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Post by Goldbrick on May 21, 2020 9:31:41 GMT -5
Looking over my sheds and garage/shop ,the other day, I had a thought that I might do well to hang a sign over each door that says "Dead Man's Tools". I'm not a woodworker, but I've always loved the smell of sawdust ,and the feeling you get when you create something, and I'm drown to folks who feel the same. My Dad left behind a few basic hand tool; seems like he did so much with so little. My wife's uncle, A wonderful ,old school, railroad man ,passed at 94, and had his shop picked to death by the grandkids ,while the wife and I got the clean-up job...some very cool sharpening tools and hardware, and hand tools were left behind. When my friend Jack, a third generation cabinet maker, passed at 90, his son wanted nothing to do with tools, nor hardly anything in the house cause," they SMOKED"...sadly the old shop was in such a state of disrepair that all large shop tools were rusted passed the point of saving...take anything you want , just get this place ready to sell ,is what I was told...yard tools ,wood clamps, table clamps, files, drill bits and socket sets, and enough hardware to start my own business...all still in fine shape, came here , plus, and this blew me away..." you can have this little shed if you can get it moved" the son said . 8 by 10, Amish build shed cost $400 to move ten miles...I guess Jack smoked in it too much...I hung a name-plate {JACK} over the door and I screw all my tobacco tin lids on the inside studs; I want everyone to know it belongs to a smoker. Then, last year, my friend Everett passed; he had rented a small house from me for 20 years, and all that time he did handy work for a string of old widows...a widower himself, and a jack of all trades ,he helped tons of folks and saved them lots of money in the process. After three months {rent free} the grown children began to drag their feet with the clean-out of the garage ,so I purchased the contents and changed the lock. Turns out ,the ole boy had harvested the tools left behind by the husbands of all those old gals...I sold off enough to break even and kept the rest. Now, this post isn't about free tools, or good deals... it's about the time I get to spend with the sprit of these old friends...they spent their lives with these tools ,and so much of them remains here in these boxes...I can spend time out here and remember them. |
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Post by Ronv69 on May 21, 2020 10:01:54 GMT -5
I have a lot of "dead man's tools" myself. My uncle had a bunch of tools that he left to me, none of them were high quality, but they help me remember him. All I have of my dad's is a hammer with a broken handle. I bought a new handle but I can't bring myself to change it. One of my friends dad was an avid reloader and when he passed his son just wanted to get rid of it. I got about a dozen presses, scales, and dies for everything from 222 Remington to 300 Weatherby. I almost had my reloading shop ready, but with the move I will have to put up a new building. I will finally have room for all my tools, and all of the ones I have inherited.
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Post by Gandalf on May 21, 2020 12:50:54 GMT -5
I have several hand tools that belonged to my father and grandfather. They were both good at woodworking/carpentry. Mainly simple tools like hammers, squares, levels. hand drills.... They stamped their initials into them.
It's nice to build something with tools I know they owned and used. Many times I'll grab their old tool and use it just because it was theirs - when I have a newer/better one.
Also have an old Colt 38 "Lightning" of my grandfather's that was passed down to my father and then to me. I'll pass it on to my oldest son someday. Things like that are priceless.
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Post by roadsdiverged on May 21, 2020 13:27:31 GMT -5
I have several of my grandfather and great grandfathers tools. My favorite 2 are the large and small hand planes. So many people dont even know how to use stuff like that everything has a motor.
If I had it my way, and had the time for it, I'd love to do it all by hand like the men of the older days did.
I live wood, I love tools, I love work.
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Post by Goldbrick on May 21, 2020 13:38:07 GMT -5
I knew you guy would get it...it's the connection to the past, and those passed on. I have a nice collection of hand planes;smaller block planes and a few #5 Stanleys, even some #6 and #9 Baileys...most are rusted,but I had a great time cleaning up at least three.
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Post by Ronv69 on May 21, 2020 17:35:11 GMT -5
My father's only pistol is a German pot metal 32 Colt mini Peacemaker ripoff. I tried to shoot it when I was about 19 and the timing was so far off that it spit led out the side. I just broke off the firing pin and I plan on putting it in a shadow box.
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Post by toshtego on May 21, 2020 17:44:50 GMT -5
I have several of my uncle's tools including his Case Sheath Knife. He was the handy man. My dad was not. I have his wrist watch and am wearing it now.
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Post by trailboss on May 21, 2020 20:15:31 GMT -5
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Post by adui on May 21, 2020 22:51:54 GMT -5
When my grandpa passed I was in the navy, overseas. Mom and Dad had already moved into his home, to be there for him. When I got out, after some bouncing, I ended up there. I was gifted a new tool box and much of Grandpa's hand tools to do the job I got. later when mom and dad down sized, I got most of the tools that they couldn't take with in the 5th wheeler they were moving into.
Sadly, over the years from hard times both real and self inflicted I am back down to that tool box full of worn wrenches and sockets that are older than I am, and possibly older than my dad in a few cases. I don't even use most of them anymore, but I have them. I will always have them...
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Post by Cramptholomew on May 22, 2020 11:06:23 GMT -5
I have my grandfather's welding torches, his machine-shop tool box, and a mini SK Tools ratchet set. I have a router and a drill from my other grandfather. I absconded with some wrenches from my dad years back. I also have a set of Husky ratches that my dad bought me about 25 years ago, with not one missing piece (if you knew me, this is QUITE an accomplishment). My dad's still alive, but the tools still mean a lot, and always will.
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Post by Cramptholomew on May 22, 2020 17:37:42 GMT -5
Speaking of tools, it was great when tools/tool sets came in metal boxes. I hate the cheap plastic ones they use now.
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Post by Darin on May 22, 2020 17:49:30 GMT -5
I have a collection of vintage tools including several hand-drills, augers, planers, wrenches, etc.
However, the pride of the collection are the many cool, old thumb oil cans.
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Post by toshtego on May 22, 2020 18:05:11 GMT -5
Speaking of tools, it was great when tools/tool sets came in metal boxes. I hate the cheap plastic ones they use now. I have a couple of Kennedy Steel Boxes and one of their chests. Quality!!!! |
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Post by toshtego on May 22, 2020 18:05:47 GMT -5
Speaking of tools, it was great when tools/tool sets came in metal boxes. I hate the cheap plastic ones they use now. I have a couple of Kennedy Steel Boxes and one of their chests. One of them I bought in 1970. Quality!!!! |
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Post by trailboss on May 22, 2020 19:12:04 GMT -5
Speaking of tools, it was great when tools/tool sets came in metal boxes. I hate the cheap plastic ones they use now. Yeah, my son lost my lightly used Super Sawzall with a metal case when he cut subwoofers for some loser friend. Now they are all plastic...every time I think about it, I get a little pissed. |
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Post by Ronv69 on May 22, 2020 19:28:49 GMT -5
I just realized that I have a lot of vintage tools that will be dead man's tools before long. Like the set of Powercraft sockets that I bought at Montgomery Ward in 1966.
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Post by Gandalf on May 22, 2020 20:30:02 GMT -5
My father's only pistol is a German pot metal 32 Colt mini Peacemaker ripoff. I tried to shoot it when I was about 19 and the timing was so far off that it spit led out the side. I just broke off the firing pin and I plan on putting it in a shadow box. I've never fired the Colt. It's a 38, and for a long time I thought I just needed a short 30 caliber round - the 38 S&W. But that probably won't work. Apparently this gun fired a "heeled" bullet - which is probably impossible to find. Didn't want to take a chance and damage the gun - so I've never fired it. |
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Post by Ronv69 on May 22, 2020 20:53:31 GMT -5
There are places to get the old ammo, but it's probably best not to shoot it. I had a box of the 32 long Colt, but it rotted away in the garage. The last 10 are in a jar.
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Winton
Junior Member
Posts: 220
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: I love all the pipes I have from slow smoke contests
Favorite Tobacco: no latakia please
Location:
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Post by Winton on May 24, 2020 14:51:16 GMT -5
Next week, we are going to visit my Mom. I wonder if she will remember me. Alzheimer's sucks! Anyway, I suppose my brothers and I will split up Dad's old tools. Not the way I want to acquire more tools.
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Post by trailboss on May 24, 2020 17:24:59 GMT -5
Next week, we are going to visit my Mom. I wonder if she will remember me. Alzheimer's sucks! Anyway, I suppose my brothers and I will split up Dad's old tools. Not the way I want to acquire more tools. Yeah, I have seen that movie before. If I see my health on a one way spiral, my stuff will be distributed by me. If I expire before that suddenly, we have it all spelled out who gets what. |
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Post by Ronv69 on May 24, 2020 17:59:29 GMT -5
Next week, we are going to visit my Mom. I wonder if she will remember me. Alzheimer's sucks! Anyway, I suppose my brothers and I will split up Dad's old tools. Not the way I want to acquire more tools. Yeah, I have seen that movie before. If I see my health on a one way spiral, my stuff will be distributed by me. If I expire before that suddenly, we have it all spelled out who gets what. We've been saying that we need to get a will for years and keep putting it off. Especially since we ride the trike. We need to spell out no nursing homes or anything like that if we get demented. (Well, more demented) |
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Winton
Junior Member
Posts: 220
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: I love all the pipes I have from slow smoke contests
Favorite Tobacco: no latakia please
Location:
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Post by Winton on May 24, 2020 22:06:46 GMT -5
I have a great relationship with my brothers. Also, Mom has been pushing us to take what we want, for the last 10 years. I doubt there are any tools I might want. I certainly don't want to haul any furniture cross country.
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Post by trailboss on May 24, 2020 22:33:53 GMT -5
I misread your earlier post John, so my response wasn’t pertinent to your situation. I am glad that you guys are tight, as it should be.
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Winton
Junior Member
Posts: 220
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: I love all the pipes I have from slow smoke contests
Favorite Tobacco: no latakia please
Location:
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Post by Winton on Jun 7, 2020 18:47:51 GMT -5
My brothers and I studied Dad's old tools. They were basically junk. Each of my brothers agreed that we already have all the tools we want. Also our tools are much better than Dad's tools. The only thing I took home is a set to break loose a very stubborn nut. My tools are for wood working. His tools were for fixing cars. The happiest day of my life was when I figured out that I make enough money to pay someone else fix a vehicle.
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Post by qmechanics on Jun 7, 2020 19:31:47 GMT -5
Kind of like Dead man pipes....How many of us smoke them?
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 7, 2020 20:16:41 GMT -5
I have at least one that I know the guy had to have had in his mouth when he died. It smokes fantastic!
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Post by daveinlax on Jun 7, 2020 21:45:44 GMT -5
I have some of my Late Grandpa's hand tools and some of my Father in Law's(RIP)power tools. I used my FiL's Stihl 031 chainsaw today.  |
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Post by toshtego on Jun 7, 2020 21:57:48 GMT -5
Speaking of tools, it was great when tools/tool sets came in metal boxes. I hate the cheap plastic ones they use now. Yeah, my son lost my lightly used Super Sawzall with a metal case when he cut subwoofers for some loser friend. Now they are all plastic...every time I think about it, I get a little pissed. All my Sawzall Tools are in metal cases. If you are truly vintage, the tools themselves are nickel plated. |
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Post by Matthew on Jun 8, 2020 10:44:21 GMT -5
My Father passed away 3 months after I was born, but in the late 50's (?) he built a wood tool box for my
Grandfather. My Grandfather passed when I was in 3rd grade and his tools were dispersed thru the kids.
After about 35 years, I'm helping my Brother-in-law clean out a storage shed of his and find Gramp's
toolbox. After asking my Sister he gave it to me. A little clean up and resetting some nails, a new bottom
for the upper section, It's as good as the day Dad gave it to Grampa. I look forward to when my son will
put it to use as well. Like a good pipe, tools need to be used.
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Post by peteguy on Jun 8, 2020 14:22:00 GMT -5
My Father passed away 3 months after I was born, but in the late 50's (?) he built a wood tool box for my Grandfather. My Grandfather passed when I was in 3rd grade and his tools were dispersed thru the kids. After about 35 years, I'm helping my Brother-in-law clean out a storage shed of his and find Gramp's toolbox. After asking my Sister he gave it to me. A little clean up and resetting some nails, a new bottom for the upper section, It's as good as the day Dad gave it to Grampa. I look forward to when my son will put it to use as well. Like a good pipe, tools need to be used. Great story! |
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