Things were better back then. There was a day when people could learn different trades through magazines: mechanics, wood working, automobile repair, photography, etc. No bureaucracy, university diplomas, taxes, regulations and other nonsense. One learned to work and voila. My grandpa became a watchmaker after he retired. By mail! I wasn't alive to witness his craft, but mom always tells me how annoying were the dozens of different clocks chiming at the same time in their house. I can only imagine.
I prepared barbecue for Father's Day with my dad yesterday. We generally gift our dad's something (socks, underwear, pajamas...) to go along the celebration. This time, however, we inverted roles. Dad brought me a small wooden chest I've been asking for a long time. A lot cooler than socks {laughs}.
Back to mom's dad. Her dad (grandpa) used to buy tools and supplies from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro — quite the mission without internet, I imagine. After he passed, in 1988, grandma kept his tools until she gave them to my dad. After many decades, the same teeny tools will aid me into DIY projects at the (future) workshop.
Do you see value in antique tools? We can feel the quality on touch compared to today's mass-produced tools. It makes sense... If they withstood the test of time, they may be high quality; old garbage aren't around anymore. The same feeling strikes me when I grab the 50mm lens (1980's) that I use on all my photos. We can sense the quality (At least since I've never had a high-quality modern lens).
Watchmaking tools are particularly charming. They are delicate while also being robust, which is quite the dichotomy. I open the box and begin to discover the treasure. Shortly after I begin to take photos out of pure excitement.
Watchmakers tools: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
First thing to come out is a vise. Fallgatter is forged on the side. It works well despite the patina; a good lead screw clean-up will make it smoother. Too much cleaning removes the character though, so better take care. The clamp-on base is gonna add versatility to certain tasks.
Fallgatter vise: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
It's a brutal effort to avoid the adjectives 'small', 'tiny', or 'little' when writing about these tools. As readers might imagine, every tool in the box is delicate. For example, the hammer and anvil seen below. Definitely not for the heavy-handed folks. Gonna be perfect to install rivets.
Watchmakers hammer and anvil: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
Some say that tweezers are the extension of watchmakers' hands. Not gonna use them for watchmaking, but sure there'll be use for these. They don't have any brand stamps, which is a bit frustrating since I'm curious to know more.
Watchmakers tweezers: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
Remember when I restored that Victorinox pocket knife? A set of non-industrial files would've made life a lot easier. Round and flat files, triangular and sharpening stones. Already seeing use for those in the near future. {feels excited}.
Files: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
Screwdrivers! Can you see the tips? Neither do I. Only a macro lens would capture the details here. Drop a bolt that size and it's gone for ever. Goodness me, sometimes I have trouble finding a bicycle bolt on the floor!
Set of micro screwdrivers: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
Lastly, the coolest. These are pin vise, but I also call them drill bit collets or drill bit holders. They serve to drill or pin precise holes manually — super gently! I see these a lot used by plastic modeling (cars, boats, etc) hobbyists.
Drill bit holders: Nikkor 50mm | f4 | ISO100 | Aperture priority
Biggest dilemma now is deciding whether to clean the tools thoroughly or leave them as is. They are working well despite the muck. I'm afraid they'll lose character or the vintage look. Sure, to use them for watch repairs, a pristine clean-up would be advisable, but that's not the plan.
These tools are gonna be useful for certain jobs; for example, to pocket-knife restorations. It took for ever to restore the last two knives, mainly because I lacked a vise. I'm able to securely carve the wood to make scales and have a sturdy base to install rivets from now on.
Actually, dad also handed me his current pocket knife for a quite severe restoration that's gonna be featured on the blog soon. It'll be the first time these tools see use in years! Excited for that. Until then, we can enjoy them in photos.
Until the next project!
Peace.
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
