What's the oldest tool in your toolbox. - Page 2

suzublu · 21st September 2016, 20:32

When my Dad passed away last year, I found myself with loads of old tools, many I gave away, & many I took to the skip. Just useless nowadays for my needs. I will never need whitworth, bsf, & all the many variations of old British measurement. Now, when we're talking Honda motor corporation metric original tools

klarzy · 21st September 2016, 20:34

I have a spanner (rusty of course) stamped 1935. Vauxhall...

Plezier · 21st September 2016, 20:53

I have a set of Williams super slim Witworth spanners that my dad gave me when I started working in Engineering. He bought them prior to WW2. The only reason I still have then is because they were in my work box when my rented council lock up garage was broken into and my tools stolen.

I have now inherited most of dads tools so some are undoubtedly older than these.

When Dad met mum his daily ride was a 1926 AJS Big Port 350cc with hand change

That was replaced with an Calthorpe then by an AJS 500 with sidecar.

unimatrix1066 · 21st September 2016, 21:24

I have a large British rail screwdriver (my dads) about a metre long for the trains you know

Jim Jamieson · 21st September 2016, 22:41

I've also got a lot of my late fathers tools in the workshop including a curved spade for digging out post holes. I used this last year when replacing the posts on my garden fence. These tools I simply cannot part with.

On a more "modern" note I also have a lot of my AF & Whitworth tools from my days as an HGV mechanic and a five cantilever toolbox, onto which I hand painted numerous truck and car logos. The bottom of the box has lost its paint along with some of the logos but the upper trays and lids still have them after almost 50 years.

KLM · 21st September 2016, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

A few offset ring Whitworth spanners my dad bought in the mid 1950's and a really old 'bed key', from when beds were metal and needed to bolted together.

Metal beds

they won't know what your on about.

Kev.

HarryM1BYT · 22nd September 2016, 05:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLM

Metal beds

they won't know what your on about.

Kev.

OK, well....

Back in the day, some beds would have a steel rectangular base formed from angle iron, that rectangle would be filled with springs and wire. That would then support the mattress. The corners of the base, would then be mounted / fixed to some sort of legs at the head and the foot. This part would usually be polished wood.

Often some sort of spanner would be needed for the bolts, which would be included when the bed was delivered, often with the bed manufacturers name on the spanner. Spanners were often referred to as 'keys' back then and not many people would have much in the way of DIY tools. Mattresses were then I think, often just a fabric bag, filled with what I think was maybe called flock (a cotton material or feathers).

Unlike the modern bed bases which use a great deal of cardboard in their construction, these older types would last for several generations and be family heirlooms.

RobSun · 22nd September 2016, 16:02

I have tools that were passed down to me by my father that belonged to my grand father who was an agricultural engineer. These will be now well over a hundred years old and some I still use, sometimes just for the sake of it rather than the tool being better than something more modern.

Plezier · 23rd September 2016, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

OK, well....

Back in the day, some beds would have a steel rectangular base formed from angle iron, that rectangle would be filled with springs and wire. That would then support the mattress. The corners of the base, would then be mounted / fixed to some sort of legs at the head and the foot. This part would usually be polished wood.

Often some sort of spanner would be needed for the bolts, which would be included when the bed was delivered, often with the bed manufacturers name on the spanner. Spanners were often referred to as 'keys' back then and not many people would have much in the way of DIY tools. Mattresses were then I think, often just a fabric bag, filled with what I think was maybe called flock (a cotton material or feathers).

Unlike the modern bed bases which use a great deal of cardboard in their construction, these older types would last for several generations and be family heirlooms.

The bed Mum & Dad bought after their wedding was one of these iron framed variety with Oak ends and it was marked with the kite marki indicating war time rationing and quality as were both wardrobes.

The steel or iron frame is makign a comeback and have noticed a fair few in properties when viewing online in France. They are much better than the much vaunted divan which seems to have a very short life before it starts to collapse

of course good for the makers as you have to replace but bad for the planet and resources and of course the customer.

KLM · 23rd September 2016, 13:47

[QUOTE=Plezier;2369673]The bed Mum & Dad bought after their wedding was one of these iron framed variety with Oak ends and it was marked with the kite indicating war time rationing and quality as were both wardrobes.[/B]

I think it was called the utility mark.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_furniture

Kev.

21st September 2016, 20:34	#12
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	I have a spanner (rusty of course) stamped 1935. Vauxhall... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

21st September 2016, 20:53	#13
Plezier I really should get out more....... Mercedes C Class CDI estate (2003) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gradina Posts: 2,652 Thanks: 62 Thanked 137 Times in 119 Posts	I have a set of Williams super slim Witworth spanners that my dad gave me when I started working in Engineering. He bought them prior to WW2. The only reason I still have then is because they were in my work box when my rented council lock up garage was broken into and my tools stolen. I have now inherited most of dads tools so some are undoubtedly older than these. When Dad met mum his daily ride was a 1926 AJS Big Port 350cc with hand change That was replaced with an Calthorpe then by an AJS 500 with sidecar. __________________ Classic SE CDT sadly lost in a severe collision.

21st September 2016, 20:32	#11
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,921 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	When my Dad passed away last year, I found myself with loads of old tools, many I gave away, & many I took to the skip. Just useless nowadays for my needs. I will never need whitworth, bsf, & all the many variations of old British measurement. Now, when we're talking Honda motor corporation metric original tools

21st September 2016, 21:24	#14
unimatrix1066 Avid contributor Zt and zr express van morris minor Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: partridge green Posts: 188 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I have a large British rail screwdriver (my dads) about a metre long for the trains you know

21st September 2016, 22:41	#15
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	I've also got a lot of my late fathers tools in the workshop including a curved spade for digging out post holes. I used this last year when replacing the posts on my garden fence. These tools I simply cannot part with. On a more "modern" note I also have a lot of my AF & Whitworth tools from my days as an HGV mechanic and a five cantilever toolbox, onto which I hand painted numerous truck and car logos. The bottom of the box has lost its paint along with some of the logos but the upper trays and lids still have them after almost 50 years.

22nd September 2016, 16:02	#18
RobSun Gets stuck in MGZTT Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Bradford Posts: 529 Thanks: 148 Thanked 256 Times in 138 Posts	I have tools that were passed down to me by my father that belonged to my grand father who was an agricultural engineer. These will be now well over a hundred years old and some I still use, sometimes just for the sake of it rather than the tool being better than something more modern.

23rd September 2016, 13:47	#20
KLM Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Club CDT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North West Posts: 1,289 Thanks: 691 Thanked 394 Times in 240 Posts	[QUOTE=Plezier;2369673]The bed Mum & Dad bought after their wedding was one of these iron framed variety with Oak ends and it was marked with the kite indicating war time rationing and quality as were both wardrobes.[/B] I think it was called the utility mark. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_furniture Kev.