An old toolbox (long)

Braincase · 09-08-2005, 08:22 AM

A few weeks ago I started looking around at my bench, the various files, drill bits, screw drivers and wrenches laying about and decided I better do a little bit of organizing. As I started shopping around for big toolboxes, I thought I'd ask my dad if he had any old toolboxes. My dad, like my grandfather before him, was a mechanic, a service manager, and a hot rod nut.

I look at my dad's garage with awe. His shop at home is immaculate, the kind of shop you'd expect to see on "American Chopper" - white walls, no oil stains on the floor. But it has that smell - oil, diesel & gasoline, with just a hint of sawdust.

I ask my dad about the toolbox situation and he has one he really doesn't use, but I noticed something in his eye when he said it. We jumped in the pickup and headed out to the outbuilding out back at my folks place, the same outbuilding he uses to store a '51 Dodge Wayfarer, a couple of old Studebaker two-seaters, and other projects.

We go over to the his bech and he grabs this old steel toolbox, and I know why he wants me to have this one. On top, painted in the fashion old truck drivers would have their names painted on the cab, is a simple name, two letters - "Al".

My dad was giving me my grandfather's old toolbox. Heavy steel thing, rusty, dinged up. Every year of use visible on the exterior with the dings and dents, scratches and a bead dropped here and there to fix a crack.

I've brought the toolbox back to my place, and I've grabbed my dremel and some solvent, sanded off most of the rust and the paint. Today, I'll finish up the cleaning before I paint it. I'll tape off the what-was-once-chrome hinges so I can paint those with a silver paint later. I've taped off the old Snap-On tools logo on the front. I'll paint the letters on that black with a white outline by hand.

I taped off my grandfather's name, too. That will remain as it was. You see, my middle name is Alan. Same name as my grandfather. He never went by his first name, he was always Al.

When I'm done, I'll drop that engraving bit on the dremel, and on the back I'll add Francis Alan R******, and the dates of his life. He was born in 1899, died in 1983, the same summer I found out I had cancer. I'll add a line for my dad, a line for myself. Lastly, I'll add my son's name.

I'm fixing up your old toolbox grampa. I'm going to do it right.

As the dremel bit sands out the rust and the dirt pockets, I hit that old black gunk in the corners and the dust goes into the air in the garage. And there it is... that smell. The diesel and dust, oil and rust.

My garage now smells like my dad's garage, my grampa's garage. I guess that smell and those memories are the last gift he's given me.

Thanks grampa.

Kyle401 · 09-08-2005, 08:35 AM

Sweet project. Sounds like you are creating an heirloom. Have fun with it!

teedubya · 09-08-2005, 08:42 AM

Sweet deal Bob. Grampa Al is smiling. :-)

jspchief · 09-08-2005, 08:44 AM

Wow. You can save yourself a lot of work and pick this baby up for $10.77

**Rausch** · 09-08-2005, 08:53 AM

Before I read this is it about John Madden?...

Braincase · 09-08-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Before I read this is it about John Madden?...

Summary: Go hug your toolbox.

09-08-2005, 10:15 AM

Dude, nice piece. I have an endtable, coffeetable, and a packrat mentality from my grandpa. His little johnboat went to an adopted cousin.

Adept Havelock · 09-08-2005, 11:15 AM

Nice piece. Heirlooms are part of the family. Pass it on to your Grandson someday.

Braincase · 09-08-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adept Havelock

Nice piece. Heirlooms are part of the family. Pass it on to your Grandson someday.

Son first. He's only 4, but he'll get it next. His name goes on the box right after mine.

Adept Havelock · 09-08-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

Son first. He's only 4, but he'll get it next. His name goes on the box right after mine.

Nice. (Almost) Always good to start a family tradition. I only say Almost because of a couple of my families more fugged up ones.

Hammock Parties · 09-08-2005, 05:44 PM

Hydrae · 09-08-2005, 06:33 PM

Nicely done BC.

Hitting 10K made you decide to put some effort into your posts?

Boozer · 09-08-2005, 06:36 PM

Must be dusty in here or something. Nice story.

stevieray · 09-08-2005, 06:44 PM

great read.

what a great legacy for your son to have and continue.

09-08-2005, 08:22 AM
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	An old toolbox (long) A few weeks ago I started looking around at my bench, the various files, drill bits, screw drivers and wrenches laying about and decided I better do a little bit of organizing. As I started shopping around for big toolboxes, I thought I'd ask my dad if he had any old toolboxes. My dad, like my grandfather before him, was a mechanic, a service manager, and a hot rod nut. I look at my dad's garage with awe. His shop at home is immaculate, the kind of shop you'd expect to see on "American Chopper" - white walls, no oil stains on the floor. But it has that smell - oil, diesel & gasoline, with just a hint of sawdust. I ask my dad about the toolbox situation and he has one he really doesn't use, but I noticed something in his eye when he said it. We jumped in the pickup and headed out to the outbuilding out back at my folks place, the same outbuilding he uses to store a '51 Dodge Wayfarer, a couple of old Studebaker two-seaters, and other projects. We go over to the his bech and he grabs this old steel toolbox, and I know why he wants me to have this one. On top, painted in the fashion old truck drivers would have their names painted on the cab, is a simple name, two letters - "Al". My dad was giving me my grandfather's old toolbox. Heavy steel thing, rusty, dinged up. Every year of use visible on the exterior with the dings and dents, scratches and a bead dropped here and there to fix a crack. I've brought the toolbox back to my place, and I've grabbed my dremel and some solvent, sanded off most of the rust and the paint. Today, I'll finish up the cleaning before I paint it. I'll tape off the what-was-once-chrome hinges so I can paint those with a silver paint later. I've taped off the old Snap-On tools logo on the front. I'll paint the letters on that black with a white outline by hand. I taped off my grandfather's name, too. That will remain as it was. You see, my middle name is Alan. Same name as my grandfather. He never went by his first name, he was always Al. When I'm done, I'll drop that engraving bit on the dremel, and on the back I'll add Francis Alan R******, and the dates of his life. He was born in 1899, died in 1983, the same summer I found out I had cancer. I'll add a line for my dad, a line for myself. Lastly, I'll add my son's name. I'm fixing up your old toolbox grampa. I'm going to do it right. As the dremel bit sands out the rust and the dirt pockets, I hit that old black gunk in the corners and the dust goes into the air in the garage. And there it is... that smell. The diesel and dust, oil and rust. My garage now smells like my dad's garage, my grampa's garage. I guess that smell and those memories are the last gift he's given me. Thanks grampa.
Posts: 15,429

09-08-2005, 08:35 AM	#2
Kyle401 1st Round Bust Join Date: Feb 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Sweet project. Sounds like you are creating an heirloom. Have fun with it! __________________ Adopt a Chief: Eric "Bench Warmer" Hicks - AKA Hali's Towel Boy
Posts: 788

09-08-2005, 08:42 AM	#3
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9470002	Sweet deal Bob. Grampa Al is smiling. :-)
Posts: 36,659

09-08-2005, 08:44 AM	#4
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Wow. You can save yourself a lot of work and pick this baby up for $10.77 Attached Thumbnails __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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09-08-2005, 10:15 AM	#7
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Dude, nice piece. I have an endtable, coffeetable, and a packrat mentality from my grandpa. His little johnboat went to an adopted cousin.
Posts: n/a

09-08-2005, 11:15 AM	#8
Adept Havelock Obligatory Thoughtcriminal Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Flux,awaiting an observer Casino cash: $10004900	Nice piece. Heirlooms are part of the family. Pass it on to your Grandson someday. __________________ No matter how cynical you are, it is impossible to keep up. -Lily Tomlin I'd rather be a climbing monkey than a falling angel. -Terry Pratchett
Posts: 14,305

09-08-2005, 05:44 PM	#11
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4410478	__________________ Chiefs game films
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09-08-2005, 06:33 PM	#12
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2027000	Nicely done BC. Hitting 10K made you decide to put some effort into your posts?
Posts: 14,698

09-08-2005, 06:36 PM	#13
Boozer Pain Cake Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lawrence, KS Casino cash: $10004900	Must be dusty in here or something. Nice story. __________________
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09-08-2005, 06:44 PM	#14
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2285273	great read. what a great legacy for your son to have and continue.
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