working a project and in the tool box is a level that I grabbed. Hand me down from my father. Just needed to check some leveling on a wine rack I'm installing. When I was done I see that the level was older that myself, dated 1958!!

Who else used tools that are 60+ years old?

Maybe not 60+ but my toolbox top box was my dad's & is older than me, probably around 40 yrs old.
He got an upgrade & passed the old box to me.

A tool made in 1958 would not be older than me.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
A tool made in 1958 would not be older than me.

It may or may not be for me, depends on what month.

I can't think of any tools I have that are older than me. Some do come close though....

The craftsmanship is probably much better than new manufacturing.

I’ve got a putty knife that was my grandfather’s. I remember that my dad had it when I was a kid and the handle was broken. He had it taped with real old-style electrical tape, black cloth, sticky on both sides. A few years ago I put a set of nice wood scales for it. It’s a real sentimental favorite now. I suppose it could be at or near 100 years old.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
A tool made in 1958 would not be older than me.

It may or may not be for me, depends on what month.

Yep, depends on the month.

I have some hand tools that are likely that old or older. My favorite is older machinery.

I have a Clausing lathe and my most recent big undertaking completed a few years ago...

A 1954 DoAll vertical Band saw. With hydraulic power feed and 3 speed gear box. I did a full restoration, literally every component was cleaned, gun blued or painted. All bearings replaced and new wiring. Still needs a couple odds and ends.

Upgraded to a VFD (variable frequency drive) and 3HP motor

My paternal great grandfather owned a tugboat. I until recently had a set of wrenches and a huge monkey wrench. Probably early 20th century era, like WW1. Passed them on to my son.

Sure do. My grandfather who passed before I was born was a machinist for PPG. He made a great hack saw out of thick aluminum that’s still Going today. 60+

I have a few tools that were my Dad's that are from the 40's - some wrenches and a hacksaw with his name engraved in them. They're pretty special to me.

In my shop I have a lathe that dates to approximately 1890 so that's DEFINITELY older than me. A little, at least

Working on a bandsaw that was only built from 1936 to 1938 that will have a place in my shop as well.

I've got an old wooden mallet that was my dad's, probably from around the time I was born. Handle has "always been cracked" with electrical tape wrapped around it.

Ha!

All the bandsaws … old walker-turner 2speed bandsaw here from early 50s? … stamped metal labels w/ speeds n feeds. Never wears off.

I have a couple of Blue Point combination wrenches, 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" that I picked up in the Keys from a old dude selling stuff by the side of the road. I was told that they were WWII vintage. I did not have a specific need for these wrenches, but it was too good a deal to pass up, I paid $20 for the pair. This was about 1974. I have a few other tools older than me, but these are by far the nicest.

In many cases I prefer older tools. Quality is the reason. Often cheaper to buy as well.
My South bend metal lathe (16”x 30”) has a metal label on it stating “Made for the War Department”. This would be WW2 equipment made for the military to use. Raritan Valley Arsenal in NJ did a lot of small arms rebuilding to help the war effort. The lathe could be from there. Every Navy ship of any size had a workshop to make repairs as needed. That could be another place you would find such tools. My lathe, while not restored, still runs beautifully and will hold .0005” tolerance if I do my part.
Other old tools I use are my grandfathers wood chisels. He came over from Sweden when 1900 was a new year. He probably purchased his chisels here in the states, so guessing they are 100 years old might be a stretch. Still, after sharpening I can shave the hair on my arm with any of them.

My brother has some tools that belonged to my grandfather. They are wood working tools from the 1920’s.

I have my dad's Boy Scout hatchet from the `40s.

I have my grandfather's wire brush. He died in 1968 and it was old then.

I have a WW II machete that lives in my work truck toolbox. I also have an old axe used to make shingles that I found as a teenager in a fence row in the mid 80's.

Edit to add: If you are a "guns are tools" kind of guy then I can add the three model 1917's, 3 M-1 Garand's, 3 M-1 Carbines and three Mosin 91-30's I own.

I have some of Dad's old tools. Some are indeed older than me at 73. Most are 1950s. One pipewrench is prewar. The 5 ton jack goes back to at least in the 50s.
Here it is in use in 1957