Thread: Old tools, Old stuff, Old blokes, Old skills

Well written Colin, I feel the same way that my dad is still with me when I use his dad's old tools.

Loved it Colin!

Just an addition Colin.
Taking into account the age (nearly 70 years) of the table and chair set....I reckon your Pa may have used hide glue to put the furniture together.
So I'm just giving you a reminder that if that is the case then modern glues won't fix the loose joints properly.
Do you have access to hide glue or are you familiar with its use ??

Great story.

Watson,

You are dead right, it would have been hide glue. My memory tell me it was more than likely to be Davis Pearl Glue. Still have the old double pot. What I have done in the past with these is to immerse the parts in hot water to remove as much of the glue as possilble. Let it all dry, then very carefully sand all bits until I am just sanding timber. If the joints are a little bit loose, out comes the plane, and I will take a shaving off a piece of the same material - in this case pine. I use this as a shim to take up the slack. I glue this shim into place, let it dry and if needs be sand it back to a tight fit. The glue I have used with great success with this method is Titebond III.

Re did our dining room suite [it was my Mum & Dads. Silky Oak, purchased in 1932] using this method and the whole lot is as tight as a drum.

I do thank you for your interest and comments

Regards

Thanks Col memories of my dad using his tools I now have came flooding back the plans we had never came to fruit. Sadly MS saw to that for him. He worked with them till he couldn't anymore.
Hail the Dark Siders for when the blackouts come they work by candle light

Lovely story Colin. Thanks for that.
I think it is great that old tools are passed down from one member of the family to the other. I was not so lucky and I do not have a son yet but...
my little girl is about to turn one and in a few years time she is getting at set of wood working hand tools. I hope that she gets the woodwork/tool bug too.

Hi Colin,

Thanks for that. Appreciate the story. Brings back fond childhood memories of times that were so much simpler.

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by Colin Howkins

Old George, my Grandfather, cashed his chips way back in 1952, at the reasonable age of 86. I was all of 6 years old.

Now George was a bit of a handy fella, and my old man inherited all his tools, in a large wooden toolbox. Now my old man was anything but a handy fella, he followed horses, but the problem was the horses he followed follwed other horses, so many years ago I grabbed all of old George's tools.

The thing is, I still use them today, 8pt Saw, backsaw, cross cut saws, collection of chisels, plane, spokeshaves, draw knives, a collection of auger bits, and his old brace to name a few.

A few of the chisels he made himself, as he did the drawknives.

Now I would not say I am a spiritual person of any sort, but I get immense joy out of using these tools, some of which I daresay would be 100 odd years old now.

I also have in my possession a set of childrens tables and chairs that are scheduled for a restoration. Old George made these for my sister around 1939, and the glue has finally let go on a number of the joints.

The whole set is well made. Joints are tight, all the curves on the back of the chairs vary ever so slightly. The table and chair legs are shaped, and they also vary ever so slightly.

I look at this workmanship, and the whole lot was done with basic hand tools. Sometimes I think I can turn out a pretty fair piece but I have a shed with probably all the bits of machinery anyone could wish for.

I look at the tools old George worked with and know there is a fair chance my son will get those, and they will still work, and maybe with good care some of the equipment that runs on 240 could get passed on but I don't see any of it lasting 100 odd years

To that end, to me old George has not really died, he is just away somewhere, and visits me each time I use his tools. He was a master, I am the apprentice

Thanks for this post Colin.
I would love to have some of my grandpa's old hand tools.
Here is a little quote you might like:

" And just like that this glorious glinting, shiny, perfect edge emerges on a tool that maybe hasn't seen an edge like that for 50 years. Somewhere, an angel sings and a long gone cabinetmaker gets his wings." (courtesy Leonard Bailey aka Clint at Woodnet)

Is there any chance you could post a picture or two of some of these old tools. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Many thanks
SG

Col
Great post, err, thread.
My dad managed to dispose of most of granddad's stuff except one hand made little kitchen table with all kinds of complex angles and home made fasteners (depression era) that he said he wants me to have when he carks it because I remind him of his old man and his home made jigs etc, so I know how you feel about the old tools.
Brought tears to my eyes.
Greenie on the way.

Nice memories there Colin. The site sponsor "U-Beaut" something or other sells hide glue. You should have a look at his site.

Now stop being all misty-eyed and tell us when your gonna list those tools in BUY, SELL 'N' SWAP!

prozac

Thanks for posting that Colin. I also have tools that my dad used, and grandad as well, and maybe with one exception they all get used (the exception being a breast drill). Each time I go to use them I remember the amazing output that these tools were part of: the toys, the furniture, the shed and cubby house etc. And really it was a simple toolkit, nothing like the collection I have now, the most elaborate things were a Skil electric drill and a home made tablesaw!

Cheers

Dear Colin

Yes my father is 98 1/2 and still has his father's and grand father's tools - both of whom were furniture makers and carpenters (architects and stonemasons as well!). Dad is getting to the age where he just might pass them on to me!. There is noting as lovely as the old tools and the furniture that has been made from them. My grand father loved fiddle -back blackwood - and what a beautiful timber it is.

Re: restoring the table and chairs (as toy collecting is something else in my family) - please avoid the temptation to over -restore. Furniture is best left with patination.

Regards

Alison

Having read your contribution, may I share a moment that changed my life?
Many years ago, I worked at 'Waltons' warehouse at Eagle Farm, in a different section almost every week. One day I was told I had to work with the old bastard who repaired furniture. He was a grizzly old mongrel who never spoke to anyone, and when he did, it was to snap an order. No one liked him, but he was so old and had been there so long, I guess they were just waiting for him to die or retire.
Now being a young bloke, I didn't like old rude people, so I thought I'll be with him for a few hours and then he'll get rid of me after I had done all his heavy lifting and never have to work in his section again, and then like everyone else before me, I'll tell him to go to buggery.
I knew not to touch his tools, so the first thing I did was to pick up a chisel and check it out. This would get me kicked out of his area and I could go back to doing other jobs, like sweeping the floor or stacking pallets.
The old bugger yelled at me straight up. I had had enough of him by morning tea, but instead of ignoring him, I thought I would have some fun at his expense, so I asked him to show me how to use some of his tools.
He didn't hesitate in picking up the aforementioned chisel and handed it to me. He handed it over as though it was a baby. He started by telling me that tools must be treated with respect and that I should study them carefully before using them.
I nearly fell off my seat trying not to laugh at him, until I saw his eyes. I swear I could see tears in his eyes and his voice was suddenly soft and gentle. Aha, I've found his weakness. Instead of laughing at him, I thought I might see what other nonsense he might come out with.
By the end of the day, he had me using his chisel and a few other tools. He had the patience of a saint.
I worked with this old man until he retired, and he was one of the most gentle, kind and caring people I have ever known. He taught me to love and respect hand, and of course power tools, and he taught me many skills, to the point that I find myself picking up hand tools instead of electric tools in most situations.
Every time I pick up a chisel, I think of the old man. It's funny, while we are renovating this house we have, I am using chisels all the time, and each and every time, I think of the old man.
To think I hated woodwork at school.