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Inherited or Bought?

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Forum topic by Teem posted 139 days ago 357 views 0 times favorited 28 replies Add to Favorites Watch
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Teem

18 posts in 140 days


139 days ago

I would say about 90% of my tools are inherited from family, ranging from literally a few days old to well over 50 years old. In my experience, the old adage ’ they don’t make em like they used to’ seriously holds true in most of these cases (my lovely but seriously beat up craftman 10” table saw cuts like a champ, but is over 50 years old!). How about you? Inherited or bought?

-- Friday nights are for high stakes glue ups sucka!

View Don K.'s profile

Don K.

1095 posts in 224 days


139 days ago

Many of my hand tools (Planes, chisels etc)where given to me by my dad and grandma…they all belonged to my Grandpa.

-- Don S.E. OK

View knotscott's profile

knotscott

530 posts in 274 days


139 days ago

I’m old, my handplanes are older, but my power tools are mostly new. My first plane was a Stanley 220 that belonged to my Grandfather. I also have an American made no name block plane that I gave to my Dad when I was 11 or 12.

I have rehabbed and/or parted out a few older saws…the design technology isn’t as elegant as modern tools (ie: fence, dust collection, switch type/design, etc.), but the robustness, quality of the metals, and maching is generally much better on the older tools.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7670 posts in 1116 days


139 days ago

Seeing as my dad is alive and well at 80, he’s not about to part with his tools (even though I give his bandsaw the eye every time I visit). So my tools are 99% purchased.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View SCOTSMAN's profile

SCOTSMAN

2244 posts in 483 days


139 days ago

NO everything bought by me .My father “god bless him ” could not knock a nail in straight and was totally useless with tools etc.My father in law was the oposite but had very little tools none of any worth so I bought it all myself through sweat and tears,and despite having parkinsons I built my own two shops all the brick work laying the floor which I did in stages and the roof with help from my son and central heating which they told me a couldn’t be done and double glazing . I designed it all and built it and am very very pleased with it my shops one for wood and the other for engineering/machining mean everything to me apart from my home and family of course but I sleep eat and breath the workshops as it is now my only hobby.How about you guys? Alistair.

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5653 posts in 997 days


139 days ago

All bought.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Neodogg's profile

Neodogg

89 posts in 325 days


139 days ago

All the stationary machines are my g-pa’s(all from the 50’s & 60’s), but I bought the hand held tools(circ.saw, router ect).

-- If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem!

View PG_Zac's profile

PG_Zac

154 posts in 287 days


139 days ago

I bought all of my power tools – My Dad was still around when I bought my first power tool, but I did inherit some of his hand tools. My Step-Dad (love that man) added my Dad’s woodworking power tools to his metal working shop. I also inherited some hand tools from my Father-in-Law, but with 3 brother’s-in-Law, I had zero chance of inheriting any of his power tools. I would say that my hand tools are about 80% bought and 20% inherited.

-- I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7352 posts in 1145 days


139 days ago

My Dad died a penniless drunk. I even gave back his Nazi flag he had captured in WW11 that was probably 10’ X 20’. He had given it to me before leaving for California. He gave all his medals to my brothers and sisters so they are not willing to share them with me. Their attitude is “you should’nt have given the flag back” I guess they are right. So what I have is either bought or bought.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View sikrap's profile

sikrap

210 posts in 257 days


139 days ago

I think Jockmike 2 and I must be step-brothers!! :) I have a couple of tools that were given to me by my grandfather and I NEVER use them for fear of breaking them. I also have some small power tools (belt sander, drywall gun, etc.) that I inherited from my father-in-law. Everything else has been purchased. I should point out that I am a notorious cheapskate and “negotiate” for every item I buy. Personally, I think that’s fun.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

17022 posts in 475 days


139 days ago

I bought most of my equipment but have a couple of treasured tools from my beloved father and wonderful father in law . Just small things but important to me.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

View Hyperhutch's profile

Hyperhutch

36 posts in 147 days


139 days ago

Everything bought, but all used. It’s all the good machinery, the stuff that was made in America. Worth the repairs and upkeep, cuz they don’t make ‘em like they used to. At least not in the price range I can afford.

Hutch

P.S. My father and grandfather have a few tools from my Great Grandfather, but they are not for use. Too much sentimental value.

-- I hope the volume of shavings one creates is directly related to the probablility of one's success, cuz if so I've got it made!!

View pcott's profile

pcott

8 posts in 143 days


139 days ago

My father could split plywood with a nail. He was an awesome dad, but a lousy handyman, so all my tools are bought. My father in law, bless him, has stolen some of my tools…..

View CessnaPilotBarry's profile

CessnaPilotBarry

1288 posts in 601 days


139 days ago

Zero inherited… I’m a first generation woodworker / mechanic. None of my ancestors could change a battery.

I’m jealous for the folks who had fathers and grandfathers who taught them woodworking.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

View 3fingerpat's profile

3fingerpat

913 posts in 566 days


139 days ago

Ditto what Barry said, my father and grandfather were more mechanics, the only wood they touched was in a camp fire.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

View brunob's profile

brunob

1476 posts in 1067 days


139 days ago

I have a few things from my grandfather. They would be over 80 years old. My radial arm saw came from my father.

-- Bruce from Central New York

View cabinetmaster's profile

cabinetmaster

8663 posts in 456 days


139 days ago

Both of my Granddads were carpenters so I have a quite a few tools from both of them that I won’t part with. The rest I have bought new or bought from Garage sales and auctions.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

View scrappy's profile

scrappy

1653 posts in 328 days


139 days ago

All purchased but only one power tool new. Gotta love thoseyard/estate sales.

-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!

View Chiefk's profile

Chiefk

97 posts in 669 days


138 days ago

No one in my family did woodworking. I am the first to even own a table saw, as a result, I have had to buy alll my tools. Perhaps, if I had a father or grandfather to learn from, I would have much more confidence in my woodworking. pkennedy

-- P Kennedy Crossville, TN

View Don K.'s profile

Don K.

1095 posts in 224 days


138 days ago

I know I already answered with “Grandpa’s Chisels and planes”....but other than me…no one in my family was sentimental…a tool was a tool period, hell there not even that many family pictures from my childhood and back.

I for some reason am very different (Must have been dropped on the head a few times as a baby) I am very sentimental about the past…which is why I asked for my grandpas hand tools.

I am also trying to set up my son for a good start…..most times when I buy a new tool or upgrade…if the old one is still in good shape, it goes in storage for him. As I already stated in another topic, I was in storage the other day getting some lumber, was looking around and told my wife….”He is going to have a helluva lot more and better tools than I did when I started” It took me years to get the tools he will get all at one time.
(He is in the military now….but someday he will gt out/get married etc)

-- Don S.E. OK

View cabinetmaster's profile

cabinetmaster

8663 posts in 456 days


138 days ago

My son has had no interest in woodworking. I don’t know why but all he thinks about is climbing and trimming trees. I do have a son-in-law in Kansas who does do some nice clocks and things when not farming.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

View ryno101's profile

ryno101

248 posts in 563 days


137 days ago

When I first got started in woodworking, my father got all excited (“Finally, something I can relate to that my son is doing!”) and handed down a couple tools that he had inherited from his father. I’m still using the drill press, which is an old “ValueCraft”, however the Craftsman jointer from the late 60’s has been retired. It’s kind of cool to know that I’m the third generation to be using the drill press.

My kids are too young, but I’m hoping that I’ll be able to pass some of my stuff on to them.

-- Ryno

View bigjim64's profile

bigjim64

13 posts in 439 days


137 days ago

i got my table saw, band saw, and drill press from my father, the rest was bought

View Greg's profile

Greg

225 posts in 206 days


137 days ago

When I was about 6 or 7 years old I used to help ? (well they let me play with the hanmmer and sandpaper) my Dad and Uncle build Pirogues. This really sparked my interrest in woodworking. I inherited some handtools from my Dad when he passed away. Unfortunately they were destroyed during the hurricane in 05.
I would give anything to still have them.

-- Each and Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. Greg Little

View Don K.'s profile

Don K.

1095 posts in 224 days


137 days ago

I know how you feel Greg, While I still use many of the old hand tools from my Grandpa (Some of those old chisels and hand planes hold a edge forever)...Some are just to nice, to rare OR to old to risk ruining anymore. They to me are more like heirlooms now….If the shop was lost or burned down….I would probably try to save them before I even looked at all my big high priced stuff.

-- Don S.E. OK

View brianinpa's profile

brianinpa

1365 posts in 621 days


137 days ago

Inherited the big stuff and then bought, and bought, and bought some more. The only difference is that I have been buying older rather than new.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

View Kent Shepherd's profile

Kent Shepherd

839 posts in 184 days


136 days ago

Since my dad stated my door shop, some of my tools were originally his. Most however were bought by both of use together over the last 30+ years. He wasn’t into good handtools, so I bought most of them, except for all the great gifts my wife and kids give me.
Speaking of inheritance, my son and son-in-law can’t wait till I’m gone so they can get all my stuff.
(I think I taste anti-freeze in my coffee)

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

View patron's profile

patron

2458 posts in 239 days


136 days ago

third time around for me with new tools ,
been to sears 3 times over the years to buy square , hammer , tape , etc.
to get the money to buy craftsman tools ,
to get the money to buy delta grizzly , powermatic .
have had maybe 10 different shops over 45 years .
divorce and jail will put a crimp in your style !
allways gave the cheap tools to begining carpenters
when i got better ones .
nothing ventured , nothing gained !
now building larger shop , again .

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

View jerryz's profile

jerryz

109 posts in 177 days


136 days ago

I bought all my tools except an old Stanley #3 plane that belonged to my dad, I never saw him use it or may be once I don’t recall that well. Any how even as a young boy I remember using that plane to adjust a door that would not close at my mother’s request. My dad worked in the oil field and was never home.
Any ways that plane planted the seed….

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