Old tools

[Chuck in Indiana]

  Remember Gateway 2000?
okay, I am old.

Remember Univac? You're just a pup.

[cliffrod]

Remember Univac? You're just a pup.

Just before I started my stone apprenticeship, my job included servicing a large number of permanent layoffs from Lockheed Martin at ORNL in late 99-early 2000.  Most were late career people- I think that was the pc way of saying it.  It was hard to convince some of those highly trained experts that their extensive COBOL skills & certifications were not a marketable asset....

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^ How about Gotran and Fortran? 

[cliffrod]

I thought those were a couple of the Klingons on Star Trek Next Generation...

[Denis]

I've collected quite a few old tools since I've built the Indian. In some cases, no modern tools will work and some people get around them by making tools. But if you get copies of Indian's tool books, you know what to look for.
Some of the best so far are the old Snap On hammerhead wrenches. Basically, they are sockets with a round handle attached to the side. Some are straight, some are bent.

[bacongrease]

Fortunately many antique/flea markets sell every wrench at the same price. .25-.50 per wrench.  I picked up some oddball stuff, I may never use.  Some have a feeler gauge on one end, etc.  And Mercedes stamped, Honda wrenches that came with the bike.
Why do I buy old Whitworth wrenches?
Oh ya, 10 mms sockets.

.

[john fish]

Do you mean folding rules are out of fashion, or ones with the extendable insert? Folding rules are still widely available. I bought this Lufkin at Lowes a couple of years ago.



 

I've been cleaning pout my Mom and Dad's place. Here's an old, metal, folding rule. Its a Lufkin. I found it in an old wooden tool chest Dad used to have at work (he was a millwright). I didn't know he had it. If anybody has any idea when these were made, I'd be interested in knowing. I'm guessing 50's or 60's, but it could have been later. I've been using folding rules since the '80's and I've never seen one like it. A retired carpenter friend of mine has never seen one  like it either.

That's awesome.  I've never seen a modern tradesman use one.  I'm glad that they're still out there. 

I've been thinking.  I have a friend, quite accomplished, who has confided in me that his Father was a drunk and just not a nice man.  As I said, my friend is very successful so his louse of a Father hasn't slowed him down but the fact that he has told me about his screwed up childhood a few times seems to mean that it still bothers him.  My friend is an amateur woodworker.  I love Dad's old ruler but I think I'll give it to my friend.  I think my Dad would like that. 

Intellectually, I know there is no real inherent power in inanimate objects but the old Celt in me isn't so sure.

[mobiker]

  I love Dad's old ruler but I think I'll give it to my friend.  I think my Dad would like that. 

Intellectually, I know there is no real inherent power in inanimate objects but the old Celt in me isn't so sure.

That sounds like a great idea! 

I've donated a ton of Mom and Dad's stuff to a local charity. Some things, however, I've tried to give to people who would either appreciate it for what it is, like your Dad's ruler, or who will appreciate it because they knew my parents, like quilts and oil paintings my Mom did.

[s1120]

Just before I started my stone apprenticeship, my job included servicing a large number of permanent layoffs from Lockheed Martin at ORNL in late 99-early 2000.  Most were late career people- I think that was the pc way of saying it.  It was hard to convince some of those highly trained experts that their extensive COBOL skills & certifications were not a marketable asset....

This spring when the - thing hit NY was putting out a big search for people with... I think it was Cobol skills..  They still have a ton of real old systems and programs out there. Pretty normal... the higher ups scream "get rid of the old guys!" and they have no idea what they really need for the work force... 

[Sasquatch Jim]

My older old tool doesn't work anymore and it Leaks at surprising times.

[s1120]

Here is two I grabbed quick. The diston saw checked out to be late 1860’s. The wrench no idea.  I have smaller and bigger wrench’s just like that.  Only marking on it are shown. Can’t quite make it out.

[larrys]

I've been cleaning pout my Mom and Dad's place. Here's an old, metal, folding rule. Its a Lufkin. I found it in an old wooden tool chest Dad used to have at work (he was a millwright). I didn't know he had it. If anybody has any idea when these were made, I'd be interested in knowing. I'm guessing 50's or 60's, but it could have been later. I've been using folding rules since the '80's and I've never seen one like it. A retired carpenter friend of mine has never seen one  like it either.

I remember seeing one in Dad's garage when I was a kid. Cleaned the place out last year, didn't find it. Bunch o' them for sale on the innanet.
Larry