• Thanks for visiting The Penturners Forum today.

    There are many features and resources that currently you are unable to see or access, either because you're not yet registered, or if you're already registered, because you're not logged in.

    To gain full access to the forum, please log in or register now. Registration is completely free, it only takes a few seconds, and you can join our well established community of like-minded pen makers.

You showed me yours so I'll show you mine.

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
OR IS YOURS BIGGER THAN MINE

A thread turned into a little lathe topic so not wishing to spoil that one I'll start another, I was gonna link to it but can't find it anywhere.
My little metal lathe has been sadly relegated to a corner of the shed very little used these days but I would like to put it back in commission as my dad bought that for me and I think of him when I use it.
I said in the other thread that I had given my old metal lathe away, this is what I replaced it with.

P1070980.resized.JPG

When my dad died he didn't leave much but I wanted to get something that he would have loved and used with the money he left for me so this was it.

Dad's are just the best people in the world, they make everything right and fix anything that needs fixing. I do for my kids as I am sure you do for yours.

My dad also left his tools for me and some I have used with him in the past. I used to have the eyes and hands to do what he couldn't and now I am in that situation my kids don't use the same tools anymore so these are all redundant.
He had two watchmakers lathes or if I remember right Jacot tools so here they are little lathes. I got shot at trying to cut the horse hair to power these things (still have a bag full of it).

P1080003.resized.JPG

The coin is there to demonstrate how small these are.

P1080001.resized.JPG

Dad was the local Mr Fix it for all our neighbours, clocks, watches, telly's, washing machines, cars you name it.
He had a wealth of tools and bits and pieces in tobacco tins much like all of us i would think.
The next one is even smaller, a pivot tool for watch balances, these tools are not only tiny they are probably antique passed to my dad by his dad.

P1070984.resized.JPG

Is this small enough for you?? I cant use them any more so they may go on Ebay where they can be used.
I have seen them mounted on bases and put up as ornaments but that ain't my thing.

Here's the vice i used to hold the watch movements in while working on them.

P1070989.resized.JPG

Bored you eunff yet have drawers full of this stuff most of which has been forgotten about now or cannot be used anymore. and watch parts etc. a collection from him and I LOL.
 

silver

General dogsbody
Executive Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Posts
6,301
Location
Somewhere in Staffordshire,
First Name
Eamonn.
Can't speak, my wife and I full of tears,.,,, sorry Brian. But this was exactly the same for me. But when I get of these stupid hours I will post the lathe that my dad brought me when I was a young lad.. (15 to be precise) That set me off on the route I took today...

That was a myford ML7. Seen a bit of action since but would not sell it on ...

Thanks for sharing this special moment with us mate.. Like it......:love_it:
 

Woody

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Posts
12,812
Location
at home
First Name
no
I envy you guys I have no such memories with my father mine are exactly the opposite but I still love your story no wonder you treasure them watch lathes and clamp Brian God bless you mate
 

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
Eamonn have i spelled that right?
After mum died, dad put his Myford ML7 in the front room and kicked the gramophone and wireless out.
His house became a machine shop and the shed was a storage area, many a time I pushed a motor bike in the house and we set too on it.
My sister grew up getting her hands dirty with us too, she still repairs cars outside her house to help with the income on her heavy mortgage.
It was only recently I parted with the ML8 to Neils father who took up wood turning again.
Myford have sadly gone into demise and RDG tools have bought what was left of it.
I know all about stupid hours mate that's why I left Fujitsu they were killing me for little reward, I still have no work but have my happiness back have you not noticed how jolly me posts have been???


Woody I feel sorry for you not having those special moments and memories of times spent with the man who should be your idol.
I miss my dad so much all the time, he wasn't quiet and shy like me he was a real mans man and would punch anyone who said otherwise.
I still would not swear or smoke in front of him to the day he died at the age of 92 two years ago now.
But you my dad now init?
 

edlea

Lobbygobbler
Registered
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Posts
4,693
Location
Blackpool
First Name
Ed
Nice post Brian and interesting too. My dad was into mending clocks and watches ,I don't have many of his tools but I do have a few of his treasured pocket watches plus an oak longcase clock which he bought in 1956 for 30 bob and pushed it home on his bike .. Mother thought he'd bought a coffin when she saw him wheeling it up the street. It is now in pride of place in our hallway. Aren't dads great.
 

retreatjohn

Full Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Posts
354
Location
on the Dorset Coast
My Dad was a Shipwright, always making something in his shed. I still think of him when i get the smell of fresh cut timber. Don't know what he would make of all the machinery available for home workshops now.!
 

Jimjam66

Chief Battonager
Registered
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Posts
3,775
Location
Basingstoke, Hampshire
I still have my dad (he's eighty this year) and couldn't imagine life without the grumpy old curmudgeon! I have his Radial Arm Saw but he got rid of most of his other tools. Brian, first I'm glad that you are starting to feel better. Fujitsu didn't deserve you! Lovely memories of your old dad - and beautiful tools! Thanks for sharing.
 

PhillH

Little Grandad
Registered
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Posts
3,436
Location
Solihull - A Tyke in Exile
First Name
Phill
It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful those old tools were (are still), not just a thing of purpose, but something that is a pleasure to look at whilst using.

Thanks for sharing Brian.

I wonder if you have some kind of museum with an industrial theme nearby that might appreciate them, rather than the pennies they would probably fetch on ebay?
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Thank you Brian for sharing memories of your father, you have some wonderful memories, some of which are also tangible. I am lucky enough to still have mine but he's 80 and starting to go down hill. I have picked up most of my skills from him and he loves coming into my office with me and also showing off my pens. He is proud of me and I'm sure your father was proud of you.
 

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
Ain't it funny how we diverse every time?
This was supposed to be about little lathes, ended up about dad's and memories.
Those of you who still have your Dads, make the most of them while they are still here.
They still have so much to offer and it will never come back when they are gone.
As for giving tools to a museum I have done that before, only to find our museum closed, what happened to the stuff they had accrued I wonder?


More deleted cos when I get started I don't stop init?
 

Woody

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Posts
12,812
Location
at home
First Name
no
The trouble with museums is they keep most of there treasurers in storage and no one but them gets to see them any-more lost for all eternity
 

Neil

Fellow
Joined
May 21, 2013
Posts
3,132
Location
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
First Name
Neil
We have more museum space per head than any other country in the world. I didnt say that was a good thing or a bad thing. However, Woodys point, there is no point in having stuff in storage so what we have needs to be thinned down and some stuff binned otherwise the situation will just become worse.
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
You're right about Dad's fixing everything for sure, very nostalgic Brian and thanks for sharing your memories ... :bwink:
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Lovely trip down your lanes of memory and I agree about museums etc. Recently I was approached to join a mens shed and I offered them several items then learned their committee decided they would accept any and all offers of equipment then selectively keep what you would call the best and flog the rest off for surplus money in hand. Needless to say this will not happen with the table saw welders etc I had in mind. Bit like 56 yrs ago our then Church sent two presentable guys around to all of us with a view to a pledge system of envelopes using a form of contract, I was impressed hesitated for some reason asked were they fellow parishioners and complementing them on their kind interest for our local Church. Shock horror they were not even members but salesman who would be paid a handsome commission, never felt comfortable with this Church again.

Bit concerned having long ago been classified as aged now elderly but do agree cherish your Dads while you have them.

Kind regards Peter.:goesred:
 

Doug

Loquacious
Executive Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Posts
6,647
Location
In the wood shop
First Name
Take a guess
Great to read others fond memories of their dads.
I worked for mine for 16 years before at the age of 68 he got offered a proper salaried job, the novelty of getting paid at the end of each week was such that after 40 years of self employment he took up the offer.
He said he'd never had it so good, he collected his pension on a Tuesday & his wages on a Friday, he enjoyed it that much he carried on till ill health at the age of 73 forced him to retire properly.

I say retire, he'd turn up if I told him I was working at one of his old customers "just to make sure the lad was doing it right" I didn't mind it just meant I got more tea as all his old customers loved to see him & knew to put the kettle on, in fact they'd get the cake & biscuits out when he arrived.....I must have been doing something wrong :nooidea:
 

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
Thanks for all the lovely replies peeps.
Peter I am sure with your skills and equipment you are a very cherished dad, Granddad and great granddad.
I know our Woody is cherished by many members here as well as his own and adopted families despite what the old git says.
I was so sad when he sold everything off and gave up turning, then I was so pleased when he took it up again and joined in here to give the benefit of his wisdom to new starters. I love you dad.
I hope my kids appreciate what will become theirs but sadly I don't think so, I have tried with them but if it don't got a screen and buttons to press they can't maintain any interest.
All you can do my friends is your best, be the best dad you can to your children and their children, and it ain't all about money either. You cannot buy time with your family and the memories they will have.
 

Lons

Fellow
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
4,753
Location
Northumberland
First Name
Bob
Fantastic little lathe Grump. I love the old bits, I think I'd have them out on display rather than in a drawer.

Thanks for sharing the stories, brings back memories

Bob
 
Warning! This thread has not had any replies for over a year. You are welcome to post a reply here, but it might be better to start a new thread (and maybe include a link to this one if you need to).
Top