Fred Lee likes old hand tools.
As a former manual arts teacher, Fred has a real appreciation for quality tools that last through generations.
“I think it’s important for kids and everyone to see these tools being used, to re-use them and keep using them into the future,” he said.
Fred points to an old apple box.
“They used to make furniture from these during the Depression.”
He would like to see kids today being able to develop the skills needed to use these tools to make their own furniture or whatever they need.
“It teaches the kids to organise themselves and plan their projects,” he said.
For example, Fred explained how he and his wife Elma bought a house in Tasmania, sight unseen, off the internet.
When they finally got there, the house was filthy.
Dogs and sheep had been living inside.
After the initial shock, Fred and Elma decided to stay and fix it up.
Fred worked on the house for eight years, making all the cornices by hand using recycled timber.
It was a real labour of love for the couple.
When Fred and Elma finally sold up they moved to Stanthorpe.
Fred has been collecting old hand tools for around 15 years.
Among his collection are wheelwright’s planes, routers, Japanese planes and a foot-operated treadle lathe which Fred uses to make handles and gavels.
Fred’s favourite tool is a stamped plane.
“Made during the war in 1941. Australian made, still works fine,” he said.
Fred will be at the Stanthorpe Eco Expo on Saturday 3 September at the Ananda Palli, 463 Back Creek Road, Severnlea.
