What common place things do you have that have stood the test of time and use?

We're not talkin' jewelry or safe deposit box treasures. As example: I have a 10 speed bike I bought in 1970. But for it’s warables it is 99% original and still gets occasional use. A leather sun visor I bought in 1973 has seen near daily use ever since.

Some hand Tools my dad bought decades ago still see use....

So what of your stuff has lasted seemingly for ever?

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

HP 11C. Got it used from my dad around 1980. Needs batteries every 5 years or so.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Hell everything – it’s almost a religion with me. If I’d remove the office chair I’m setting on, the computers, DVD’s, TV’s, and clothing – then everything is old – updated and redone, but older. The hi-fi’s old sixties tube stuff, that has been updated – I build my own speakers so they’re always newer – turntable is an early Linn, but updated. I buy a lot of the new vinyl, but the recordings tend to be older jazz stuff. Pentax has come out with a digital SLR that I can mount my old lenses on, so maybe I’ll spring for that. I still like the feel of my old mechanical cameras though. I guess the best is the toaster – it was a wedding gift to my parents in 1938.

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89 300E
79 240D
72 Westy
63 Bug sunroof
85 Jeep CJ7
86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius

I have a power drill I bought as the first purchase on my Sears credit card in the mid '70's.

That's cool my dad gave me hi HP-65 from 72.

http://www.hpmuseum.org/65.jpg

I have a couple pocket knives from my childhood days and some gun's but I'm not too good at keeping old stuff around, I was that way with women as well be i changed so maybe there's hope.

Same drill, sixties, cash. Still runs like new.

I lost my HP11C a few years ago. It was the only calculator I ever loved.

I have a New Holland manure spreader built between 1968 and 1970 that gets used every day. I have only had it for eight years, though. Does that count? It's probably the best machine I've had.

I have a barn door thats been in my family for well over 100 years with everyone's initials and dates carved in it. I converted it to a low table and use it as a long TV stand.

I also have attorney office furniture that is pretty old, around 100 yrs. A huge pedestal desk and about 8 towers worth of stackable Barrister bookcases with the glass intact. I still have the books but they are completely worthless as more than just looking cool. I always insist that when people ask me questions, especially, legal questions, we must go upstairs to my office where I instantly look smart and all knowing.

I also still have my wallet. I've had it for 16 years.

My dad had a Craftman axe he bought in college. The handle broke when I was in highschool, so we returned it and they put a new handle on for free. Lifetime warrantee came through.

My wife!! 30 years this Feb 23rd. Still looks good and all functions work great!!

I have an Omega Seamaster watch thats at least 35 years old, it keeps perfect time and I wear it every day.

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I'm sick of .sig files

I have a Pentax Spotmatic that my Dad bought in 1972. A few years later he bought a Nikon and I was a lucky kid with a slightly used SLR and three lenses. That camera is still my staple for nature photography, and I doubt I'll ever change unless I drop it downa crevasse.

I too have an HP calculator, a 10B that is very old and very reliable and I probably will keep forever if I could. I use it all the time.

Most of our furniture is custom made, including a cherry-wood desk that my computer sits on right at this moment. Most of the pieces will be handed down to my children as they are timeless and so well made they will last many generations to come.

My electric jigsaw was bought by my dad in 1962. It's had three new switches, but otherwise works as well as any that you could buy new at the store.

When I do wear a suit, I use my great-great grandfather's railroad pocketwatch.

I have all my books from when I was very young, and today I enjoy reading The Cat and the Hat with my daughter with my original copy, printed in 1963. It's withstood another several thousand readings...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

They are not daily accessories but I have spiral bound notebooks all the way from my college days and all the ones I have used/filled in since that time.

Most sentimental item that I have and use during the winter month are quilts that my grandmother made a long, long time ago. Also have an old manual typewriter from another grandmother. Still have and use handtools that I purchased back when I was around 13 years old.

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Jim

Thanks for these GREAT stories!!! I don’t have a calculator, but still have the first new computer I bought. It was an AST ‘286. It and an identical one are now used to elevate a work bench. :p


Lets hear some more.....

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Canon F1, bought in '79, still works flawlessly, use it at least once a week (while the fancy Nikon F4 sits in the safe). My Win 30-30 that I got when I was 14. Shoot it about once a month still, sights are same as 25 years ago, 1.5 @ 100m. My Seiko 15 jewel 7A28 Chrono, had since 1984, keeps to 12 sec/month. Like a few others here, MOST of what I have is older stuff (inherited Snap-On tools, grandfathers binocs, etc.) that was MADE to last forever (or seemingly anyway).

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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

Man, I've got so much old stuff I really don't know where to start.
1965 Ford, 1950 Snap-On tool chest, 1956 Chevy, 1958 Daisy BB gun, 1974 Marantz amplifier, 1973 Thorens turntable and a Millers Falls circular saw. Not sure about it's age but my Grandfather had it when I was a little boy. It's built several houses including mine.
I still have a Commodore 128 but it hasn't seen daylight in LONG time.