Had a thought this morning while reading another post on tools and someone said old. So this post is about the oldest "known" hand tool in your shop. Yes I have some wooden planes and moulding planes that must be older than my Dad would have been but the only old tool I have a reasonable knowledge of age is a pair of blacksmith tweezers my Dad made when he was a kid . Now I would say about 90 years.

 

So what is the oldest known hand tool in your shop?

I didn't mean old in your shop, I meant what I bought new... I have some old planes probably older than 100 years old but didn't buy them new..

This is one tool from Ann's grandfather.  He worked in the foundry making Navy/Marine aircraft parts.  And, toward the end of his career, he worked as a pattern maker.  We are not sure what he used this for.  Here are 3 pictures.

 

 

 

The unit is designed so that the blade can be used either as a push or pull.  You can also turn the blade over.  However, this blade is so old, I fear that it may break from bending back the other way.  We are going to keep it as it is.  Thanks, Gerald.  I will get out my grandfather's brace and his one bit.  Will post pictures.  It was old in 1952.

Edited May 20, 20206 yr by FlGatorwood

This was my grandfathers. Not sure how old it is but probably around 100 years. The M in the corner was his initial. My Dad added the "PA" number when he inherited it. 

 

2 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

This is one tool from Ann's grandfather.  He worked in the foundry making Navy/Marine aircraft parts.  And, toward the end of his career, he worked as a pattern maker.  We are not sure what he used this for.  Here are 3 pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

The unit is designed so that the blade can be used either as a push or pull.  You can also turn the blade over.  However, this blade is so old, I fear that it may break from bending back the other way.  We are going to keep it as it is.  Thanks, Gerald.  I will get out my grandfather's brace and his one bit.  Will post pictures.  It was old in 1952.

to borrow from what someone posted elsewhere... type of rasp is also known as a 'float' with either straight cut or curved (MILLENCUT)  teeth.

I have one that can be screwed to a handle and is/was generally used to "shaving" off bondo or lead when doing bodywork on vehicles.  Also known as "vixen"

(brand name) files...   here's one from nicholson

 

Edited May 21, 20206 yr by p_toad

I am not sure which of these would win.

 

• An Emmert's vice, patented '84 (I think)   That would be 1884.  Not sure of mfr date
• A Stanley 71 1/2  router plane
• A watchmaker's caliper from my father in law, who was apprenticed in Germany right after WWI and came to the states in early 1920s.  It's in metric so likely he brought it with him.