I found this forum a while ago while trying to find info on some old tools. I'm glad I finally decided to join. I've been a tool guy all my life (not by trade) and have recently evolved into a bit of an old tool collector. It all started when I was about 13 and bought a full set of Craftsman (when still made in the USA) sockets and wrenches from the guy dating my aunt, who later became my uncle. He gave me a great deal and since he was the kind of guy to grab a hammer when it was time to change a light bulb, he had no use for the tools. I was always the kind of kid who would not let anyone throw anything out before I took it apart to see if I could fix it. Sometimes I was successful. While all my friends were taking their bikes to the shop for repairs, I was figuring out how to fix mine. Soon they were bringing their bikes to me to save money. I still have those original tools and have added quite a few more over the years. I look forward to learning from all the expertise available here. Thank you.

Welcome from Wisconsin.  What is the era of your Craftsman tools and what other tools do you collect?

Hi, And welcome from Florida!!

Mike

#1000 , welcome from North central Ohio. Enjoy your stay. Lot's of knowledge here.

Howdy 1000, see Papaw for your trip to where ever, :-).

Thank you all for the welcome messages. My original Craftsman tools are from (oh wait, you're going to do the math and figure out my age) the mid to late 70's. I don't really have a specialty picked out with my old tool collecting. I'm fairly new to it. I have focused more on wrenches and those really cool Yankee (and other brands) push screwdrivers and drills. I 'accidentally' fell into collecting while searching Craig's List and estate sales for tools I needed. I would see other tools that looked interesting and make a good deal by offering to buy the whole lot. I would keep what I like and sell off the rest to break even and get my 'new' tools for nothing (sometimes even a small profit). Next thing I knew, I had a boatload of really cool old tools I didn't need but for some reason, couldn't part with. There's something about the feel of quality old tools that's missing with the new crap. Enough for now. Thanks for listening.

Welcome & Aloha from Hawaii, Lots of us have your affliction for old tools.. Oops I meant Affection...

Welcome! I did the same thing, cut grass and shoveled snow in the neighborhood made a quarter to 50 cents at a time, would save up and get brand new Craftsman tools! By the mid seventies I was getting bigger items ac/dc welder, floor jack radial arm saw, planer. Still got them, still use them!

Hmmmmm..... That story has a familiar ring to it.  You are the 1000th guy to tell it.  You will fit in here nicely.  Enjoy!

Hi and welcome from Alberta.

Happy to have you here! You should fit right in.

Welcome from new York   bob w.      amertrac

welcome tbt from tucson az.

Thank you all again for all the welcome messages. You guys sure make a new guy feel like part of the group.

Howdy!