftsman) set of fractional offset box wrenches that I was given in 1972 to work on my Tecumseh powered Bonanza minibike. The rest of the set may still be there but I didn't have time to search for the others. With those wrenches and one of those cheesy Japanese / Hong Kong socket sets, I disassembled and reassembled just about every part of that engine and minibike even if there was nothing wrong. I could fill up the gas tank for about 15 cents at the local gas station--wish I could still do that

 

[Chief]

16 oz. Craftsman hammer, chalk line and 25' Stanley tape measure from summer job during college. Also have 25 piece c-man socket set my Mom bought me for Christmas. Both were more than 20 years ago. Think of my mom each time I see the set sitting in my tool box.

 

[bobadame]

I still have a 3/8 SK ratchet and a few sockets that I got from my dad as a graduation present in 1967. Also a 16 oz. fiber glass handled hammer I bought in 1966. I've used it to build 3 shops since then. I bought a wrench set from Montgomery Wards in Cheyenne back around 1973. Still have almost all of them.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

My CMan clear handle screwdrivers my father gave my when I was in High School 20+ years ago.

Some have been warrantied, but I still keep them next to my CMan pros. The 1/4 driver is still my toughest one in the collection.

I also still have my Cman 160z hammer and CMan pliers set my father also gave me in High School. The hammer is still my go to and the pliers still have a home between my car set and a couple in my main box.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I don't have much from my youth (tools or anything)... but I still have the Stanley 25-foot tape measure and Crescent adjustable wrenches that Dad gave me in high school. And for ranching tools, I still have my first saddle, lasso and fence pliers from growing up working cows on the folks' ranch. That old saddle has alot of miles on it. Hope someday to pass them along to my daughter.

 

[magnusk750]

I bought a set of wrenches 10-19 mm in 1981 or 82 when I was 12-13 y. Mailorder from a swedish bigbox company, Biltema. cost 55 kr + postage 11 kr, I still remember it. (About 8$ + 1,5,$) They have been absolutely fantastic. Haven't broken a single one in all those years, though I think some have gone missing. Design is Bacho ripoff, I have measured them against Bachos and they are exactly the same measures doesn't rattle on the boltheads like cheap wrenches use to do. Only difference is that that the grip surface is a bit rougher.