Saturday, June 27, 2009

My New Toy.......

Okay, I admit right up front, this looks more like a *guy thing* than something I would be posting on a blog that only occasionally, of late, has some art involved! BUT! Bear with me gentle readers, there is a good story that follows.
Years ago, as I disposed of items from my parents house after they passed, I had taken some of the massive amount of my father's tools but when we moved to our present location, I had to pare down to the barest of yard implements (motorized and *Anne powered*) and basically electric hand tools. I had gotten rid of his bench grinder and have spent 16 years regretting it, both for practical and emotional reasons. At home, I used it a lot, ripped my hands up on it frequently and listened to him fuss that I shouldn't be near it (the lathe too) but then he would brag to his friends when he thought I was out of ear shot about how I could use all the stuff.
And guys....a woman is NEVER out of ear shot....... ;-)
So for the last 16 years, I have had to sharpen all the yard implements by hand with a file, and the hardest was Dad's scythe, simply because the blade is so long and curved--it is a very old one. Yes, I still cut high weeds with it. If you know what you're doing you can pick one out and not touch the others around it. Plus it is meditative work, and it makes you appreciate the way farm work was done before machinery. AND---it's a good work out.
But I digress. Yesterday my girlfriend and I went to the minister's family Moving Sale, mainly because books were listed and we both own far too many. I turned the corner of the drive and there it stood, not quite gleaming in the early morning sun. Three leg support, so no bench required, good condition, a good stone and good wire brush. I was in love..........sigh........ But I walked past and pilfered the books, yet it was still calling my name. My friend said, after I had stood and dithered far too long, these simple words; "If you don't buy that, you're going to regret it." So I hunted Steve down and we stood there doing the guy-thing of discussing the merits of the machine; could I put a new plug on it, how about a ground, etc, etc. So off the price tag went and I paid for my purchases. As he was carrying it to the car for me, he said he was glad it was getting a good home, as it had belonged to his father. Karma, yes? My father's replaced with that of a friend's father's.
I brought it home, scrubbed it down, hit all the main parts with Liquid Wrench, polished it up a bit and then the moment of truth; turned it on. It purred! And I grabbed the scythe and put an edge on it---a REAL edge that would cut a thread. I went and cut thistles and ragweed and it sliced through all like it was cutting warm butter. Ooooooooo............wonderful!
So in the Fall, when it is not so humid, I'm going to get some paint for metal and repaint the legs, then mount the feet on a good heavy wood block, and maybe add some locking casters. Yeeeeeaaaaaah!
I am in "Tool Heaven"!
I just hope the guys allow a girl in there.
Now go be creative and don't hurt yourself.....!!!

18 comments:

Gayle Pritchard said...

OH, Anne, it is karma indeed. What a wonderful story. I especially love your future plans being revealed. Of course, you could now feel free to paint it up artist style!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well, I guess there is just too much *guy* in me to do that!!! HA! I think the grey rustoleum will work fine.....guess it reminds me too much of Dad's and he would have KILLED me if I took the paintbrush to it!
Though, I can't wait to get a buffing wheel to polish the bones I use in artwork.....is that close enough to tarting it up artist-style??? ;)

My Vagabond Heart said...

I am SOjealous.

In the past, I disposed of Uncle Walter's when we moved a tiny house. Just recently, we sold the one from John's office for practically nothing because all the equipment was sold as a lot.

Guess what I wish I had for my metalsmithing?!

I agree with Pastor Steve, it got a good home.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I tell you, it's nice there are other women who understand the emotional attacment to tools. It's a 1/3 H.P. motor, 3450 RPM. No hot smell, clear sound so the bearings must still be good.
You know you are welcome to use it any time; but if you need a different attachment, just buy it and bring it with you and we can change it out. I think they are standard size---I will have to check it out. Let me know if you want me to.

Tristan Robin said...

well, I don't have a clue what you're supposed to do with it - but since you're happy, I'm happy you got it!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You grind things, polish things, snag off the ends of errant finger that get where they're not supposed to be!
In other words, it's multipurpose!!!

Linda and Michelle said...

Fabulous! And your dad is smiling. I wish I had kept more of my dad's tools, but when we moved, there was only so much room in the U-Haul. U shoulda dumped the beanbag chair then....

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You with the bean bag---me with mounds of useless fabric and JUNK. DH and I are both pack-rats; I fear us ending up like those old people where there is just a worm trail to get through the house, so I really TRY to pitch when something new comes in.
Yes, Dad would like this one.....
On the other hand, maybe things are meant to be. :)

Jan said...

I knew exactly what it was and why you'd want it when I saw it, having one here myself. It was my Dad's. I'm not sure how I ended up with it and not one of my brothers. Probably they already had their own. I admit that Steve does the sharpening on our tools, he is a professional after all so why would I bother?

Great buy, I'm glad your friend pointed out to you what you already knew in your heart, that you would regret not purchasing it.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Jan I was thinking of you when I got it home---all I could think of was Steve and the chainsaws, for whatever reason!!!
I am blown away at the amount of women that have replied to this, about the loss of fathers/male relatives power tools. We must connect with them through what they worked with.
And I'm glad YOU got your dads!

My Vagabond Heart said...

Right now, I am making due with my little dremel, which is fine for the pieces I'm working on...if that changes, I'll let you know. Thanks for the offer. :)

I love chainsaws! I have trouble starting mine, now, because of my weak arm, but once John first gets it going there is no stopping me.

The wind blew over 2 fruit trees, a couple of years ago. I had a blast cleaning up the mess. It is so...what is the word...?

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I think you're looking for fulfilling, stress relief, being able to go wacko and not get arrested!
I understand completely..... :)

My Vagabond Heart said...

LOL! Yep, you hit the hammer of the head...oh, I own at least 6 different hammers and mallets! We should start a womans's tool support group...

Word Verification...daminomi. May I hear that used in a sentence, please?

Leslie said...

Greetings from Gillette, Wyoming. Where the men are men and the cows are nervous. Tools, are the BOMB! sez the gal that owns a palm sander, Dremel, Jig Saw, Cordless electric drill and a Leatherman...
Fun times ahead, I 'd say...

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Vicki,

I have a pick axe, a sledge hammer, a ballpein, two sizes of claw hammers, two tack hammers, a cobblers hammer and four hatchets.
And Gary wonders why I'm not worried when he's TDY....... >:)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Leslie!
Hope you're having fun and not too close to the nervous cows.....
Yep, love my Dremel, have several sanders, a couple of jigsaws, but still have not invested in a cordless drill. I do, however, have a concrete drill.....
You know, I thought I would have no responses to this post....this has been great!

My Vagabond Heart said...

How 'bout a drill press with diamond burrs? :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

No drill press, but still have the electic planer, belt sander and I think it was Dads impact driver, plus two draw knives, a body grinder (and yes, I've used that one on a car) and too numerous to mention---or read that as I can't think now!--other assorted tools.
And my canvas stretchers, webbing stretcher and my favorite, the rubber mallet!
This is crazy!!!! LOL!!!!

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