What was your very first tool??
- Thread starter hickmlg09
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Link-Belt
Well-known member
Mine was an old hand drill my old man gave me I think it was my grand dads and I still got it some place around here.
Jawn
Well-known member
I seem to recall one christmas getting a tool box with a stack of balsa wood, an X-Acto saw, glue, and a few other odds and ends. Not sure if that was the first or not, but probably close to it.
canuckian
Well-known member
First new tool was a Black and Decker 1/3 sheet orbital sander for my 11th or 12th birthday. I was into woodworking quite a bit in my teens and used the he'll out of it. I think my dad still uses it. I'll have to pick it up the next time I'm home for a visit if he doesn't need it.
My first tool(s) was a set of older Canadian made Mastercraft screwdrivers. I always used them so my dad bought a new set and gave me his. Still have some of them and use them all the time. there are more here somewhere but these were all I could put my hands on at the moment.
My first tool(s) was a set of older Canadian made Mastercraft screwdrivers. I always used them so my dad bought a new set and gave me his. Still have some of them and use them all the time. there are more here somewhere but these were all I could put my hands on at the moment.
smothers33
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The first tool I ever got was a cheap electric screwdriver for Christmas when I was a kid. First tool I bought was a cheap combo wrench set from menards. Funny how mad i would get when these cheap tools broke/ didn't work right and how happy i am when I'm turning a sk or Marco or Armstrong ratchet/wrench etc...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Great idea for a thread Hick! 
My first were for building slot car Chassis. My older cousin taught me how he made his and I bought the tools and materials, and dug in. Had a blast doing that. If I had endless wealth and space, I'd buy/build one of the old speedway tracks that took up a room 2x the size of a garage, and do it some more.
The dykes and needle nose are Crescents, and I bought them at a membership department store we belonged to called "Gemco" that is long gone. The building still stands though, having been a handyman hardware, and more recently, I think a Target.
The soldering gun was bought at a hardware store where my cousin lived, as we were visiting them.
My first were for building slot car Chassis. My older cousin taught me how he made his and I bought the tools and materials, and dug in. Had a blast doing that. If I had endless wealth and space, I'd buy/build one of the old speedway tracks that took up a room 2x the size of a garage, and do it some more.
The dykes and needle nose are Crescents, and I bought them at a membership department store we belonged to called "Gemco" that is long gone. The building still stands though, having been a handyman hardware, and more recently, I think a Target.
The soldering gun was bought at a hardware store where my cousin lived, as we were visiting them.
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Holt
Well-known member
Mine first was when I popped out of my mama and the doctor said "yep that's a boy". Id post a pic but I don't want to be banned. My second was a rake my grandpa gave me. Still have it after 20 years
Jim_No_Garage
Well-known member
Hick:
My first tools would be a Sears (not even Craftsman!) 3/8" drive SAE 12 pt Socket Set in a steel case. I still use the sockets and the case. I sold the original ratchet last year for $1.00 at a yard sale and have traded up to an SK ratchet I picked up along the way.
They were stored in a Craftsman 2 Drawer carry box - still have that too.
This would have been in the early 80's - for working on bicycles.
Cheers
Jim
My first tools would be a Sears (not even Craftsman!) 3/8" drive SAE 12 pt Socket Set in a steel case. I still use the sockets and the case. I sold the original ratchet last year for $1.00 at a yard sale and have traded up to an SK ratchet I picked up along the way.
They were stored in a Craftsman 2 Drawer carry box - still have that too.
This would have been in the early 80's - for working on bicycles.
Cheers
Jim
Steevo
Well-known member
The first tool(s) I bought with my own money, which I earned from my paper route, was a set of double-end metric box wrenches from Sears (Craftsman). I was about 12, and needed them to work on my Yamaha 80 "dirt" bike which I also purchased from paper route funds. That was in about 1968. I still have the entire set.
Shortly after that, I purchased an impact screwdriver, also Craftsman. I am not sure where that went . . .
Update.
Found them all:
Shortly after that, I purchased an impact screwdriver, also Craftsman. I am not sure where that went . . .
Update.
Found them all:
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I remember when I was little, my Grandmother bought me a small assortment of tools. There was a small saw that would remind you of a drywall saw and a set of allen keys that I recall. Both are still with me...and I think of her when I see them. Hard to beleive she's gone 12 years.
I remember being fascinated with the allen keys, and their little plastic pouch...but I had no idea at the time what they were for.
I remember being fascinated with the allen keys, and their little plastic pouch...but I had no idea at the time what they were for.
NJHandyGuy
Well-known member
on my 6th or 7th birthday i got the real power tool shop what a hunk of **** that was
on my 8th i got real tools
on my 8th i got real tools
fordbroncodave
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snap on sdd2 tri handle black screwdriver and a matching phillips sddp311 black but it was a newer hard handle
those are what i remember as my first real tools that I STILL OWN!
those are what i remember as my first real tools that I STILL OWN!
Steevo
Well-known member
Great idea for a thread Hick!
My first were for building slot car Chassis. My older cousin taught me how he made his and I bought the tools and materials, and dug in. Had a blast doing that. If I had endless wealth and space, I'd buy/build one of the old speedway tracks that took up a room 2x the size of a garage, and do it some more.
The dykes and needle nose are Crescents, and I bought them at a membership department store we belonged to called "Gemco" that is long gone. The building still stands though, having been a handyman hardware, and more recently, I think a Target.
The soldering gun was bought at a hardware store where my cousin lived, as we were visiting them.
Boy, you are a California guy from day 1, aren't you? I remember Gemco. And Fedco, and White Front Stores, and Kresges, and . . . .
davesnothere
Well-known member
Not sure which came first, bell system needlenose pliers, or the claw hammer. Still have, and use, them both though. Thanks Dad.
Steevo
Well-known member
I still have a Bell System flat blade screw driver, and a small hammer head also marked Bell System Property. Relics of a job I had just prior to the breakup of AT&T into a bazillion small companies (about 1980?), most of which were all once again a part of AT&T by about 2004.
I'd have to say it was a pocket knife.
Beaumont67
Well-known member
When I was 18 y/o...had money from summer job and working weekends.
- UniTool set of 1/2" drive sockets (1st tool set)
- SnapOn body hammer / wire strippers / hacksaw (1st SnapOn)
- Purox Oxy/Acet torches & regulators
- 7" Sears Grinder/Polisher, for derusting and leveling bondo (no air tools - 1st Sears)
- Vice Grips for autobody work
- lead file from Canadian Tire, made the wooden handle out of scrap wood with Dads jigsaw
To tackle a 1966 Plymouth Valiant - replace sheetmetal patches (rust repair) & repaint, one summer.
- UniTool set of 1/2" drive sockets (1st tool set)
- SnapOn body hammer / wire strippers / hacksaw (1st SnapOn)
- Purox Oxy/Acet torches & regulators
- 7" Sears Grinder/Polisher, for derusting and leveling bondo (no air tools - 1st Sears)
- Vice Grips for autobody work
- lead file from Canadian Tire, made the wooden handle out of scrap wood with Dads jigsaw
To tackle a 1966 Plymouth Valiant - replace sheetmetal patches (rust repair) & repaint, one summer.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
I an rarity; a California native. And yep, that building was White Front before it was Gemco. Fredco and Kresges I don't remember, Valley stores?
softailgarage
Well-known member
Holy ****, haven't heard those names in forever. Dont forget FedMart (precursor to Fedco), The Treasury and The Boston Store. Native since '61. My first tool was Dads old Craftsman toolbox from the '30's with a leather handle. Man I wish I still had it.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have a 10" Crescent wrench and a pair of Channellock 420s that my dad's mechanic gave me when I was four. They are still in my toolbox today. Will take a picture when I get home.
Hahah!
Seems like you guys had some pretty nice first tools. Guess I may have to get into my tool box today and show ya'll what I got for my first tools from my grandpa!
lowbucktruck
Well-known member
Growing up on my family's old ranch, I spent my youth working in the fields driving tractor, cutting and baling hay every summer. My first tools were a pair of 8" and 10" adjustable Crescent wrenches, bought and paid for at the local Coast-to-Coast hardware store. I'd string a cord through the handle-hole and hang them from my belt while out in the fields for easy access during those "field repairs" on the hay baler and stuker (hay bale-stacker).
Dataguy
Well-known member
I remember Gemco from when I was a young E-4 in San Diego. My wife and I used to do our shopping there (a loooong time ago).
tribbles
Well-known member
My dad gave me some tools (all SAE) for Christmas in 1978. I was eight at the time. I got a basic Craftsman socket set with a 3/8" ratchet and various 3/8" and 1/4" sockets, adapters, and a 1/4" nut driver with a female 1/4" socket opening in the handle. I also got a set of Craftsman combo wrenches, three Sears brand box-end wrenches, three Craftsman flat-edge screwdrivers, a couple of Sears brand pliers, a Sears brand adjustable wrench, and a light blue metal toolbox to keep them in. My dad even engraved my initials on all of the tools, probably so they didn't get mixed up with his.
Fast-forward 34 years. I still have most of these tools, though a couple of the wrenches and some of the sockets have inexplicably walked off during that time. I think I've had to exchange all of the screwdrivers (some a couple of times), and I've rebuilt the ratchet once. One of the pliers was chintzy and has long since vanished, but the other one is still holding up. I just wire-brush all the flaking chrome and rust off it every few years, give it some oil, and it's ready to go again.
And Gemco wasn't just a California thing. We had one in Beaumont, TX, but it closed sometime in '83ish. Walmart used the building when they came to town the next year.
Fast-forward 34 years. I still have most of these tools, though a couple of the wrenches and some of the sockets have inexplicably walked off during that time. I think I've had to exchange all of the screwdrivers (some a couple of times), and I've rebuilt the ratchet once. One of the pliers was chintzy and has long since vanished, but the other one is still holding up. I just wire-brush all the flaking chrome and rust off it every few years, give it some oil, and it's ready to go again.
And Gemco wasn't just a California thing. We had one in Beaumont, TX, but it closed sometime in '83ish. Walmart used the building when they came to town the next year.
jvitez
Well-known member
The one I was born with?
crewchief888
Well-known member
i cant remember 
it was a long time ago,
and i used to drink a lot....
it was a long time ago,
and i used to drink a lot....
richfinn
Well-known member
The tools that came with my first Meccano set, followed by bicycle spanners.
http://www.meccano.com/
http://www.meccano.com/
Steevo
Well-known member
Ok, based on that, my first screwdriver and wrench came with my Erector set, which I got when I was 8 years old, so that'd be 1963.
I no longer have either of them, but I can picture them in my mind . . .
hahaha
I did get a kids tool box when i was younger to "play" mechanic. it had a hammer, adjustable wrench and some slip-lock pliers. I lost all of them over time and they were just cheapo toys anyway...
Buy my very first tool that I bought to be proud of is a Snap On SSDMR4BG, a green handle ratcheting screwdriver. It was purchased in a promotional kit with a Snap On mug with a calendar ******* the mug(was the summer of 1990). I still have both, although I don't know exactly where the mug is. I know that I never drank out of it so it is around here somewhere.
The screwdriver is in great shape and I am retiring it, in exchange for a new one just like it with an Orange handle. The orange one I plan to beat to hell! After being with me for so long I thought it would be nice to retire the green one and reach for the orange one from now on. I have the stubby and the long shank coming from the SO guy, I should be able to pick them up this coming monday.
S
Buy my very first tool that I bought to be proud of is a Snap On SSDMR4BG, a green handle ratcheting screwdriver. It was purchased in a promotional kit with a Snap On mug with a calendar ******* the mug(was the summer of 1990). I still have both, although I don't know exactly where the mug is. I know that I never drank out of it so it is around here somewhere.
The screwdriver is in great shape and I am retiring it, in exchange for a new one just like it with an Orange handle. The orange one I plan to beat to hell! After being with me for so long I thought it would be nice to retire the green one and reach for the orange one from now on. I have the stubby and the long shank coming from the SO guy, I should be able to pick them up this coming monday.
S
The first ones I stole from dad or the first ones I purchased? Ha!
I commandeered some adjustable wrenches and combo allen tool for bicycle maintenance when I was 12 or so. After I bought my first car, I purchase a set metric set of Great Neck sockets and wrenches. I gave the sockets to my dad when I upgraded to a Craftsman mechanic's set and have been acquiring tools ever since. I still have the wrenches though...
I commandeered some adjustable wrenches and combo allen tool for bicycle maintenance when I was 12 or so. After I bought my first car, I purchase a set metric set of Great Neck sockets and wrenches. I gave the sockets to my dad when I upgraded to a Craftsman mechanic's set and have been acquiring tools ever since. I still have the wrenches though...
Armored Saint
Member
I spent a lot of time in my early teens in our shed. My dad had some basic tools, including a Black & Decker jig saw and corded drill. The jig saw and drill opened my eyes for some basic, but creative projects. I could build a box like nobody else! Haha, I miss those days...
rkevins
Well-known member
The oldest that I still have and use ( just not much) is a Stanley 12' tape got it when dad was building our first house I was around 5 and though I needed one to help him so it would be around 38 years old, first one I "used" was probably a hammer to drive (bend) nails in boards when I was around 1 when dad and my uncle was building his house. Oldest would be some that belonged to my great grandpa.
Mike.ASC
Well-known member
Interesting that you ask , I was just thinking about that the other day . The first tools I ever bought with my own money was a 6 or 8 piece set of double box end offset wrenches from my local at the time Western Auto store . They looked similar to Steevo's set just a sharper offset . Bought mine with my paper route money also . They have dissapeared long ago but I wish I still had them for sentimental reasons . Here's a pic I foung using google that looks very similar to what they looked like .
Mike
Mike
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Ancient Iron
Well-known member
My first tools would be a Sears (not even Craftsman!) 3/8" drive SAE 12 pt Socket Set in a steel case. I still use the sockets and the case. I sold the original ratchet last year for $1.00 at a yard sale and have traded up to an SK ratchet I picked up along the way.
Did it come in a green steel box,with two rows of sockets ???One standard and one metric?? And a couple of spark plug sockets?? If so I have the same one since I'm about 16 I gotta post a pic
Did it come in a green steel box,with two rows of sockets ???One standard and one metric?? And a couple of spark plug sockets?? If so I have the same one since I'm about 16 I gotta post a pic
Like LowBuckTruck, I grew up on a farm as well. We were always working on something. My grandpa gave me my first pocket knife when I was around 6 best I recall, 1966. It was a small 3 blade Old Timer and I carried it every where I went until I lost it in high school.
Other reall tools were a 8 & 10" set of Craftsman Cersent wrenches and a 5 piece set of Craftsman screwdrivers my step dad got me at around 8yo. I still have the wrenches and drivers. Most of the drivers are well worn, wrenches are still in tip top shape.
Other reall tools were a 8 & 10" set of Craftsman Cersent wrenches and a 5 piece set of Craftsman screwdrivers my step dad got me at around 8yo. I still have the wrenches and drivers. Most of the drivers are well worn, wrenches are still in tip top shape.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
First one given me - adjustable wrench for use in school in my machine shop class.
First item I paid for myself -- Chrysler ball joint socket when I was 16 fixing up my Dodge pick-up...Also my First SO tool since no stores anywhere around had them.
First item I paid for myself -- Chrysler ball joint socket when I was 16 fixing up my Dodge pick-up...Also my First SO tool since no stores anywhere around had them.
REDRYDER63
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- May 1, 2012
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- 18
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
My first tools were a basic set of s-k 3/8" sockets and ratchets set of sae standard length s-k combinations, and some channel lock pliers. I was 11 years old, after that I think my parents regretted it to a certain extent as I took apart all sorts of items that I was unable to put back together. At least I broke that habit!