Found my dad's 1982 framing square in the attic, different world back then

Last week I was cleaning out my parent's place and found my dad's old framing square from 1982. It's got dings and paint splatter all over, but the markings are still sharp. He was a framer in Phoenix for 30 years. I pulled out my digital angle finder and compared the two. Took me about 20 minutes to realize how much I depend on batteries and apps now. That old square just works, no charging, no calibration. I hung a couple of rafters with it this weekend on a small shed job. Felt clumsy at first, then it clicked. My dad used this thing on hundreds of houses, probably thousands. Makes me wonder what tools we use today will still be worth holding onto in 40 years. Any of you guys still using your old man's hand tools on the regular?

2 comments

2 Comments

alex_taylor101mo ago

thousands of houses" just hit me. My old man had one framing square from the 60s and I still use it for rough cuts on decks. But I never thought about the sheer volume of work that thing has seen. You hanging rafters with it this weekend after 40 years is wild, man. That digital finder ain't gonna be in your son's attic in 2080, that's for sure. I bet your dad would get a kick out of knowing you got it dialed in again.

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riley_coleman81mo agoMost Upvoted

thousands of houses" sounds like a stretch until you check his math, @alex_taylor10.