Old tools

Pvt-Public · Mar 9, 2023

If this is inappropriate please remove.
I found these old tools in my grandfather’s tool box . Are they worth anything?

JimInOz · Mar 9, 2023

Lovely set of old engineers/fitters tools.
I used all of them in my younger days during engineering basic training.

They aren't particularly valuable as most of them have been superseded by digital models, but they're all quality items.
Have a look on eBay to see what's been sold, it may give you an idea of value in your location.

timoss · Mar 9, 2023

I still love using old tools like this—the weight in the hand can be beat. Plus the batteries never run out 😀

hen · Mar 10, 2023

Beautiful old tools! Some people (me) collect old tools, but I only buy from flee markets. Some collect specific brands or tools with a car company connection and those guys may spend a lot of money.

I buy them as they are usually very good quality, and look much better than new tools.

If you dont want to have them your selves sell or give them away to someone who does.

Fallout Boy · Mar 10, 2023

IMHO no great value. Keep one (1st photo) as souvenir and - as hen said- give them to someone with passion for these tools.

p4ul · Mar 10, 2023

What the hell is wrong with you people?

You put up pictures like this showing things I have no use for, made by “L.S.Starrett - The Worlds Best Tool Maker” and I immediately jump on eBay and start bidding just to put an unnecessary, but beautiful, micrometer on my den wall.

Shame on you @Pvt-Public!

Edit : there’s no tool like an old tool, apparently.😉

Archer · Mar 10, 2023

Photos 1, 6, and 7 are outside micrometers

2 is a base that is set up as a scriber, but can also be used for a dial indicator

3 is a set of vernier calipers

4 and 5 are dial indicators

8 is a depth micrometer

9 is a machinist square

Some of these appear to be in rough shape - rust on the depth micrometer for example.

Value will depend on the condition really, but in good shape these are very useful tools.

BlackTalon · Mar 10, 2023

We have a couple of those micrometers somewhere in our office. They were old when I started working here 35 years ago.

Dan S · Mar 10, 2023

Good quality and functional machinist tools once cleaned up a bit. I think that calipers and outside micrometers are pretty handy even if you're not a machinist, if you like to make accurate measurements. The dial indicators, square, and base are mainly useful for setting up projects on a piece of machinery, so their uses are more specialized. I can't imagine they have a ton of value as they are common and have mostly been superseded by digital versions.

MRC · Mar 10, 2023

I still use the dial indicator I bought 40 years ago when building or truing bicycle wheels. And my mics for other tasks

Doh!, my arithmetic skills are decaying -- 1973 was 50 years ago not 40 :whipped:

Archer · Mar 10, 2023

MRC
I still use the dial indicator I bought 40 years ago when building or truing bicycle wheels. And my mics for other tasks

I still use mics and verniers that were bought in 1978...

Just because they are old, and there are digital versions now. doesn't mean these are not still useful tools. In fact many of the older tools are better quality.

Waltesefalcon · Mar 10, 2023

I've never bought digital mics, or calipers. I continue to use my dad's old Starretts when building an engine. They are very well made and still get the job done over half a century after they were bought.

SC1 · Mar 10, 2023

Archer
Photos 1, 6, and 7 are outside micrometers

2 is a base that is set up as a scriber, but can also be used for a dial indicator

3 is a set of vernier calipers

4 and 5 are dial indicators

8 is a depth micrometer

9 is a machinist square

Some of these appear to be in rough shape - rust on the depth micrometer for example.

Value will depend on the condition really, but in good shape these are very useful tools.

fυcking know-it-all.
First watches & water resistance, then shower/sauna installations, then bread & desserts... stay in your lane dood.

Duracuir1 · Mar 10, 2023

SC1
fυcking know-it-all.
First watches & water resistance, then shower/sauna installations, then bread & desserts... stay in your lane dood.

He can hit a running cat in the eye with an arrow too. While also running backwards. He is our Canadian Chuck Norris. Late entry… of course, this is merely legend… he would not harm animals.

sheepdoll · Mar 10, 2023

I tend to use my old stuff especially the metal squares and dial indicators. For a lot of things I got some cheap dial calipers with plastic jaws they work well for the sort of work I do. I have a mic as well, but I have to use the textbook to read it.

I did pick up a Harbor Freight digital caliper last week as I misplaced the dial one I often use. Sometimes it is quicker just to get another than search for the missing one.

Harbor Freight still sells knockoffs of all these tools. So there must remain a market for such things.

More of a specialized watchmaking tool I did pick up a balance screw vice less than an hout ago. A rare case where no one else bid.

I took a pass on a wheel cutting engine yesterday as I already have a pinion cutter.

Twocats · Mar 10, 2023

I used every one of these tools in the first year of my apprenticeship in the 1980's. Never needed anything other than a Vernier in practical aircraft maintenance after that year but it gave me a good understanding of fits and clearances.

MRC · Mar 10, 2023

Twocats
I used every one of these tools in the first year of my apprenticeship in the 1980's. Never needed anything other than a Vernier in practical aircraft maintenance after that year but it gave me a good understanding of fits and clearances.

I started my apprenticeship in 1967, after signing 4 pages of foolscap-sized dense text document that I never tried to read -- I think it dated back to the 1880s. But crucially the company (Stewarts and Lloyds) ran a very well thought out scheme that took you through every technical/numerical/practical department in the company and offered to let you choose where you would like to work at the conclusion but didn't guarantee you'd get your choice, funny thing was that everybody did. However friends in my college class said that they were just treated as cheap labour in their six months of the year at their company (looking at you John Thompson Ltd. of Wolverhampton). This yearly layout was 6 months of college work into which they crammed a full academic year (no vacations for you boys 🙁) and 6 months back at the company doing whatever they had planned for you.

Twocats · Mar 10, 2023

This yearly layout was 6 months of college work into which they crammed a full academic year (no vacations for you boys 🙁) and 6 months back at the company doing whatever they had planned for you.[/QUOTE]

This was the same modus operandi that was applied in my day and a five year apprenticeship into the bargain.

It's interesting that John Thompson Ltd manufactured aerospace parts during both world wars. Did Stewarts and Lloyds get involved in aviation ?

BlackTalon · Mar 10, 2023

sheepdoll
I did pick up a Harbor Freight digital caliper last week as I misplaced the dial one I often use. Sometimes it is quicker just to get another than search for the missing one.

Harbor Freight still sells knockoffs of all these tools. So there must remain a market for such things.

Nothing screams "precision instrument" like something purchased at Horrible Freight ::psy::

Pvt-Public · Mar 10, 2023

p4ul
Shame on you @Pvt-Public!

I was just asking a question for heavens sake. And I’m looking at a bit of financial hardship. The latest pay check stub found in the box was from 1961.

Old tools

Pvt-Public

JimInOz

timoss

hen

Fallout Boy

p4ul

Archer

BlackTalon

Dan S

MRC

Archer

Waltesefalcon

SC1

Duracuir1

sheepdoll

Twocats

MRC

Twocats

BlackTalon

Pvt-Public

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