tools for son

[Bob Riefer]

Over the years, we generally try to buy things that we need as we need them. Between this approach and having generally pretty level-headed kids, we are blessed that our kids don't have a long list of wants when holidays/birthdays come around. During non-pandemic times, we would instead focus our gift giving on family experiences such as going to a 76ers game and having a fancy dinner in the city... but those sorts of gifts are trickier this year.

When I was a young teenager, my dad started building up a tool collection for me. Screw drivers and hammers and levels etc. His idea of the gold standard at that time was Craftsman, so that is what he gave me. I can distinctly remember having dual thoughts at the time...

Thought 1: "Geez, I'm just a knuckle head kid that plays a lots of basketball.. I don't even know which end of a hammer to pickup"

Thought 2: "But, there's just something neat about those tools... and dad sure must think I'm becoming a man to deserve such quality"


30 years later, I still have and use the tools. I had zero clue how to use the tools at first, but was willing to try. Little by little it morphed from repairing simple items around the home to progressively more complex home renovations and now to woodworking. I like to think I have a little clue now (heck, even my old man asks me for tips from time to time these days.. probably the greatest honor of my life), but am also wise enough to know that I'm still in the equivalent of 1st grade when it comes to being a craftsman (being aware of your own ignorance, and being willing to address it, is a powerful thing).

I think those tool gifts were the seed planted in becoming (more) self sufficient and starting a journey of creating (hopefully useful/quality) things. Thank goodness, because we have saved so much money by doing things ourselves, have built pride in the things that we have and the process to have them, and have created some things that others will use and love for many years.

My boy is a freshman in high school this year. He is a wonderful person and my best friend. He gets straights A's and is polite and funny. He helps me when I ask him to, and his assistance is increasingly helpful with each passing year. He lets me be tough on him as he understands there are lessons to be learned - I require that we do it right and that he be as strong and smart as possible when it's time to work. Raking leaves, shoveling snow, climbing up on roofs, helping with glue ups, painting, pushing wheel barrows, putting tools away, running errands, using some of our power tools under close supervision - do all of these things properly, do them until they're done, pretend not to tire out before your old man etc. The 107 boy-wonder (who somehow consumes roughly 25,000 calories per day, and grows about 1/2 inch per month these days) sure tries to hide that he's just a knuckle head kid that plays a lot of basketball and barely knows which side of the hammer to pickup... And I appreciate the act he's putting on. Sometimes you need to fake it until you make it, and I think portions of becoming a man are like that. I think he gets it that he'll need to be self sufficient someday, and that creating things is pretty cool.



So, I was thinking this may be the perfect year to continue the tradition my dad began with me 30 years ago. I'd like to start my son's tool collection. Sure, I've stocked the kids' workbench in the barn with hand me downs to some degree. But I mean starting his own collection that he will hopefully cherish and that we can add onto over time... things he can bring to college and to his future apartment and home etc. Maybe this is the seed planted for him too. (hell, it worked with basketball... started working on his jump shot form when he could barely walk :-)


To keep things reasonable, let's put this year's Christmas budget for tools around $250-300. And I'd like to focus first on non-power items (preferring to gift those to him in the future when the self sufficiency years are closer).


Do you have any thoughts on first items on this path? Toolbox, specific tools, brands? Anything. Just a fun thing to think about and talk about with likeminded folks.

I always greatly appreciate the insights here!

[jamil mehdi]

I did exactly the same thing with my boys, twins.

At 12 years old, I made them each a tool box (different, because they're twins and everything has to be different) and had a little brass plate engraved with their name and 12-25-2012 on it. I added a tape measure and combination square to each box.

The next year, shortly before christmas, I was at an auction and picked up three lie nielsen planes for pennies. One kid got shoulder plane and the other got a block plane.

The next few years weren't as impressive as the planes; drills once, a ratchet and socket set, screw drivers, wrenches, etc.

It's been 8 years since then and they each have what looks like a decent little handyman toolbox now. It's still just basic stuff, but good basic stuff. The boys are both at college now and one has an apartment. He called recently to ask how to do something simple. I said, "Get your drill and a 1/4" bit and..."

He did it. He was proud of himself. I was proud of him. The tools became important to him, and to me.

It's a very nice tradition and I envy you just beginning it with your son.

[Frederick Skelly]

I'd start with a toolbox. Give him a good hammer, a good set of screwdrivers and a tape measure. He will soon be driving. So with what is left, I'd start buying the initial pieces of a socket set. Get at least one ratchet and 6 sockets. If budget permits, buy both imperial and metric. The brand doesn't really matter. Even today's Craftsman brand is a step up from what I have used for years and should be perfectly sufficient for him to work on his own car.

Enjoy your son. It sounds like you are truly blessed.
Fred

[Edit. Lee is right - he needs Channel Locks.]

[Lee Schierer]

My Dad did the same for me when I started college. For birthdays and Christmas I received nice tools. My mom had a craftsman catalog that she kept track of the tools I'd been given. I did the same thing for my son. In fact he's getting a 10" glueline rip blade and a zero clearance insert for his Rigid 4512 table saw for Christmas. He got some Channellock pliers for his birthday.

Daughters like tools too, particularly when their husbands get them.

[Bill Dufour]

When my nephew was about 8 or 10 he got a free Harbor fright tape measure for christimas. I think I threw it in with some Craftsman screw drivers or socket set. His mom told me it was a hit with his little sister. He held it on the steps and she rolled marbles on it down the stairs. He is a graduated engineer now.
Bil lD

[andy bessette]

Just to give you some ideas, here is a photo of my principal portable tool kit I always have with me in my work of customizing yachts. Of course I have other kits mainly arranged around some specialty, such as drilling and fastening, mechanical, electrical, wood cutting, etc. A tool bag is generally far handier than a tool box and doesn't mar adjacent finishes.

https://i.postimg.cc/GtgDCtb2/tool-kit-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Jim Becker]

I gave my older daughter a tool kit recently when she moved to her first apartment and will be doing the same for the younger when she does the same within the next year. I mention it in those terms because it puts perspective on what I think should be in the initial kit...all the tools that one would normally need to handle typical tasks around the home/apartment. So that includes a normal, general set of screwdrivers, but be sure you include not just Philips and flat, but also square drive and torx. A multi-bit driver can easily handle all that, but it should be supplemented with some small drivers, too, for tiny screws that often are used for smaller things. Pliers, a regular hammer and a small one, an adjustable wrench or two, an awl (!), and a tape measure are the bare minimum. At least a small level should be in the kit and maybe a combo square. A battery powered screwdriver is also a nice thing to have as part of the basics if a larger drill/driver isn't part of the initial set. The bottom line is the initial assortment should cover the bases for "general tasks" that tools are handy to have for, rather than being specifically pointed at something like woodworking. You can certainly add other things to the mix no-problem. Any of the "house brands" of tools are fine for this...Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, etc.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Step 1: Define the intent.

Although you may be thinking about things such as building stuff, when they go to school (or similar), it is useful to have things such as:



screwdrivers
hammer
pliers of some sort
an adjustable wrench


While working as a night manager in the early 90's, a college kid explained to me that he did NOT know how to use a screw driver. Note that I was in college (or fresh out) at the time. I had no idea how to react to that in a way that would not offend the kid.

When I met my wife and a door knob was broken, she at least had a (very) small tool chest from her Father. Perhaps she had no idea how to use it, but, I was able to fix what was broken with the very few tools that were in it. The tools were cheap, but they worked. It was small so she had room for it.

Andrew Pitonyak

[Ed Aumiller]

All my grandsons when they first started driving (16 yrs old) received a tool set w/sockets/wrenches/ etc for in their car at Christmas...

[Sam Force]

I still have a set of Craftsman sockets and ratchet from 47 years ago. I have most of the combination wrenches from the same time. All were a gift from my parents. They have seen a lot of use over the years. They still reside in the same Craftsman tool box 47 years later. If my truck leaves the garage my prized Craftsman tools leave with it.

[Justin Rapp]

Are the into bicycles? If so, a socket set and some wrenches along with some bicycle specific tools would give them a good start to getting there hands dirty making repairs and adjustments. When they move up to cars, the knowledge just transfers and grows.

As far as brand is concerned, keep it was quality. As much as I am not a fan of craftsman power tools, but i'd suspect their current hand-tool offerings are still good. I have a mix of older craftsman, Kolbalt from Lowes and Husky from Hom't e Depot and all are equal in quality. No need to run out and drop big bux on SK or Snap On unless you wanna blow your budget.

[Mike Kees]

Bob ,your Dad and mine had the same idea of a great way to equip their sons for life. My parents bought my brother and me Socket sets and wrenches that I still have and use today. Craftsman was also my Dad's gold standard. We also ended up with a Jigsaw and drill. I still have the Jigsaw. I have also carried this tradition on with my son ,buying him mechanical tools for Christmas. Buy quality stuff that will last and be used as well as useful for a lifetime. Thanks for posting, this brings back fond memories of life in simpler times.

[andy bessette]

63 years ago, when I was 14, my dad took me to Sears to spend the paycheck I had earned from my first full week of work running heavy equipment; this was a summer job. He helped me pick out, among other things, a Craftsman 1/2"-drive ratchet/socket set plus a large set of Craftsman combination wrenches, most of which I still have today. In those days Craftsman tools were quite good quality and a good investment. And they were considered good enough for the working man.

Nowadays, much of what is sold as Craftsman is imported from China and is a noticeable step below the quality of the earlier product, sorry to say.

[johnny means]

My son will be graduating and most likely leaving the nest in a few months. I"ll be dumping my old stuff on him and rewarding myself for 22 years of being superdad with a bunch of brand spanking new Milwaukee stuff.:)

[David Stone (CT)]

Great post. The tools my dad and stepfather gave me years and decades ago or which I inherited from my grandfathers mean a a lot..... My gift candidates would be a Lie-Nielsen block plane or a Starrett combo square: beautiful, superb tools that will be useful and relevant at every stage of life, whether his need / interest is home maintenance, basic woodworking or fine furniture making.

[Rick Potter]

Pretty much the same story here. My son was 13 in 1985, back when Sears had a sale every week or so on tools. Over the course of a year I bought all the mechanics tools as they went on sale. Full socket sets in three sizes, wrenches in metric and SAE, screwdriver and nut driver sets, etc, etc.

By the time his birthday rolled around, he got a steel toolbox filled with everything he needed to work on most things. I got one of those vibrating engravers and put his initials on each piece. All bought at sale prices.

He is pushing 50 now, and still has most of the tools, except for some that were 'borrowed' when he worked in a boat shop.

We used them building a dune buggy when he was 15, and working on his cars from age 16.

[Steve Eure]

First tool gift my Dad gave me was a nice Craftsman mechanic tool set. that was in 1973. I still have those tools and use them every week in my shop and vehicles. Back in the day, those tools were quality and meant something. Next, he gave me a Craftsman Sawmill circular saw. I still have that saw often. That saw is 45 years old and performs as well as any top branded tool I've had in my hand.
I had three daughters and have gifted them small lots of hand tools over the years for small home improvement jobs. Mu oldest grandson always liked using my gerber multitool whenever he got a chance and once mentioned he'd love one for himself. Guess what's coming for Christmas this year? If, and when he gets a little older, I'll probably start him out with a good quality square, tape measure and set of mechanic tools, especially when he starts to drive.

[Lisa Starr]

Go for it. I began receiving Craftsman tools from my father in the late 60's. The combo wrenches and socket sets hang in my workshop to this day. Every time I reach for one, I think of my father and thank him for believing his "little girl" needed to own decent tools.

[Jim Matthews]

Consider adding a voltmeter.

Handy for troubleshooting, and an essential safety tool. A 4x6 soft rubber "Chef's mat" to catch dropped parts, slippery tools and to cut the chill if working on concrete.

[Bob Riefer]

Awesome posts everyone, thank you! I really liked hearing that so many have been on the giving and/or receiving side of this same sort of tradition.

(Also, Lisa... my daughter is just one grade younger and shows a strong interest in workshop related things... she'll be getting version 2 of this tradition next year.. girl power!!!!)

[Derek Cohen]

My story is quite different.

My father was an architect and a boy scout. I grew up camping in the woods, learning about trees, making fires, tying knots, and using an ax. Dad gave me a love of wood and design, taught me joinery ... but he had no clue about tools. I grew up the one nominated to fix everything in the house, from cars to surfboards and construction. The years went by and I graduated from renovating houses to building furniture, and along the way of course purchased tools. I love tools :)

I was so keen to introduce my son to tools and their use. He had a tool belt like Norm’s when he was 3. When he turned 4 I purchased a car for us to restore. :D He had absolutely no interest in any of this. I did question his paternity.

Fortunately, he is going to marry this wonderful young lady who loves woodworking. I buy her tools! :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Dan Hulbert]

When my daughter bought her first house, I got here a set of "around the house" tools. Mainly so she didn't "borrow" mine. I did include a cordless drill.

[Bob Riefer]

He had absolutely no interest in any of this. I did question his paternity.



Now that's a funny line right there :)

[Jim Dwight]

I gave my son tools when he needed them but he's mostly bought his own as he needed them. He is MUCH more into working on cars than woodworking but does a significant amount of home improvement too. When my daughter moved to an apartment at college, I made her some furniture and also gave her a bag of basic tools from harbor freight. I did not know if she would use them but I wanted her to have some basic stuff so I wouldn't have to carry everything with me when visiting and something needed fixed. So she got a set of pliers and screw drivers, a hammer, a tape measure, a five in one tool and maybe some other stuff. It has worked well but last time I was at her house visiting her, her husband and two of my three grandkids she asked for a better screwdriver. So I bought her a Milwaukee multi-tip ratcheting screwdriver I use at home. She says she uses the tools more than her husband but he has a few more but really isn't much into doing stuff, at least by himself. He has at least one friend who is much handier and knows an Amish man who works pretty cheap.

I think the suggestion of thinking about cars for a boy is a good one. It is something I probably should have done for my son. Depends on what they like to do. I carry HF sockets and wrenches in my BMW so I would think of them but especially at Christmas there are great sales from other companies. I have a lot of gear wrench stuff and most of it has been great.

[Zachary Hoyt]

When I was about 8 or 10 my grandfather gave me an old tool box with a couple of rubber mallets, a pair of slip joint pliers, a 1/4" drive socket set, a tape measure, a set of 8 screwdrivers, and probably a few other things that I don't recall. I still use the pliers almost daily, they are no-name but have held up remarkably well, and I have the other tools except the the tape measure which finally wore out. When I was 14 and 15 I used to go to do work for a man in our church who had post-polio and needed help with house repair and yard work, and he always paid me in tools, or money to buy tools, and taught me a lot about how to use all kinds of tools and how to repair things. I had only used a power drill when I began going to his house, but in a little more than a year before we moved away I learned to use almost every kind of power saw and an electric chain saw, how to drive screws with a power drill and many other things. He called it "The Philbrook School of Sawsmanship". I am very grateful for that early training, it helped me a lot with things that came up later, and he was a very patient teacher. He couldn't do the things he had done all his life anymore, but he could still teach them. One thing I never learned from him was not to set tools on the ground. He would always say "Don't put it in the DIRT, Zach" but I usually forgot pretty fast.

[Melvin Feng]

One thing that I would add that I don't see mentioned yet is a flashlight, or even better a head lamp that runs on AA batteries. It is really handy to have when you are doing home repairs and need to see while also holding one or more tools in your hands.

For pliers, I am partial to knipex. I think the 5 or 6 inch pliers are a great all round size and fairly inexpensive (I have a good sized set from 5 to 16 inches now, and I hope I never need the 22 inch version!).

Some other items I like to have on hand for household tasks are a small variety set of screws, both pan head and flat top, and some small nails. You can usually find these in those clamshell packs.

A hacksaw can also save the day when it is all that is available to you, same with a utility knife!

[Christopher Herzog]

Great stories everyone! I think as a dad this topic hits at the root of the why do we do things. We have a passion for the work and enjoy it. Who doesn't want to see their kids follow in their footsteps? My dad had a woodshop and when laid off from construction each winter would go to work. That must have been the kindling for me as I have taken his mantle and moved from dad's pine cracker barrel type projects to the period stuff I enjoy. This year my son is getting my set of Stanley Sweetheart 750's. Better toss in some bandaids, they are were sharpened and I never use them.

Enjoy the topic all, keep them coming!

Chris

[Mel Fulks]

Zachary , that's a good story. I picture your Grampa as being like Will Geer, in THE REIVERS. While you would be the
grand son and a pal to Steve Mc Queen. That ain't all bad !

[Scott Winners]

This is a great thread. I agree with Jim Becker back on page one to start with a small tool box with basic stuff that can fit in a dorm room at college in a few years and do useful thigns like hang pictures on the wall, tighten door knobs, that sort of thing. Channel locks and a small level, check, Lowes-Depot will be adequate quality for starting out. I do still have a Nicholson "Four in Hand" rasp/file combo that my stepfather gave me when I was seven, and a basic issue Swiss Army knife my dad gave me when I was ten. They both live in the top drawer of my tool chest where I can usually reach them with my eyes closed.

From there it is really about the experience. If the boy gets into cars, you'll be buying ratchet sets next. If he gets into surf boards, different tools. This year when you have stuff around the house to do, tell him to go get his tool box and do things together. You will want the smaller than standard/regular flat screwdriver so you can clock all the screws on the light switch and receptacle covers if you are into that sort of thing. I personally only clock the cover screws after I have had the box behind open and know the wiring in there is correct.

Head lamp was a brilliant suggestion.

One item that would blow your budget this year and not fit in his dorm room would be the bottom section of a stack on tool chest. A bunch of drawers to hold his growing collection of tools, and a small work surface above. When you get there, get the widest one you can fit in the garage. There were many tears when my youngest loaded up her welding tools to go away to welding inspector school, but they were good tears.

No matter what else you make with your son, make memories.

[Scott Winners]

I am in favor of a voltmeter in the wee box, 8-10 dollars from Horrid Fright. Also, not in the tool box, exposure to the other trades. Household plumbing is my kryptonite, I just don't do it with any tool other than my VISA card. At the end of the day it might have been watching the plumber do something I "can't" (do not want to) do that got my youngest interested in metal working. Electrical and framing and door hanging and drywall and plaster and paint I feel good about, but I hire plumbers.

I was thinking about a standalone outlet checker for a bit, but an entry level volt/ohm meter is more versatile. If there is any interest there, soldering iron and some mail order kits. A fella that can break open a toaster or a mixer or a hairdryer and either fix it or administer last rights will always have people to talk to. Handy for car stereo installs too.

Small engine repair interest maybe? Different tools going forward, but a super handy skill set.

I am getting ideas from this thread to be a better grandpa someday...

[Bob Riefer]

This thread has been really fun to follow! I really appreciate all the great ideas and stories! :-)

[Doug Dawson]

I am in favor of a voltmeter in the wee box, 8-10 dollars from Horrid Fright. Also, not in the tool box, exposure to the other trades. Household plumbing is my kryptonite, I just don't do it with any tool other than my VISA card. At the end of the day it might have been watching the plumber do something I "can't" (do not want to) do that got my youngest interested in metal working. Electrical and framing and door hanging and drywall and plaster and paint I feel good about, but I hire plumbers.

I was thinking about a standalone outlet checker for a bit, but an entry level volt/ohm meter is more versatile. If there is any interest there, soldering iron and some mail order kits. A fella that can break open a toaster or a mixer or a hairdryer and either fix it or administer last rights will always have people to talk to. Handy for car stereo..

A poor quality multimeter is arguably worse than no multimeter at all. Because if it’s wrong, and it may randomly be, someone could get killed. The minimum IMO would be one of the Klein’s from the BORG, less than a hundred bucks, although the benchmark is the Fluke 117 (around 180.)

I’d add to this a Knipex pliers wrench, a Knipex Cobra, and a decent set of screwdrivers. The Knipex’s are lifetime tools, BTW.

[Alan Rutherford]

How about a carpenter's brace for utility with educational value? With all the interchangeable bits available, it's the ultimate screwdriver, no batteries required. It's also a heck of a lot better drill than one of those egg beaters that should never have been invented if you can find appropriate bits - which you often can at yard sales. I still use one occasionally - most recently with an old auger bit and extension to drill starter holes in hard dirt for a small electric fence. A push drill is also convenient and useful.

I'm currently getting good use out of a BtMeter BT-770N multimeter for about $35 from Amazon and it's more than adequate. Re Harbor Freight: sometimes when quality is expensive and things are easily broken, there's educational value in having less than the best. He doesn't really need a good one now and he'll appreciate it more later.

[Rod Wolfy]

I grew up with my dad taking the families cars to the auto repair shop. I recalled thinking when I moved out to go to college that I needed a "tool kit", so I bought the always necessary Craftsman tool set in metal box with SAE/Metric sockets, etc. It was about $600 worth in today's costs. I've used it in the last 30 years a few dozen times. The first oil change, but then it was too messy. The car light came on, but then it went to the shop to diagnose the computer, etc.

However, I swiped a few tools from my dad's excess. I still treasure the leather handled rust bucket hammer that I got. An old "L" framing square. That was because I saw them being used by my dad and when he taught me how to nail two pieces of wood together, that was the hammer I was given. I cut my hand once playing with his hand plane, running my fingers across the mouth in the wrong direction.

When I got my first house 25 years ago, I found that none of my socket set was worth much. I got a tape measure, cordless drill, circular saw and sander. The real tools that my dad gave me were the knowledge of how to hammer two boards together, saw a board in two to a line and measure twice, but cut once. My dad passed this last Christmas, but every time I pick up his hammer, I remember his loving tools of knowledge.

My daughter loves the photos of herself using my Lie Nielsens when she was a kid. Every time she goes into my shop now (at 23) and there's fresh sawdust, she remarks on the smells and how it brings back fond memories.

[Bob Riefer]

I grew up with my dad taking the families cars to the auto repair shop. I recalled thinking when I moved out to go to college that I needed a "tool kit", so I bought the always necessary Craftsman tool set in metal box with SAE/Metric sockets, etc. It was about $600 worth in today's costs. I've used it in the last 30 years a few dozen times. The first oil change, but then it was too messy. The car light came on, but then it went to the shop to diagnose the computer, etc.

However, I swiped a few tools from my dad's excess. I still treasure the leather handled rust bucket hammer that I got. An old "L" framing square. That was because I saw them being used by my dad and when he taught me how to nail two pieces of wood together, that was the hammer I was given. I cut my hand once playing with his hand plane, running my fingers across the mouth in the wrong direction.

When I got my first house 25 years ago, I found that none of my socket set was worth much. I got a tape measure, cordless drill, circular saw and sander. The real tools that my dad gave me were the knowledge of how to hammer two boards together, saw a board in two to a line and measure twice, but cut once. My dad passed this last Christmas, but every time I pick up his hammer, I remember his loving tools of knowledge.

My daughter loves the photos of herself using my Lie Nielsens when she was a kid. Every time she goes into my shop now (at 23) and there's fresh sawdust, she remarks on the smells and how it brings back fond memories.


Thanks for sharing Rod, really enjoyed reading that. And, it's funny how sense of smell is a memory trigger... totally agree with your daughter on that one.

[Ben Helmich]

My dad did this for me. It's really a big deal, and helped me get started as an auto tech. +1 on the old tools meaning a lot. I tend to think about my family every time I pick one up. I think about Grandpa Meikamp every time I use his Snap-on t-handle even though I never met him.

[Bob Riefer]

Got my shopping done yesterday!

I went with a Rockler "joinery" tool bag that looked especially useful based on how I like to use tools.

For filling it, I went nearly entirely Craftsman because I thought it was neat that my boy's new tools are "twins" to so many of my old ones. Socket set, hammer, screw driver set, crescent wrench, needle nose, torpedo level, two tape measures, box cutter, combo square, allen wrenches, a couple things I'm forgetting.

I'll sprinkle in a few "antiques" for good measure.

All in, I hit my desired budget and I think he'll be in a great place to start working on a variety of projects using his own tools.

(and, another sentimental dad at the store commented... "you must have a son... proud moment ain't it?" :-) Next year, I'll be just as proud to repeat for my daughter, but I was impressed that he could tell exactly what I was doing)

[Adam Grund]

I don’t really remember what my dad bought me when I bought my house 10yrs ago, but I have a vague idea it was the Stanley hammer, level, handful of tape measures, framing square, and a couple other entry level diy tools. Still have and use them, and have added an army of tools to go with it.
What I do remember like it was yesterday is 20 yrs ago entering vocational school for auto repair and my dad buying me a basic tool kit with craftsman sockets wrenches, Ingersol impacts and air ratchets, ect. When I graduated high school and got a repair job it just timed out perfect he upgrade toolboxes, and gave me his old Snap On tool box as a graduation gift. (He had several through his garage but this was the main one)
Had that thing for like 3 years before I outgrew it, and I still remember him telling me he’d kick my ass for not trading it in on my new tool box, especially after what he found out they would give me for it (it’s a 30yr old piece of junk, he said. Take that money and run)
Still have most of all those original tools In some capacity, except the tool box. Most of the tools have graduated to my home tool box and I’ve upgraded to snap on for work- man, the memories this post triggered.

[Jim Becker]

Glad you were able to pick up a setup for your son and I'm also happy you'll be doing the same for your daughter! That's a mighty fine holiday gift for sure.

[Calvin Salline]

tools the gift that keeps on giving...
I've got tools that were my grandfathers and I'm 65. started buying tools for my son many years ago and is well set with mechanics tools. first ones were craftsman but as they played the Chinese price point game switched over to Tekton for both of us. they have a nice feel, HQ is in US but sourced world wide, good quality. now its on to carpenter tools for him as it is house hunting time and I like MY tools even though he is very careful and respectful of my stuff. I did give him a hammer that was his great grandfather's that I made a new handle for. that went straight to his room on a shelf just to be admired