My Level.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317080295.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317080362.jpg

Starrett, 0 to 150mm Micrometers. (UK Made, early 70s)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317081509.jpg

Things like that level or that set of mic's are just art. Craftsmanship from a (sadly) bygone era. Those tools if taken care would last your entire career. How did we become surrounded by shyte

Good question.

I had a beautiful boxed set of Stanley molding planes that were passed from my great- grandfather>grandfather>father>me..

They were damaged beyond salvage from flooding from Hurricane Gloria...

Stanley 45

Stanley 55

I too am a tool junkie

(L) Early 70s UK made. (R) Current model US made.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317091066.jpg

Late 80s Mitutoyo. Nice to use but not as good as Starrett IMO.
(Spindle is too fat and ratchet is not as smooth)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317091187.jpg

The Book of Tools
 

And I have no idea what I would do with some of this this, but I have no doubt that want it :) Same goes for the micrometers. Beautiful tools!

Yes, there certainly have been some lovely tools made. You can really appreciate the engineering made into them at the time and how things worked at the time (the product good but expensive). I guess that's why we like 911s and handguns and fun things like that.

Old tools have SOUL

Hi. I'm Bill.
I work with tools.

When my father died 11 years ago I inherited his tool chest. Mostly Craftsman, nothing high end but every time I use one I can feel my father there with me. Some are older than I am.
I too love tools.

Bernie

Amen brother.

I have a claw hammer that I got from my grandfather that I still have and use when I hang a picture frame on the wall.

Dave

I spend at least $35k a year on tools at work and I'm officially boycotting snap-on from now on.

effem.


BTW most of my personal precision measuring tools are brown and sharp. Old stuff, circa 60's and 70's.
You just can find stuff that good anymore.
my zero to 1 feels so smooth and accurate it's like a swiss watch.

LOL now what in the world are you going to use a master machinist's level for that you couldn't use a regular starrett 98 on?
I have one at work and all it does is gather dust.
They are too darned sensative to be accurate unless you jump through all kinds of hoops. Just having the sun hit one side of it will through it 2 grads off.
Gotta use a thick umbrella to keep the sun off it and the part you are measuring for at least a hour.

They sure are cool tho ..... :D

We broke out the 30-36" OD mike set last week to measure some compressor pistons, don't get a chance to use that one very often. Takes two people :)

Why are you boycotting Snap-On?

There is something elegant about a very well engineered and crafted (non-power) tool. Good tools in general are great but there is something about a classic plane, snap-on torque wrench...etc, that does it for me. Cheers

Yeah, it can be quite a challenge to use at time. My little shop is climate controlled and I keep the blinds closed and the a/c set at "meat locker" for at leat a full 24 hours so everything in the shop stabalizes before I use it. The bubble is so sensative that the heat from your hand can throw it off!!:eek:

I last used it to set up the ways on my lathe (before turning a test piece) and I have been putting off leveling my mill.

I was actually looking for a no. 98 for regular shop leveling and found this one for sale and just HAD to "rescue" it. It followed me home, I swear it did!;)