What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have?

   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #1  

JDgreen227

Super Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
6,891
Location
Central Michigan
Tractor
4210 MFWD Ehydro--'89 JD 318
Back in 1967, my parents gave me a PennKraft (J.C. Penny brand) 1/2" drive torque wrench for Christmas...I don't think I have anything older than that but if I did, I couldn't verify the actual age.

If you know the actual age (no guesses) of a tool you own post your story here.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #2  
8 lb. sledge purchased in June of 1978. I'm a ham fisted shade tree mechanic so it probably qualifies as the most frequently used as well ;)
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #3  
I have a Walker Turner drill press with the original motor. They went out of business in the 50's. I also have a Rockwell Delta bandsaw that was made in the 50's.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #4  
I have one screwdriver left from a a set I was given back in 1962.
I have the complete tap and die set (minus one broken die) that my father bought in 1961, made in Japan the country emerging 16 years after WWII producing things that we see being produced by China today. Tools of lower quality and cost than US made tools of that time.

Edit
It is a tool, not mechanic too,l but a tool just the same.
I have my great great uncle's, microscope from 1899, he was a rather well know veterinarian back in Ohio in those days.
 
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   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #5  
A 1930s era cross cut saw tooth set. It's used to set the tooth angle so saw won't bind. I love old tools. Made better than wha' we have now.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #6  
I have a set of Plomb flare nut wrenches that my Dad bought right after WWII, they date to 1945/48.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #7  
I have a 2 man crosscut saw that belonged to my Grandfather; I suspect it's over 100 years old; I also have some old wooden hand planes and a draw knife that I suspect are in that age range also. I also have a couple old Craftsman 1/2" and 5/8" wrenches that I purloined from my Dad over 50 years ago; I am pretty sure they are pre-WWII.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #8  
I have a large wood plane that belonged to my great grandfather. Pre 1900 for sure. I have a starett surface gage dated 1911. I also have Machinery handbooks dated to the 20's, 50's and 80's. 3rd generation tool & die maker here.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have? #9  
I have shipwright tools from my great grandfather. A couple planes, a "shave" of some kind, several large chisels, and tools - like blunt chisels - that I'm told were used to calk the seams on a ship. He was a shipwright back in Norway. Myself, I have a 8" Crescent wrench that is pre 1960 - it was my fathers.
 
   / What's the oldest hand or mechanic's tool you have?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
A 1930s era cross cut saw tooth set. It's used to set the tooth angle so saw won't bind. I love old tools. Made better than wha' we have now.

Come on, come on...tell us what a cross cut saw is....:laughing: only being funny I too have hand cross cut and rip saws....darned if I can recall the last time I used them....
 

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