What's Your Favorite Vintage Tool?

[msgtsmithret]

Like many here, I collect a lot of old tools. I use most of them, but there are a few I don't. I just keep them from rusting and look at them once in a while. I know, it makes no sense, but that's what it is. So I decided that I had a favorite old tool that I wouldn't give up, trade, nor sell. What is your favorite? I'd like to see it. Mine is a UTICA fence pliers with PAT APPLIED FOR stamped on it. You have to love a tool that is a crimper, pliers, heavy wire cutter, staple puller, hammer and a pretty good weapon all in one!

 

[DuroChrome]

I'm not sure...probably my grandfather's war finish Plomb wrenches (2).

 

[msgtsmithret]

I especially like tools with a story attached. That countertop looks retro too.

 

[creative username]

probably all my plomb toos including my 1/2 19/32 closed end wrench

 

[drivesitfar]

MSG: the first thought was *** rated so i'll have to think more before posting my other favorite one(s).

nice idea for a thread

 

[coleman10]

Depending on the definition of vintage, I'd have two. My grandfather gave me a Keen Kutter offset adjustable wrench. I never thought I'd use it, but it actually got me out of a jam last year when I was replacing my water heater.


If we are allowed to use early 70's, then I'd say my dad's Columbian vise that I restored earlier this year. There isn't a time I walk by it or use it that I don't think of my dad. One of my absolute prized possessions.

 

[jakemac]

MSG: the first thought was *** rated so i'll have to think more before posting my other favorite one(s).

nice idea for a thread

Must ..................... Resist ................. Temptation.

 

[E.rodz]

nice idea for a thread! here is one of my favorite tools i bought this at a garage sale for $10 one of my best investments yet! still not done modifying it yet but will be soon.

 

[msgtsmithret]

That's awesome. Nice shop there too!

 

[mitusa]

nice idea for a thread! here is one of my favorite tools i bought this at a garage sale for $10 one of my best investments yet! still not done modifying it yet but will be soon.

Not to derail the thread, but who painted the door; very interesting...

I've got a Kelsey-Hayes loc-rite combo wrench that I enjoy....only seen this one, wished I had the whole set!

 

[Codyyy]

I don't have a picture of it but I have a vintage hub puller that I bought off the Ford Barn a while back to help get some stuck drums of my '33 Ford. I didn't think I would use it much but ended up needing it for a '68 Kaiser Jeep Wagoneer I had. It weighs a ton, more than the Snap-On or equivalent hub pullers. If I ever get to collecting tools just for the sake of collecting them, I may go through my KR Wilson catalog to collect some of those tools. I like the designs and uses some of those tools had.

 

[Alan Douglas]

My grandfather's monkey wrench:

 

[d.mcfarland]

The old machines are form and function. **** stuff.

 

[PFSard]

My grandfather's monkey wrench:

Wow. How long is that wrench?

 

[bobcatdan]

Williams CW-4 chainwrench. Several reasons I like it. First off I have a thing for chainwrenches. More important, it was my Grandfather's. It gets an extra bump because his last name is Williams. I also have special mention to my can crusher. For my entire life up to last year's its home was on Pa's welding bench for the sole purpose of crushing cans. Its now on my bench crushing cans. It was originally my Great Grandfather's.

 

[bczygan]

My drawknife with adjustable handles.

I'll have to dig it out and take a photo.

 

[msgtsmithret]

My grandfather's monkey wrench:

Wow! What the hell?

 

[msgtsmithret]

I see a trend developing with sentimental attachments to tools (e.g. this was my grandfathers). My Dad has his grandfather's tool kit and I would love to get my hands on it. He was a auto mechanic after he returned from WW1. So you can imagine the tools in that box.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Williams CW-4 chainwrench. Several reasons I like it. First off I have a thing for chainwrenches. More important, it was my Grandfather's. It gets an extra bump because his last name is Williams. I also have special mention to my can crusher. For my entire life up to last year's its home was on Pa's welding bench for the sole purpose of crushing cans. Its now on my bench crushing cans. It was originally my Great Grandfather's.

The chain wrench is pretty cool, but that can crusher is beyond cool!

 

[PCO6]

I have a couple. When I first started to do (amateur) body work my Dad handed me this, gave me a few pointers and said away you go. He passed away earlier this year and it now proudly sits in my box. It's a very "comfortable" tool to use. Black & Decker 7" sander ...
View media item 37994
I'm not sure if this is "vintage" as I'm pretty sure it's from the '60s but I do know it's probably the best $50 I ever spent. Spot welding "made easy". Porta-Spot welder ...
View media item 36196

 

[toddoky]

Vintage Stanley hand planes or vintage framing steel squares.

 

[Alan Douglas]

The wrench is 1 5/8" overall. Here's an ad from Amateur Work magazine in June 1904. He was a stationary steam engineer and then opened his own plumbing shop in Brunswick, Maine, which my uncle took over when he retired. My uncle said he would be given the charm in church to keep him occupied and quiet.

Love that can crusher.

 

[coleman10]

The wrench is 1 5/8" overall. Here's an ad from Amateur Work magazine in June 1904. He was a stationary steam engineer and then opened his own plumbing shop in Brunswick, Maine, which my uncle took over when he retired. My uncle said he would be given the charm in church to keep him occupied and quiet.

Pretty cool. Thanks sir sharing.

 

[E.rodz]

That's awesome. Nice shop there too!

Thanks it has been a long time in the making.

Not to derail the thread, but who painted the door; very interesting... that would be my son and myself. here is a youtube link for the explanation of the wall there is also more on my build thread .

I've got a Kelsey-Hayes loc-rite combo wrench that I enjoy....only seen this one, wished I had the whole set!

my apologizes did not mean to derail the thread i should have know better.! love vintage tools.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a tough question; so many tools, so many faves...

I'll say this cross-peen hammer though. I've had it for several decades, and use it more than all my other hammers combined (That's saying something...). It just has a great weight and balance for a lot of what I do.

The head is just tight on the handle; no wedge, and its only in the last few years that its started to where it will work off, so I guess I should do something there...

No clue who the maker is, but there is the remains of a "P" on the far side, so it could be Plumb or Plvmb or...

It lives in an ancient drawer I remounted under my Parker 974 so it stays handy, and that Parker is a close second. I've posted pics of that a dozen or more times. It still looks the same, a well worn battle ship grey (Technically "Machinery Grey" on the cans I once painted everything with...).

 

[Dave455]

I see a trend developing with sentimental attachments to tools (e.g. this was my grandfathers). My Dad has his grandfather's tool kit and I would love to get my hands on it. He was a auto mechanic after he returned from WW1. So you can imagine the tools in that box.

Yes, I see it too! It's hardly surprising though, as most folks on this site probably grew up helping their fathers maintain the family car, truck, machine shop etc, and have fond memories of using those tools! Most often those tools were good quality and survive into the next generation - memories and everything!

I have a (female) cousin who's big into restoring and modding older British vehicles. She reckons she caught the bug watching and helping her Dad and my Grandfather maintaining the family trucks. She asked if I had any idea what happened to the 'huge tool set in the custom fitted box'! She assumed it had been sold with the company, and was almost in tears when I showed it to her all complete in my workshop!

Perhaps we should start a thread on these old/inherited kits! There's sometimes a lot to be learned from seeing how some of these jobs were done back then! Love to see pictures of your great grandfathers kit!

 

[Lippyp]

Probably my Snail Brand adjustable wrench. I can honestly say I've owned it for about 30 odd years and have no idea where I got it from! My dad has one just like it too. I use it all the time, great for plumbing jobs.

Looks like this one only well patinated!