Hand tools

[bunn]

 philmophlegm  alleges that I am the only person in the entire world who owns a hand (not powered) drill.    I find this hard to believe.   My hand drill is an ancestral item which belonged to my father, and what's more, to his father.  It is a treasured item in my toolchest. But I am sure I have seen them for sale.   

Surely there are many, many people out there who are possessed of these quiet, controllable, sustainable, ecofriendly and above all, nifty devices? Do YOU have one?  If so please own up in a comment. 

Incidentally,   philmophlegm does a fine line in pretending that he is not a man of his hands.  But yesterday, while I was out, he took tools in hand and disabled the alarm system in his car!    Next time his caralarm malfunctions at dead of night, I'm going to bed rather than racing out in my pyjamas to disconnect the battery.  :-/ 

Comments

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

I have one that was my Dad's, it's not as good as it used to be though. I also have a small pin-vice drill where it's all about turning your hand rather than turning a handle to drive a toothed gear.

it's not as good as it used to be though

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Alas! The cry of the tool owner everywhere!

When I did a woodcarving course, there was much mourning over the indifferent quality of modern British steel. You have to buy Swiss to get steel as good as an old chisel these days - or so I am told. I haven't used an old British chisel, but my Swiss chisels are amazing and I love them passionately!

Re: it's not as good as it used to be though

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

Well actually I was talking about the fact that at 40 odd years old it is a bit knackered. But I too have heard folk talking about the lack of proper British steel for things. Must be why there used to be a chap selling old tools next to the woodcarvers' club stand at the Sarehole Mill event in mays past.

Re: at 40 odd years old it is a bit knackered

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Yes, I got that. I was just wandering away along a tangent :-D

Re:40 odd years old

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thinking about it, I *think* that mine may well be pre-war. So if yours is, say 45, and coming to the end of its life then maybe the decline in British steel is relevant after all...

I admit mine now has a fairly gentle life of semi-retirement, but it was certainly well used in its time, but is still motoring on in excellent condition. It may eventually need new wooden bits, but the steel is in great order.

Re: 40 odd years old

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

I have a lot of my Grandad's tools :)