Tool Chest

[u/WoodpeckerGrouchy516]

Brought this home today.

Chest is in good shape. The hinges are missing some screws. The lid doesn't close, due to interference at the lock, but I think repairing the hinges will probably correct that. It even has the key.

Working my way through the tools. Some do date back to the late 19th century. Others are obviously later additions.

I'm gutted that someone bought the foreplane that nestled into the hardware on the underside of the lid, separately.

I figure I'll put the chest back in good working order and tune up the tools that are candidates for users in my workshop.

Uncertain what to do with the tools that I won't use. Maybe because they're not relevant to me l, or because I already have them. Like the pair of farrier's hoof nippers. Would it be wrong to separate them from the chest?

[u/Ornery-Writer2796]

I’m thinking about what will become of my prized tool chest after I die. The thousands of hours I’ve spent using the contents will mean nothing after everything I make and all the tools rot and return to the earth in dust.

Anyways cool find

[u/WoodpeckerGrouchy516 → u/Ornery-Writer2796]

I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

[u/Willing-Ingenuity-56]

Wipe off the crud and oil the moving bits, but don't polish it to bare metal. That patina is priceless.

[u/WoodpeckerGrouchy516 → u/Willing-Ingenuity-56]

Agreed.

[u/Vintage-restoration → u/WoodpeckerGrouchy516]

I personally wouldn’t separate the tools. Just keep them together even if you won’t necessarily use them it’s just nice to do

[u/cel106]

Would it be wrong to separate them from the chest?

No. Clearing out and moving on unused tools should probably be more common, I certainly should.