The Inheritance Of Tools, What Have You Inherited?

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The Inheritance of Tools, What have you inherited? By Dan Beirne
When most people think of tools, they think of something that takes up physical space. In reality tools can either be a physical thing like a hammer, or a skill that you use in your work or at home.
In the case of a skill or skills that are inherited, you might not even be aware that you are learning a skill. This could be the ability to shape wood, build things from different materials, or repair equipment.
My experience with inheritance started when I was about 9 yrs old. I would help out my dad with upkeep around the house. For example, painting, and fixing windows.
Each year he would give me more responsibility. Each task would a little more difficult.
My dad was not a big man; about five feet five inches tall with a solid stocky build. But, if he got an idea in his head, it was hard to get him to stop working on it until it was done.
Once I remember my dad picked up a piece of furniture at an auction. It was a pretty beat up wooden office desk. There were deep scratches in the surface and wide cracks caused by the wood drying out.
My dad said that when he would be finished with it, it would look better than new. To tell you the truth, I thought he was nuts. The desk looked like it was more suited to be used as firewood.
He started by taking pictures of the desk from every angle, so he would be able to see how the parts would fit together after disassembling the desk down to its individual parts. The drawer sides, legs, top, sides etc. Patience seemed to be the first thing he tried to teach, as he removed each part deliberately and carefully. The parts were layed out on the floor in a pattern similar to how they could fit together. Then he took another set of pictures, He said that this was to give another perspective, in case the desk would prove to be difficult to assemble.
Next he started removing all of the old finish, (varnish, and stain). The c...