A few more pictures of vintage and antique tools I still own and occasionally use

[chief38]

Since the "Speed Wrench" thread I stared a few days ago got some attention and interest, I figured I'd post a few more pictures of vintage tools I still have and do actually use on occasion. Admittedly I don't use them all that often anymore, but once in a while they bail me out. Sometimes I even use them as a nostalgic gesture but they still get the job done.

#1) Brace, hand drills, bits, Millers Falls push drill
#2) Soldering Irons, guns and accessories for soldering
#3) Stilson and pipe wrenches
#4) Some old screwdrivers and Yankee push screwdriver
#5) My Dad's old Snap-On tool box circa 1937

 

[chief38]

BTW, the Snap-On tool box (original post - pic #5) that I restored is filled with thousand's of all kinds of drills - enough forever!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have some Disston Handsaws that were already old when I my Dad bought then at an auction long ago.
Most distinctive feature- Disston Logo on Bolt head.

 

[wcat94]

I often use a complete set of 1/2 drive snap on tools from 1958.
They are marked OMC and believe came from Orinoco mining company South America.

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[fiasconva]

Great pictures! I have a lot of those same tools in my toolbox. They still work whenever you need them.

 

[30-30remchester]

That 1937 model Snap-On toolbox is probably only 14 monthly payments of $120 each from being paid off

 

[chief38]

That 1937 model Snap-On toolbox is probably only 14 monthly payments of $120 each from being paid off

HA! My Dad bought that tool box used - I am guessing around 1947 or so. Over the years of extensive use, it got dinged up, dented, scratched and started to rust. Aside from the fact that I am a tool nut, it was also an "heirloom" of sorts. I can live with honest wear - but I despise rust!

I sandblasted it, straightened out as many dents as I could and then brought it to a professional Powder Coater. I paid a little extra but I had them match the original color and it is 99.5% spot on. Today it is my designated drill bit tool box and gets used quite a bit as I am always using drills. Glad I powder coated it instead of painting as it is much tougher!

It is my only Snap-On tool box and quite honestly there are now equivalent and even better boxes on the market that I'd look into if I were to buy a new one today, which I am not. I own many S-O tools but over the last few decades they have pretty much priced themselves out of the market, designated more of their manufacturing overseas, diminished quality and are now starting to give a harder time when warrantying an item. There are now a few manufacturers making tools that have equal or better quality on many items at 1/4th - 1/6th the price. Snap-On is basically riding on their past reputation (when they really were superior) and IMHO will become a less significant player in the tool industry quite soon because even experienced, professional mechanics and technicians have seen the light. While S-O was on the top of the heap for decades, they got very greedy, let their R&D dept. slack off all while other manufacturers around the globe had S-O in their sights and upped their game. They fail to realize that many mechanics are not multi millionaires and don't want to spend their career in debt to the S-O man and just can't afford their products any longer. That said, they were once a GREAT Company!

 

[30-30remchester]

CHIEF, as you, I am a vintage tool collector. I have several inherited Snap-On boxes filled with many sets of Snap-On tools. As you stated their quality is suspect anymore and their prices outrageous. A mechanic that rents from me lost a single socket and replacement price was near $60. I viewed their site and saw one large socket, over 2", and the price was over $5,000. For a single socket. Working on heavy equipment for 60 years now and using my tools daily even though I am nearing 72, there are some great quality tools for a lot less. For 53 years of working on large machinery on a daily basis, my set of BON-E-CON sockets and wrenches have never broken, stripped or let me down in any manner no matter how long a cheater bar was affixed.

 

[chief38]

CHIEF, as you, I am a vintage tool collector. I have several inherited Snap-On boxes filled with many sets of Snap-On tools. As you stated their quality is suspect anymore and their prices outrageous. A mechanic that rents from me lost a single socket and replacement price was near $60. I viewed their site and saw one large socket, over 2", and the price was over $5,000. For a single socket. Working on heavy equipment for 60 years now and using my tools daily even though I am nearing 72, there are some great quality tools for a lot less. For 53 years of working on large machinery on a daily basis, my set of BON-E-CON sockets and wrenches have never broken, stripped or let me down in any manner no matter how long a cheater bar was affixed.

About 3 years ago one of my friends who has his own Auto Repair shop business, wore out his set of Carbide Double Cut Burs for his Die Grinder. Snap-On would not warranty them as they said they are a 'wear item". They wanted $550 for a 4 piece set! I told him to hold off buying them from S-O snd that I was on the case. I had found a Company in CT that I believes makes and boxes them for S-O because they appear to be the same spec's, same high quality, same look and come in the same metal index box. Of course the S-O brand has their company logo stamped in the metal index. They are also made in CT, USA. Anyway, we bought two 8 piece sets - one for him and one for me. I believe we paid $134.00 per set HOWEVER we got an 8 piece set, not 4! After we have now used them for over 3 years they are still performing fantastic! I also purchased a set of 10 pieces with 1/8" shafts for my Foredom electric tool - They are GREAT as well!