Inherited or Bought?

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

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.

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"

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

All bought.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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!!

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…..

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...

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"

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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….