Eight Drawers with more to go - tools

I decided last year when I turned 65, that I was going to get rid of all my hand tools, at first I was just going to take them to the metal pile at the landfill then decided at the last moment to give them to someone on the Reservation nearby.

With the help of a reservation cop I found a young kid who loves working on cars and fixes them for others on the reservation, eight drawers full of SAE and metric Snap-On, Mac, Proto, Challenger, SK and Craftsman. I parted with a lot of history in those drawers today, tools from my automatic transmission rebuilding days, refrigeration tools along with many specialised tools.

I have always preferred and bought Ingersoll Rand air tools over C.P. and there will be one more trip to the reservation once I've sorted out some air tools that I'll keep for old times sake.

My Air Liquid Mig and the new Miller auto darken helmut, some grips and clamps used for welding will come to BC with me as I figure to build the first couple of carts for the first centrifuge builds before turning the whole project over to my selected contractor.

On a side note, this will be my last post to the forum, I've enjoyed my short visit and hope some of the stuff I posted has had some entertainment value or maybe even become useful information to one day when you remember how old Gus did it.

Cheers to all.

Hey, Alloy,

Life doesn't end at 65!!

Jon.

Your contribution's are greatly appreciated Gus. And have been put to good use on my part, as I'm sure it has with many others. You'll be sorely missed.

Gus I like your "Style"!

After my military career, I started my airline career, it was in 1981 and probably some of the most trying times for that industry,
What was unique about the industry and impacted the mega changes that were about to change it forever. Was the mix of old and new blood in the work force. The old blood was men that started the industry, guys that went to work in the 30's and 40's. These guys literately invented how aircraft were maintain, this included developing tools that were needed to do that! For me "the new blood", it was these men, that blazed the path for me and many others, always was I eager to accept their input.

When these guys started retiring, some with 45+ years of experience, they wanted their "tools" to stay with the airline they had developed and made. Most never even considered taking these tools home, what would happen was their tools would be raffled to the "new blood". I will never forget a man I was fortunate to work for, a guy who took me in, made me his "son" and taught me more than any class room. On his last day, minutes before our shift ended, he asked me to stay over, he had some things he wanted me to have. He first gave me his key ring, told me these keys are for my tool boxes and will give you access to almost every locked space in the complex. He then took me to a converted "broom closet", that had become "employee #3's" personal library. Mostly it was technical manuals and books on aircraft, systems and equipment. The best thing in there was his log book, documenting every work day for this man for the last 53 years!

It's a good thing that "old blood" passes their tools to the "new blood". They also pass more than their tools, they pass their experiences and that is priceless and very much needed. Please Gus, reconsider stay around and teach us "new blood" some more!

Gus, I never realized the Gus had been reincarnated into Alloy 2 until now. Rookie mistake I must admit. I admire your desire to help a future generation and always enjoyed your posts. Thank you. May your appointed one be as thoughtful, educational, and inspirational as you have been to a generation of scrapers. I cannot wait to see who you become in the future.