My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

Bill,

Great story and one I can truly appreciate....

Dave Young

Bill Chernoff wrote:

My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

Sure do. Remeber to call Grampa and tell him.

I built my garage workbench in 1964 when I was 14 using my
grandfather's bit and brace and a handsaw. In 1975 I put a hex head
sheet metal screw in the leg so my two year old son could turn it in
and out with a socket wrench. I've moved four times since then but
never had the heart to remove the screw.

"Bill Chernoff" wrote in message
news:v6UDe.9174$%K2.4009@pd7tw1no...
My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only
solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No
problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch
Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool
before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested
in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed
at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me
at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it
out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know.
Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.




Yup, I understand and appreciate it. I've got several of my grandfathers
tools, and special little bits and pieces he made way back many moons ago.

Lane

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 21:05:31 GMT, Bill Chernoff wrote:

Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

My grandpas have both been dead for years, but to this day I enjoy
nothing more than using their old hand tools. Nothing particularly
special about them, except who owned 'em. It's kind of like they're
helping out on the projects.

It was about 1985 when it snowed in Seattle and some idiot in front of me
stopped timidly halfway up a hill, leaving me no choice but to stop and back
down the icy slope before someone jammed up behind me. My car slid slowly
sideways and down, coming to rest gently against the corner of another car. No
damage except I had a neat full moon dimple about 20" across in the door. I
bought a rubber suction cup and popped out the dimple and felt real proud of
myself. About two weeks ago a friend of my son's showed up to pick him up. He
was driving his mom's Volvo station wagon with a very similar dent. I impressed
the hell out of everyone by pulling out that same suction cup and popping out
his dent. Not so much because I knew how to pop out the dent, but because I knew
exactly where a tool was I bought 20 years ago and hadn't touched since except
to move about 4 times. Packrat? Maybe, but it saved heavy body work costs both
times, and didn't take up much room. Either a guy has tools or he doesn't. - GWE

Bill Chernoff wrote:
My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

....and they don't sell atlas lathes at sprawl-mart

bravo.

I tell people all the time, I don't want cheap, I want quality.

I regularly spend too much of my income on quality as opposed to cheap crap.

Just imagine what the segment of our population with enuf $ to buy a $40K
motorcycle could do if they insisted on better consumer products...
"Bill Chernoff" wrote in message
news:v6UDe.9174$%K2.4009@pd7tw1no...
My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only
solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No
problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch
Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool
before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested
in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed
at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me
at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it
out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know.
Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

Dave Young wrote:

Bill,

Great story and one I can truly appreciate....

Dave Young

Bill Chernoff wrote:

My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only
solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No
problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special
puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch
Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool
before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa &
Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more
interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not
impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise
me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull
it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know.
Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the
tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.





I love dads

Bill Chernoff wrote:
My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

I understand perfectly. Make sure to visit Granddad and tell him,
maybe show him the tool again, he will understand, too. And apprecate
it more than most of us can know. Great feeling, great story.
Thanks.
-Al A.

wrote in message
ups.com...


Bill Chernoff wrote:
My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only
solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No
problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special
puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch
Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool
before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa &
Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more
interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not
impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me
at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it
out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know.
Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his
old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the
tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.

I understand perfectly. Make sure to visit Granddad and tell him,
maybe show him the tool again, he will understand, too. And apprecate
it more than most of us can know. Great feeling, great story.
Thanks.
-Al A.


Here is one for you -- excuse the long link. Check out the clip "Old Man"
by the Irish Tenors here (part way down the page):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...431485-1217706

The whole album is great, but that song in particular is very moving.

mikey

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 21:05:31 GMT, "Bill Chernoff"
wrote:

My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.


Bill,
My Grampa died when I was young. I still miss him. You're story is
great and is the way life should be. Your son will probably dredge
that story up 20 years from now.
Eric

Jon Grimm wrote:
...and they don't sell atlas lathes at sprawl-mart

bravo.

I tell people all the time, I don't want cheap, I want quality.

I regularly spend too much of my income on quality as opposed to cheap crap.

Just imagine what the segment of our population with enuf $ to buy a $40K
motorcycle could do if they insisted on better consumer products...

Damn right. If people didn't buy crap, the market wouldn't be flooded
with it. It annoys me intensely!

Chris

On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 07:37:35 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 21:05:31 GMT, "Bill Chernoff"
wrote:

My son got his bicycle chain all caught around the crank. The only solution
was to pull the crank off, for which I needed a special puller. No problem!
To the toolbox I went, dug down a few layers and produced a special puller
for my own bike that I made under my grampa's direction on his 9 inch Atlas.
This was way back when I was still in university. I built this tool before
you were born, I declared to my son. See, its even engraved Grampa & Bill
1985. The boy was only moderately impressed. He was way more interested in
getting the bike fixed than hearing a discourse on the providence of the
tools we were using. So I showed my wife later and she was not impressed at
all. Especially when I admitted I had now used the tool twice, once in
1985, and once yesterday. You're such a packrat, it doesn't surprise me at
all she says. So I put the tool back in the box. Someday I'll pull it out
again, and I'll not tell anyone where it came from, because I know. Grampa
can't even walk any more, let alone spend an afternoon working on his old
(but bought new in 1956) Atlas. But we did in 1985, and I've got the tool
to prove it. Maybe some of you guys will understand.


Bill,
My Grampa died when I was young. I still miss him. You're story is
great and is the way life should be. Your son will probably dredge
that story up 20 years from now.
Eric
Just went down and checked the 16 W x 12 x 12" 5 drawer chest I use
to store drafting equipment. It was made by Grandad from wood salvaged
from dynamite boxes and orange crates. He even made the drawer pulls
from wood, although he did use nails (metal content) to reinforce the
glue. On the bottom of the first drawer he signed and dated it
July 11, 1953. My youngest carries this GF's pocket knife and the
other GF's Waltham pocket watch.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

There are times when one wants to buy quality, and then there are times
when one needs a tool but does not expect to use it except for the
current task. What is annoying is not being able to find quality when
one wants and needs it.

Dan

Christopher Tidy wrote:
Jon Grimm wrote:
...and they don't sell atlas lathes at sprawl-mart

bravo.

I tell people all the time, I don't want cheap, I want quality.

I regularly spend too much of my income on quality as opposed to cheap crap.

Just imagine what the segment of our population with enuf $ to buy a $40K
motorcycle could do if they insisted on better consumer products...

Damn right. If people didn't buy crap, the market wouldn't be flooded
with it. It annoys me intensely!

Chris

In article .com,
says...

There are times when one wants to buy quality, and then there are times
when one needs a tool but does not expect to use it except for the
current task. What is annoying is not being able to find quality when
one wants and needs it.

For the first, I borrow the item whenever possible!

For the second, I bite the bullet and pay the money.

Jim


--
==================================================
please reply to:
JRR(zero) at pkmfgvm4 (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com
==================================================

jim rozen wrote:
In article .com,
says...

There are times when one wants to buy quality, and then there are times
when one needs a tool but does not expect to use it except for the
current task. What is annoying is not being able to find quality when
one wants and needs it.


For the first, I borrow the item whenever possible!

For the second, I bite the bullet and pay the money.

My philosophy too.

Chris

Jon Grimm wrote:
...and they don't sell atlas lathes at sprawl-mart

bravo.

I tell people all the time, I don't want cheap, I want quality.

I regularly spend too much of my income on quality as opposed to cheap crap.


That reminds me of what a teacher of mine once told me. He said: "I
don't buy cheap tools. I can't afford them. They are too expensive."

(Because he always ended up replacing them)

Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com