Question for the vintage tool people.

[pep]

(Pro mechanics, hold your hands over your ears, there's a hobby/collector angle to all of this).

I was checking out Plomb, old Williams stuff, etc. on eBay and it occurred to me that it would be pretty cool to have a 100% vintage tool toolbox, maybe all one brand, for amateur car projects, especially for old American iron. Does anyone have a garage set up with purely antique hand tools?

The stupid thing is, of course, is that you can eBay Snap on and Euro tools for probably close to the same price.

 

[jwitt]

I don't have a whole shop full of vintage tools but I keep all of my Plomb in the Plomb top box and my other old tools in the old roll around that came off of the Navy Base. The only pictures that I have show them empty but they are both getting pretty full. I have other boxes with working tools but I also still use my old stuff quite often.

Jim

 

[Bolster]

Same here. I have a reasonably complete set of late 1940s Plomb in a Plomb box. Honestly it doesn't get so much use anymore, now that I've built up my shop tools. But when I need a second of an SAE wrench, the Plomb gets pulled into action.

Having ALL vintage tools would be frustrating, I would think. Hard to find (for example) Phillips #2 that are still sharp, pliers that still have teeth, sockets that grip tightly from 70 years ago. And if you do find N.O.S., it would be a shame to use them. Work on making a small all-vintage box first, and go from there.

@jwitt: Nice box, dude!

 

[pep]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about screwdrivers. Maybe there's some NOS Stanley stuff out there. I can see the aesthetic angle of the whole thing (maybe it's perverse, dunno) and since I only deal with 1970 and prior US cars typically, it probably wouldn't be a huge hurdle to go this route.

It would be interesting to see a full blown vintage set up of somebody's.

 

[Amitygravel]

Would be cool to have a complete vintage kit. Like Bolster said , it would be tough marring up a mint piece.
While vintage is the subject , Thorsen is a brand I'd never heard of until frequenting GJ. Are they a desirable brand?

 

[pep]

Would be cool to have a complete vintage kit. Like Bolster said , it would be tough marring up a mint piece.
?

Hey! That's why people are so into Toptul.

They've got a perfect NOS Plomb ratchet next to their new Nepros socket set on a shelf somewhere.

 

[Bolster]

While vintage is the subject , Thorsen is a brand I'd never heard of until frequenting GJ. Are they a desirable brand?

A sleeper brand. By which I mean high quality, but people don't collect it much, it flies beneath the radar. Great for using, not much of an investment, but few would want to buy it from you.

 

[pep]

A sleeper brand. By which I mean high quality, but people don't collect it much, it flies beneath the radar. Great for using, not much of an investment, but few would want to buy it from you.

So, generally what brands are the desirable ones? Also, what brands are more likely to have all types of hand tools?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a Snap-on roller cabinet and tools I bought in 1985...they're 25 years old now, so they're pretty close to vintage.

 

[snapmom]

A late 30s box, with only s/o and b/p 30s tools. I do use them sometimes.

 

[pep]

That Bluepoint setup is really cool.

I have to fight this urge to pick a brand and start sweeping eBay to build a set. I'll bet that yard sales are the way to go here.

 

[JSBriggs]

There are a few brands that Im gathering for a vintatge tool kit for my 1960 Land Rover. Its a mix of Craftsman BE sockets, Plomb combo wrenches, and BluePoint OEX wrenches etc.

I suppose you could get it all at one time, but Im having fun with the hunt.

-Jeff

 

[Bolster]

So, generally what brands are the desirable ones? Also, what brands are more likely to have all types of hand tools?

Well you're new, Pep, so I welcome you to the crazy world of collecting, but please don't blame it on me (or any of us) when you get addicted. Here's the list you seek:

Armstrong
Barcalo
Billings & Spencer
Blackhawk
Blue-point
Bonney
Calif-Tool
Challenger (Proto)
Cornwell
Craftsman
Diamond Tool
Duro
Gedore
Hazet
Herbrand
Hinsdale
Husky
Indestro
KD
Mac
Matco
New Britain
P&C
Par-X
PB Swiss
Penens
Plomb
Proto Los Angeles
Proto USA
S-K Wayne
Snap-on
Stahlwille
Thorsen
Urrea
Utica
Vlchek
Wera
Wiha
Williams
Wright

Feel free to pick any of these up at your next foray to the swap meet or garage sale...

 

[pep]

Well you're new, Pep, so I welcome you to the crazy world of collecting, but please don't blame it on me (or any of us) when you get addicted. Here's the list you seek:

...

I'm not particularly new, I just bailed during the censorship wars a couple of years ago. Mostly just lurk now.

I've got a whole bunch of Euro-exotica tools, but this business of buying old handtools and actually putting together and using a set of them is weirdly attractive to me. It isn't like I need a single new wrench or socket or screwdriver. And I can't say that 302 V8's, either Chevrolet or Ford Boss, are filled with a lot of funny sized fasteners.

I'll keep my eye open in the flea markets. The Plomb stuff is cool looking with that Art Deco angle.

 

[Stick Figure]

Having ALL vintage tools would be frustrating, I would think. Hard to find (for example) Phillips #2 that are still sharp, pliers that still have teeth, sockets that grip tightly from 70 years ago. And if you do find N.O.S., it would be a shame to use them. Work on making a small all-vintage box first, and go from there.

Most frustrating part for me is that the 1930's Snap on ratchet and spinner handle i have (not even close to NOS) fits my sockets way tighter than my brand new stuff. Yes i use them! I used that 20 tooth 71-N ratchet the other day pulling apart a 370Z. Only sad part was using WWII era tools w/ the G date code on a Japanese car.

 

[stevejh82]

Pep, it seems to me like what you are looking for is what Snapmom posted. Most of the tools in my garage are what I would consider old. In the box pictured below, the last time it was even opened for use was in 1992. It was first put in service in the late forties.

 

[Bolster]

Treasure chest!

 

[Danglerb]

Would be cool to have a complete vintage kit. Like Bolster said , it would be tough marring up a mint piece.
While vintage is the subject , Thorsen is a brand I'd never heard of until frequenting GJ. Are they a desirable brand?

Thorsen started showing up in Harbor Freight five or ten years ago, so don't confuse newer tools with good older ones.

Putting together a complete set for a "collection" is what addiction is all about.

 

[Bolster]

Thorsen started showing up in Harbor Freight five or ten years ago, so don't confuse newer tools with good older ones.

Ew!

I did not know that.

 

[JASTECH]

+1 On treasure chest! ... I need to get my junk tools in a few box's for yard sale soon. Will keep Gpa's tools (Plomb, SO and custom). I like thinking about use ect. of real old stuff.

Thanks, JASTECH