Cool Vintage Tools Hiding in Your Tool Box
Toolboxes aren't just hammers and nails. Sometimes, your toolbox is hiding treasures you forgot about. Let’s look at 20 hidden treasures you can find in an old tool box. Who knows, that old tool you have lying around might just be worth something. Ready to find out?
A Vintage Hand Drill
The old crank drill is a real classic of the tool world. You turn the handle, and the bit spins. It’s satisfying and almost magical compared to the electric drills we get now. And yes, you can still use it to make small holes today.
A Wooden Plane
A wooden plane is heavy and smooth. It’s also super easy to use - you just push it across wood to shave it down and make it flat. Wooden planes smell like old wood and feel like you’re holding a piece of history in your hands.
Brass Measuring Calipers
Have you ever seen brass measuring calipers before? They’re tiny, precise, and shiny under the right light. You open them to measure the thickness or diameter of basically anything. Not only do they look fancy, they’ll make you feel like a craftsman from a hundred years ago.
Spokeshave
We bet you’ve never heard of a spokeshave before today. It’s an antique tool that’s made of a blade with wooden handles on each end. You drag it along wood like chair legs to shape it and create perfect round edges. It’s almost like drawing with a tool.
Cast Iron Clamp
Forget the clamps you buy now. Cast iron clamps are heavy and solid, and you squeeze them onto wood to hold it still. Plus, they have that cool, old-fashioned cast-iron look. If you still have some, hold onto them tightly!
Oil Cans
Tiny brass or glass oil cans were used to oil tools to keep them working smoothly. They have a small spout and a little lever that dispenses the oil. You might even have seen one if you watched the original Wizard of Oz where they used one on the Tin Man.
Wooden-Handled Screwdrivers
Old screwdriver sets are nothing like the ones you get today. They had wooden handles and were simple and strong. They fit perfectly in your hand, and still worked even if they were a bit rusty - much better than those plastic handles.
Brass Screw Extractor
The brass screw extractor was a small tool with a serious job. It pulled broken screws out of wood or metal. While most people hammer it in, this tool saved many a piece of wood back in the day. Today, they’re hard to find.
Old Nails and Screws
Have you ever compared old nails and screws to the ones we get now? They’re completely different, and have different shapes. So many people kept them in little tins and jars back in the day, so don’t be surprised if that’s where you find them too.
Vintage Pliers
Everyone loves a vintage tool. And vintage pliers are still handy today. They grip, twist, and hold things tightly. The handles are smooth from many years of use, and they just have that feeling like they’ve done so many jobs already.
Combination Square
Kids of today will never know how great a combination square was. It was used to measure things, and had a slide and lock for exact measurements. You could draw straight lines or check angles like a pro with one of these tools.
A Marking Gauge
A marking gauge scratches perfect lines on wood. Woodworkers loved it because it was so easy to use, and gave precise markings. Just holding one makes you feel like you’re a woodworking pro even if you’ve never done anything remotely close to it.
Small Hand Saw
Mini saws or foldable saws are not exactly vintage, but you could have a really old one in your toolbox that was handed down by a parent or grandparent. They were the best, and fit nicely in your hand to saw pieces of wood perfectly.
A File Set
No one really uses file sets anymore, but they’re old-school perfection with their wooden handles. With a file saw, you could smooth rough edges on wood or metal quickly and easily. And let’s not forget how satisfying it was to run your fingers along the file’s surface.
The Adjustable Wrench
Tools are not cheap anymore, so that old, adjustable wrench you have lying in your tool box could be worth a pretty penny now. Old ones have marker stamps and show decades of use. They were the kind of tool that felt ready for anything.
Metal Fasteners
Rivets, tiny gears, and small bolts often live in small tins in the bottom of your tool box. They’re great for fixing, crafting, and collecting. If you collect tools, these are the ones you should keep an eye out for, because they’re not as easy to find anymore.
A Vintage Tape Measure
Old tape measures usually came in little leather or metal cases. The tape was made of cloth or steel, which is quite different to the plastic ones we buy today. It’s safe to say that these looked way more stylish than modern ones.
A Wooden Mallet
Wooden mallets are one of the most important tools a woodworker could have. And back in the day, it was even used to hit chisels and shape wood without leaving any marks. It was simple and strong, and one of those tools that truly stood the test of time.
Vintage Wrenches
Old vintage wrenches have way more style than the wrenches you get today. The metal is thick and strong, and some are branded with a stamp that tells you it was made decades ago. You can still use them today, because they’re tools that last forever.
A Leather Tool Pouch
Old leather pouches, like those that hold hand tools, smell amazing. Now they’re worn, soft, and rugged. You can still use them, or just admire them for their character. If you have one, we suggest holding onto it with both hands if you can.
