Old Tools, New Life

Let's take a break for a bit and just discuss tools.  Old tools and more specifically, hand tools. I am at a certain age where anything old and still useful has a particular meaning and significance - literally and figuratively.  And thank goodness, there are millions around the world who share the same sentiments.  The pandemic, among its many effects on the population, has caused countless folks to spend more time on their hobbies and in their workshops and garages. As actual flea markets have been for the most part deserted, the world's largest one is thriving - eBay.  I have for the very first time experienced the eBay phenomenon.  Before recently, I had reservations about the whole idea, largely from old information and impressions at the start.  Apparently, today, eBay had made it almost a science in vetting vendors and buyers which makes its market as reliable as Amazon and other e-sellers. With a few caveats, of course.

Now, readers of my blog know I use hand held power tools.  Festool drills are I think the best in the market, albeit quite pricey.  But as the adage says, you get what you pay for.  But I will have to admit, power tools, such as electric drills, have finite lifetime. Recently, in my first foray into the e-flea  market of eBay I purchased a vintage Stanley brace bit, shown below, for $25 and  free shipping. I bought it as is, obviously, sight seen, based purely on a website photo. This drill is at least fifty years old, if not older.  It still works as it was new, except, naturally, for cosmetic rusts and blemishes. But it will outlast all my Festool drills, for sure. It will still be around for another 100 years, if my grand kids will take care of it.  One would be lucky to get 25 years from a powered hand tool like a drill.

But why buy this old thing?  Or, for that matter, as you will see towards the end, why buy all those old tools?  First, most importantly, they all still work as originally intended, requiring no electricity. Second, they hardly create dust; third, they are quiet; fourth, although they require a bit more skill, there is something about true hand/eye coordination to work on something; fifth, these tools have witnessed local history as it unfolded. Who were its first users, what did they do with these tools.  What projects did they undertake?  Just that whole idea gives one pause about what life was like fifty, one hundred years ago.  I like to think about that to get my footing and place in the scheme of things and it gives me unprecedented perspective.  Keep in mind that at the time these tools first came out they were high tech tools compared to the earlier bow drills - as shown in the drawing below.

It came via  U. S. Post Office from some seller in Kansas.

I can tell this had been used a lot, even repaired. The head, as it is called (big circular piece) had two  extra holes drilled, perhaps to reposition it and I knew the screws were not original.  There was a tape inside that was probably used to correct a wobble or something.

 

A little sanding

And a polyurethane finish

Many restorers really put in the time and energy to make the restored tool as it was brand new; often, they even make it look better than when it was first purchased.  I was not going to do that because I know I will put this to good use.  Sparingly, perhaps, but it will be used. It will not be for collection and display only.  Now, I'm out looking for vintage auger bits.  This drill, like all vintage brace drills will only take old vintage bits. Well ..

Below is another hand drill for small bits for drilling small holes.  This was given to me a while back.  I gave it a little face lift.

Over a span of many years scouring flea markets wherever and whenever I got a chance when we used to travel, I have accumulated a small collection.  I have used all of them and will from time go to them when needed.

This one, a fillister plane  (below) which I purchased from a Dallas flea market is at least 75 years old, if not older, but it still works very well.

If you find any old tool - anything - from anywhere, a flea market, garage sale, etc. and you want to restore it, YouTube has all kinds of videos on how to practically do any repairs or restorations of almost anything.  From there you can go on with further research from other sources.  Actually, for most old tools, YouTube should have all kinds of videos to meet your needs.  Restoring old tools is quite a rewarding chore to do. And it could be fun too!