Recent Articles Drill Bits Date: 1/11/2018 2:44:43 AM Blenders and Food Processors Date: 12/4/2016 1:35:00 AM Wood Chisels Date: 1/23/2016 10:47:00 PM Handsaws Date: 1/13/2016 12:18:39 AM More on Chains Date: 10/31/2015 7:02:28 PM Reel Style Lawn Mowers Date: 8/12/2015 1:14:14 AM Working with chainsaws Date: 8/9/2015 10:18:53 PM Old Tools Need Not Be Forgotten Date: 8/5/2014 1:42:00 PM Rust Date: 11/24/2013 2:40:00 PM Winter is Coming Date: 10/18/2013 1:39:00 PM Rummage Sales Date: 9/27/2013 1:38:00 PM Farmers Market Date: 6/3/2013 1:38:00 PM Kitchen Knive Sharpening Date: 5/16/2013 1:37:00 PM Farmers Market Date: 5/13/2013 1:36:00 PM The Great Outdoors Date: 5/7/2013 1:35:00 PM Lawn Mowing Blade Sharpening Date: 4/25/2013 1:35:00 PM Mini Blades Date: 4/20/2013 1:31:00 PM Chisels Date: 4/14/2013 1:22:00 PM Playing with Sharp Objects Date: 4/5/2013 1:04:00 PM Shovels and Trowels Date: 4/4/2013 1:02:00 PM
Stay Sharp Rummage Sales Date: 9/27/2013 1:38:00 PM While driving around, I sometimes stop and see what there is at yard sales in the area. There are always those gems that people have no use for anymore and they can't think of putting them in the trash. The ones that really get my attention are those who are moving and find they no longer have a need for the older hand tools. I have also seen many people moving into apartments or condo's and will no longer need the gardening tools they collected over the years. Some of these tools are in real good shape, and sell very quickly, other tend to sit there waiting for someone to see the value in picking up a rusty saw, or nicked up pruning shear. At one such sale a few weeks ago, I heard someone say they were looking for garden tools, but everything there was junk. There sitting right on the table was a pair of loppers that although were a little on the worn side, and the blade was nicked quite badly, were of a better quality. I looked them over and asked the person what was wrong with these. After listening to the person, I pointed out that the problem was not that they were well used and abused, but that they just needed a good cleaning and have the blade touched up. The price was only $.50 and for another $4.00, I could bring them back to like new condition. Yes it would be spending a few dollars more after the purchase, but they would still be a great deal compared to buying a new one. This lady then asked if there was anything that could be done with several other hand tools sitting there. Her husband had been looking at a few things that were for sale, but told her if they were in need of repair why buy it. I showed her a price list and explained that there were many things that could be very useful yet, and even having them cleaned up and sharpened would still save them more than half of what new would cost. She didn't buy anything that she said she was looking for, but said she would be sending her husband back to look, along with the information I had given her. I don't know if this happened or not, but it gave me something to add to this page. There are many older tools sitting in peoples collections that you can no longer find in the hardware stores. They are not only conversation pieces but with a little attention, can be very useful. Sometimes these old tools are easier to use than some of the modern power tools, and will give someone a sense of pleasure when they use them. Almost therapeutic. We enjoy seeing some of these things come into the shop to be reconditioned and either put back into service, or just put on the shelf for display. If it works the way it use to, and you can show someone how to use it, it becomes a value to your collection. So when you are out looking at some of those sales, think of what things were used for, and look through the grime, and rust. Don't think that because the blades are dull they are useless. Instead look at what it would cost you to buy it new, and compare that to what it would cost to get it sharpened. There are a lot of very good deals out there. Those who want a handsaw of good quality, can find them for around a $1.00, but they might be rusty and missing a few teeth. As long as it is only surface rust, we can clean them. The missing teeth are no real problem either. We do have the means of cutting new teeth on most any handsaw. Remember that most things made decades ago were made of quality materials and if cared for would last for generations. We can bring them back to being a treasured part of the handyman's toolbox. Happy tool hunting, and remember Sharp is Safe.