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I love reading the threads on what is the best tool, craftsman, snapon,etc. But, one of the tools I constantly find myself using over and over is a phillips screwdriver bent at a thirty degree angle. Must have done that 20 years ago. Just fits me and alwys seems to get out that stripped screw. Also, can't seem to break the B&D drill my father gave me 25 years ago. What's your old faithful??
My dad gave me a set of Craftsman tools in 1965 when I graduated. I think it might have been a hint. Anyway I've still got almost everyone of them including the B/D drill that still works. It came with a set of tappet wrenches (long and thin). I cut one of them in half once in frustation to finish a job. A couple of years ago the warehouse guy where I work took it back to Sears with some other stuff and they REPLACED it!
I'v got an B&D drill that I'v had since the 70's that still works,though it is so rough you can't tell what it is.lol.I'v got a sears battery charger,10 amp,that i have had since 75 that still works great.I'v left it out in the rain on quite a few occasions.Still works fine.The kids lost most of my tools fixing bicycles.lol
My 'old faithful' is a cast iron 10" Craftsman table saw from the 1950's. It's got three cast iron table extensions on one side and one on the other, plus the motor drives the blade with twin V belts. Two guys can't lift the darn thing unless its taken apart. I bought it used in the mid 70's for $150 and it still works like a champ.
I have a 1/2 Drive Electric drill that was purchased new at an auction by my Dad in 1965.
The drill is gripped like an impact drill along with a beefy pistol grip..the best part is the all metal body , something un-heard of in todays world.
Sure , High Impact plastics have their advantages...but considering the the times I've had a Makita drill drop from a ladder or even from a fender height and break...I think the old school steel still has it's merits too.
The design of this old 1/2 incher , that has seen very very limited use over nearly 40 years time , sure came in handy when piloting out holes for lag bolts in concrete when I built my added shop beside my garage.
In summation....thanks for bidding that $20 bucks back in 1965 Pop....being there and watching the auction process with you was half the fun....and with a little luck , this old gem will have another 40 years worth of use left in it.
I have a Craftsman Circular saw that doesn't have any plastic other than the cord. A cast iron Craftsman table saw that belonged to my dad. An offset 24" Ridgid pipe wrench that I bought at a sale a widow was having. The handle is bent in the middle from someone plowing into my work van. Is perfect for pulling strainers apart and piping in confined areas. Even measured it and the angle its bent at and took pictures and sent them to Ridgid, got no reply from them! Don't know what the age of these tools, but the saw I bought when a teen and the table saw my dad bought used when I was a teen.
It started life as a crescent wrench, then, while trying my darnedest to tighten the alternator belt on my wifes old Bronco, I chopped the business end off and welded it to a random chunk of pipe. Been using it ever since. Nobody's shown me a better way to get a grip on those 70s alternators.
Originally posted by fatman66 an old pipe wrench with the handle jammed and welded down into a four foot length of old galvanized pipe. For when you REALLY need leverage
Interesting....I have an old 16 Ga. Shotgun Barrel that is cut down to about 16 inches , that I can slide over the handle of certain wrenches to use as a breaker bar. Sure , this piece did not begin life as a tool persay...but at least its functional as a tool in the end game.
BTW...before someone starts screaming about having an illegal length shotgun on hand....rest assured the reciever and remaining parts of this pile of junk have long since been disposed of.
You need not waste time welding the wrench to a pipe, all you need is a pipe a little bigger than the width of our wrench. Slide your wrench in the pipe and turn. I got one and it sure came in hand when i was dismantling my truck.