The old tools thread

This was hatched from a conversation with a long time friend. 40 years ago I owned a Suzuki 80 motorcycle and to time it I had to pull the flywheel and advance the piston a few millimeters from TDC. I still have the little ruler with sliding "t" that was my depth gauge and the universal type puller among my tools. I also had an early Toyota Corolla in 1974 that had the 25 amp alternator and a rear window heater that would flatten the battery with the lights and heater fan running. So, for winter, I purchased a 6-12 volt battery charger that I have used ever since.

Cheers Ron

I started buying new mechanic tools and machinist tools in the early seventies, so a lot of my basic tools are now 40-45 years old. They're old friends. For a couple summers in the late sixties I worked with an elderly gentleman totally rebuilding an early XK 120. He was a retired Jaguar mechanic who had worked for Jake Kaplan in Providence, RI since the fifties. But prior to that he'd been a GM mechanic since the twenties. My parents knew him and he agreed to teach me about old Jags. Anyway, occasionally he'd give me an old tool from his extensive collection that'd been in his tool box for years. I still have them, mostly ancient open end wrenches and pliers that probably date back to when he was just starting out in the trade. Although there aren't many, I treasure those tools more than any "antique" tool picked up at a yard sale because I have a real connection with them.

(Incidentally, old Joe had a spectacular collection of cars: '58 Porsche 356 coupe, two early fifties XK's, an Armstrong Siddeley, an early sixties Maserati 3500 GT which he fondly called a "mess already," a fifties 2-door Land Rover, one of the first Toyota's imported into the U.S. (called a Toyopet), tons of spare parts and tools, and a spectacular collection of fifties era Road & Track magazines. He personally knew a lot of the early SCCA road racers in the Northeast. After those two summers, I moved on with life and my career. He died in the eighties. I assume relatives divvied up the cars and tools).

Years after my dad passed, I discovered the significance of some of the wrenches in his old tool box. These wrenches had the "Ford" script cast into them, and may well have been from the '30's or before. They may relate to the old rear end with wooden wheels that was way out in the back field, but I never got to ask. I occasionally used them, but gave them all to my cousin when he bought a Model A to restore.

I have and still use my uncle's old drill press. It has to be from the '50's. There's not a single piece of bent sheet metal in it. Everything is cast with the mating surfaces machined. A really solid piece.

Stu

I have a fair amount of old tools from estate sales. Only one of any "coolness" is a flathead ford spring compressor. Never used it nor do I see having a use for it--any interest here? Probably would give it to anyone for the cost of shipping

I had to look but found my old Ford drum brake adjusting tool. It is like a 10 inch two ended pry bar. I don't think it has ever been used.

Most of my tools are old just because I bought them a long time ago. I've been collecting old Plvmb pebble finish wrenches from the late 1940s, when I can find them at swap meets.

I kept that original complete (plus a few) tool set from the trunk of my 66 Toyota Corolla in the yellow wrap. It is in my Fiat next to the little Fiat tool case.