2025 Garage Sale Thread (14th Annual)

[bmwrd0]

Erector sets are one of the things I can fall into the hole of. I want them to be as desirable as my fathers that my brother and I played with, but alas, LEGO has taken over that part of the imagination.

 

[Outlawmws]

Erector sets are one of the things I can fall into the hole of. I want them to be as desirable as my fathers that my brother and I played with, but alas, LEGO has taken over that part of the imagination.

I have acquired a couple of Erector sets, and sets of "American Bricks" - early competitor to Legos - and a couple sets of Lincoln logs. All toys I had as a kid.

The "builder sets" I have not seen around were the wood erector sets, and the Kenner Girder and Panel Builder set I also had. Mine was a later generation with the "Hydro-Dynamic" accessories that allowed a pump and tubes and other things to simulate for instance a petroleum plant, some food dye in the water and it had color you could see as the hoses were clear.

Toys today can't hold a candle to the 50's and 60's "learn by doing" toys. Legos are OK, but the custom "build this stare wares fighter" type sets currently in vogue don't encourage imagination.

Closest we came for real imaginary stuff was a video game that had a builders module to make you own game version - Descent was a great game, and my son loved that module and learned a lot from it, but its not really "hands on". Despite that, he's the "fixer/builder" of his circle of friends, and is doing a lot with 3D printing..

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've left behind several Erector sets over the years, either because they're too spare and shabby, or too complete and minty. I do have a very nice Stanlo set. Stanlo was made by Stanley, believe it or not, during the Depression, to keep the company going and people employed. I may low ball the guy on Sunday if they're still there and there's a motor and something else to work with. As a reminder, we have a thread for them down on the VB. One of the coolest things I have ever seen on GJ is a trike that @four_cycle and some of his buddies made with a legless driver they called 'Erector Dude'. All he needs is a Naked Barbie in the shotgun seat! Link...

Vintage Construction Toys and their Tools for Boys (of all Ages!)

Last week I found this tiny, innocuous wrench… …which I posted on my Lugzsonian thread, here, with some period Meccano eye candy ads... ...and I was soon deluged with a raft of information from GJer @humber2, a Meccano collector, including this wrench number... ...and date info...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[3baygarage]

Nice scores fellas.

Today’s Habitat stop produced a few finds.

Stanley No. 55 spokeshave, Walden 3/16 Spintite, Plomb chisel, Bluegrass star drill, Snap-On Ford connecting rod 21/32” socket, Smith & Wesson screwdriver, Sexauer flip blade screwdriver, Bridgeport stubby, Williams locking 6” adjustable, Superior plumbing nos drain nut wrench, Par-X extension.

Edit: something about this particular store, they always seem to have a ton of stubbies. Somewhat interesting old ones. I usually end up staring at something wood handle every time I go there, trying to decipher what brand in a dimly lit aisle.

 

[Smokeshow69]

The marking. Look for line 1: "US PAT No 2,280,005" / line 2: "APR. 14, 1942" / line 3: "OTHER PAT PEND" - which refers to 2,481,866, which was applied for in May 1945. Hence, production perfectly boxed in. I've got several. But none small enough to fit in this box.

I posted here when I found it before and down on the VB somewhere. When I re-post it with the unit inside I will tag you.

Thanks, I’ll check it out. I have some wartime ones without the release lever.

 

[d42jeep]

We went to two Berkeley sales today. The first was a family run sale and the guy in the garage was pleasant. There was kind of an odd mix of tools. Large rusty Plomb combo and three puller legs.
A mixed batch of file handles.
A little S-K Wayne screwdriver with a pocket clip
A replaceable tip K-D snap ring plier tool.
A Craftsman N4 marked DBE wrench.
The woman upstairs had a wooden toolbox with some decent machinists tools supposedly from a worker at the Chevron refinery. The firm price was $250. Not surprisingly, it’s still sitting there.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

The second sale was in the Berkeley hills and had been seriously picked over by the time we arrived. The seller is a nice guy that I’ve been buying from for years. Looks like I’ll be sharpening some drill bits.


I really liked the 3/16” wood handled Bridgeport nutdriver. The other nutdrivers were Vaco.
One of the hose nozzles was a Craftsman.
I believe that the pliers may be Harrold.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Don, what was the partial socket set?

 

[RTM]

Todays haul, from the same ES I reported on yesterday, but I got a few minutes on the way to work. Bike Planet tire pump to leave at work, for the cyclist commuters on the team, after cleanup, two gate hinges, a 50’ looking three prong extension cord on a reel, and a partial set oh Hanson drill bits.

 

[bmwrd0]

Don, I too really dig that Bridgeport nut driver.

 

[LesserSon]

Don, what was the partial socket set?

The dimple in the lid suggests Craftsman crowntop.

 

[d42jeep]

Don, what was the partial socket set?

It was a 1/4” drive Craftsman Crown that I haven’t had a chance to clean up yet but at least the plastic looks pretty intact. The remaining sockets are all =v= so likely original to the set.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have some wartime ones without the release lever.

No Petersen vise-grips before 1957 have a release lever. The only sure way to determine if Petersen vise-grips with straight jaws are wartime is the marking I transcribed for you and showed in the vise-grips thread I linked. Wartime and postwar Petersens with straight jaws look nearly identical to the immediate prewar production still bearing the 1924 patent, which introduced the steel stamped (vs forged) body. Vise-Grips with curved jaws and wire cutters and other mods appeared in 1947. The quick release patent - 2,514,130 (not owned by Petersen, incidentally, and licensed to several mfgrs), was granted July 4, 1950, but Petersen was very slow to adopt it. Evidence (patents they were granted but never produced) suggests they tried to design their own solution before having to pay the piper (Harold Jones), like everyone else.

 

[PhantomEB]

Michelle wants to do one, neighbors also said something about they want to unload some stuff now their youngest boy just turned 2.

I said not in my garage that’s for sure!

 

[Old Radar]

Yep, suckage for Ecotec!

 

[Old Radar]

Today’s Habitat stop produced a few finds.

Stanley No. 55 spokeshave, Walden 3/16 Spintite, Plomb chisel, Bluegrass star drill, Snap-On Ford connecting rod 21/32” socket, Smith & Wesson screwdriver, Sexauer flip blade screwdriver, Bridgeport stubby, Williams locking 6” adjustable, Superior plumbing nos drain nut wrench, Par-X extension

That S&W Sight Adjustment Tool is going from $20 - $35 on ebay. Nice find!

 

[Beerhippie]

I did my monthly rounds of the local honey holes--yard sales are still a month or two off--driving down valley through the snow flurries on dry roads.

The fun stuff:





$20.

The pliers:





I can actually use the little 4" Channellock duck-bills.

The Goldenrod oiler is a honker:



18" tall and 1 Qt. capacity. I thin this is going to be for Kroil--if I can afford enough to fill it.

Then the boring ol' shop supplies:



$2 each for the cut-off wheels--same brand I pay more than twice that for at Troo Valyou. $5 for the flapwheels-- 36 and 80 grit--about half price. SS brushes for $.50 each. Fairly nice NOS snap-ring plies--inner and outer--with full set of tips. This set goes down pretty small and I could have used them this AM. $15.

 

[Beerhippie]

I just looked up the OEM 25356 snap-ring pliers set and that $15 I paid is..exactly what they go for new. Odd, as they seem to be very well made and sturdy compared to some far more expensive sets I have.

 

[JMP]

Today's Habitat Restore finds. I was disappointed to find out that the Thorsen wrench is not US made but it's still a good wrench for $1.



I haven't seen a slotted screwdriver handle like this before. It does not fit either 3/8 or 1/4 drive which is quite strange. Surprisingly the tip on this screwdriver is still straight.

 

[mikeinri]

Todays haul, from the same ES I reported on yesterday, but I got a few minutes on the way to work. Bike Planet tire pump to leave at work, for the cyclist commuters on the team, after cleanup, two gate hinges, a 50’ looking three prong extension cord on a reel, and a partial set oh Hanson drill bits.

I love those cords reels, I own several myself.

Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

Did well today; 5 planned stops, first and last YS's didn't have anything I wanted, or, for one item, at a price point I was happy with so a white, made in Britain 221 Singer featherweight got left behind. 3 Estate sales produced:


$15 for a grip stapler, A Red cross "personal safety Emergency pack, Proto Groove joints, and the nicest Shelton ratcher drivr I've found, marked AAA, BT the lubg has congealed and it's locked up, so I need to soak it.



Plus an Eagle claw reversible grip rod 7-1/2' with the aluminum tube case.




The second Estate sale, cost me $40, but still a good score - Wood X-acto box with all parts there; very old Racine Electric motor, Old sealed tin of Hercules Bullseye Pistol powder, Crossman stock for the 1300 series Crossman 1377 pump pellet pistol - I have 2 - both with stocks. This will NOT fit my Benjamin Franklin 137 -it's parent gun.



Miltary bore cleaner, OD belt, Beatles CD's, very old Dremel in its case with lots of bits. The Dremel itself was hanging on the wall I'd already snagged the case so I dropped it in.



I believe these mics are NOS - -made for Montgomery Wards and their Pwr-Kraft brand - the 4" is actually 1-4" and includes the test gauges to verify the adapters are seated correctly.




A gear drive Come-A-Long:






And the last Estate sale was $20, and I ferreted almost all of this out of 2 toolboxes:

Proto, Plvmb-WF, Craftsman, SO, Pwr-Kraft, Cornwell, MAC, Holo Krome, Crescent and more:



And an SK socket box and I gathered every interesting socket they had, and think I may have all the 1/4" SK set, plus some spares - besides SK these include Plvmb, SO, Craftsman, Meteor, & Walden:

 

[Smokeshow69]

Did well today; 5 planned stops, first and last YS's didn't have anything I wanted, or, for one item, at a price point I was happy with so a white, made in Britain 221 Singer featherweight got left behind. 3 Estate sales produced:


$15 for a grip stapler, A Red cross "personal safety Emergency pack, Proto Groove joints, and the nicest Shelton ratcher drivr I've found, marked AAA, BT the lubg has congealed and it's locked up, so I need to soak it.



Plus an Eagle claw reversible grip rod 7-1/2' with the aluminum tube case.




The second Estate sale, cost me $40, but still a good score - Wood X-acto box with all parts there; very old Racine Electric motor, Old sealed tin of Hercules Bullseye Pistol powder, Crossman stock for the 1300 series Crossman 1377 pump pellet pistol - I have 2 - both with stocks. This will NOT fit my Benjamin Franklin 347 -it's parent gun.



Miltary bore cleaner, OD belt, Beatles CD's, very old Dremel in its case with lots of bits. The Dremel itself was hanging on the wall I'd already snagged the case so I dropped it in.



I believe these mics are NOS - -made for Montgomery Wards and their Pwr-Kraft brand - the 4" is actually 1-4" and includes the test gauges to verify the adapters are seated correctly.




A gear drive Come-A-Long:






And the last Estate sale was $20, and I ferreted almost all of this out of 2 toolboxes:

Proto, Plvmb-WF, Craftsman, SO, Pwr-Kraft, Cornwell, MAC, Holo Krome, Crescent and more:



And an SK socket box and I gathered every interesting socket they had, and think I may have all the 1/4" SK set, plus some spares - besides SK these include Plvmb, SO, Craftsman, Meteor, & Walden:

You didn’t mention the most uncommon find in the lot, the double sided thorsen tool stamped extension

 

[Outlawmws]

You didn’t mention the most uncommon find in the lot, the double sided thorsen tool stamped extension

That's because I hadn't ID'ed it yet, and wasn't sure if the double stamped "T" ( over lapped TT) ws factory or not. Thanks for quickly doing the ID!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wood X-acto box with all parts there

"Never a dull moment with X-Acto!"

Nice find. If you're curious, that's a 2nd generation logo (1st generation had connected letters script), indicating production in the mid-40's and early 50's. You can find the X-Acto thread in the Sticky down on the VB.

 

[bmwrd0]

Outlaw, a Benjamin 347 is a rifle, so no stock needs to be added. You are probably thinking of a 137, the .177 pistol.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

So I finally got on the board today . . .

We had a list of 5 Sales today and at stop #1 I bought an Onkyo Tx-3000 receiver with manual and original receipt from 1980.



At a later stop I picked up a pair of Starrett C316R 12" rules with sleeve for $1.00.




Cheers

Jim

 

[Outlawmws]

"Never a dull moment with X-Acto!"

And yes plan on looking that up and seeing where this one landed with a couple other wood boxes I ave.

Outlaw, a Benjamin 347 is a rifle, so no stock needs to be added. You are probably thinking of a 137, the .177 pistol.

Yup, Miss read my Inventory list! Correcting that.

Also got the AAA marked Shelton ratchet driver freed up. some WD ot reliquify the grese inside. I'l follow up with MMO.

 

[Smokeshow69]

That's because I hadn't ID'ed it yet, and wasn't sure if the double stamped "T" ( over lapped TT) ws factory or not. Thanks for quickly doing the ID!

No problem! That early stuff has that distinctive marking.

"Never a dull moment with X-Acto!"

Nice find. If you're curious, that's a 2nd generation logo (1st generation had connected letters script), indicating production in the mid-40's and early 50's. You can find the X-Acto thread in the Sticky down on the VB.

You guys need to really “cut” out the jokes

 

[jeffmoss26]

Today’s finds from 2 sales

 

[RTM]

One the way home from running the dog, I hit three TOO, and scored a bit at each, but only some of it is worth mentioning here. First off was a storage clean out, also apparently emptying a house. Got a set of black Metro shelves, some under bed storage boxes, LED holiday lights, and a 6 gal water jug. All for less than I would have offered for the Metro shelving, so pleased. But the bed and front seat of the truck are now kinda full, since the dog scooter was in there.

next stop was all pots for MLW, so no pix. The last stop had a huge spread of stuff, some nice vintage stuff i really did not need. Tucked under one of the tables I saw a wooden box, so pulled it up to look. Pleasantly surprised at what I saw, so I was ok to pay up a bit to get it.

(I’m not sure where best on the vintage thread to post this, so DM me any good ideas.)

the box is from Eclipse Counterbores from Detroit Michigan, finger jointed corners, and then an applied decorative top, with stenciled lettering on the top, the front, and inside the top.

 

[d42jeep]

Did well today; 5 planned stops, first and last YS's didn't have anything I wanted, or, for one item, at a price point I was happy with so a white, made in Britain 221 Singer featherweight got left behind. 3 Estate sales produced:


$15 for a grip stapler, A Red cross "personal safety Emergency pack, Proto Groove joints, and the nicest Shelton ratcher drivr I've found, marked AAA, BT the lubg has congealed and it's locked up, so I need to soak it.



Plus an Eagle claw reversible grip rod 7-1/2' with the aluminum tube case.




The second Estate sale, cost me $40, but still a good score - Wood X-acto box with all parts there; very old Racine Electric motor, Old sealed tin of Hercules Bullseye Pistol powder, Crossman stock for the 1300 series Crossman 1377 pump pellet pistol - I have 2 - both with stocks. This will NOT fit my Benjamin Franklin 137 -it's parent gun.



Miltary bore cleaner, OD belt, Beatles CD's, very old Dremel in its case with lots of bits. The Dremel itself was hanging on the wall I'd already snagged the case so I dropped it in.



I believe these mics are NOS - -made for Montgomery Wards and their Pwr-Kraft brand - the 4" is actually 1-4" and includes the test gauges to verify the adapters are seated correctly.




A gear drive Come-A-Long:






And the last Estate sale was $20, and I ferreted almost all of this out of 2 toolboxes:

Proto, Plvmb-WF, Craftsman, SO, Pwr-Kraft, Cornwell, MAC, Holo Krome, Crescent and more:



And an SK socket box and I gathered every interesting socket they had, and think I may have all the 1/4" SK set, plus some spares - besides SK these include Plvmb, SO, Craftsman, Meteor, &

Outlaw,
Here is what is called for in the blue box S-K set.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

One the way home from running the dog, I hit three TOO, and scored a bit at each, but only some of it is worth mentioning here. First off was a storage clean out, also apparently emptying a house. Got a set of black Metro shelves, some under bed storage boxes, LED holiday lights, and a 6 gal water jug. All for less than I would have offered for the Metro shelving, so pleased. But the bed and front seat of the truck are now kinda full, since the dog scooter was in there.

next stop was all pots for MLW, so no pix. The last stop had a huge spread of stuff, some nice vintage stuff i really did not need. Tucked under one of the tables I saw a wooden box, so pulled it up to look. Pleasantly surprised at what I saw, so I was ok to pay up a bit to get it.

(I’m not sure where best on the vintage thread to post this, so DM me any good ideas.)

the box is from Eclipse Counterbores from Detroit Michigan, finger jointed corners, and then an applied decorative top, with stenciled lettering on the top, the front, and inside the top.

Euro racks are the best!

 

[Outlawmws]

(I’m not sure where best on the vintage thread to post this, so DM me any good ideas.)

Try thsi one RTM: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...s-or-even-your-socks-please-show-them.305831/

Here is what is called for in the blue box S-K set.

Thanks Don!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The temps dropped below freezing overnight, I am reading a good book, and I almost didn't go this morning (Lugz 2025_08). Glad I changed my mind.



- That "S" wrench with the Bonney so-called 'jellybean logo' is only my second ever. Very early production. Trademarked in 1907, first use in 1876, made before 1912.

- The linemans' pliers are Schollhorn (Bernard), believe it or not. c. 1907-1910. Forged jaws. Hollow sheet metal handles. I have only ever seen one in a catalog. It is the 25th unique tool (no dupes) in my Schollhorn (Bernard) collection.

- The brace bit is TBD. No markings. I don't even collect braces or brace bits, unless they look unusual.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

In the LEFT-BEHIND folder, an early Long C CRAFTSMAN sickle (just not enough decal to make me want it) and a MECO tank wrench (Modern Equipment Co in St Louis is quite an old oxy-acetylene apparatus outfit, but I'm not sure this particular wrench is...).

 

[Skellyii]

The lady of the house decided that we needed to go to a few estate sales, so off we went!
The first one was pretty picked over, but I grabbed these for about $4:

The pliers were YSK, a decent pair of Channel Locks and surprisingly a Craftsman extension with a 13 attached.
The next stop was a hoarders paradise, except no tools worth anything. I did find this Lionel train set.

We were there for the last few hours of the sale. I was actually surprised that it was still there. It was featured in the ad for the sale, it was clean, complete and in the original box so I figured that a collector would have picked it up long before I got there. When I was paying for it ($21), I mentioned how surprised I was that it was still there. One of the ladies mentioned that it looked like someone had hidden it, probably was going to come back after it had been discounted.

 

[Skellyii]

Our last stop of the day was a long drive, we ended up there a few minutes before they closed. The lady of the house bought a few things for her clothing resale business, so the lady at checkout was REALLY generous with my stuff. She bsically just shoved my pile of tools into a bag and charged me about $15.

No clue on the manufacturer of the hammer or the pry bar, might figure it out when I get them cleaned up. One of the pliers is a Fuller, can't make out the name on the second one. Got some random CMan stuff to finish a couple of sets, and a 7-19mm set of Goodwrench metric wrenches. I had forgotten about that brand. The Squirrel wrench was a new one, never heard of that one either.

Included in my pile was this set of drill bits. It was missing a few of the smaller ones, but I was intrigued when I saw the Made in Austria label. So far my internet searches have found a few sets being auctioned, but I can't find the manufacturer.
Any ideas??

 

[ecotec]

Skelyii, I have the same set. Mine doesn’t have a brand on the index or the bits.

 

[Outlawmws]

- The brace bit is TBD. No markings. I don't even collect braces or brace bits, unless they look unusual.

Maybe its a drive tool and not a bit? what does the business end look like? I've seen valve lapping drives for brace use.



Only one GS I hadn't done yesterday for today. Actually held in the garage, which was good, as I was on time and he opened late...

Snap sockets, SK swivel adapter. 4 on the left are metric, the deep and std on the right are SAE. and 3 5 min fuse/Flares.:




The 5 min Fuse/Flairs are the first factory made I've seen this small, but this is a great size to stick in a fanny or day pack for a hike. The ultimate "light anything" match! I have shortened 15 min flairs to fit a fanny pack to about 10 min flairs by

o opening the end
o digging enough out to get the desired length
o trimming the excess tube
o inserting the cardboard disk
o re-rolling the tube down on the cardboard disk
o resealing with wax.

These were grimy with "tool box grime" and I cleaned most of the grime off with alcohol wet wipes and will see if I can get the paper to re-wax. I know canning paraffin wax and dipping is too much and too brittle...

 

[Old Radar]

I haven't seen a slotted screwdriver handle like this before. It does not fit either 3/8 or 1/4 drive which is quite strange.

It fits any 9/32" drive tool.