A bittersweet tool haul

Zeddedhed · 20 Mar 2016

This weekend I was able to spend some time with an elderly relative who retired some 15 years ago after working all his life as a joiner/cabinet maker. I won't go into too many details but the story is rather sad as this chap has had a hard life, battling with alcoholism, rejection, loneliness and crushingly low self esteem.

In his time he was a uniquely talented craftsman and made some beautiful furniture. He could also rattle out site joinery with the minimum of tools and of a very high quality.

For various reasons he now has to leave his house and needs to clear out the workshop. He made contact with me and asked me if I'd take it all - lock stock and barrel. Of course I was keen and looked forward to seeing him again.

The idea of using tools that have been in the family for a few generations really got me going.

It turned out that very few of the tools were his 'own'. He would regularly sell tools to buy booze, and then have to scour the second hand shops to replenish his workshop. We did however find some that were his from his youth, and some from my grandfather

Here's some pictures of the first wave of tools (a tiny fraction of the total - he couldn't bear to see them all go at once and wants some time to 'say goodbye'. Fine with me - I get to spend more time listening to his stories and sharing experiences with a truly fantastic old boy!!)

D_W · 20 Mar 2016

It's a pity that in his generation, he couldn't get help to figure out how to get the positive out without the negative getting in the way of it.

Racers · 20 Mar 2016

That's a mighty fine selection of tools, I'm sure you will put them to good use.

Stanley 51!

Pete

CHJ · 20 Mar 2016

Some wonderful additions to the collection, suitably fettled into good order they will no doubt be good to go for several more generations.

Zeddedhed · 20 Mar 2016

Regarding the fettling, there's going to be a fair amount to do. Unfortunately another relative had a good rummage through the workshop a couple of years ago and left everything in a state of disarray. The tools had originally been properly packed away in Oil cloth etc. A leak in the roof for nearly two years has meant that rust is a real problem.

The 51 in particular has some SERIOUS rust on the sole. The long thin flat chisels (paring?) are also pretty rusty. The No.7 and No.8 are also in need of de-rusting.

I've ordered a litre of CorroDip from Liquid Engineering, recommended by Jimi H of this parish and will be giving some of them a dunk soon.

Some of the tools (Spokeshaves I didn't photograph) are already back in action - rub the base/sole on a medium diamond stone to remove crud/rust/gunk, give the iron sharpen and then clean everything with a squirt of De-Solv-It and a tickle with a toothbrush.

The little bullnose/chisel Record 077 is going to get the full wet and dry treatment in an attempt to return it to it's former glory. The Preston Bullnose is just going to get the sole flattened, the iron sharpened and de-gunked.