What was the first Real tool you ever owned.

[Josh]

The first tool I ever owned was a old carpenters saw my dad cut down for me to make it more manageable. In fact I have a scar from it on my left hand. Maybe I'll post a pic of the scar later.

[garager]

Hammer, Tape Measurer, speed square, Tool bag, Screwdriver set. When I hit the road on my own at the age of 18. I always used everybody else's tools when I was younger.

[BadgerDave]

It wasn't my first tool but it was definitely my first real tool, a 1/2" Milwaukee Hole Shooter drill I bought in 1975. It's still runs as strong today as it did the day I bought it.:bow-down::bow-down:

[Akita]

My Porter Cable 9862 12 volt drill/driverI bought in 1996. Still have it!!!!!It still works!!!!

[wwsmith]

Guess mine would be a handsaw and an old hammer my dad gave me to fiddle around in the garage with when he was working. Still have the hammer. The saw was given to a friend when I moved years ago and to my knowledge he still has it.


It wasn't my first tool but it was definitely my first real tool, a 1/2" Milwaukee Hole Shooter drill I bought in 1975. It's still runs as strong today as it did the day I bought it.:bow-down::bow-down:

1975....Did they even have electricity then? :eek: I was just coming into the world that year! :nanner: All kidding aside, B.D., that is cool. Hopefully some of my tools will last as long with such performance.:blush:

[CWSmith]

My first tool was a hand saw that my father gave me when I was about 10 or 11. I remember it being short, with the end missing. Not sure if it was cut down, or had been broken off, but it worked for me. We had moved to the country and live on a long hill (old Rt 17) which us local boys took advantage of by building down-hill carts. Looking back, I think my father didn't want me ruining one of his better saws.

My second tool was a flat-blade screwdriver that I made in shop. I forged and shaped it myself, and tempered it as part of my first semester project. I put a clear acrylic handle on it, which I rounded one end on the lathe. My Dad liked it and used it for years.

I imagine those two old tools may still be at the house, I'll have to ask my brother about them. It would be nice to have them again, if they still exist.

CWS

[BHD]

My first power tool was a Black and Decker jig saw, I bought it at the hardware store for $7.00 I wore it out once and I got them to send it in once and the second time they said the life time warranty on it had expired, I still have it in the top of the barn, It will still run, but the bearing in the drive is very very lose, bought it when I was 6 or 7 years old.
most of the other tools were my dads and more than likely his dads that I used at the time, the very first tool was a pliers, and it came in a "toy" leather tool belt that was to mimic a line mans belt and they had a blue painted pliers in it, yes it was a "toy" but they were real, I had them until my kids found them and I don't know if there still around or not, I have not seen them for a number of years. I was probly 4 years old then.
made a table saw with my dads Black and Decker 7 1/4" saw, when I was 10 or 11, then I bought out of the back of a popular mechanics a AMT I think 8" saw, the deluxe unit with ball bearings,
I think that was about $20.00 to $25.00 and in school AG shop class built the "cabinet around it" I was a freshman in high school then, later in high school I made some GIL Built tools, a lathe, a shaper, still have the lathe in my shop and the shaper is in a old building.
also I got a Wards 230 amp welder when I was in 8th grade, my dad wanted me to learn to weld to help keep things going on the farm, he bought it for me, I welded ever piece of scrap iron on the place into something. Later in high school I got a cutting torch as well.

when I got a job I stared to buy manufactured tools, many were used but have also continued to build tools that I wanted in the wood working area.

[oldslowchevy]

frist real tool was a pair of vice grips for my on tool fits (and destoys)all, my frist power tool was de walt cirucular saw, lasted about 3 years till it fell off the roof

[Drain Medic]

My 1st real power tool was an electric drill, dont remember the brand...and my 1st real hand tool was socket set from Craftsman...Dad gave to me as a gift for my 18th birthday

[plumberscrack]

frist real tool was a pair of vice grips for my on tool fits (and destoys)all, my frist power tool was de walt cirucular saw, lasted about 3 years till it fell off the roof

Vice grips for me too bought at Dart Drug when I was 15

Used them on my '68 Oldsmobile battery cables

First power tool Milwaukee Sawzall...no surprise there

[PLUMBER RICK]

mine was a 1/4'' craftsman electric drill. i was 7 and it cost $4.44
next was a saber saw also a craftsman. i was 9 years old.
first big tool was a craftsman radial arm saw. i was 12:eek: still have it;)

the rest is history:eek:

rick.

[Orange Apron]

My first was a coping saw. I used it and the hammer I "earned" pulling weeds to make a truck cap for my old Tonka. Later I got a hand drill that I used to drill so many holes in a 4x4 post that it looked like swiss cheese.

[Woussko]

I have tried hard to think of what it was but my memory just doesn't want to work. As for the first serious power tool I saved up and paid for with my own money that would have been my first Milwaukee tool a 0234 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter drill. It was totally red nylon including the gear case and had a 4.5 Amp motor. Then not too long afterward (year or two) Milwaukee realized this model made too much trouble (mine was and still is fine) so they upgraded to a cast aluminum gear case like most of their other drills had and boosted the motor to 5.5 Amps. About a year ago I retired the old 0234 to the shelf and picked up a new one which happens to be a 75th. Anniversary Special edition model. I found it new in box on flea bay and for some insane reason was able to get it cheap. This one comes in a very nice steel case. Lucky me:D

I think my all time favorite tool that was passed on to me but somehow got lost (It grew feet and ran off on me) was a 16 Ounce True Temper curved claw hammer with tubular steel handle with a nice rubber grip. I had that one since grade school.

Vice grips for me too bought at Dart Drug when I was 15 Aww the memories of Dart Drug. PC and I are both natives of the Washington, DC area only I've been one a few more years than he has.

[jbergstrom]

Interesting thread...

My first hand tools were a couple of Proto socket sets - 1/4" and 1/2" drive. Purchased them from a tool distributor that made the rounds where I worked when I was 15. I manufactured campers and truck canopies at an RV dealership. Soon after I bought a block plane, smoothing plane and jack plane (all Stanley's) and a 4 piece set of Marples chisels. I already had hammers, screwdrivers etc. (can't remember when I got those).

My first power tools were a 3/8" B&D reversible drill (green and silver), 7 1/4" "Skilsaw" brand circular saw (pale orange and silver) and a 1/4" B&D router (bright orange plastic).

One of the first items I ever made (besides campers and canopies) was a king size water bed and cabinet style headboard out of yellow pine. I got the mattress and heater kit etc. for my 16th BD.

Somewhere around that time my folks bought me a B&D workmate that I still have and use to this day as well :cool:

[DUNBAR]

Craftsmen hand tools like sockets, wrenches. Some Snap-on items like rotobroaches that were awesome for cutting holes.

[papadan]

My first tools were a small starter set of hand tools from Sears. I was 16 and my Girlfriend (now wife of 32 y) bought them for me. Old man bought me my first car and it didn't run, to be able to drive, I had to learn how to and then fix it first. I was not allowed to use his tools or even go in the garage.

[garager]

Old man bought me my first car and it didn't run, to be able to drive, I had to learn how to and then fix it first.

Now that is what I should have done to my oldest boy. !6 yr old, and he takes his car in for an oil change, he refuses to let me teach him how to change the damn oil...

Shoot, he even takes his car to an Auto Body shop, to have them give it a thorough cleaning. He has a job, you know, so no time to work on his car, I told him 2 days ago that he is just to soft to want to get his hands dirty.

Now, am I going to get nailed for child abuse for that statement???? :eek: :D

[drtyhands]

I was given a B/D router when I was 14.

[biscuit]

First real tool (that I purchased myself) was a Craftsman Router.

I still have it today and use it as a lonaner to others.

regards,

[Kev Dog]

My first tool was a Craftsman 7.2 volt cordless drill. I remember that my older brother had a 6.0 volt and thought that I had really done something when I got mine. To charge it you didn't take the battery off like we do now, you just plugged it in like a cell phone. When I was 25 an older woman that I worked with asked me if I needed any tools. I didn't have many good tools at that point. I said I was always interested in a deal if she knew someone. She told me that her deceased husband was a cabinet maker and he had just bought new tools for his shop and that she didn't need anymore if I was wanted to take a look. When I asked her how much she wanted for them she said $500 for it all. I told her then I would take it sight unseen. He/she had brand new craftsman products including a table saw, compound saw, small band saw, electric nailers, circular saws, etc. That is when I really started making things other than just helping my dad when he would build something. I still use a lot of that stuff now. Especially the table saw, even though I have a TS3650 too, this one is easier to transport.

[smorris]

Wow, that's a tough one. Dad and Grandpa had a complete wood shop above the garage. It was stocked with all of the hand and power tools they had accumulated over the years (both taught woodworking for 35+ years each) so nothing was lacking. Plus we lived on a farm, so all the mechanics tools were always available. I used the 24" scroll saw (which I still have) when I was probably around 6, so that might be "my" first tool. First thing I remember buying was a thin axle wrench for a bicycle. First power tool that I ever bought was probably a Rockwell/Delta (nee Porter-Cable) fixed speed 1/4" drill.

[papadan]

Now that is what I should have done to my oldest boy. !6 yr old, and he takes his car in for an oil change, he refuses to let me teach him how to change the damn oil...

Shoot, he even takes his car to an Auto Body shop, to have them give it a thorough cleaning. He has a job, you know, so no time to work on his car, I told him 2 days ago that he is just to soft to want to get his hands dirty.

Now, am I going to get nailed for child abuse for that statement???? :eek: :DGarager, it was a 66 biscayne wagon. Had to rebuild the carb, replace the brakes and torque converter. Man next door let me use the tools I didn't have. Signed up for Body shop in school and fixed it up and painted it myself. Worked in a gas station and kept buying tools. Have been working as a mechanic since 1974 and still gettin greasy. LOL

[Bob D.]

My Dad gave me a tool box with some hand tools one Christmas (I think mostly because I was always getting into his box and not returning when I was done).

Anyway they were real tools not toys. There was a try square, a couple screwdrivers, a 12 oz hammer, a 6" adjustable, and a pair of slip-joint pliers all in a small hand box.

I though it was great and I took great care of the tools. Over the years (I got the box in either '61 or '62, not sure as I was only 7 or 8) I have lost all but the slip-joint pliers (which I consider useless for the most part). However I keep them in a 50 cal ammo box I use as a tool box in the Hummer.

And once I had my own tools to care for I got the greatest gift from my Dad, learning to use my tools responsibly and to care for them properly, both of which he taught me. And my Dad got something too cause I didn't abuse his tools any longer.

Now he is gone but those pliers are still there to remind me of how he got me started off right.