When my grandfather was a young man he was a telegrapher, and over the years I have slowly come to learn that they were a quirky breed. His "bug" (a certain type of telegraph machine) which I now own is literally covered over every inch with telegraffiti. Little quips, phrases and puns, carefully painted on every surface — some in english and some in Morse code. It's a fascinating thing.
In addition to the bug, I inherited many of my grandpa's tools including his pliers. And lest I confuse them with my tools, his are easy to identify: he carved his initials, P.L.R., in Morse code onto every tool he ever owned.
I use these pliers all the time. They are still as useful as they were to him nearly a century ago. Only for me, they are the most prized tools in my shop. It's impossible to grab a pair and not notice those carved dots and dashes, and it's impossible for me not to think about him and his workbench when I use them.
Just a little sentimental journey for today's blog.
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| 16 year-old MereMortalDork |
I remember dad's tools and I have to admit we ruined more than one playing with them. I inherited a few tools from him as well but I have 4 brothers so I didn't get as many. First, he had a little green Rockwell router just like the one you have which I've used a bit. I also got his Bailey #3 Jack Plane and some hand saws and a small belt sander. Like your grandfather, he liked to mark his hand tools with his unique mark. It is 3 parallel lines that lean to the right and one line crossing those three leaning in the other direction. Kind of like the slash and backslash on the computer keyboard. I'm not sure of the significance of the mark but I speculate that it means 13, since he was the youngest in a family of 13. He filed the mark into the steel of the plane as well as into the handle. The saws were just marked on the handle. It's nice to use them and think of him using them years ago on some project.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The only tool I currently have of my grandfather's is a crescent wrench that has a 5/8" box wrench on the other end of the handle. He was a small rancher and only had a few tools to maintain his tractors. But I think about him every time I use that wrench. I will inherit my dad's tools (which include the rest of grandpa's tools) but, although quite a handyman, he's a welder, not a woodworker. I've "inherited" a few other things from other people - some Stanley planes, a couple of 50's era jointers, etc. Every time I use them I can't help but wonder about their life before me and what kind of projects they made.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that your dad had a Shopsmith! I have three of them now - two Model 10ERs (1947-1953) and a Mark V (mine is a mid 80's model). I absolutely love them! The only thing better than a Shopsmith is multiple Shopsmiths!
My dad regretfully didn't do woodwork or repairs. His tools were a hammer, channel lock pliers, two screwdrivers and electricians tape. If he couldn't hammer it, or tighten it, he called someone. I fell in love with wood with my grandfather (back in the early 50's). He had been a blacksmith, brick mason and carpenter. His shop was in the basement of a house he built. It had dirt floors, and was dimly lit by light bulbs hanging from the floor joist. He had a few power tools from the 40's and when he died, I was 8 and my grandmother sold all of his tools. I'll never forget that smell of dirt and sawdust. You're lucky to have the tools you have and I hope you'll enjoy them for many more years to come.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a bootlegger back in the day. Made some the best shine in his area so I've been told . I did not get a still or anything from him. I do however have a few of my Dads tools that'll have too do........................Dr. rock
ReplyDeleteWhen my dad passed away about 3 years ago I got a chance to pick out the lion share of his tools to keep. (my two older brothers decided to do something useful with their life like becoming a CPA and a doctor) Only I was like my dad in that I was good with tools. the other brothers would be using his hand plane to hammer in nails for a wall frame. I treasure seeing his name on the tools I now own and share that special bond with my father through my workpiece.
ReplyDeleteI have some of my Dad's & Grandfather's tools and they are by far the most prized in my shop.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids use them, they know that I am watching to make sure those tools are used correctly and put back cleaned and in the right place.
Most are old and pretty worn from use, but I wouldn't take anything for them.
Thanks Steve.
I didn't know my dad. He skipped out before I was old enough to remember him. So I have to "inherit" my tools from other folks. Can't say I'm doing too badly. Pliers anyone? http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/658/redboxpliers.jpg and my electronics ones: http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4485/electronicstools.jpg But this is a woodworking site so: http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6417/pict0822h.jpg I've another drawer with about 6 or so block planes in it, no picture today. I've too many to be intimately familiar with them all. I guess I like my Stanley 49-1/2P a bit. For the most part they're worthless in this day and age or I'd sell some of what I have now.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone gets to inherit one of these huh? http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8965/hornplane.jpg Cost me $15 for the privilege. Heh. I've no one to inherit my tools: http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4581/newshopover.jpg No matter I enjoy them and when I get too old to use them I'll sell them.
More importantly, what model Charger did that badge in the first picture come from? The '69 model is my dream car.
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ReplyDeleteMy dad worked for Bell Telephone and I have a collection of tools with the words "BELL SYSTEM" stamped on them. Pliers, hammers, even a miniature meat cleaver used to strip insulation from wire!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a Tinnocker (Sheet Metal Worker to you woodpeckers out there) He also was kind of a jack of all trades at home. He taught me all about tools and working metal as well as how to make all kinds of repairs around the house. I eventually became a tinn0ocker and followed in his footsteps. He gave me several of his tools when he became disabled and I still use them to this day. I can't pick up any tool with fond memories of my dad. He was the greatest!
Even though my Father and I have gone seperate ways I still remember his tools and work bench. It wasn't extravagent but it was a place of curiosity for me. Trying to figure out what each tool was and how to use it was kind of a right of passage into manhood for me.
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