Father returned superfluous tool (7)
I believe the answer is:
fretsaw
'tool' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'father returned superfluous' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'fr' (abbreviation as in a priest's title).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'superfluous' becomes 'waste' (as in waste material).
'waste' written backwards gives 'etsaw'.
'fr'+'etsaw'='FRETSAW'
(Other definitions for fretsaw that I've seen before include "Woodcutter" , "Tool for cutting designs in wood" , "Woodworking tool" , "Fine-toothed tool" , "cutter" .)