Should old tools be used???

[Benner]

Talking about my old wrenches on another topic got me thinking, should we be using our old tools?

After Supratentorial pointed out that a couple of my wrenches could be 100+ years old, I started to think that maybe rather than using them I should be preserving them.  If this is so, does anyone think that there is an age where we should retire these tools and replace them with others?

What are your thoughts guys?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Talking about my old wrenches on another topic got me thinking, should we be using our old tools?

After Supratentorial pointed out that a couple of my wrenches could be 100+ years old, I started to think that maybe rather than using them I should be preserving them.  If this is so, does anyone think that there is an age where we should retire these tools and replace them with others?

What are your thoughts guys?

I'd be inclined to retire them with full honours, as if you break or lose them, that's it the link to the past is gone, especially if you have a sentimental attachment to them anyway

I don't think theres any shame in that

[Benner]

Talking about my old wrenches on another topic got me thinking, should we be using our old tools?

After Supratentorial pointed out that a couple of my wrenches could be 100+ years old, I started to think that maybe rather than using them I should be preserving them.  If this is so, does anyone think that there is an age where we should retire these tools and replace them with others?

What are your thoughts guys?

I'd be inclined to retire them with full honours, as if you break of lose them, that's it the link to the past is gone, especially if you have a sentimental attachment to them anyway

I don't think theres any shame in that

Ok, but do you think there is a cut off age then?  Should I be EDCing my '66 Wenger SI for example? (Which I do btw)

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I think it's a personal thing, I've got a mauser 108mm that I don't use because it's got a lot of sentiment attached to it, Def's got a camper that he's retired for much the same reason

I'd say a logical cut of (sentiment aside) is when the tool can no longer be repaired or replaced

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So your 66 Wenger SI is safe to use for a little while longer

[Benner]

So your 66 Wenger SI is safe to use for a little while longer

Good good!  ;D

Good old knife that is.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So your 66 Wenger SI is safe to use for a little while longer

Good good!  ;D

Good old knife that is.

Any chance of a picture of it I love knives with a bit of wear and history to them

[Benner]

Yeah sure.  I will try and post you one later.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Cool thanks mate, I'll look forward to it , so have you had the ink done yet?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Ah yes, my trusty old Camper:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=35

I could spend $100 and probably get a hundred more used, abused and beat up old Campers, but they'd never be the same!

Oddly enough, I have been known to carry my '44 Soldier from time to time, but I won't carry the Camper anymore- go figure!  

I don't think I would retire the tools completely- if you want to do that, talk to a local museum and see if they are interested in an extended loan, so lots of people can enjoy them.  If it were me, I would clean them up and keep them around the house for light duty jobs that wouldn't stress them too much, but still keep them working.  That will help keep the rust from building up on them again.

Def

[Benner]

Cool thanks mate, I'll look forward to it , so have you had the ink done yet?

NOPE!!!!    Wife decided to go out so I will have to wait.

[Benner]

Ah yes, my trusty old Camper:

 If it were me, I would clean them up and keep them around the house for light duty jobs that wouldn't stress them too much, but still keep them working.  That will help keep the rust from building up on them again.

Def

Strangely, I actually cleaned the smallest one up yesterday.  Looks quite different now.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Cool thanks mate, I'll look forward to it , so have you had the ink done yet?

NOPE!!!!    Wife decided to go out so I will have to wait.

Ahh so you've got the joy of two screaming nippers instead ;D

[Benner]

Cool thanks mate, I'll look forward to it , so have you had the ink done yet?

NOPE!!!!    Wife decided to go out so I will have to wait.

Ahh so you've got the joy of two screaming nippers instead ;D

Lucky me! 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm not sure I'd clean them up too much, A health patina is a nice thing to have on old tools

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Cool thanks mate, I'll look forward to it , so have you had the ink done yet?

NOPE!!!!    Wife decided to go out so I will have to wait.

Ahh so you've got the joy of two screaming nippers instead ;D

Lucky me! 

I'll post you some paracetomols ;D

[supratentorial]

I've retired quite a few of my grandfather's woodworking tools but also use a few antique or older tools that I've bought on ebay. 

I don't clean up the retired tools too much (patina shows character).  A lot of metal cleaners are too harsh.  A light touch up of iron tools with Flitz removes rust without removing too much patina.  Periodic treatment with oil and/or wax preserves the tools well.