Show us your tools

[gstallons]

Hmmm. That is probably the tool used on a British bike. 

[docc]

I might-should have posted that in our dedicated Hammers thread . . .

 

[audiomick]

No, mate. That is not a common hammer. That is a precision adjustment tool for specific British motorcycle models. Well, all of them, actually.

[docc]

@activpop noticed a curious screwdriver in another thread that I enjoy using for valve adjustments. As he surmised (somehow), I inherited that from my father. The tail end looks made for some light tapping. Not sure if that style has a specific name?

 

 

Here is the Irwin in matching style, as well as the little knurled aluminum screwdriver with the blued shaft I inherited and learned decades later its origin and purpose.

The tiny brass-handled pieces I found when I was six years old investigating a water meter access on the walk home from school. Much later, I learned that they nest into a set that includes a hammer (GAM Mfg):

 

 

[docc]

3 hours ago, docc said:

@activpop noticed a curious screwdriver in another thread that I enjoy using for valve adjustments. As he surmised (somehow), I inherited that from my father.

The tail end looks made for some light tapping. Not sure if that style has a specific name?

 

 

 

 

I seem to be on to something here:

The "Perfect Handle "

https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-perfect-handle-screwdriver.html

edit: A bit more reading online (some call that "research", but reading online can be accomplished without all the screaming monkeys common to actual "research"), I found a reference to early "Perfect Handle"-style screwdrivers having a numerical size number in a triangle on the blade. I have never noticed this on this little tool in the fifty years I have been its steward!

Thanks, again, to @activpop for asking!

[audiomick]

46 minutes ago, docc said:

... in the fifty years I have been its steward!

I like that formulation. It indicates that "proper" tools last a long time, and have a kind of life of their own.

Whatever, I know that good tools "talk" to me the same way good musical instruments do, even if I can't play them.

[activpop]

 @docc, my guess on the metal frame and end is only a guess mind you. Years ago the only screw available was a slotted type. Old hinges, both butt and strap, plus many other pieces of hardware could be painted or rusted over for years. The perfect tool for plowing out the slot would be the screwdriver tip, but tapping it over the years would damage the wood end. Putting that metal cap at the end of the tang would prevent that. I have had to clean out hundreds of paint filled slots over my 53 years as a carpenter. I would normally use the tip of a Stanley knife, but back in those days this might have been the way. I still have one old Stanley chisel made the same way...metal end, wood handle.

[docc]

9 hours ago, activpop said:

 @docc, my guess on the metal frame and end is only a guess mind you. Years ago the only screw available was a slotted type. Old hinges, both butt and strap, plus many other pieces of hardware could be painted or rusted over for years. The perfect tool for plowing out the slot would be the screwdriver tip, but tapping it over the years would damage the wood end. Putting that metal cap at the end of the tang would prevent that. I have had to clean out hundreds of paint filled slots over my 53 years as a carpenter. I would normally use the tip of a Stanley knife, but back in those days this might have been the way. I still have one old Stanley chisel made the same way...metal end, wood handle.

Impact tool!

[activpop]

2 hours ago, docc said:

Impact tool!

Pre-Makita.

[gstallons]

Hey , Makita is good stuff ! Pricey , but good !

[audiomick]

Yes, impact tool. I have a couple of modern screwdrivers, both flat blade and phillips, in which the blade goes all the way throught the handle so you can hit the back end of the screwdriver with a bloody great hammer to loosen reluctant screws.

[gstallons]

I was going to get Makita this last time ( I have owned it before and the batteries played out) but the place I was working at had Milwaukee . I bought a drill , impact gun (where the bits plugged in) 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" impacts and some more junk.  Milwaukee is good and so is Dewalt . I'd stay away from the H/F and other stuff.