my dad and his tools

I'm sorry for your lose. I lost my father just a bit over a year ago (he
passed away on his 79th B-day)

My father was an electrician by trade, but he loved to work with wood.

Never thought much about what he accomplished when I was growing up.

I inherited the house and most of the contents, but part of the deal with
settling the estate, was if any other family member wanted anything from the
house, they were welcome to it.

In the last few years, My father had finially started to spend some of the
money he had saved, and bought several new power tools such as a new
bandsaw, a planer, drill press, well you get the idea.
I grew up learning to use an old Craftsman Table saw. A few years ago Dad
finially bought another table saw from our next door neighbor (a Carpenter
by trade) when the neighbor bought himself a new TS. The one Dad bought from
him is an old early 40's I think Delta combination 10" tilting table TS and
6" jointer. Still runs great.

Anyway...

When my neice came over to see if there was anything in the house she might
be interested in, she brought her husband and kids. She picked out a China
cabinet and several memento's that had been in it.
The husband however went straight to the workshop (Husband is around 35 or
so, no workshop and a garage to fuul of crap to put a car in or use as a
workshop).

He came back later with a brother and a trailer, and took the Bandsaw (about
2 years old), the planer (Dewalt, about 3 years old), Floor standing Drill
Press, several routers, and on and on.
It broke my heart to see them go especially to someone who will probably not
give them a good home, but that was part of the conditions of th estate.

When it came to the tablesaw, that's when I told him he had taken enough and
I was keeping that.

As I move back into the house I grew up in over 50 years ago, I look around
and finially realize just how must work Dad did. (the house is and 1950
vintage 'bungalow', full basement, 1 1/2 story)

He fully finished off the 1/2 story attic by himself so us three boys could
have a bedroom. He did it all in knotty pine, with a cedar closet, window
seat, built in desks, etc.
He finished off the basement by himself as well.

In his later years, he turned to making jewelry boxes and gave them to
everybody. He also started to find old lumber from various places and
re-used the wood to make furniture.

Now the furniture is not perfect by a long shot, but he made it....

Over the last few weeks, I've been going through the workshop, sorting and
cleaning, and trying to find a place for my tools as well.

As I look at the workbench, I now see it in a different way than I did as a
child who sat there making pinewood derby cars or melting a whole roll of
solder with a soldering iron (yes an iron and not a gun) just to watch it
melt into a pool on the workbench. I look at how it was built, and see the
simple but strong joints. I notice it's made out of what appears to be old
2x6's for the top. I have no idea how old it is. I don't know if Dad made it
(I remember it always being there) or if it came from his father.

I see the top of it that shows at least 50 years of nicks, gouges, burn
spots (from the solder) and paint spills.

I breifly think of building a new one or replacing the top at least, and I
realize I could never do that. The bench stays just the way it is.

As I go through a set of drawers lining one wall that my dad built a long
time ago, I see all the tools I grew up with, some are tools my dad got from
his father, some he bought.
Some are high quality tools, some are junk. Some are well kept, while others
have seen better days. I remember them all

My neices husband may have taken more than his share of the bigger, newer
tools, but I have the better ones.

The memories as they say are priceless


"The Other James" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lost my father to cancer a few months ago. He was 61. I found out that
he left
> his woodworking tools to me - each tool is a priceless memory.
>
>
>

Yep, nothing but the best tools there. I had some of his tools for
quite some time. When he passed away 2+ years ago, I got the rest. My
brother was never much of a handy man so he passed them to me. I also
have a plane of his that I haven't cleaned up yet as well as one from my
FIL who passed away before I met my wife. Maybe this winter I will
clean them up. The screwdrivers, chisels, hammers, hand saws... All
work better because of their history.

BRuce

mel wrote:
> I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch drinking
> coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I had
> going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me out to
> his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
> inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee screwdrivers,
> chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth. Tools
> his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide with
> back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked up a
> scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after he
> died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one. There's
> a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
> Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
> have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
> do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like to
> redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
> tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
> thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
> never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can do
> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can and
> be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and the
> days remaining.
>

--
---

BRuce

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:24:46 -0500, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Wow... These days in America they put you in prison for trying to carry
>nail clippers onto a plane.

You're now allowed nail clippers - Dan Quayle was stopped with a pair,
and it was less embarrassing to change the rules afterwards.

Last time I flew back from the US, I was carrying an entire Lee
Valley order. It was cheaper to have it shipped to my hotel than
straight to the UK 8-)

--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods

Mel, you are a lucky man. There are lots of us who would give up every tool in
the shop for your opportunity. Help your dad with the cabinets. You'll
cherish the memories,

Lost my father to cancer a few months ago. He was 61. I found out that he left
his woodworking tools to me - each tool is a priceless memory.

>
> Turning them over in my hands I notice the little things now. Oak ply
> edged with oak. Pretty tight miters. Bit of blow-out on the backside
> of the ply. I run my hands across it and tell grandpa that he
> probably shoulda used a zero clearance insert. He admonishes me that
> he probably did...which is why this one was in the scrap pile. I
> notice the finish and ask him what he used. Appreciate how the
> rounded edges are smooth and friendly to the hands.
>

Oh, so you do that too?

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

> "Timothy Drouillard"
> > When my neice came over to see if there was anything in the house she
> might
> > be interested in, she brought her husband and kids.
> >
> > He came back later with a brother and a trailer, and took the Bandsaw
> (about
> > 2 years old), the planer (Dewalt, about 3 years old), Floor standing Drill
> > Press, several routers, and on and on.
> > Now the furniture is not perfect by a long shot, but he made it....
> > My neices husband may have taken more than his share of the bigger, newer
> > tools, but I have the better ones.
> >
> > The memories as they say are priceless
>
> Hey, we have the same niece! My FIL promised me his tools and the '64 Chevy
> that was cherry with 30,000 original lightly driven (always garaged) miles.
> She wrecked the car and her husband sold the tools for beer money.
>
> Fortunately, I have a couple of things that have good memories also. I can
> always buy tools.
> Ed

Got that right! The memories are important, but it's also important not to let
a boob like that ruin your life. My brother (who has been in/out of rehab for
hard drug use) stole a bunch of my father's tools when he was sick with cancer.
I let it ride, even though that affected me as well as my dad. Dad's gone now,
but I will have to be around my brother for many decades to come. One thing to
be grateful for, he has begun to reexamine his life and make some good decisions
for a change. And when he talks about dad, he's proud! "My dad did this... my
dad did that..." If dad had known that his death would finally straighten my
brother out, he would have volunteered. He was that kind of father - would have
thrown himself onto a hand grenade for a stranger.

'Appy Thanksgiving, all!

James

The same look my Dad's eye would be saying "Hell, I just gave him my tools,
told him there was a job to be done, and now he's asking how "I" will do the
job without my tools??"

Get on with the job and enjoy working with your Dad.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/21/03


"mel" wrote in message


> When I told him he needs to hang on to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
> thing.

<snip many great stories>

Stop that! You guys are making me look like a crying sissy at work!

(This is why the wreck was worth saving 'eh?)

I turn 30 this year and have been dabbling in ww for..oh..4 years or
so. I always believed that my grandfather, who passed away in '95,
could build anything. Carpentry. Finish work. Woodworking. You
name it. I can still smell the sawdust in his shop.

It wasn't until he'd been gone a few years that I really started
getting interested in ww...and I can still remember the poignancy of
the moment that I realized what he was talking about when he was
debating whether to get a jointer or a planer/moulder. The
conversation sprung to mind after I'd read a review, and I remember
thinking "I understand now, grandpa, I get it now!" (he solved his
dillema..by buying both. Good man.)

I too inherited a bucketload of tools as the only really
woodworking/tool-oriented grandchild. Even better, I have a box of
offcuts from his shop. Oak trim sticks, mostly. But a few "scrap"
drawer fronts that he'd made and tossed into the pile.

Turning them over in my hands I notice the little things now. Oak ply
edged with oak. Pretty tight miters. Bit of blow-out on the backside
of the ply. I run my hands across it and tell grandpa that he
probably shoulda used a zero clearance insert. He admonishes me that
he probably did...which is why this one was in the scrap pile. I
notice the finish and ask him what he used. Appreciate how the
rounded edges are smooth and friendly to the hands.

And I try not to mix tears with the sawdust as it hits me just how
much I miss him.

"mel" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I went to see my dad yesterday morning.

SNIP of a great story

My dad died in 1995. It took a couple of years before my mother was
able to allow my siblings and I to "use" his stuff. Being the only
woodworker in the group, I took home most of these type tools. My
brother took home the carpentry type stuff (i.e. I got the Shopsmith,
he got the RAS and wormdrive saw, etc.). Included in the items I
received was an old Stanley transitional coffin plane ( a 122 I
think). Not a real big deal and I cleaned it up and sharpened it and
it worked OK, but the mouth is too wide and it is hard to adjust
properly, yadda, yadda. It was some time later that I found out that
this plane is basically the only thing my dad had that had once
belonged to his father. His father had died in 1928 when he (my dad)
was 8 (and he was the oldest of 5 kids). Growing up fatherless in the
backwoods of West Virginia during the Depression, it is lucky he still
was able to hold onto that. That plane has a whole new meaning now. It
gets used now and then for an important project - usually something
for my mom or other immediate family member. It tends to slow down the
project though as I find it necessary to sit and ruminate awhile
whenever it comes out for use.

Dave Hall

Thanks to all who posted to this thread. It reaffirms what I suspected all
along. Behind every woodworker there's someone who has influenced them. To
those who have lost their father, I'm sorry. One day you will be reunited.
To those who never knew their father, again, I'm sorry but like my two step
daughters, (the only children I have), hopefully you have someone who
stepped up to fill the void. Have a good holiday season.

--
"If you are arrogant, who's going to care if you're the best?"

<Snip of another great family heirloom story>

Now that's a perfect use of a tool like that Dave! It might not be the best
tool functionally, but when you can let your family know that it was made
partly with that old plane it's going to be even more special to them.
--
Larry C in Auburn, WA

Well said! I lost my Dad when I was in my 30's before I really got into
woodworking. Missed my chance and like you said, I'd give everything I have
to spend time with him.
--
Larry C in Auburn, WA

"Jwemes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mel, you are a lucky man. There are lots of us who would give up every
tool in
> the shop for your opportunity. Help your dad with the cabinets. You'll
> cherish the memories,

Timothy Drouillard wrote:

> I'm sorry for your lose. I lost my father just a bit over a year ago (he
> passed away on his 79th B-day)
>
> My father was an electrician by trade, but he loved to work with wood.
>
> Never thought much about what he accomplished when I was growing up.



Of all the posts in this thread there is only one I can truly relate to.

Pop was in his mid 30's when I came along and died at 53 of an aneurysm
when I was 19. Grandfather died when I was 8. Maternal Grandfather went
before I was born.

I am so absolutely frigging jealous of you people who had their fathers
and grandfathers through those transition years between teens and mature
manhood , I don't think many of you could understand.


That being said, the father in law died on the 16th at age 79 of cancer.
I've known he was failing for a few years. The family got to say
goodby, to make their peace.

I have a 27 year old brother in law who crawled into a bottle on the 14,
the night Thomas was taken to the hospital for the last time. This is a
mistake I'm all to familiar with.


Today's Thanksgiving. There's the big thing at the sister in laws house.
Full blood Italian family from the Old Country.

It's going to be an interesting day.


Far as my Father (a JOAT) and his tools, I hated being the indentured
servant while growing up but now am grateful for the lessons learnt.






--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens,
A.K.A. Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the
suspense. (Gaz, r.moto)

"mel" <[email protected]> wrote in news:nT2wb.29
[email protected]:

> I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch
drinking
> coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I
had
> going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me
out to
> his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
> inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee
screwdrivers,
> chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth.
Tools
> his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide
with
> back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked
up a
> scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after
he
> died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one.
There's
> a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
> Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I
could
> have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he
can't
> do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like
to
> redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
> tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on
to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the
right
> thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
> never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can
do
> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me
but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can
and
> be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and
the
> days remaining.
>

If I were you I would document the whole thing. Memories fade.

AS for the cabinets, tell him that you will be his hands if he has the
patience.

r

--
Nothing beats the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with DLT tapes.

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 13:46:59 GMT, "mel"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch drinking
>coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I had
>going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me out to
>his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
>inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee screwdrivers,
>chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth. Tools
>his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide with
>back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked up a
>scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after he
>died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one. There's
>a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
>Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
>have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
>do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like to
>redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
>tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
>them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
>thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
>never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can do
>his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
>the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
>With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can and
>be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and the
>days remaining.


I know exactly how you feel .When they put my father in a "home" all
the tools came to me because of all the brothers (7 ea) I was the
only one that did any woodworking. I use his tools many times. He had
an old Stanley plane that I still haven't figured out yet and have
tried it several times over the years. I imagine you will offer to do
the cabinets. If you are lucky he will want to participate. Count your
time left with him as "bonus" time.
Ken in NS

Having learned the hard way, my advice to you is to let him "supervise" you
quite closely and get the cabinets done asap. I'm sure you understand what
I mean.

Jim

"mel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch drinking
> coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I had
> going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me out
to
> his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
> inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee
screwdrivers,
> chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth. Tools
> his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide with
> back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked up
a
> scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after
he
> died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one.
There's
> a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
> Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
> have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
> do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like
to
> redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
> tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
> thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
> never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can do
> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can
and
> be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and
the
> days remaining.
>
> --
> "If you are arrogant, who's going to care if you're the best?"
>
>

Really great thread. I'm an occasional lurker and frequent Googler for
tips on various topics, but I had to weigh in on this one. My dad died
in 1986 (seems like yesterday) and I have a lot of his mechanics and
woodworking tools and many that were handed down to him by my mom's
dad. (As a matter of fact, I'm tearing up the garage right now looking
for his old countersink bit because I like it better than any I've
seen at HD). I spent thousands of hours by his side from the time I
was old enough to hold a screwdriver until his death 20 years later. I
can remember him teaching me to mark and complete a straight cut with
a crosscut saw and the pride I felt when he decided I was old enough
for the circular saw. I really enjoy using those tools and feel
happily close to dad and Pop-Pop in the process.

Thanks dad, for the lessons in life and in the shop!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Tom Murphy

[email protected] (David Hall) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "mel" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > I went to see my dad yesterday morning.
>
> SNIP of a great story
>
> My dad died in 1995. It took a couple of years before my mother was
> able to allow my siblings and I to "use" his stuff. Being the only
> woodworker in the group, I took home most of these type tools. My
> brother took home the carpentry type stuff (i.e. I got the Shopsmith,
> he got the RAS and wormdrive saw, etc.). Included in the items I
> received was an old Stanley transitional coffin plane ( a 122 I
> think). Not a real big deal and I cleaned it up and sharpened it and
> it worked OK, but the mouth is too wide and it is hard to adjust
> properly, yadda, yadda. It was some time later that I found out that
> this plane is basically the only thing my dad had that had once
> belonged to his father. His father had died in 1928 when he (my dad)
> was 8 (and he was the oldest of 5 kids). Growing up fatherless in the
> backwoods of West Virginia during the Depression, it is lucky he still
> was able to hold onto that. That plane has a whole new meaning now. It
> gets used now and then for an important project - usually something
> for my mom or other immediate family member. It tends to slow down the
> project though as I find it necessary to sit and ruminate awhile
> whenever it comes out for use.
>
> Dave Hall

My father was an executive in the American Red Cross. He was the
first person in his family to go to college and in fact he completed
two degrees.

But he never felt that working with his hands was beneath him. One of
my earliest scars is on my ankle. I was playing on a pile of bricks
at 3 years old where he was laying a brick patio. The little bastard
broke under my weight and the subsequent fall skinned my ankle bone
clean to the bone.

When I was little, Dad and I built fences, doghouses, barbeque pits,
finished sheetrock, installed drains . . .

Dad was never willing to hire a contractor if he could see his way
clear to how a job ought to be done. Of course, it always took longer
than we thought it would and cost more than we anticipated, but was
the years pass, you get used to that and can plan for it.

Then came that fateful day. I was in college, and Dad had waited on
me to get home before installing a window air conditioner. He didn't
think he could lift it by himself.

I almost went into shock.

Dad. Dad. Waited. On. Me.

Dad never waited on me. Ever.

It's been downhill ever since.

He doesn't breath well any more. His stamina is poor.

He's seventy this year. He's developed adult aquired diabetes, and
survived an arterial bypass. He's already outlived his father and
grandfather, but I think we both know that he's fading.

You know, I never thought that Dad was around much when I was a kid.
It seemed like he was always either away on a business trip or working
late at the office.

But today, when one of my friends asks me "where did you learn to do
THAT?" I answer, "Father teach, long time ago."

Bill

Possibly, but not likely. We left Alabama around 72 and spent three
years in Boston. Then down to Charleston.

It would have been Bill McNutt. He didn't go by Senior. He was the
general manager of the Tuskaloosa Chapter. Then an Assistant in
Boston, and then GM again in Charleston.

Bill

"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> hi bill. i worked for the red cross back in 72 during the agnes flood
> in corning n.y. i seem to recall your name but cant place it with a
> face. seems he would be in his 50's or 60's now. would this maybe be
> the same mcnutt? just curious. skeez

On 24 Nov 2003 15:23:05 -0800, [email protected] (Tom Murphy)
wrote:
>
>Thanks dad, for the lessons in life and in the shop!!!

You guys are all lucky. I love my dad dearly, but I'm a first
generation "mechanic". My father is much more interested in golf than
woodworking, mechanical things, etc... I was never able to share
these things. I have much more control over a tool than a driver.
<G>

Barry

Know the feeling well. I wrote about my stumbling upon some of my
grandfather's furniture here in a thread called "A gloat of magical
proportions?" earlier this year ... DAGS if you like.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/21/03


"aaron" wrote in message

> Turning them over in my hands I notice the little things now. Oak ply
> edged with oak. Pretty tight miters. Bit of blow-out on the backside
> of the ply. I run my hands across it and tell grandpa that he
> probably shoulda used a zero clearance insert. He admonishes me that
> he probably did...which is why this one was in the scrap pile. I
> notice the finish and ask him what he used. Appreciate how the
> rounded edges are smooth and friendly to the hands.
>
> And I try not to mix tears with the sawdust as it hits me just how
> much I miss him.

In article <[email protected]>, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Don Mackie wrote:
>
> > scribing knives, gents saws and an anciant bevel in my luggage. Not only
> > heavy - but interesting on the security x-ray and I spent a lot of time
> > explaining.
>
> Wow... These days in America they put you in prison for trying to carry
> nail clippers onto a plane. I'll bet they really had a field day with
> you. :)

It was in my checked baggage, but I got used to hearing my name called
out over the PA and watching people unpack my case.

--
"Any PC built after 1985 has the storage capacity to house an evil spirit,"
Reverend Jim Peasboro

Last time I visited my father (he lives in Scotland - I live in New
Zealand) he gave me an assortment of his tools. Also a wooden tray
passed down from his great-grandfather and used (now for three
generations) as _the_ place to store odd-sized nuts and bolts. Dad is
now blind and the moment had considerable poignancy.
Imagine the fun I had at airports on the way home with an assortment of
scribing knives, gents saws and an anciant bevel in my luggage. Not only
heavy - but interesting on the security x-ray and I spent a lot of time
explaining.

--
"Any PC built after 1985 has the storage capacity to house an evil spirit,"
Reverend Jim Peasboro

Don Mackie wrote:

> scribing knives, gents saws and an anciant bevel in my luggage. Not only
> heavy - but interesting on the security x-ray and I spent a lot of time
> explaining.

Wow... These days in America they put you in prison for trying to carry
nail clippers onto a plane. I'll bet they really had a field day with
you. :)

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 13:46:59 GMT, "mel"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
>have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
>do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like to
>redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
>tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
>them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
>thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
>never get around to doing and he knows it.

Do it together.

Put it at the top of your list.

Barry

On 28 Nov 2003 13:34:42 -0800, [email protected] (Bill McNutt) wrote:

>My father was an executive in the American Red Cross. He was the
>first person in his family to go to college and in fact he completed
>two degrees.
>
>But he never felt that working with his hands was beneath him. One of
>my earliest scars is on my ankle. I was playing on a pile of bricks
>at 3 years old where he was laying a brick patio. The little bastard
>broke under my weight and the subsequent fall skinned my ankle bone
>clean to the bone.
>
>When I was little, Dad and I built fences, doghouses, barbeque pits,
>finished sheetrock, installed drains . . .
>
>Dad was never willing to hire a contractor if he could see his way
>clear to how a job ought to be done. Of course, it always took longer
>than we thought it would and cost more than we anticipated, but was
>the years pass, you get used to that and can plan for it.
>
>Then came that fateful day. I was in college, and Dad had waited on
>me to get home before installing a window air conditioner. He didn't
>think he could lift it by himself.
>
>I almost went into shock.
>
>Dad. Dad. Waited. On. Me.
>
>Dad never waited on me. Ever.
>
>It's been downhill ever since.
>
>He doesn't breath well any more. His stamina is poor.
>
>He's seventy this year. He's developed adult aquired diabetes, and
>survived an arterial bypass. He's already outlived his father and
>grandfather, but I think we both know that he's fading.
>
>You know, I never thought that Dad was around much when I was a kid.
>It seemed like he was always either away on a business trip or working
>late at the office.
>
>But today, when one of my friends asks me "where did you learn to do
>THAT?" I answer, "Father teach, long time ago."
>
>Bill

hi bill. i worked for the red cross back in 72 during the agnes flood
in corning n.y. i seem to recall your name but cant place it with a
face. seems he would be in his 50's or 60's now. would this maybe be
the same mcnutt? just curious. skeez

mel wrote:

> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.

Wow, that's sad. :(

I'm going through something similar with my grandfather right now. He's
pushing 90, and I can beat him at arm wrestling and checkers pretty much at
will. It breaks my heart. I'm not *supposed* to be able to beat him at
arm wrestling or checkers. I'm not supposed to even be in the same league
as him.

> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can
> and be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned...
> and the days remaining.

I see Dad every day that I'm not on the road. My kids spend at least 3/4 of
their non-school hours at my parents' house. One of the reasons I was
never willing to move to find a better job. I drive a truck so my kids
have their grandparents, more than anything else.

I *am* thankful for my parents. I'm dreading the day when they're not
around anymore. I'll be all alone, except for my wife.

Well, here's to hoping that doesn't happen for many years to come.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

On 28 Nov 2003 21:23:17 -0800, [email protected] (Bill McNutt) wrote:

>Possibly, but not likely. We left Alabama around 72 and spent three
>years in Boston. Then down to Charleston.
>
>It would have been Bill McNutt. He didn't go by Senior. He was the
>general manager of the Tuskaloosa Chapter. Then an Assistant in
>Boston, and then GM again in Charleston.
>
>Bill
>
thanks for the reply. i didnt figure it would be but ya never know. i
also served in the navy with a petty oficer by the same name in 75 or
76 in the south pacific but the dates dont work out. must be a common
name. skeez

Man i wish i had that orportunity My dad was 48 when cancer got him I was
only 20, I am 60 now and when i read a story like you just wrote it brings
tears to my eyes.

Don't miss this oportunity let your Dad know you will do the cabinets but
will need his help to get them done right.
I'll bet he can still teach you a thing aor two in the process.

Good Luck,
George
"mel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch drinking
> coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I had
> going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me out
to
> his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
> inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee
screwdrivers,
> chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth. Tools
> his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide with
> back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked up
a
> scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after
he
> died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one.
There's
> a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
> Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
> have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
> do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like
to
> redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
> tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
> thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
> never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can do
> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can
and
> be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and
the
> days remaining.
>
> --
> "If you are arrogant, who's going to care if you're the best?"
>
>

"Timothy Drouillard"
> When my neice came over to see if there was anything in the house she
might
> be interested in, she brought her husband and kids.
>
> He came back later with a brother and a trailer, and took the Bandsaw
(about
> 2 years old), the planer (Dewalt, about 3 years old), Floor standing Drill
> Press, several routers, and on and on.
> Now the furniture is not perfect by a long shot, but he made it....
> My neices husband may have taken more than his share of the bigger, newer
> tools, but I have the better ones.
>
> The memories as they say are priceless

Hey, we have the same niece! My FIL promised me his tools and the '64 Chevy
that was cherry with 30,000 original lightly driven (always garaged) miles.
She wrecked the car and her husband sold the tools for beer money.

Fortunately, I have a couple of things that have good memories also. I can
always buy tools.
Ed

My Father has been gone for quite a while, unfortunately most of his tools
were stolen from me when someone stole my truck years back. I have a few
pieces still and some of my Grandfathers as well. So cherish what he passes
on to you.
My Father in Law lives next door to us, and there is nothing he enjoys more
than feeling needed/useful. So do the job that is expected, with humility
and under the tutelage and guiding hand of a proud Father.
I know I have had to swallow my words and opinions more than once to
maintain whatever feelings he has for our relationship. Then when the chance
comes do the correct thing, but remember he very well might be right all
along.

Dave

"mel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to see my dad yesterday morning. We sat on his back porch drinking
> coffee before the sun came up. I was telling him about the projects I had
> going and the new tools I had acquired. After we visited, he took me out
to
> his garage and led me to his old carpenter's box. He opened it up and
> inside it was all of his old tools. Hand saws, planes, yankee
screwdrivers,
> chisels, scribes, brace bit, etc. Tools I remembered from my youth. Tools
> his dad had given him. Beside it was his old Stanley miter saw guide with
> back saw. I cut my first miter with that saw. He bent down and picked up
a
> scribe and told me how he had gotten it out of his father's garage after
he
> died. He'd pick up another tool and tell me when he got that one.
There's
> a story behind every one and memories that cross generations.
>
> Then he did something that made me get all choked up. He told me I could
> have them now. He's 70 and eaten up with arthritis to the point he can't
> do much anymore. Just a few minutes ago he was telling me how he'd like
to
> redo the cabinets in the kitchen for my mom. Now he's offering me his
> tools. I didn't know what to say. When I told him he needs to hang on to
> them if he was going to redo the cabinets I thought I was saying the right
> thing. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that was a project he'd
> never get around to doing and he knows it. It breaks my heart. I can do
> his cabinets for him which he'll enjoy and I can even let him help me but
> the fact is he knows he can't anymore.
>
> With Thanksgiving around the corner I hope you can look back like I can
and
> be thankful for your father, the times shared and lessons learned... and
the
> days remaining.
>
> --
> "If you are arrogant, who's going to care if you're the best?"
>
>

I too lost mine a few months ago. He was a great man and I never met a
person who didn't like him. He knew allot but . . .we all laughed because
mechanical aptitude was not his strong suit (and that's being kind). His
tool collection consisted of about 5 old paint slopped screwdrivers and a
cheap pair of pliers and I'm not sure he cared to master anything more -
just kept them on hand for someone else who might need them. Funny thing, I
have those old screwdrivers now and I reach for them first when I need one.

Don


The Other James <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lost my father to cancer a few months ago. He was 61. I found out that
he left
> his woodworking tools to me - each tool is a priceless memory.
>
>
>