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What's your favourite tool and why?

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That's more like it! (and yes Doc, you're right, my bad) :wall:
 
My favorite tool is nothing very special. A Snap-On OEX14 7/16 combination wrench. Everyone has one,but it's what the tool represents.I have sold millions of dollars in tools and equipment over the years as I have been in the mobile tool business for 36 years. Many years ago when I was a Snap-On dealer,we had a big family cook out at my home which my brother in law's cousin also attended. He was interested in seeing my tool truck,so I let him look around.Nothing of any big deal. Years and life go by and I went through a very bad divorce,losing a lot in the settlement,but if you have lemons,make lemonade. 15 years after the cook out,I was driving in my tool truck and there was a car behind me flashing it's headlights to stop. It was my brother in law's cousin.He said he had wanted to see me for years. He handed me the wrench and said he had stolen it from me that day.It was still brand new.He said he stole it out of jealousy and that what he had done and my misfortune were eating him up inside from the day he took it. He asked if I could forgive him for what he had done. I have that wrench in my personal tool box and when ever I look at it it gives me faith that there is always hope for the human race. He and I are still friends after 40 years.You never know how you effect other people. I never knew he had taken it.
 
That's an interesting story, John!

I looked and have that OEX 14 in my box. 12-point on the box end. Probably got it in the early to mid '80's, along with four smaller sizes.
I had to pay for mine. Cheap, when compared to what you went thru. :jester:
 
Some story! I have an OEX 14 shortened to 2 3/4" on the open end. The box end has gone elsewhere. I'm thinking Bob may have it. He says he can always tell which tools are his because they have someone else's initials on them. :eeek:
 
John M's story is great. Thanks for that!

My favourite tool is the lead hammer I made by melting down old wheel weights and pouring the lead into a mold (like the one below). I've used it for years.
Probably not a healthy thing to do (the fumes), but I use it all the time.
<span style="font-style: italic"> (when you melt wheel weights, the little steel clips float to the top!)</span>

By the way, Mickey, I'll be going to a Presbyterian deacons get-together tonight.
And I know we'll have a tool like your's. I'm bringing it. :wink:

1085_lg.1.jpg
 
A little flat pry bar that I "borrowed" from my father years ago. No particular reason or story, it just works well and makes me happy when I use it. I think it probably came from ACE hardware. I have used it on everything from carpentry jobs to the car.
 
When we were kids ,we used to make fishing sinkers,all the time. Dont think there were any side effects,but most crazy people dont know they're crazy. Never got into eating paint chips,though.{Twich and a blink}. Could fire be a tool?
 
Okay; It would be the hand saws given to me by my Dad years ago, they once belonged to his Dad. They are of the era of great steel saws, and I have had them sharpened, and reset. We had all used them to make custom furniture for the family throughout the years.
 
JPSmit said:
Okay this thread is not going where I hoped (why should I be surprised?)

Let me rephrase the question - do you have a tool that means more to you than others? belonged to your father? came from your child? gifted from your mentor? bought under special circumstances?
Click to expand...

I would say that my favorite "tools" are what's left of my original Craftsman tool box set that my wife got for me on our first Christmas together - 36 years ago! I still have the ratchets and most of the sockets from that original set. I even still have most of the open and box-end wrenches, including the small ignition wrench set that came in a small plastic pouch. I also have the small craftsman tool box it all came it. I'm sure I've lost a few bits over the years, but most of the main pieces are still there and in good shape. After all these years the ratchets still work perfect (I did take them apart once to clean and re-lube).
 
I forgot this! No idea when he did it but My Ol' Fella got inventive with the shift knob from my first MGB (replaced with an Amco) when the knob on a small plane broke. This was HIS dad's tool originally.

It makes me smile.
 

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That thing got overdrive, Doc? :jester:
 
Gotta check with Stanley, Bro. Built before our time. :wink:
 
very fun Doc - thanks (Stanley Steamer?)
 
Nahhh. Stanley TOOLS. :wink:
 
DrEntropy said:
Gotta check with Stanley, Bro. Built before our time. :wink:
Click to expand...

So you're the guy who borrowed all of Stanley's tools. Now we have to buy them.
 
Nope. It's a 3-synch, John.
 
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