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2024 Garage Sale Thread (13th Annual)

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FJ 432

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I have taken an interest in recent years in locksmith items. It began when I purchased a lamp with a “keys while you wait” globe that I added to my workshop.

At a recent estate auction, I was able to win a metal case labelled locksmith. The lid of the case was held down by 2 latches on either side and the total weight is probably about 30-40 lbs. Once opened it appears that the contents are divided into 4 equal sections in which 2 sides lift out. The other half has a vise that is hinged on one side that opens to the other side. A clever design.

Contents include a number of wood handled files marked Lutz File& Tool Company out of Cincinnati, key blanks, various lock parts, a lockpickers tool, springs, pins and a Rayovac pen light that had Duracell AA batteries labeled “Best Used by Jan 96”. Containers include Sucrets tins and a Scotch Tape metal cannister. It also contained a 0-1” micrometer made by HPC out of Chicago.

Given the contents, this mobile locksmith worked on vehicles, commercial and residential locks and with this kit eked out a living from a days gone by era. I find this stuff interesting.locksmith1.jpglocksmith3.jpglocksmith4.jpglocksmith5.jpglocksmith6.jpglocksmith7.jpglocksmith8.jpg
 

FigN⋅m

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Feb 28, 2024
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I have taken an interest in recent years in locksmith items. It began when I purchased a lamp with a “keys while you wait” globe that I added to my workshop.

At a recent estate auction, I was able to win a metal case labelled locksmith. The lid of the case was held down by 2 latches on either side and the total weight is probably about 30-40 lbs. Once opened it appears that the contents are divided into 4 equal sections in which 2 sides lift out. The other half has a vise that is hinged on one side that opens to the other side. A clever design.

Contents include a number of wood handled files marked Lutz File& Tool Company out of Cincinnati, key blanks, various lock parts, a lockpickers tool, springs, pins and a Rayovac pen light that had Duracell AA batteries labeled “Best Used by Jan 96”. Containers include Sucrets tins and a Scotch Tape metal cannister. It also contained a 0-1” micrometer made by HPC out of Chicago.

Given the contents, this mobile locksmith worked on vehicles, commercial and residential locks and with this kit eked out a living from a days gone by era. I find this stuff interesting.locksmith1.jpglocksmith3.jpglocksmith4.jpglocksmith5.jpglocksmith6.jpglocksmith7.jpglocksmith8.jpg
Cool find! Although, I'm a bit triggered by the cherry Sucrets...😝
 

Old Radar

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Do you have any idea how this is used?
I suspect it is used to maintain the order of the pins and springs as the lock is disassembled. That way they can be reassembled in the same order and the original key will still work.

_____________________________________________________________________


My mid-week $5 haul:
Full can of starting fluid
Snap-on Screwdrivers: SSD 4120, 4100, 480, 440 & 1410
MAC S14 Bendix Brake Spring Tool
Wood Handle Screwdriver--it was covered in paint and I took a chance it might be "something". I lost.
SELSI (Japan) Achromatic 20X Loupe
Antique Victorian Brass Gas Petcock (I think...) No maker's marks.
Aug 21 24a.jpgAug 21 24b.jpg
 

Patrickm82

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Feb 27, 2021
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Massachusetts
I have taken an interest in recent years in locksmith items. It began when I purchased a lamp with a “keys while you wait” globe that I added to my workshop.

At a recent estate auction, I was able to win a metal case labelled locksmith. The lid of the case was held down by 2 latches on either side and the total weight is probably about 30-40 lbs. Once opened it appears that the contents are divided into 4 equal sections in which 2 sides lift out. The other half has a vise that is hinged on one side that opens to the other side. A clever design.

Contents include a number of wood handled files marked Lutz File& Tool Company out of Cincinnati, key blanks, various lock parts, a lockpickers tool, springs, pins and a Rayovac pen light that had Duracell AA batteries labeled “Best Used by Jan 96”. Containers include Sucrets tins and a Scotch Tape metal cannister. It also contained a 0-1” micrometer made by HPC out of Chicago.

Given the contents, this mobile locksmith worked on vehicles, commercial and residential locks and with this kit eked out a living from a days gone by era. I find this stuff interesting.locksmith1.jpglocksmith3.jpglocksmith4.jpglocksmith5.jpglocksmith6.jpglocksmith7.jpglocksmith8.jpg
I’m not a lock guy but that set is cool as hell!
 

jeffmoss26

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I suspect it is used to maintain the order of the pins and springs as the lock is disassembled. That way they can be reassembled in the same order and the original key will still work.

_____________________________________________________________________
You are correct! This is what I normally use IMG_5462.jpeg
 

Old Radar

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You are correct! This is what I normally use IMG_5462.jpeg
Wish I had one of those and the knowledge to use it on my first foray in lock disassembly... Way back in ninth grade I got a wild hair to take apart a simple closet lock. Knowing nothing about the mechanics, I simply unscrewed the cylinder and pulled it straight out--instantly self-critiquing!! I spent the next three hours looking for the pins and springs that shot all over the bedroom and figuring out the relationship between peaks and valleys on the key and the various lengths of the pins...
 

Raineman

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central Maryland
I suspect it is used to maintain the order of the pins and springs as the lock is disassembled. That way they can be reassembled in the same order and the original key will still work.

_____________________________________________________________________


My mid-week $5 haul:
Full can of starting fluid
Snap-on Screwdrivers: SSD 4120, 4100, 480, 440 & 1410
MAC S14 Bendix Brake Spring Tool
Wood Handle Screwdriver--it was covered in paint and I took a chance it might be "something". I lost.
SELSI (Japan) Achromatic 20X Loupe
Antique Victorian Brass Gas Petcock (I think...) No maker's marks.
Aug 21 24a.jpgAug 21 24b.jpg
For $5? You ****. Those Snap on are in great shape for their age. Looks like all from the same owner with the identifier marks on the shafts.

If you're gonna' re-home that MAC S14, let me know.

(I'll know about your sockets this evening, heading down to the basement to root around for you, alinc, and Fred Knox)
 

jeffmoss26

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Wish I had one of those and the knowledge to use it on my first foray in lock disassembly... Way back in ninth grade I got a wild hair to take apart a simple closet lock. Knowing nothing about the mechanics, I simply unscrewed the cylinder and pulled it straight out--instantly self-critiquing!! I spent the next three hours looking for the pins and springs that shot all over the bedroom and figuring out the relationship between peaks and valleys on the key and the various lengths of the pins...
I was just reminiscing with a fellow locksmith about the locks we ruined before we knew what we were doing!
 
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bmwrd0

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Beaver Fever Oregon
Wish I had one of those and the knowledge to use it on my first foray in lock disassembly... Way back in ninth grade I got a wild hair to take apart a simple closet lock. Knowing nothing about the mechanics, I simply unscrewed the cylinder and pulled it straight out--instantly self-critiquing!!
I did that once, also. But, back in high school, when I was a handi-man, I used to work with an ex-LAPD officer, and he taught me how to break into anything, but the lock was gonna be unusable afterword's. So, I got that going for me. Which is nice.
 

ctuai

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Aug 24, 2019
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Des Moines, IA
Curb pick: Pelton & Crane LF Plus Dental examination light:

Driving by my dentist and they were throwing out a reclining dental examination chair and attached light. Felt justified in snagging the light, given the amount of cash they've extracted from my wallet.​

Screen Shot 2024-08-22 at 5.12.17 PM.png
 
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ctuai

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Des Moines, IA
I did that once, also. But, back in high school, when I was a handi-man, I used to work with an ex-LAPD officer, and he taught me how to break into anything, but the lock was gonna be unusable afterword's. So, I got that going for me. Which is nice.
LOL I worked as a handyman for a property management company and definitely understand that you always take a new lockset with you when drill/pound/cut your way through to the other side.
 

bmwrd0

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Beaver Fever Oregon
I did a trade with the esteemed Private Lugnutz, and while you can see whatall I sent him in his (in)famous Lugzonium, here is what he sent in return:
53941061541_43f6852eb8_b.jpg
Some wonderful Railroadiana, Starrett clamp and calculator, Blackhawk brace (the origin of the trade), Armstrong flex, and Marbles cleaning rod.

All very well within my collecting and using sphere! Thank you, Lugz.
 

Old Radar

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San Antonio, TX
Some of you may remember the Wild Warehouse Weekend I had back in May. It was rumored back then that the former owner of the warehouse had a home chock full of goodies, too, and that its contents would be coming on the market in the future.
Last night I found an advertised sale, and while light on tools, it had a quite a collection of interesting and eclectic things.
Naturally I went. So did a few other folks, and I found myself #112 on the list... I noted the door-keeper was the owner of the company that had run the warehouse sale. After the first wave of people were let in, and completely failing to put two and two together on my own, I ask if the warehouse owner's home would be on the horizon soon. He looked at me and said this is his home. Light bulb...
I was mainly interested in finding a box full of spyglasses or kaleidoscopes--I couldn't tell from the picture. But one of the 111 people in the door before me must have had the same goal, because I never saw them.
Even though the sale wasn't tool-centric, crates of non-tool related items frequently hid a gem. After poking around for two hours, this was my $13 haul:

Aug 22 24a.jpgMy second Cleveland Twist Drill index; a pair of W. Germany Googly Eyed magnifiers;
The rusty lump next to the Lufkin 142 2" inside calipers is a printer's die that says 38th Division, currently in EvapoRust.
A NOS Tungsten Carbide rotary file from Grobet, USA;
North Bros. Yankee Handyman No.33H spiral and No.2H ratcheting screwdrivers, along with another small beehive driver.
Two Millers Falls chef's hat drivers and a MF 199 offset driver. No-name, but heavy little screwdriver.
Utica Drop Forge & Tool Corp., Alloy Steel 50-6 Linesman Pliers, Pre-War Period.
Forged Steel Products Vacuum Grip No. 96 Needle Nose Pliers with a 6 stamped on the inside handle.

Aug 22 24b.jpg

Two interesting (to me) folding dividers with leather cases;
Another bit for my antique wood brace;
5" Boxwood and Brass advertising rule--I find mention of their products but not the company;
A tiny pair of cuticle cutters?? Immediately purloined by Mrs. Radar;
A small canister of 30 sewing machine needles (I thought they were compass/divider points) also taken by Mrs. OR.
Aug 22 24c.jpg

These are my favorites of the day:
Antique silver plated Champagne Tap by S. Maw and Son, London. I'm more of a Champagne of Beers guy so had never heard of this tool. I thought it was a fancy corkscrew. (selling for big bucks on ebay)
A folding reflex hammer and case;
A nearly identical Time/Speed Proportional Dividers to the one that I used on all of my B-52 missions. I couldn't pass it up.
Aug 22 24d.jpg
 

CoogarXR

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Ohio
Some rescues from Habitat including the Sylvania box and tools up on the left. Tools on the right rescued from a second hand place.

Some Cornwell, Williams, Gearrench, Bonney, Proto, Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc..

2D899A0E-D4F9-4383-9BDF-9A12203DD14B.jpeg456E48ED-F986-485E-8F86-5155DDC2ACF5.jpegD6795303-9712-48EA-AC70-815D1F403624.jpeg106BE78D-93F3-4E19-A49F-38ABA560FA46.jpeg
You probably already know, but just in case you don't, that Sylvania box is called a "tube caddy". Mobile electronics repair guys carried those full of vacuum tubes and other common tv/radio parts
 

Private Lugnutz

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The Authentic Jersey Shore
a pair of W. Germany Googly Eyed magnifiers;
You should post those down in the 'Goggles/Shop glasses' thread. I posted a pair last year or so. US made, though. Telesight (Brooklyn).
No-name, but heavy little screwdriver.
The one with the knurled handle?
A nearly identical Time/Speed Proportional Dividers to the one that I used on all of my B-52 missions. I couldn't pass it up.
That's really cool that you would see one again.
 
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