Tools / Toys / Things you had for many years, that you now miss

Ken07AOVette · #1 02-24-2019, 04:54 PM

Some time in the late 70's I bought this great little tiny digital multimeter from Radio Shack. I went to use it today, and it finally died. I have been trying to find one to replace it, but there is just nothing like it anymore. I liked it because it was so small it fit in any pocket, almost a watch pocket. It is about the size of a small cell phone with a folding cover, leads are not removable.

Searching alibaba and ebay and amazon and google shows nothing comparable.

And I still can not find Dad's huge crescent wrench.

alberteh · #2 02-24-2019, 05:49 PM

I know the one you're talking about, I replaced mine with a Greenlee pdmm-20.

A little bigger but still very compact

Twisted Canuck · #3 02-24-2019, 07:08 PM

I have one like that I bought in 91! I haven't used it in years, will have to dig it out now and see if it works. I changed probes for alligator clips if I remember correctly...

Still in my toolbox...has to be ten years since I turned it on. Yep, it doesn't work anymore either!

But both the old Fluke and Greenlee still do, and they are almost as old!

Was yours like this Ken? I popped mine open, going to get some new batteries and see if it still works. The screen looks a little damaged, don't remember that....but worth checking.

Ken07AOVette · #4 02-24-2019, 07:33 PM

mine looks like this one (found pic online) without the wire tie

Dewey Cox · #5 02-24-2019, 07:44 PM

My dad had the exact same one.
I wonder what happened to it.

On second thought, I probably know what happened to it.
4 boys to scatter and break tools took care of most stuff.

Ken07AOVette · #6 02-24-2019, 07:54 PM

Too funny, actually found 1.

Too expensive though, $45 USD shipped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronta-Di...torefresh=true

dale7637 · #7 02-24-2019, 09:22 PM

The tool I miss the most from time to time was a 60” snap on pry bar. The grip was perfect. It was super strong. It’s now at the bottom of a dugout. Long story.

I’ve since replaced it... but it’s just not the same.

Trochu · #8 02-24-2019, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Searching alibaba and ebay and amazon and google shows nothing comparable.

Guess it depends on your version of comparable, but these look pretty similar to me.....

$25 on amazon

$30 on ebay

Ken07AOVette · #9 02-24-2019, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dale7637

The tool I miss the most from time to time was a 60” snap on pry bar. The grip was perfect. It was super strong. It’s now at the bottom of a dugout. Long story.

I’ve since replaced it... but it’s just not the same.

Super magnet and a rope?

Ken07AOVette · #10 02-24-2019, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alberteh

I know the one you're talking about, I replaced mine with a Greenlee pdmm-20.

A little bigger but still very compact

Looks good, I am going to check them out for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trochu

Guess it depends on your version of comparable, but these look pretty similar to me.....

$25 on amazon

$30 on ebay

Those look good too! They really are handy.

Whipper Billy · #11 02-24-2019, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

mine looks like this one (found pic online) without the wire tie

I have this exact one and still use it.
I guess I've been warned that I won't be able to find another.

Bushrat · #12 02-25-2019, 07:15 AM

I don't miss it yet but will when it finally does go. I bought a pneumatic 3/8" no name chinese aluminum bodied drill about 1978 for $17 at the long defunct Sidney Discount Tool house in Sidney BC.. I didn't have much money to buy tools for work back then just starting out. Everybody laughed at it when I showed up at work with it. Cannot kill this thing and it has outlived several Snap-on and Mac drills over the years since. It gets used almost daily drilling metal on auto bodies. It is small and handy, fits in places others won't. It gets abused, Once in a while I remember to oil it a couple times a year, supposed to oil it daily. lol. My favorite tool of all my tools, best tool investment I ever made, it now has sentimental value and will earn a spot to lay in rest in my tool box when it finally does die, the way things are going it will probably out last me.

mattthegorby · #13 02-25-2019, 07:41 AM

My made in Canada General cabinet saw and jointer. Now that I am setting up a wood shop again I really miss them, though I do feel really lucky to be setting up another shop!

Bushleague · #14 02-25-2019, 09:06 AM

Maybe its jut me, but I sure regret getting rid of my Honda 3 wheeler. With fat tires I could ride that thing loaded with a moose quarter across muskeg you didn't even want to walk on, and one could never get it so stuck that they couldn't get it unstuck by oneself.

Ken07AOVette · #15 02-25-2019, 10:05 AM

Look at how handy this little thing is, great size. Fits in a pocket. I thought I had it working, cleaned some green scale off the battery terminals and of course tried several new batteries, but to no avail.

edit- tried again with some light emery, and see a little life! Maybe.....

Ken07AOVette · #16 02-25-2019, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dale7637

The tool I miss the most from time to time was a 60” snap on pry bar. The grip was perfect. It was super strong. It’s now at the bottom of a dugout. Long story.

I’ve since replaced it... but it’s just not the same.

Let me guess... bad day and it turned into a javelin? I did the same thing with a fax machine once, happily I caught the door frame and not the glass. Little rage monster inside got loose lol. My wife still leaks a little when she tells people about that day, laughing hysterically lol

bat119 · #17 02-25-2019, 10:25 AM

The thing I miss the most is my coup coup machete lost on a moose hunting trip

. I had it for almost 40 years given to me by my uncle she was a beauty 5/16" thick with an 18" blade extremely sharp.

Been looking for replacement nothing I've found comes even close.

Bigwoodsman · #18 02-25-2019, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushleague

Maybe its jut me, but I sure regret getting rid of my Honda 3 wheeler. With fat tires I could ride that thing loaded with a moose quarter across muskeg you didn't even want to walk on, and one could never get it so stuck that they couldn't get it unstuck by oneself.

Same here. Had a 1984 Honda with the high low transmission, generator port. I kick myself daily for getting rid of it. Light weight, floated, and like you said haul a quarter of moose strapped to the rear rack with ease no matter the terrain.

BW

tool · #19 02-25-2019, 10:37 AM

I'm sure I could make a pretty long list with this one.

But right now I am missing my Leatherman the most, I'm sure it will turn up but it's been missing for quite a while and I use it daily.

Ken07AOVette · #20 02-25-2019, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tool

I'm sure I could make a pretty long list with this one.

But right now I am missing my Leatherman the most, I'm sure it will turn up but it's been missing for quite a while and I use it daily.

Which one is it? I have a couple and no use for them, if it's the same you can have one of mine.

tool · #21 02-25-2019, 11:14 AM

I don't remember the model name, I think it was just the regular standard leatherman? it was a fairly basic one made about fifteen years ago anyway.
About 4" long when folded, had a smooth locking knife blade, pliers, philips and flat screw drivers, these were the tools I used the most on the farm of course. I found the screwdrivers were actually good and didn't strip screw heads, many emergency field repairs done with that, of course you have the option of folding the handles out 90 degrees for extra torque, saw the tool twist many times but never break or bend.

It had some other items on it that I don't really recall because they were extraneous to my needs generally, there was a ruler stamped into the sides of the tool, I think a bottle cap opener, an awl?
It came with a black leather sheath that went on your belt with a cover with a snap on it.
I don't think they make this model anymore though, many years ago when I was herdsman on a ranch near Innisfail I bought one as a gift for my father after I'd found how useful it was, just recently he broke the blade on his (after cutting likely hundreds of thousands of miles of round bale string) he sent it in for warranty and they replaced it with a different tool that he says has a serrated blade?

Anyway, they are a great asset.

dale7637 · #22 02-25-2019, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Let me guess... bad day and it turned into a javelin? I did the same thing with a fax machine once, happily I caught the door frame and not the glass. Little rage monster inside got loose lol. My wife still leaks a little when she tells people about that day, laughing hysterically lol

I could see it happening to me too!
But.. my story isn’t that fun. Trying to move a float and suction line.. it was in the boat with me. I tipped the boat over, and the whole works wound up in the drink. I recovered everything except that pry bar.

sako1 · #23 02-25-2019, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Which one is it? I have a couple and no use for them, if it's the same you can have one of mine.

That is a really great offer Ken!

ETOWNCANUCK · #24 02-25-2019, 08:03 PM

I had an original Optimus prime Transformer.

Not sure what happened to it.

Ken07AOVette · #25 02-25-2019, 08:04 PM

The thing I miss the most is Dad's big crescent wrench.
I gutted my garage completely when I sold all my fabricating gear, was sure I was going to find it.
I think I remember someone borrowing it years ago, guess it was never returned.

Fish along · #26 02-25-2019, 09:16 PM

I had a small stainless steel pocket knife I left it at the head of petite lake up in the Hinton area,that was 5 or six years ago,,,damn I miss having that very useful tool.I was gutting a rainbow and it started raining and got rushed to load my pontoon boat.

fordtruckin · #27 02-25-2019, 10:09 PM

I guess what I miss was more of a toy. First handgun I ever bought a Walther PPK/S in .380. Fun little pistol made me feel like James Bond! And my first rifle a Ruger Mini14Ranch rifle. Oh well they’re gone now and have been for over 10 years!

saskbooknut · #28 02-26-2019, 05:47 AM

Charger died on my 18 volt Craftsman drill/driver.

Looking for a nominal 20 V 250 ma output - 110 V input charger to get it going again. Trying the thrift stores, and maybe garage sales in the spring.

Usually the batteries refuse to take a charge before the charger dies. I don't suppose that I have had it more than 12 - 15 years.

silver · #29 02-26-2019, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dale7637

I could see it happening to me too!
But.. my story isn’t that fun. Trying to move a float and suction line.. it was in the boat with me. I tipped the boat over, and the whole works wound up in the drink. I recovered everything except that pry bar.

Years ago, when I was still in business, I was cleaning out a dugout and came up with two 5' bars. The farmer was surprised to see them.

wildbill · #30 02-26-2019, 07:55 AM

What I miss the most is some knives I bought at knife store in Bellingham Washington back in the 90's a gerber guardian and mark 1, the gerbers of today are garbage in comparison, those two knives were double edged razors!!!
House got broken into, gone forever!!