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

[George2615]

I think the oldest tool I have is my Black & Decker drill press. It belonged to my Grandfather, then Father and now me. I will check but believe the patent date is 1924.

 

[Katahdin]

I have some adjustable wrenches I suspect are WWII era that my grandfather lifted when he was a US Army/Air Force mechanic. I use them most every weekend I'm out tinkering and keep the large one in my Yanmar LX tool box. Its a little weird to think about, especially since his unit would have been involved in Operation Downfall (invasion of the Japanese Home islands) had it actually came to that. In any event, after all these years they are still good tools!

 

[300UGUY]

Irv....back in the dark ages of high school I explored learning the trade of tool and die work but with my lousy math skills they (teachers and advisors) kindly suggested I learn something else. I always think of tool and die as powertrain work but what did you accomplish during your career at GM?

Um well, career? I did my job, had perfect attendance for 30 years. I did a lot of things, I had a good job, very interesting, I really don't know a simple, concise answer to that. I really don't look back a lot. Even when I drive!!

 

[forgeblast]

I have a lot of old tools, the draw knife I was using yesterday was made 1836. I am now working on rebuilding a few barn/beam augers. Old tools--Love them

 

[jerrybob]

I have an early Craftsman "skill saw" that dates from the 40's or early 50's. It has an aluminum case, and is pretty unique. I figure it is an antique, so I don't use it. I also have B&D angle grinder that has a date of 1954 on the box. I use it all the time to sharpen my mower blades; it is a quality tool and powerful. B&D, to my knowledge, does not produce anything of that quality today.

Heck.....those are just getting broken in......they sure don't make em like they use too!

 

[nybirdman]

The oldest tools I have that I purchased is a S&K 1/2in.socket set I purchased in the mid 60's.Lost a few of the sockets over the years but still use the set all the time.I have a lot of old pipefitting tools that were my father's and later used by me in the trade.Pipefitter for 42 years both on construction and GM.

 

[JDgreen227]

Really admire the quality that went into older tools, they built them to last rather than thinking "build it cheap so they will throw it out and buy another one....."

 

[oosik]

A friend down the road is into native american culture. He has found many indian encampment sites along various stretches of the Colombia River here in WA state. Now you talk about old tools - he has a flint knife chipped off a larger piece of flint. Its been dated to 250-300 years old.

 

[Soundguy]

tool sets for vintage ford tractors ( n series ).. so between 39-52, including the hokie valve spring tool they used.

 

[SandburRanch]

Not so old as in hand tools but has some age as an early Sabre Saw.