2024 Garage Sale Thread (13th Annual)

[Old Radar]

A red case, long and thin, pictured on a garage table in an Estate Sale post got me moving this morning. I got there just as they let the group of 8-10 people in the door and I was the second person in the garage. The first guy was distracted by some fishing poles, so I had the tool table to myself. I dug the case out from under a bunch of old cordless phones. It had a nice heft to it.



I was mildly disappointed that it was Bon-E-Con, since I don't collect it, but also inside the red case was a smaller blue case with 1/4" black anodized D-I sockets and a dark, but well preserved Indestro "Super Quality" water transfer. Also in the mix was a Bonney T-30 hinge handle (with tommy bar!), four Bonney sockets, a few miscellaneous sockets (CM VV, two Plomb, and a yet-to-be-identified swivel) and an Everdry Waterproof Match Safe. I rooted around in the socket bins looking for any stragglers and found two. I also found the Bon-E-Con ZT-742 speeder that I thought belonged to the set--and convinced the attendant that it did... Because of all the extra items in the case, it didn't worry me that the speeder didn't seem to fit in the case. Once I got it home, I discovered the case is not designed to include the speeder due to the layout of the socket areas.


An interesting addition was a small piece of paper, completely covered in dried grease and the funk of decades. I carefully brushed degreaser on it and it recovered enough to read:

Unreadable Z346B
29 Pieces 3/8 Inch Drive
Price $34.50
With Archive.org currently down, I can't verify the model # or the original contents.


Here's the Indestro Super Quality set. I couldn't find any drive tools. Total on the day was $21.56


Finally, in the Left Behind catagory, a CM Crown 1/3hp oilless sprayer that I just wouldn't know what to do with.

 

[d42jeep]

Let me be the first to say “You ****”! I especially like the Indestro D-I set.
-Don
Postwar catalog page.

 

[3jakes]

Old Radar,
I'd like to hear more about a "Super Quality" water transfer.
I have no idea what that is.
Is it the goober to the left of your blue socket case in the first photo?

 

[Raineman]

One new sale today and also returned for day 2 of yesterday’s sale (still full price, but no crowd).

Screwdrivers ($0.50/each) - Top 3 are Crescent, middle 3 are Great Neck. Yellow dual end is Blue Point, and bottom 2 are Craftsman.

That dual end Blue Point is a valve stem tool (if you didn't already know). Very useful tool to have.

 

[Old Radar]

Thanks, Don, for the catalog page! At least now I know that I have the an unbroken run of sockets--although my 5/16 & 9/32 are both 12pts instead of 6pts. Does that mean the set is most likely from before '48?

Old Radar,
I'd like to hear more about a "Super Quality" water transfer.
I have no idea what that is.
Is it the goober to the left of your blue socket case in the first photo?

The goober is the Everdry waterproof match case.
"Super Quality" was Indestro's tool branding before shortening it to just Super, as in "Indestro Super".
A water transfer is the decal on the inside of the blue case. It's like the decals that came with the airplane models I built as a kid--cut out the decal, put it in a cup of warm water for a few moments and transfer it into position.

 

[Stubby1743]

A water transfer is the decal on the inside of the blue case. It's like the decals that came with the airplane models I built as a kid--cut out the decal, put it in a cup of warm water for a few moments and transfer it into position.

See the two old adverts that I just posted in the 'Vintage Ephemera' thread.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Don, for the catalog page! At least now I know that I have the an unbroken run of sockets--although my 5/16 & 9/32 are both 12pts instead of 6pts. Does that mean the set is most likely from before '48?


The goober is the Everdry waterproof match case.
"Super Quality" was Indestro's tool branding before shortening it to just Super, as in "Indestro Super".
A water transfer is the decal on the inside of the blue case. It's like the decals that came with the airplane models I built as a kid--cut out the decal, put it in a cup of warm water for a few moments and transfer it into position.

Your Indestro/D-I socket set is WW2 vintage. Here is my slightly postwar partial set with an incorrect extension that I found in 2017.
Here is a related wartime Duro/D-I set.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

One new sale today and also returned for day 2 of yesterday’s sale (still full price, but no crowd).

Screwdrivers ($0.50/each) - Top 3 are Crescent, middle 3 are Great Neck. Yellow dual end is Blue Point, and bottom 2 are Craftsman.


Wrenches - Crescent pipe ($7), 12” Crescent adjustable ($4), Proto 8” ($2), Crescent & Proto, Craftsman locking, Cutco scissors, and a few miscellaneous wrenches.


1/2” Proto set ($12, nearly complete, but with a replacement Craftsman ratchet), Cornwell and no-name USA-made speeder ($2/each), Thorsen Taiwan breaker bar ($4), S-K and Proto extensions ($0.50/each), and S-K sockets ($0.50/each). The Proto box will be a winter restoration project.


And, finally, a Kennedy tackle box ($25) loaded with vintage lures (Creek Chub, Rapala, Jitterbug, etc.), a True Temper reel (in the box), and a bunch of miscellaneous vintage fishing items. This needs a good cleaning - inside and out - and will be a great place to store my collection of vintage fishing lures.

That Proto set never came with a ratchet by itself, just a breaker bar and cross bar.

Good finds though!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Went into a new pawn shop and saw this little 2 oz paschall hammer surrounded by all the new shiny tools. Paid $1. BB dated

 

[four.cycle]

Thanks, Don, for the catalog page! At least now I know that I have the an unbroken run of sockets--although my 5/16 & 9/32 are both 12pts instead of 6pts. Does that mean the set is most likely from before '48?

errrrrr.... (pulling from memory here) .... the 12 points started at 5/16" on some sets. 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, and 9/32 were 6 points.
Timeline on change from "Super Quality" to "Super" is on AA's website somewhere, if I'm not mistaken.
The 1937 catalog is selling "Super Quality"
The next catalog I have is 1948, and it's "Indestro Super"
The BLUE box stuff is 1940s.
The "D - I" stuff falls into a nebulous time range - I think Don and I would probably agree on somewhere between 1938-1946 or 1947.

(WHY would they do that? They were selling tons of socket sets to the British on the "lend-lease" deal prior to our becoming involved in WWII, and because wartime production levels were cranked up to the hilt - manufacturers were running round-the clock, they doubtless ended up with excess inventory after August 1945, right?)

ALL "D - I" is not necessarily "wartime", and ALL "wartime" is not necessarily "D - I", and NOT ALL "D - I" is black or plain steel finish -
I have plated and polished "D - I" sets out in the living room.

That said, there is good reason for Don's drooling over your recent find.

(That listing didn't even last 12 hours, btw.)(and don't fail to note that it's a half-empty box of mongrels.)

 

[Provincial]

Only one sale today, and it was an estate at a very humble rural home. I was second to the garage, and fortunately, the leader was zeroing in on Coleman lanterns (common models, and not in very good shape), so I got to check out the tools. There was a room off the garage and one wall cabinet contained some reloading items. I picked out some stuff I can use, and left the rest for a friend I called and tipped off. I paid $20.00 for the lot.


55 fired 30-30 cases in boxes. The Peters boxes are interesting!
895 CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers (going to another friend)
165 CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers
Master Mechanic 3/4 dr. 12-pt. socket 1-1/2
Master Mechanic 1/2 to 3/4 drive adapter
Craftsman -V- 1/2 dr. 12-pt. deep socket 1-1/16
SK 4426 3/8 dr. 6-pt. spark plug socket 13/16
Williams H-1256 3/4 dr. 12-pt. socket 1-3/4
Williams SD-1226 1/2 dr. 12-pt. deep socket 13/16
Plomb USA pebble 5467 hinge handle 1/2 dr.
Plomb USA 5661 3/4 dr. 7" extension
Plomb USA 1214 combo 7/16
Plomb USA 3430 tappet DOE 9/16 x 5/8
Meteor ign. DOE 9/32
Danielson BETR-GRIP adjustable 10" "F-1-4"
Channellock 430 pliers

 

[saukit]

You **** @Old Radar !

This stuff is from last weekend, sales have really dried up around here and I'm reduced to paying first day estate sale prices. Gonna be a long winter!

This sale I thought I was gonna get a good deal as the guy had it laid out in the driveway and I had to pick all this stuff out of random boxes. Not so lucky though and when he knew what the Plomb was I knew I was screwed He started out $30, I countered $20 and thankfully he took it cause I was ready to put it all back. Mostly just a bunch of randoms, highlights are the Craftsman USA complete torx set and 1/2" metric sockets which I have the missing pieces for.

I thought I had a score with the ratchet, could have swore it was a Snap on from the markings near the selector switch. It had a rubberized handle on it plus a torx socket with a stripped set screw. I stupidly cut the handle off which I'm pretty sure was factory and the ratchet is not marked underneath. Plus I had to drill out the torx bit to get it off and now the ratchet is pretty well destroyed. Oh well, live to fight another day I guess






Bought these two cases to build sets, they had a few miscellanous items in them. Wish I could have got to this sale earlier, there were all sorts of vintage socket cases in the pics. Damn work!




Finally a few bits from a private estate sale, picked this stuff out of the boxes. Pretty happy with the Plomb LA 1/2" rat and the combo wrenches which are unbranded but I'm nearly positive are Duro. $10 on this batch.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

but I'm nearly positive are Duro...

They are, including the "Dart" style, which is very rare. I think I have run into two, maybe three in the wild. In twenty years.

 

[SC Fly Guy]

Well, back to the same sales today. The first was 50% off.

2 Pflueger Sal-Trout Fly Reels ($3.00/each)


A Coleman Lantern w/ Reflector ($4). Manufactured date is 4/74.


Brand new Franklin lock box w/ unset combination ($2).

The mega tool sale was 30% off and more tools were seemingly brought out.

Craftsman 2 drawer tool box full of screwdrivers and ignition wrenches ($18). The box has a combination lock? Anyone know how to reset it?




Then, a box absolutely full of tools for $25 total. I’ve got guests in town so I won’t be able to go through it until Monday, but there’s some good stuff in here, including the Proto Tie-Rod/Ball Joint Separator ($4)


Snap-On (I think?) Screwdriver ($0.50)


Goodyear Tire Iron ($2)


Ford Wrench ($4)


And finally, what I think are some very early Crescent wrenches, but, hopefully some GJ experts can help. These were probably factory seconds as they have what appears to be a scratched out name on the back. $10 for the 7 wrenches.

 

[bmwrd0]

Saukit, that IS a Snap-on ratchet, just not for what you think it would be for. It is for attaching the t-tops to a nineties Corvette.

 

[Outlawmws]

WOW! SC Fly Guy *****!

I got out to an Estate sale 4-5 hours after opening -

$5 for 3 lbs lead, a SO extension 1" long, and an inside mic in a bakalite box. - International tool co. out of San Leandro CA. (across the bay from SF)

 

[saukit]

Saukit, that IS a Snap-on ratchet, just not for what you think it would be for. It is for attaching the t-tops to a nineties Corvette.

Ah, interesting! Well since I destroyed it maybe I'll take it apart and see if I can steal the selector switch for a TM 70 I have that needs one.

 

[Provincial]

Outlaw, that inside micrometer looks like a Tumico (Scherr) product. I have one that is just like it. It looks like it is missing the shortest stem.

 

[Outlawmws]

It could well be Prov. Both box and mic are marked Internatinal Tool Co, but may have been a rebrand.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well, back to the same sales today. The first was 50% off.

2 Pflueger Sal-Trout Fly Reels ($3.00/each)


A Coleman Lantern w/ Reflector ($4). Manufactured date is 4/74.


Brand new Franklin lock box w/ unset combination ($2).

The mega tool sale was 30% off and more tools were seemingly brought out.

Craftsman 2 drawer tool box full of screwdrivers and ignition wrenches ($18). The box has a combination lock? Anyone know how to reset it?




Then, a box absolutely full of tools for $25 total. I’ve got guests in town so I won’t be able to go through it until Monday, but there’s some good stuff in here, including the Proto Tie-Rod/Ball Joint Separator ($4)


Snap-On (I think?) Screwdriver ($0.50)


Goodyear Tire Iron ($2)


Ford Wrench ($4)


And finally, what I think are some very early Crescent wrenches, but, hopefully some GJ experts can help. These were probably factory seconds as they have what appears to be a scratched out name on the back. $10 for the 7 wrenches.

The grind off wrenches are plomb. They are either factory seconds or could have been modified during the lawsuit era. Late 40’s

 

[Old Radar]

errrrrr.... (pulling from memory here) .... the 12 points started at 5/16" on some sets. 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, and 9/32 were 6 points.
Timeline on change from "Super Quality" to "Super" is on AA's website somewhere, if I'm not mistaken.
The 1937 catalog is selling "Super Quality"

I wouldn't contest your memory 4C! However, I'm sitting here with a 1/4d D-I 9/32" black oxide socket with 12pt broaching.
AA hesitatingly puts Super Quality between 1935 and 1944-5.
Looking closely at this group of sockets, I find that Duro-Indestro sure played fast and loose with their hyphenation.
D I-
D- I-
-D- I- This version being the most popular of the nine sockets with four examples.

 

[Provincial]

It could well be Prov. Both box and mic are marked Internatinal Tool Co, but may have been a rebrand.

Probably a government contract.

 

[four.cycle]

I wouldn't contest your memory 4C! However, I'm sitting here with a 1/4d D-I 9/32" black oxide socket with 12pt broaching.
AA hesitatingly puts Super Quality between 1935 and 1944-5.
Looking closely at this group of sockets, I find that Duro-Indestro sure played fast and loose with their hyphenation.
D I-
D- I-
-D- I- This version being the most popular of the nine sockets with four examples.

It's not my memory. I didn't start selling Indestro until 1973. What I know I've learned here and by acquiring a boatload of it.
Yes you are correct about the 6-point/12-point broaching. I just re-read my post above, and I thought "Ooop!" I think I have some that are punched with 12 points all the way down to the smaller sizes.

AA's timeline on the "Super Quality" sounds right.

Markings are all over the place. Same with Thorsen. Same with Walden. Really difficult to find an old set where they're all matched up.

====

I saw an ad on Craigslist that caught my eye. Looked like something another member here might be interested in. As it turned out, it's just another example of the proverbial "Pig in a Poke".

Lessee... .what have we got here:
About 20 1" drive sockets. mixed bag. only TWO are P&C, Smoke! The rest are a mix of Mac, Mac Sabina, Snap-on, Owatonna, Bonney, Craftsman, S-K, Thorsen... all primo U.S. made but for one Japan-made Truecraft (Daido Japan did great work) - I think every time the guy needed another size he found a different brand.

The breaker and the ratchet are P&C. Sliding T Owatonna. Sloppy U-joint Snap-on. 1/2" F x 3/4M adapter Thorsen. Home-made 1" M x 3/4" F adapter is interesting. Two US made extensions. One obviously Chinese extension. Williams and Whitman & Barnes lobster claws, Armstrong spud wrench, Guaranteed in Spain 10-inch pipe wrench, 4 mixed spindle nut sockets (Owatonna, OTC, the other two illegible.)
That stamped thing at upper left appears to be a spark plug socket wrench - no ID. Box is built like a battleship.
Stored in an exterior shed exposed to elements. Rusty as hell on some pieces.

I got hopelessly lost trying to find this guy's place - he was way, way way out there. Fortunately the nice lady who was attending the church social that I passed graciously pulled out her cell phone and found it for me. It was indeed an adventure

Who knew this went clear back to the 15th Century?

"I will never buy the pig in the poke
There's many a foul pig in a fair cloak"

 

[GarageHobbyist]

I stopped at a store I had somehow never been in before on my lunch break. Its a second hand store of....everything. I probably only laid eyes on 50% of the store itself. Everything from antique furniture, dishes, old tins, bikes, shelving, materials, hardware. Everything!

I only had a few minutes to rummage around a couple bins in the tool section and barely scratched the surface. I found these Red Devil pliers for $2 and had to go back to work.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Red Devil pliers

Crescent era, I think. It was an interesting situation in the sense that the business entity that would re-emerge from the Smith & Hemenway breakup also kept the former brand name as the name of the company. Your pliers were made during a period when Crescent was using the brand they acquired from S&H at the same time as the Red Devil company, formed by Smith, sans his former partner, was making tools with the same name.

 

[Matt XYZ]

Picked up these 1/4" Stahlwille sockets for about $5 at the local flea market. They only had a few sizes but had duplicates of most. 3.5-6mm , 11 and 14mm. Not the most useful but I don't normally pass on the good brands, especially for the price and most look never used.

 

[seber]

Provincial ***** for those primers.

 

[gleman]

I found a couple of no4 planes at the thrift store today.







I think this is the second time I've gotten a corrugated sole.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My soul has been corrugated for a while, but I hope to have it straightened out before I hit the pearly gates!

 

[gleman]

My soul has been corrugated for a while, but I hope to have it straightened out before I hit the pearly gates!

It sounds like a unreleased Soundgarden track from the nineties!

 

[3jakes]

On morning errands yesterday I spotted a TOO that I passed then turned around to have a look.
Wasn't much for sale, I bought an empty propane tank for 2 bucks.
I asked about tools & they said nope.
As I was headed back to the car, a fella says, "do you wanna look in the basement".
Heck yeah.
I spent 20 minutes and came up with this pile.
How much for these?
What do you want to pay...?
Well, I joked, "I want to pay 10 bucks..."
Says he, "OK".
2 gearwrench long spline flex jobbers.
A MAC 1/2 inch VR10PA Run hard & put away wet. Still cleaning the rust out of it, but seems like it will work just fine
Husky & Craftsman vise grips.
Armstrong 3/8 rat.
A rough 4" Crescent
10" Channellocks & a pair of Kobalt pliers.

 

[Outlawmws]

Provincial ***** for those primers.

Yes he does!

I found a couple of no4 planes at the thrift store today.

So does gleman

What do you want to pay...?
Well, I joked, "I want to pay 10 bucks..."
Says he, "OK".

and 3jakes!

 

[CoogarXR]

I stopped at a store I had somehow never been in before on my lunch break. Its a second hand store of....everything. I probably only laid eyes on 50% of the store itself. Everything from antique furniture, dishes, old tins, bikes, shelving, materials, hardware. Everything!

I only had a few minutes to rummage around a couple bins in the tool section and barely scratched the surface. I found these Red Devil pliers for $2 and had to go back to work.

I love to wander around stores like that. Especially if they are reasonable on their prices.

 

[Debcrow]

My soul has been corrugated for a while, but I hope to have it straightened out before I hit the pearly gates!

Sounds like someone who ran their Kia up against the guardrail on the interstate......

Kia Soul

 

[jeffmoss26]

Today's finds - 12 bucks at an estate sale for this plus a can of Liquid wrench
Restore: 10 bucks for the box of wire (472 ft left) and another 15 bucks for the tools (including the anchor kit)
Never seen a wooden Cornwell driver before. The Williams driver looks to be made by Vaco. Barcalo and SK wrenches. Left behind some Craftsman RP stuff.

 

[gleman]

I love to wander around stores like that. Especially if they are reasonable on their prices.

Me too! I think there's a little Fred Sanford in all of us.

 

[alinc100]

One sale that I attended both Thursday after work and again today on half off day. I was a bit leery Thursday as none of the small tools were priced and the decimal chart was more than I wanted to pay. Today being half off day brought the chart down to $15 so it came home with me, overall the pricing was very cheap.

Craftsman Robo Grip Plier
Craftsman Professional AutoLock wrench
Craftsman 1/2’’ drive 44975 ratchet
Craftsman Professional Screwdriver
Craftsman #2 Robertson driver
Phase II counter
Craftsman 1/2” dr impact universal
Craftsman hex/allen sockets 4 of 6 pieces
Stanley 30ft tape measure
Craftsman 3/8”dr 3” extension
Petersen Vise Grip Pliers 5WR
Cornwell 1/2” dr 1” ,15/16” ,15/16” imp shallow sockets
Craftsman 1/2” dr 13/16”,1-1/8” 6 pt deep
Craftsman 1/2” dr 28 mm 12 pt shallow
Husky 1/2” dr 13/16” shallow
Walden 1/4” dr 1/4” 12 pt shallow
Cornwell 3/8” dr 7/16” 12 pt impact
Snap On 3/8” dr 7/16” 12 pt impact
Mini ball peen hammer
Wrenches
Craftsman (2)-5/16”,(2)-3/8”, (2)-7/16”,1/2” 9/16”,11/16” 13mm combination
Craftsman 6” and 8” adjustables
Craftsman 1/2” x 9/16”,10mm x 11mm dbe
Craftsman 1/2” x 9/16” stubby dbe
Craftsman 3/8” x 1/2” deep offset
Craftsman 1/2” x 9/16” offset box ratcheting
Craftsman 19/32” x 11/16” doe
Sears 5/8” combination
Proto Los Angeles 1/2” combination
MAC CL16 1/2” combination
MAC CHLF 7/16” saltus wrench
OTC 1/2” x 9/16” line wrench
S-K Wayne 9/16” x 5/8” doe
Duro-Chrome 7/16” x 1/2” doe
PowrKraft 5/8” x 3/4”doe
Challenger 3/4” combination
Cornwell 5/8” x 3/4” dbe
Metal Decimal Chart

 

[Outlawmws]

Today was a trip 26 miles away for a favorite HS Flea:

Mini-Magnum box with some lures/spinners and swivels in it, and the Meyers Stitching awl for $5 - the Awl is going into my camp repair kit, I have one in leather working already. and an unbranded 1/4" driver. needs some research.



Two wood framed folding stools for a buck each. I now have 5 of these, one of which is going to my son at Xmas, with a fitted wood top. These are great as foot rests, duffel stands, and with a top, small tables. less thrilling as a seat!

When I finally need to replace the canvas I need to make sure to use the tan one as a length pattern as its wide enough to not be so painful a seat, but also to round over the top corner nicely so its not creasing my bony ****!...




2 Jorgansen bar clamps for $5 -these are a good size to brain on the Coleman camp outs as that can be used to clamp things to the 3 or 3-1/2" thick campsite picnic benches.



And the last stop at the Flea, (second round) I came back and got this 10-46 242C for $30. Seems to be in decent shape other than the glass being MIA. I should have asked the seller if he was a member here. He mentioned having over 200 lanterns! But I was tired and generally headed for the car with one row to go and the stools over my shoulder.




And after the Flea one stop, and I picked up this "art stand" for a buck. I'll be using it as a low profile Solar panel stand as demoed, for either ground level or table top on my solar charge stations (solar panel and a re-purposed UPS battery, with a lighter socket attached).

I'll need to do some math and find a decent average angle for the sun, and cut the back leg to get close to that angle. It should make it more efficient, and also more stable.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

There aren’t too many sales this time of year. I woke up at 5am to the power going out from a windstorm. I browsed CL and a couple said rain or shine so I took a chance. I landed this absolutely immaculate Coleman 220K. As I was told by the owner it was used once when new then put away in the case ever since. New was over 40 years ago! 02/1980. For $10 I am thrilled. This is my first with the plastic case in this style as well.

 

[Beerhippie]

....