My Shop Is So Outdated

[Jim Frye]

I was answering a tool question for someone and it suddenly dawned on me that nearly every tool in my shop is so old that they have been discontinued from production. The only exceptions are my DeWalt biscuit joiner and my Wagner Flexio 3500 HVLP system. Oddly enough, DeWalt is still selling the biscuit joiner after 20 some years. The HVLP system is a new acquisition last year.

[LCHIEN]

Same could be said for us, Jim.

[twistsol]

I have a 1951 Shopsmith and a 1962 DeWalt / Black & Decker radial arm saw, both built before I was born. There are also hand planes from the late 1800's to the 1930's. Every single one of those tools does everything it did the day it was new. Other than replacing my planer when the old one failed a couple of years ago, It's been 8 years since my last tool purchase.

Properly maintained tools should last a lifetime, and innovation in woodworking tools is slow. I can't think of any major advancement except the Domino Joiner and that is a specialty tool that came out 20 years ago.

[leehljp]

With routers, the slow start and quick stop sure is handy. The quick stop on circular saws and table saws are very handy also - and that aspect goes unnoticed until one is using an older saw and router without it. The router's slow start keeps them for "jerking" when starting up, which can cause the router to jump out of the hand if not expecting it.

Today's battery powered tools have enough battery power and durability, and motor power, to greatly extend the working range without the need of an outlet, or eliminated the need of an on site generator. I can't say enough for these advancements, I have several heavy duty (10 gauge and 12 gauge) extension cords that I hardly use because of competent battery powered tools.

These are NOT competent replacements for good powerful stationary shop tools, but they do add to it. Even both of my lathes are variable speed without need for changing the belts on the pulleys - something that old timers lamented on the pen forum as late as 2010. There are advantages in the electronic age.

[dbhost]

Sounds like someone needs a trip to Harbor Freight?

MOST of my tools are at least 10 years old. Lots of the Ryobi blue stuff, but a lot has been in the last 4 years since I started doing the One+ stuff and ugpraded my jointer.

[Jim Frye]

I also have a lot of old Ryobi blue/yellow One+ tools from the early/mid '90s. I ran the old NiCad packs until they died, had them rebuilt at a local battery shop, and when they died, converted to One+ lithium packs and chargers. I have nearly a dozen and a half One+ tools and they all still work like new. I also have a lot of corded Ryobi benchtop tools from that era. I have stepped into the current age with my OPE. It's all Ryobi 40 volt stuff, except for the 48 volt 38" riding mower. I doubt I'll be upgrading any of the shop tools as my Son and SIL have absolutely no interest in working wood. I guess everything will go in an estate sale when I pass on.

[leehljp]

. . . I doubt I'll be upgrading any of the shop tools as my Son and SIL have absolutely no interest in working wood. I guess everything will go in an estate sale when I pass on.

I have 8 grandsons. Four are 17 and under and they don't have much proclivity for tools except for "sometimes" just for special projects. They are more interested in projects than learning how to use tools. Three of the other 4 are all in their 20's. Only one (Age 20)shows interest in woodworking but mostly mechanical tools. Fortunately and unfortunately, he has a genius mind that loves learning with literal hands on things and has an uncommon amount of common sense. That was said to say he will end up more of high up manager or CEO than wood working. (Last year, between his freshman and sophomore year in college, his ROTC unit in conjunction with his Army national guard unit, he was chosen to go to West Point for a months training, which he passed with no problem. At 6 years of age, he knew the difference between garden plants and weeds - and he showed me.

I have two son-in-laws, and one who might get some of the tools - divided up with the one grandson mentioned above (son of the other SIL). I don't think they will use most of the tools to their specialty or capacity. I have been thinking of selling some, beginning in a couple of years or so. The one SIL who uses WW-ing tools is more interested in ceramic art, of which he has a masters degree. But at least when he does make something it is very artistic.

[cwsmith]

I have some hand tools that are older than I am (80), and some that I bought when I was in late highschool (Class of 62).

My favorite power tool is a Craftsman 10-inch Radial Arm Saw that I puchased in 1974, it was the last of the cast iron column RAS's made for the Craftsman brand by Emerson Electric.

In 2003, we had a new Home Depot in our area and that was around the time when Ridgid changed it's color scheme and introduced it's new line of power tools and Limited LIfetime Service Agreement. The local HD (Painted Post, NY) had numerous sales and I bought several tools Ridgid and Ryobi Tools, many in 'combo sets'. I also purchased their 15-inch standing drillpress... a great deal for $100, just because it was the old color scheme of gray and red.

I do have the Ryobi BT3100-1 which I bought on clearance in 2005 and shortly thereafter I puchased the Ridgid thickness planer and jointer. I confes that these latter two large tools I have barely used.

Neither my son, or two grandsons are the least bit interested in crafts of any kind, and in fact I have no relatives or even neighbors that show such interest. I grew up learning how to do most everything using my hands and brain to hone new skills. Unfortunately almost every younger person that I know as fallen to 'cell phone fever' and show no interest in much of anything else.

CWS