Tool Nerd Pr0n thread - Page 2

masraum · 08-20-2025, 11:09 AM

In case anyone gets a kick out of perusing old catalogs (or other stuff), the "Internet Archive" has a ton of old tool catalogs from the 1900s and even into the 1800s scanned that you can look through and in most cases even download. I even stumbled across a 1910 Sears catalog.

https://archive.org/search?query=tools+catalog&page=2&and%5B%5D=year%3A%5B0+TO+1927%5D

masraum · 08-20-2025, 11:16 AM

I'll be watching on the used market!
But these folks seem to be making them.
https://hammersource.com/framing-hammers/dalluge-hammers/

and these are on ebay

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

This was so incredibly cool. A valve grinding machine from probably 50/60s with all the tools and accessories. Could've bought it for $50 (1/2 off day) but I have nowhere to put it

masraum · 08-20-2025, 12:47 PM

That is very cool.

masraum · 08-20-2025, 12:50 PM

I'd love to have one of these old Art Deco inspired Craftsman drill presses.

LWJ · 08-20-2025, 12:52 PM

^^^On the valve grinding tool? I am pretty sure I bought one! My FIL has an antique car collection. One corner of the building is a Mechanic shop. I buy stuff for him every now and then. I think I bought a valve machine years back. It was $10-$20...

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

^^^ yeah, it was the estate of a guy who ran a Sinclair gas station. There were some Sinclair shop uniforms, lots of vintage oil cans (full, never opened cans) from the 60s and even oil in glass jars, etc. Had to look that up and they are from the WWII years when metal was in short supply so automotive oil was sold in glass jars. Cool spark plug cleaner too:

masraum · 08-20-2025, 01:07 PM

Very cool stuff. I love the old stuff that feels like it's coming out of a time capsule!

herr_oberst · 08-20-2025, 03:42 PM

Thread checker. Imperial and metric. Very handy.

masraum · 08-20-2025, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Thread checker. Imperial and metric. Very handy.

Home Depot wants their display back!

herr_oberst · 08-20-2025, 04:10 PM

Nice looking tool, but I've never been able to get great edges with this. The fatal flaw is the tool rest. Someday I'll spend a rainy day redesigning said flaw, and hopefully achieve chisel nirvana.

herr_oberst · 08-20-2025, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Home Depot wants their display back!

LWJ · 08-20-2025, 07:16 PM

I had to go take a picture for y'all. I have a strong suspicion that this was used by Native people a long while ago as a pounding tool. It was in my yard. There are at least two other rocks that are very similar that I find off and on in the yard.

I joke that when all fails, "Rock" is my tool of last resort. I have used it a few times.

PPOT. Meet my favorite tool:

oldE · 08-21-2025, 04:40 AM

About 35 years ago my FIL asked me if I wanted the old toolbox in the upstairs of the shed he was tearing down. The chest had belonged to my MIL's grandfather. I of course dug it out and cleaned out the decades of mouse nest and dirt and was so pleased with what I found. Among other things, such as wooden planes, were a set of calipers, which have a home next to my lathe, and a set of dividers with his name stamped on them. Other tools which get frequent use are a mill file which is crazy sharp and a draw knife for which I made new handles.
Every time I use one of these tools, I am reminded of stories my MIL has told me about the old gentleman . Every now and then, when I am visiting her, I will tell her off how Ephram's tools still give good use.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

I bought a "Ford" T-1917 wrench which was for Model Ts and/or possibly Ford tractors. Wow, this thing is crazy. It's got 2 different sized ends, sort of. The flats aren't remotely parallel, and the "meat" on the 2 prongs varies a lot. The back has each end labeled, and the labels are "1" and "2". I think the wrench would roughly fit a ⅝" (or maybe 11/16") and ¾". But the larger sized end measurements at the base of the flats is 0.71" and at the top of the flats is 0.776". The smaller end is 0.67" at the base and 0.753". It was made by Moore Drop Forging Co out of Springfield, MA.

Ford was famous for minimizing the number of different sizes of the bolts on his products. Ninety-nine percent of the bolts on the 9N tractor and plow were either 11/16" or 1 1/16" and the tractor came with a wrench with those two sizes on it.
There was a good chance that when you bought a Model T or a Fordson tractor, you got that pictured wrench with it.

masraum · 08-21-2025, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldE

About 35 years ago my FIL asked me if I wanted the old toolbox in the upstairs of the shed he was tearing down. The chest had belonged to my MIL's grandfather. I of course dug it out and cleaned out the decades of mouse nest and dirt and was so pleased with what I found. Among other things, such as wooden planes, were a set of calipers, which have a home next to my lathe, and a set of dividers with his name stamped on them. Other tools which get frequent use are a mill file which is crazy sharp and a draw knife for which I made new handles.
Every time I use one of these tools, I am reminded of stories my MIL has told me about the old gentleman . Every now and then, when I am visiting her, I will tell her off how Ephram's tools still give good use.

THat's awesome!

masraum · 08-21-2025, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Ford was famous for minimizing the number of different sizes of the bolts on his products. Ninety-nine percent of the bolts on the 9N tractor and plow were either 11/16" or 1 1/16" and the tractor came with a wrench with those two sizes on it.
There was a good chance that when you bought a Model T or a Fordson tractor, you got that pictured wrench with it.

I knew that you'd have good info on this subject! Thanks

masraum · 08-21-2025, 10:12 AM

And now for something completely different (modern). It's the Wera ratchet that's also a hammer, and also enables the handle to be extended to twice as long.

https://www-de.wera.de/en/great-tools/koloss/

masraum · 08-21-2025, 10:14 AM

And now for something completely different (modern). It's the Wera ratchet that's also a hammer, and also enables the handle to be extended to twice as long.

https://www-de.wera.de/en/great-tools/koloss/

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldE

About 35 years ago my FIL asked me if I wanted the old toolbox in the upstairs of the shed he was tearing down. The chest had belonged to my MIL's grandfather. I of course dug it out and cleaned out the decades of mouse nest and dirt and was so pleased with what I found. Among other things, such as wooden planes, were a set of calipers, which have a home next to my lathe, and a set of dividers with his name stamped on them. Other tools which get frequent use are a mill file which is crazy sharp and a draw knife for which I made new handles.
Every time I use one of these tools, I am reminded of stories my MIL has told me about the old gentleman . Every now and then, when I am visiting her, I will tell her off how Ephram's tools still give good use.

I have a tool chest that my dad said he dug into when he was a kid. My grandfather's tool box, that is made with hand made nails. It belonged to my great grandfather. I really hope to give it to my nephew someday.