I didn't know there was an age factor...

Dick2

Well-known Member
Community garage sale this morning. My wife said that I was looking for tools. Older woman (MIL) that was helping with the sale replied: "Oh, no; they are too young to have any tools."

I didn't think that you had to be a certain age to have tools.
 
i think the implication is that some of the younguns aren't learning how to fix things.. thus own no tools.. they pay to have things fixed.

those of us with less $$ or more experience (age) or mechanical aptitude have the tools and fix things as we can.. etc.
 
My 14 year old owns more tools than most city dwelling 20somethings, and probably 30somethings too. Most of them have no desire to fix anything, pay someone else to do it or just go buy new! My son has been asking for tools the past 3 Christmases and bdays. He owns enough to do most basic repairs and carpentry, and a desire to learn and tinker. Hope he sticks with it and doesn't get bit by that video game bug!
 
I started getting tools for birthdays and Christmases when I was about 12 or so. By the time I was in my 20's I had a really decent set of them. Rebuilt my first car engine when I was 15-16 years old. I've started doing the same for my son. Year before last it was some wrenches and screwdrivers, this past year it was a set of pliers, a few other odds and ends and a toolbox. He loves spending time in the shop with me. He turned 13 in Dec. and I started teaching him how to weld. I think the important thing is to spend the time to teach them a thing or two and let them try things on their own. Many parents are "too busy" to let kids help nowadays and just need to get the job done.
 
(quoted from post at 13:14:23 04/05/14) i think the implication is that some of the younguns aren't learning how to fix things.. thus own no tools.. they pay to have things fixed.

those of us with less $$ or more experience (age) or mechanical aptitude have the tools and fix things as we can.. etc.

Thing of it is this trend started right after WWII when many kids started moving off the farm to the city. They were making good money and didn't have to pay for stuff. I remember well being a kid in NJ in the burbs. By 1965 there were 2 guys in the "hood" that fixed things. My dad and his friend. Dad had a gunsmith business in our basement and rewound electric motors, fixed toaster and such plus would rebuild engines. About the only think he wouldn't touch was an automatic tranny. The other guy fixed radios and TV's. That's it. 2 guys. In 1965. In a development of 80 homes. So 78 guys didn't fix anything. So 78 families didn't teach their kids to fix anything. When I was a young guy in the Army in the 70's I made a lot of extra money fixing other young soldiers cars. I was shocked at just how many didn't know a thing.

As far as age and tools. I hate yard sales but my wife loves them. So once or twice a year I'll take here to some cause she hates driving in town. I get out, take a quick look, and if there isn't any "man stuff" I go sit in the car. Most often any tools are el cheapo's but I've picked up a few good ones here and there. The younger the people holding the sale are the more likely there will be no tools.

Rick
 
If you are giving tools to a kid, it might be a good idea to also get him some books on engine repairs, electric motor repair, electric wiring, etc. to go along with the tools.

I started buying tools when I was a sophmore in high school with money from my FFA project. Also bought my own books on electricity and electric motor repair. The lessons that I learned myself stuck with me longer than many of the things that I learned in classes.
 
Maybe she meant they were too young to be selling tools yet? Most guys only sell tools when they get better replacements, move, retire or pass away.
 
My grandson is now 8 years old. I started buying him tools 3 years ago because he had enough toys for 6 kids. You should of seen the stares I got from the in-laws side of the family. I know he can't use them now, but it won't be long. I would of liked to been in his shoes when I was a kid.
 
(quoted from post at 21:21:44 04/06/14) My grandson is now 8 years old. I started buying him tools 3 years ago.......
ait till you come out one day and he has the distributor (or injector pump) off your tractor. Or come to think of it, maybe a wheel. :lol:

Me at age 5 (61 years ago). working on Dad's H, which I now own.

5%20years%20old.jpg
 
In most cases, they just don't need them today.
like said, modern cars and such don't blend well with home mechanics.(dealer or certified mechanic only, locks on hoods probably ain't far off)
And new small stuff has a built in short lifespan...not worth fixing.

And in some cases like mine......when dad has a lifetime of tools and a shop, my son usually comes here to fix stuff or borrow them.
(dang kid......just kidding, He's a busy man with a busy life, glad to see him)
 
(quoted from post at 14:07:44 04/07/14) In most cases, they just don't need them today.
like said, modern cars and such don't blend well with home mechanics.(dealer or certified mechanic only, locks on hoods probably ain't far off)
And new small stuff has a built in short lifespan...not worth fixing.

And in some cases like mine......when dad has a lifetime of tools and a shop, my son usually comes here to fix stuff or borrow them.
(dang kid......just kidding, He's a busy man with a busy life, glad to see him)
I have 2 sil's and both are quite handy with tools and own quite a variety between them. They both earn a living with their hands as one is a millwright and other is mostly a rehabber/repairman. Between the three of use there is quite a collection of tools so loaning between each of us is ok by us.
 

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