In more than one place on this board and several others of like ilk, I have seen the high praise of still owning ones fathers or grandfathers tools. On another board some time back, a tool collector was surmising what his grandfather would think of his collection and probably be asking, "What you gonna do with all this stuff?" I was at my work bench, in my new shop, sawing on a piece of 2x4, trying to make something recognizable and a similar thought came to me today. My grandfather had a tiny stand alone shop, about six by fifteen feet, with a decent bench in front of a window. I know my father worked in there some, but at home we never really got a workshop together. Just a rough old shed with electricity, for the welder and grinder. Most work was done outside. I got to thinking what he would think of my building, with a solid wooden bench, a hanging light over same. 2 tool boxes on wheels within grabbing distance. Steel shelving behind for a quickly growing collection of stuff, with racks on the wall for screwdrivers and pliers. What would he think of the pile of hand saws, and hand crank eggbeater drills. Seems I have accumulated way more than he ever had, and am I using it all wisely? Should I clean out, dispose of everything but one of each? Or keep collecting because it makes me happy, and having the right tool is a very comfortable spot to be in. Woodworking, mechanicing, blacksmithing, welding, general fabrication takes a lot of stuff and the space to keep it in. I have 2 tools that belonged to my grandfather, and can point them out easily. I have most of my fathers things, including a 1947 Craftsman wrench set, jacks, and for sure a double bit axe. His wooden machinist tool box sits on the work bench, and I have a special place for the hammer, he put his intials on when working in a defense plant in WWII. It all suits me, but sometimes wonder what he would make of all this. Just thinking.
