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Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2024 7:10 pm
by Jeepergeo
^^^Bent wrenches.

My dad was a mechanic and his 60 year old Craftsman rolling cabinet box held all sorts of "specialty" tools my dad had made by modifying conventional tools.

He had wrenches bent into strange angles or shortened. One I particularly like is a test light he fashioned by grinding the tip of a screwdriver, drilling a hole long ways through the handle, running a wire through the handle, then soldering a lamp to the driver shaft and connecting thr wire. On the other end of the wire he added a spring clip. That garage-made test light has been in my tool box for years and has helped trouble shoot numerous electrical problems.

I'd never get rid of any if his customized tools, even those I have not figured out what they were customized to do.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 1:55 am
by enuf
glennbad wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2024 11:25 am I used to have a big router table set up in my shop, but I used it so infrequently, I broke it down to make room for other clutter. I still have need for a router table from time to time, so I was thinking about buying a table top model, but hadn't pulled the trigger yet. Then a few weeks back, I was at the flea market with my son, and I spotted this. The guy wanted $10 for it, so I couldn't pass it up. I think I even have a PC router that will fit in there, and I was thinking about re-working the fence from the big table model I still have tucked away.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll get around to it when I have time....

PCRT.jpg
I have one - works just fine.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 3:20 am
by glennbad
enuf wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2024 1:55 am
glennbad wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2024 11:25 am I used to have a big router table set up in my shop, but I used it so infrequently, I broke it down to make room for other clutter. I still have need for a router table from time to time, so I was thinking about buying a table top model, but hadn't pulled the trigger yet. Then a few weeks back, I was at the flea market with my son, and I spotted this. The guy wanted $10 for it, so I couldn't pass it up. I think I even have a PC router that will fit in there, and I was thinking about re-working the fence from the big table model I still have tucked away.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll get around to it when I have time....

PCRT.jpg
I have one - works just fine.
Good to know, thanks!

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2024 2:53 am
by Unk
There was a garage / tool sale in the neighborhood across from me this morning. I ran over and found these two items - spent a whopping $6.

A hand drill - it says "Made in the USA", but no other markings. Seems to resemble a Fulton or Dunlap. It had a few bits in the handle.

I also found a little detail scraper. It is made by PEXTO, and also marked "BELL SYSTEM". I didn't see the markings until I got it home a hit is with a wire brush. I was happy to see the Bell System marking. I have a few other Bell System tools - my mom worked for Southwestern Bell for 30+ years, as did my sister and her husband. The scraper has a little leather scabbard - I assume it is original? I will need to clean it up with some saddle soap and some Obenauf's. Also, based on some pics from the internet, these are supposed to have a wooden handle - so I guess I will turn one on the lathe (some day :lol: ).

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 3:12 am
by eveled
I collect Estwing hammers and hatchets, this one is really neat.
IMG_6717.jpeg
IMG_6718.jpeg
It is a 28 ounce framing hammer instead of a claw, it has the chisel of a masonry hammer. It has a teardrop nail puller. AFAIK, it is a concrete form hammer. The teardrop is designed for those double headed nail used on forms.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 3:17 am
by eveled
I’ve filled a few gaps lately so some are old, some are new.
IMG_6721.jpeg
These are my straight claw hammers 12, to 30 ounces.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 3:19 am
by eveled
IMG_6723.jpeg
A riggers axe, 2 different size hatchets, (the smaller one is discontinued) 2 different sizes of shinglers hatchets.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 3:22 am
by eveled
Masonry hammers, the 12 oz one is often called a tile setter, it is discontinued
IMG_6716.jpeg
2 tinners hammers and a weld chipper
IMG_6719.jpeg

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 4:32 am
by Unk
Nice Estwings, Eveled.

I had been looking for one at the estates sales for a couple of years. Finally found a Estwing framing hammer last year.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 12:39 am
by eveled
Thanks. A couple more groups.

BALL PEIN
IMG_6720.jpeg


GEOLOGY PICKS
IMG_6732.jpeg

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:43 pm
by Unk
Very nice collection, Eveled.

You inspired me to take an inventory of my hammers. I only have a couple of Estwings - a 22 oz framing hammer and a plastic mallet.

The big ball peen hammer on the left is a Vaughn - I made a the replacement handle from some Ash from my place.

In the pic of the mallets - I made the two on the left.

I have a couple of tack hammers - but I honestly am not sure if I have ever used one in my life. :lol:

The 3 most used hammers in my shop (by a large margin) are the Stanley Fat Max Anti-vibe claw hammer, the big Vaughn ball peen hammer, and the wooden mallet I made from Ash.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:03 pm
by eveled
Nice collection! Great pictures.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 3:47 am
by Unk
A few items from the latest Estate sale. My sister works for an estate sale company, and lets me know if it is a tool-rich environment. :lol: They usually have a pre-sale, so I get first picks, although not always at the best prices.

The Brown & Sharpe combination square was a good buy. These are on par with a Starrett.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 4:04 am
by FRJ
Unk wrote: Fri Jun 21, 2024 3:47 am A few items from the latest Estate sale.
A very nice collection of tools, Mike.
However, I don't know what "bench cookies" are.
Please enlighten me.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 3:11 pm
by Unk
Hi Joe, Thanks

The bench cookies are plastic pucks with neoprene rubber on both sides. They keep the boards you are working on from sliding around. Here's a video showing how they work:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcvxQG6hYi0[/youtube]

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 3:16 pm
by FRJ
Thank you, Mike.

Interesting.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 7:46 pm
by Ridgegrass
Found these today for 50 cents. Clauss, Fremont, Ohio. We all like their old pocket knives and they had a good selection of hardware. No foreign markings on these. US made? J.O'.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 3:39 pm
by bighomer
FRJ wrote: Fri Jun 21, 2024 3:16 pm Thank you, Mike.

Interesting.
Thanks for asking Joe. I never seen nor heard on any that I know of. ::handshake::

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 3:26 am
by Unk
Some of my adjustable wrenches - from 2 inches up to a couple of 15 inchers. All are made in the USA except the little 2 inch one. I have had the 8 inch Diamond Calk Horseshoe one for many years. It came from my grandfather, and my dad gave it to me sometime around 1980. I think it dates to around WWII. I have removed many, many oil drain plugs with it.

I recently bought some old Crescent brand wrenches from e-bay. These are very old, and made in Jamestown, NY. Pre-WWII, from what I can tell. The quality on them is amazing - so much better than newer adjustable wrenches. They are significantly thicker, heavier, have less slop / play in the mechanism, etc. than any of my other brands.

A few notes:
1. When I was a kid, we always called these a "Crescent Wrench", even though I don't think my dad ever owned a "Crescent" branded one. Most of the ones I inherited from him are Craftsman branded.
2. I always heard that a "real" mechanic doesn't use an adjustable wrench because they have a tendency to round off the nuts - which is probably true. However, I also don't know anyone - mechanic or otherwise - who doesn't have a few.
3. We had a couple of "Diamond Calk Horseshoe" branded ones when I was a kid. I was always confused by the "Calk" in their name (did they mean caulk?), until I recently saw one of their old advertisements. The "calk" is a cleat on the horseshoe to keep the horses from slipping on ice and snow (the company was based in Duluth, MN). We don't see too many of those horseshoe cleats down in Texas. :lol:

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2024 12:47 am
by GSPTOPDOG
eveled wrote: Tue Jun 11, 2024 3:12 am I collect Estwing hammers and hatchets, this one is really neat.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2024 8:49 pm
by GSPTOPDOG
Some old stuff laying around....

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 1:00 pm
by TripleF
Cool tools fellas!!!! I should post more in here.....
We'll start with this LF&C UNIVERSAL Putty knife I restored....

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 2:33 pm
by Unk
Very nice old Estwing hatchets and blower, Topdog!

Scott, very nice old putty knife. I have a couple of old "made in the USA" putty knives. Such simple tools - I just like using old vintage stuff whenever I can. All my old tools are "users"

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2024 1:02 pm
by ThatWeirdKnifeGuy
Found this printer's drawer at an estate sale I stopped in at while I was out on my pizza route. Its bigger than others I've seen. I believe I'm going to hang it for a wall display, but I might also set it up as a mobile table top knife display.

The little sections could be difficult to fill for a wall display though, even for a guy who likes little knives.

Re: Cool Old Tools

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2024 10:29 pm
by Waukonda
ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 1:02 pm Found this printer's drawer at an estate sale I stopped in at while I was out on my pizza route. Its bigger than others I've seen. I believe I'm going to hang it for a wall display, but I might also set it up as a mobile table top knife display.

The little sections could be difficult to fill for a wall display though, even for a guy who likes little knives.
Nice purchase