YesterYear tools

**randyt** · 11-10-2014, 08:47 PM

I want to add that I have most of my father's tools, grandfather's tools and great grandfather's tools with a smattering of great great grandfather's tools.

**randyt** · 11-10-2014, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by pete lynch

Heh, maybe in outer space but not here.

maybe lost in terminology LOL but many builders use a laser level for many tasks. Just the other day a crew was installing a suspended ceiling and a rotating level shot out a red beam. This was used to keep the grid level. I've seen it used in many situations.

**pete lynch** · 11-11-2014, 05:53 AM

Those ceiling guys use laser levels here too. I was referring more to rough framing and finish work.
I always look at those $50 laser levels but never have purchased one.

**Old GI** · 11-11-2014, 10:35 AM

All tools, especially power tools, have contributed in many ways to our lives including keeping the ERs in business. "First hand" experience.

**Rollicks** · 11-19-2014, 01:51 AM

I still use my grandpa's hand drill (The one where you turn a crank and point it at a thing that needs drilling). One time when I was visiting Canada, I saw the same kind of hand drill being sold for $500 dollars at a post modern art store that my then GF dragged me to. I just laughed.

A couple of things my grandpa taught me were to keep chalk in your toolbox to prevent your tools from rusting. Also, keep a bar of soap to lubricate the screws and the drill bits.

I wish I had more of his tools, I keep building things and realize halfway that I don't have a tool I need and have to MacGyver my way through the project.

**sjj** · 11-19-2014, 04:42 AM

.................

**Rick** · 11-19-2014, 06:43 AM

Oh, man. My father and my uncles were all WWII vets and when I started work I went to work for a bunch of WWII vets. You never, ever put a tool up dirty or in the wrong place. Everyone of our trucks were identical. 8X1 1/2 screws went in one drawer, 6x1 screws in another. Every item on the truck had a specific place and it had better be in the right place on your truck. The boss even did truck inspections looking for out of place tools. Yeah, I've heard it. That's probably why I'm anal retentive. I was written up one time because the drip loop on an install was 1.5 inches too long. I actually had to go back and correct it.

**crashdive123** · 11-19-2014, 07:19 AM

Oh yeah - I've not only heard of it - got the "talking to" a few times.

**JPGreco** · 11-23-2014, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by pete lynch

Heh, maybe in outer space but not here.

Yep, was gonna say that too. Laser levels are used a lot, as are measuring lasers, but to mark long straight lines, nothing is faster than a chalk line. Hell, even when level lasers are used, the two farthest points are marked, and a chalk line is snapped between the two instead of marking each individual contact point.

Quite often though I find myself wishing I had more hand tools over some of the modern power tools. Hand tools are still superior in certain applications.

**LowKey** · 11-23-2014, 09:16 PM

I have all my grandfather's old tools, including his scythes, saws, drills and watch repair tools. Some I have no idea what they are.

Growing up, there was one tool box in the cellar that dad allowed us kids to take tools from with instructions to put them back when done. If we left them laying around, they would vanish for a while and maybe if we did an extra chore like cleaning the cellar or tilling the garden they would magically reappear. All of his other tools were off limits. He was a heavy equipment master mechanic and had some really big, expensive, one-of-a-kind tools of the trade.