Anybody Else Own a Tool Belt? - YouLookFab Forum

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Anybody Else Own a Tool Belt?

Gaylene

Veteran

I've never thought of having my own tool belt as unusual, but Astrid's recent thread about interior design reflecting our fashion preferences made me remember the furniture I built for my first apartment because (1) I didn't have any money in those days, and (2) I couldn't find the minimalist look that I loved in that pre-IKEA era.

My dad's hobby was cabinetmaking and he was also very good at fixing things around the house. Because he didn't have any sons, it was left to my sister or me to be his "helpers". My dad's gifts to both my sister and I when we left home for university was our own, carefully chosen by him, set of tools in a monogrammed toolbox. I was absolutely the go-to person if any of my friends needed a hammer or screwdriver in those days.

When I lived on my own, I did all my own home repairs, as well as basic electrical and plumbing repairs. My husband is of similar bent and his Christmas gift to me just after we were married was my own tool belt which is still in active use. In short, I'm really comfortable around shop tools and doing my own repair work (which is usually of much better quality than some of the work done by tradespeople around here).

Having my own tool belt seems quite normal to me, but now I'm wondering if my dad turned my sister and me into oddities? Are there any other YLFers out there who have sported a tool belt on occasion--or, gasp, even have one to call their own?

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15 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have my own tool box if that counts!

I hurt Ben's pride just last week after he was complaining the flat pack book shelf we purchased from Ikea was crooked. I dismantled the case and reassembled it properly while hubs licked his wounds.

Hands up thought, I am useless at car maintenance.

Anonymous

I do! I am the handywoman of the house. My husband, bless his heart, tries really hard but is really not handy. So I end up doing most things myself.

Gaylene

Veteran

R&J, of course your own toolbox counts! I'm lucky that my husband is pretty handy, but I think I scared off a few boyfriends in my youth when I rolled my eyes at how uncomfortable they looked with a hand drill. But cars, especially with all their electronic systems today, are another matter, although I did change spark plugs and tires in my vehicles when I was younger.

Celt, why I am I not surprised at your being a fellow handywoman. Here's to all of us who feel comfortable roaming around the hardware sections of Home Depot finding what we need for a job.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I have my own toolbox too! And I plan on adding to it as I go along. My dad remodelled our attic at home on his own, the only thing done by other people were the stairs. My uncles helped for the heavy duty things, but I helped him with the other stuff. We worked there over a year in the evenings and on the weekends and we were finished on my fourteenth birthday. I remember that because for my birthday I could finally move into my new room! And now I know at least a bit about home repair and building things and I'm not completely clueless with a tool kit.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Yes & I brought all the power tools to our marriage too.

Anonymous

I'm the handywoman in our house with my own power tools and saws. I've built several pieces of furniture, including this reproduction jelly cabinet. I couldn't find a "real" one in my price range, so I took some notes while antique shopping and got to work and made my own.

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Krista

Veteran

Well, I have my own tool box, not tool belt. I am an only child and I think my dad, who is a very accomplished woodworker, just wanted me to be able to do things around the house if I needed to. My two most prized gifts from him are a screwdriver set and a drill! I am glad that he took the time to show me how to do basic tasks - I'm really proud that I'm not afraid of using tools.

If you ask me, I'm better with tools than my husband, although I'm sure he would disagree with me!

Gaylene

Veteran

Astrid, another tool girl! And another apprentice for her dad! I still have the cap that he gave me so my long hair wouldn't get in the way while I was using his power tools--it says "My Assistant"--I was mighty proud of that cap.

Caro, why does that not surprise me that you are one of our group as well. Do we tool girls give off a certain vibe? High-fiving you!

Anne, your cabinet is AMAZING. Wow! And isn't it fun to casually say "Oh, yes, I made that cabinet" when others comment on it. It's the stunned look that I've found so funny.

Krista, your dad sounds much like mine. He thought that both of his girls ought to be capable of doing things for themselves instead of being dependent on others. My mother was very independent; she was an executive secretary when my father met her and he encouraged her to keep working after they were married and had children. That was almost unheard of during the fifties and sixties, but he was always quite proud of her ambition and drive.

So much fun to find tool sisters that hang out on YLF! We can look fabulous with a handbag on one arm and a power drill in the other hand

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I own a scroll saw and a tool bag that is bigger than an average carry on! I like woodworking to a certain extent and I find that I am very much capable of doing small things around the house - that being said, I don't think cabinet making is for me (although my dad is really good at it) - my workshop teacher would probably agree.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Just a tool drawer here, and because my dear partner insists on acquiring modern tools complete with the hideous plastic case (I'm more a non-power tool person, with the exception of drills), I keep my collection small.

I'd love a tool belt. One thing the SO cannot seem to grasp is how not to leave tools lying underfoot (in grass, even!). My poor dad would get apoplectic in his youth, now just looks extremely nervous and worries at his lower lip as he watches the SO's antics :-p

Me, I was notorious at school as the girl whose pencil box yielded screwdriver, sandpaper, needle & thread, fuse wire and all. I figured if a wobbly desk or its sharp corner/splinters could be fixed, so much the safer; ditto mending tears and hems before they got worse. And you never know when you need to change a fuse!

deb

Veteran

I do, I do! And many power tools. Last year I wanted a new chair for the entry and could not find a new one that I liked. I found two 1940's arm chairs on Craigslist that I took apart to salvage the best pieces from each chair then reconstructed.

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Elly

Veteran

Tool girl here-- I have a brother and father who are woodworkers, dated a plumber long term, and took a construction class once. I have a certification and used to have my OSHA card-- I worked buildings and grounds maintenance for several years when I was younger and before I developed my heart problems.

My current SO is the son of a contractor, built log houses for a living for awhile, and has a certificate in welding.

He definitely has me beat in the tool arena, but I like that, since I like to learn new things, and what good are men if they can't teach you to run new power tools?

People always seem so surprised at work when I go after a simple cabinetry job with a chop saw or drill press.

I also own a truck and a gun, and I happen to be a better shot than my brother, who competed nationally as a youth.

Glad I am in such good company.

rachylou

Veteran

I don't have an actual tool belt, but I took shop and own tools. Power tools. My last place, I built myself my patio furniture. And actually, my bf and I bonded over woodworking projects and took electrical wiring together. I admit I don't have much patience. My bf does very fine work. I like everything to be done already!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Me too! For my 18th birthday my Dad gave me a set of tools, each one with my name engraved on it. I even brought some of them with me to the UK.

I don't have a tool belt but I have a big assortment of tools in the utility closet, a small toolbox with some extra screwdrivers and whatnot in the linen closet upstairs, and a set of small tools for dismantling computers in my desk drawer. My DH hates DIY work and is not very coordinated, so I do all of that stuff myself. I'm not all that accomplished, really, but I am not afraid of power tools. Sometimes I wish I had a garage so that I could have a place to set up a table saw and start building proper furniture!

bj1111

Veteran

toolbox. my fave thing i inherited from my fil was a set of wooden handled wrenches. i have asked for and received power tools as presents.