2025 Garage Sale Thread (14th Annual)

[ctuai]

The front doorbell on my house (1893), inside a portico, or false entry, works like that. Kinda sorta. (See pics.)

You know the way you can't un-hear things even if you're not part of a conversation? It's one of my favorite parts of flea market shopping. Anyway, last time I was out, I saw a guy asking a vendor how much he wanted for a small box of them, with maybe a half dozen inside and the answer was $100. As I walked away and the guy was reaching for his pocket I was thinking, 'Dang, one more thing I should've been collecting instead of sockets all these years!'

My wife and I were just debating on why you would make a bell that you twist vs tap. I figured that at one time it was more common to twist a bell, such as at your house. This of course did not anticipate the revolutionary idea of a tap based bell, which I assume confused a lot of people at the time, "Dang nab it ma, this bell don't work"

 

[Beerhippie]

My wife and I were just debating on why you would make a bell that you twist vs tap. I figured that at one time it was more common to twist a bell, such as at your house. This of course did not anticipate the revolutionary idea of a tap based bell, which I assume confused a lot of people at the time, "Dang nab it ma, this bell don't work"

"When I was your age, we twisted the damned things!"

 

[Skellyii]

Trying to cut back a little bit, only went to one sale this week that happened to be on my way to Pick and Pull. The basement was LOADED with tools lathes, drill presses and asorted wood working tools and CMan boxes and other stuff. Lots of the older Makita battery stuff as well.

I just picked up a few odds and ends, a few CMan/WF screwdrivers some older Cman sockets, a level that had never been used, ignition wrenches a Bonney and Proto 8" adjustables. The locking pliers are Leverage, made in Nebraska.

I didn't notice these sockets until I got home, they were on the rail and the basement wasn't well lit. There was a PowerCraft (aka Montgomery Wards, a Wizard (Western Auto) and a "Long C" Craftsman. Wish I had noticed these earlier, I might have gone back with a flashlight and sorted through things more carefully.

 

[bmwrd0]

I know my doorbell, in a house from 1913, was added later, as there was no knob and tube set up for this circuit. So, an older house might just have a twist bell for this.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I figured that at one time it was more common to twist a bell, such as at your house.

For sure. The houses to the left and right of us, all built in the 1890's, all have the same bell. My kids (now 38, 37, 32, 25, and 22) all loved to play with it when they were young. The funny thing is it still gets used by the most considerate FedEx and UPS delivery drivers, who, noticing we have a totally enclosed foyer or portico, are kind enough to leave packages in that space in inclement weather, and seem to love twisting the bell.

 

[bmwrd0]

I hadn't planned to go out today, but I spied an ad for a tool sale in the town south of me. Well, I was going to go north and donate a truckload to Habitat tomorrow, but there was one down there also, so away my little dog and I went.


There was a lot of garbage tools, a pile of dies and bits, and, mixed in, good stuff. An homemade denim wrench roll, brace bit for dies, Herbrand wrench, Plomb ignition pliers, a bicycle wrench, and, what spurred me to go off to this sale, a metal box. What's in the box, you ask? Rust.

No, really, but underneath that rust is a late '30s Duro/Indestro set of some kind, and, true to form, it is filled with D-I sockets, Wards Master sockets, and a few other things. And, on the inside lid, is this, the remains of a sticker:

which looks to me like it says Wards. I don't have a MW cat from that period available, so I cannot pin it down for sure, but that is where I am going with this.

 

[CoogarXR]

Shawshank Redemption VHS

I used to live right up the road from the old prison where they filmed Shawshank. I used to deliver there all the time:


If you're ever on RT30 eastbound driving through Mansfield Ohio, when you get to the route 13 exit, look to your left, and you can see it on the hill briefly:

 

[alinc100]

I hadn't planned to go out today, but I spied an ad for a tool sale in the town south of me. Well, I was going to go north and donate a truckload to Habitat tomorrow, but there was one down there also, so away my little dog and I went.


There was a lot of garbage tools, a pile of dies and bits, and, mixed in, good stuff. An homemade denim wrench roll, brace bit for dies, Herbrand wrench, Plomb ignition pliers, a bicycle wrench, and, what spurred me to go off to this sale, a metal box. What's in the box, you ask? Rust.

No, really, but underneath that rust is a late '30s Duro/Indestro set of some kind, and, true to form, it is filled with D-I sockets, Wards Master sockets, and a few other things. And, on the inside lid, is this, the remains of a sticker:

which looks to me like it says Wards. I don't have a MW cat from that period available, so I cannot pin it down for sure, but that is where I am going with this.

Ward's Riverside compliments of Alloy Artifacts:

Montgomery Ward & Company

An article on Montgomery Ward

alloy-artifacts.org

 

[Outlawmws]

I took that chopped Tru-fit 5/8 and made lemonade from it - I fired up my MAPP torch and bent it to make it useful again as an obstructionist wrench for the Coleman 200A burner tube nut.

Not sure if it was a DOE or a combo originally - I suspect combo from the size placement, but its a SOE now!

For anyone doing this, clamp the handle in the vise and use a 15" or 16" Crescent to make the bend, the thin handle gets hotter, faster, and bends way too far out otherwise:

 

[d42jeep]

I thought that it might be possible that I missed the box that held the Chrome Alloy (Brazil) tools I found yesterday. We headed back to Orinda, CA to check on the box and sure enough it was right where I had ignored it the day before. While we were there we grabbed a bunch of old sockets in case any sockets from the Bog set had escaped. It was 25% off day so we grabbed a couple of almost full drill indecies, a Revere hacksaw, some Pexto pliers, a big Stanley/Bell System screwdriver and what I believe is a wartime S-K ell handle

Pexto pliers.

Stanley/Bell System large screwdriver cleaned up.
Early Duro sockets.
Revere hacksaw, my second.
Cad plated S-K ell
New Britain brake spoon.
The new Brazil toolbox loaded with tools.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

The Woodward tool light I picked up last weekend:

Before:



After:



I need to fab a mount for it and find a 3-way, 5,600K daylight LED bulb.

 

[LesserSon]

Opening Day at Jake’s Flea Market (Bally PA) was also opening day of statewide trout season. Looming threat of precipitation, lightly attended and very few vendors out in the field. Most huddled under the 3 pavilions or in their sheds.
I picked up a Disston backsaw, Bonney WP4, 2” natural bristle brush, 2 Par-X metric combos, long P2 driver bit, Mossberg no11, 6” Rigid, small (E.A.)Berg Eskilstuna Sweden end nippers marked 1958, 2 screw extractors, Hinsdale hybrid 3/8” socket, circle-B (Bergman?) wrench, 1986 or 1989 Snap-on dikes, “Westphalia” (in Cyrillic ) quick clamp, 2 RedDevil glasscutters, and a paperback of America’s second-favorite Monmouth author (Judy Blume is the first). All for $11


Left-behind Barbie ****:

 

[OmegaDPW]

Stopped by the flea market on the way to Harbor Freight to get my free tool today and had much better luck than last time trying to start a collection of USA made adjustable wrenches.
Top is JH Williams Superjustable
2nd is a Crescent Tool Co.
3rd is a Challenger by PROTO Clik Stop.



Total was $11. This is my first USA Crescent and PROTO. I had a Williams already, but couldn't pass it up for $1.50.

 

[bluebolt]

Went to an Estate sale and only bought 3 things! Plumb hatchet, 4" Crescent adjustable and a never mounted rain gauge advertising piece for an International Harvester and Yanmar tractor dealer.

 

[Patrickm82]

Here’s a look at how my morning went. I will get some more detailed pics later on. Busy morning! First stop was a market place back yard machine shop, packed to the gills. $90 out the door. $50 for the like new Beverly shear!Then an estate sale from a former gun show guy. It opened yesterday an was pretty well picked through. Got a few goodies though for $20.

 

[WisJim]

@Patrickm82 Show us more of that Jackson wrench. And that looks like a good drill press vise. This looks like it was the kind of sale I would spend my money at.

 

[alinc100]

2 sales today one was labelled as a ''professional mechanic's estate" which it was . Problem being they wanted to sell the tools and boxes together. 2 boxes were friction slide Craftsman's that were worn out and a huge 24"+ deep Matco all with decent tools in them ,but being all or nothing and I have ZERO storage space available it wasn't happening for me. They ended up having SOME loose tools in the basement which is where the Plomb ext. came from. 2nd sale was a re-visit of Thursday's sale, much emptier, and I was very selective in some USA Craftsman.
CRAFTSMAN

1/4” DRIVE
7mm,5/16’’ 6 pt shallow
7,8,9,10,12 mm 6 pt deep

3/8” DRIVE
9/16”,13/16” 6 pt shallow
1/2” 8 pt shallow
11/16” 6 pt deep
Speeder handle 44271

1/2” DRIVE
7/16”,1/2”,9/16” 6 pt shallow
10 mm 12 pt shallow
7/16”,5/8”,3/4” 8 pt shallow

Wright 3/8” drive 7mm 6 pt deep
Plomb WF-17 5 inch extension
Duro 1/2” ratchet missing plug

 

[Outlawmws]

$50 for the like new Beverly shear!

You **** no matter what size it is! -so inquiring minds - A B1, 2, or 3?

looks like a good drill press vise.

Looks like a cardinal? if so that's the GJ #3! Mine, Timm/Beerhippie's and his!

 

[Outlawmws]

A decent number of sales posted, and I hit a few TOO's but SLOW, SLOW, SLOW, today... Even struck out on late posters after I got back.

A radio shack, analog VOM, with 3 battery test positions. this one is going in the car for on the spot testing I sometimes want to do before buying. I'll put lithium batteries in it and it should be good for a couple of decades.. A Klein 6 in 1 driver, and a wet acid battery hydrometer, another good one for the rig. $2 all.

1 buck each on the rope and Mirro 6 spot muffing pan ; Likely going to land in camping, once I get a Coleman Stove "Drivers licence" - I plan on experimenting at home, so I know what I can or cannot do in camp...



Not shown, 2 vintage snowman Christmas tree ornaments, and a vintage snowman wind up chimer - music box innards but not a box, so...


The Klein 6 in one: One end has a magnetized tip, and the sliding sleeve changes it from 5/16 to 1/4" both common sheet metal screw sizes; and the other has a #2 PH, 2 flat blades and one Schrader valve, so a good candidate for the Coleman tool box! I bought it not realizing it was a 6 in one as the mag tip end was out and wanted to figure out what it was all about, including the sliding sleeve. I did sort it at red lights as I made the rest of my run...

 

[jb books]

I finally got something worth posting this year lol, seems to storm every weekend.
Snap On KRA65C box full of 1/4" and 3/8" stuff.
Cool box, open the lid and the tray slides back to get to the bottom.
Set of 1/4" deep sockets, SK thumbwheel ratchet and SK stubby, new Snap On 1/4" T72
Mix of Snap On, Craftsman and Taiwan stuff, and a million more 1/4" drive bits I added to my collection.

 

[Outlawmws]

Snap On KRA65C box full of 1/4" and 3/8" stuff.

If you got all that for $25, you Super ****! Hell of an opener for the year!

 

[Patrickm82]

You **** no matter what size it is! -so inquiring minds - A B1, 2, or 3?



Looks like a cardinal? if so that's the GJ #3! Mine, Timm/Beerhippie's and his!

The shear is a B2 and yes the vise is a cardinal for the trifecta.

 

[Patrickm82]

@Patrickm82 Show us more of that Jackson wrench. And that looks like a good drill press vise. This looks like it was the kind of sale I would spend my money at.

Here you go Mr. Jim. I’m heading back there tomorrow to dig some more I will get some overall pics so you can see the mass of stuff the guy has.

 

[WisJim]

That wrench might be patent 676,318

 

[alinc100]

I finally got something worth posting this year lol, seems to storm every weekend.
Snap On KRA65C box full of 1/4" and 3/8" stuff.
Cool box, open the lid and the tray slides back to get to the bottom.
Set of 1/4" deep sockets, SK thumbwheel ratchet and SK stubby, new Snap On 1/4" T72
Mix of Snap On, Craftsman and Taiwan stuff, and a million more 1/4" drive bits I added to my collection.

jb You ****. That box empty was getting $100 on eBay last I knew. Well done.

 

[Beerhippie]

You **** no matter what size it is! -so inquiring minds - A B1, 2, or 3?



Looks like a cardinal? if so that's the GJ #3! Mine, Timm/Beerhippie's and his!

Sure looks like a Cardinal Speed Vise to me!

I need to make an extended base for mine so I have somewhere to clamp it. Unfortunately, I'm fresh out of scrap 1/4" Al plate big enough.

 

[Beerhippie]

The Woodward tool light I picked up last weekend:

Before:



After:



I need to fab a mount for it and find a 3-way, 5,600K daylight LED bulb.

Now it's done:



And it's found a permanent home:

 

[Beerhippie]

May as well use the new bench light to show off my meager TOO scores from today's afternoon road trip:



I don't see any branding on the cool brass oiler. Screwdriver is Vessel, magnetic bit driver is Cornwell--unfortunately, no bits in the handle--but I can fix that little problem.

This seems to be the only marking on the oiler:



Oh, yeah, and another little shop light project:



Power supply/control has been chopped.



16 1/2" dia reflector. I think this is destined to become a floodlight for the shop.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here you go Mr. Jim.

very cool - needs added to the "oddfellows" thread!

Now it's done:

That came out great!

And it's found a permanent home:

I like that it has a "double pivot"

I don't see any branding on the cool brass oiler.

I have an extremely similar Eagle No 66 brass oiler. base has a flare our for more stability, I think it;s a touch taller, and mine has a flex hose not a tube nozzle. No markings on the bottom.

Great restore work and nice finds Timm!

 

[Beerhippie]

Yeah, I'm thinking the oiler is a very early Eagle 66, before people got tired of knocking the damned thing over and convinced them to add the flare.

 

[ctuai]

Estate sale ($5): Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Rev-O-Noc axe (3.12 lbs.)

Saw another guy pick it up and then put it down. He thought it was bent because the eye is off-centered, but I don't think so. It would take a hell of force to make it twist like that. I figure it's for surfacing timber like a hewing axe. Though I'm open to suggestions. I'd imagine you'd have to custom make an axe handle to fit that eye.​

 

[Outlawmws]

It would take a hell of force to make it twist like that

That's what can happen when you use an ax head as a splitting wedge. That's battle damage...

I'd be tempted to try getting the whole head red hot and squeezing it back down in a vise.

 

[Mamson]

First post on the forum! Went to my local used tool shop, and picked up a beautiful set of SAE Irwin Auger brace bits from the early 60's! 75 CAD didnt break the bank to much, and I just couldn't resist. Also picked up a rather unique made in germany corner vice that makes it possible to do some light work with the limited work space in the apartment. Will post a photo if I remember to take one come the morning.

 

[Debcrow]

One sale this rainy day.

Bonney streamline comb. wrenches: 1166 3/4, 1114H 7/16 and 1163 9/16

Flare Nut Wrenches: New Britain NDF552 1/2x9/16, NDF550 3/8x7/16, Bonney 2612 3/8x1/2 and a Blackhawk ZW1214 3/8x7/16

Other Wrenches: J.P. Danielson 'Controlled Steel' 350 5/16x11/32, Craftsman long C DBE 3/8x7/16, Ford wrench MDF, Barcalo 7/16x1/2, Forged USA 5/16x11/32, SnapOn OEX 9/16 comb., M.B. Skinner 7/16x1/2 DBE square nut

Ratchets: S.K. Wayne 3/8 drive 4517, Penens 1/2 drive 1661

Rockwell T-handle machinery wrench, 1/2 in bolt size on end with pins

Extensions: Duro Chrome 3/8 4434 unplated and Short Bonney 1/2 A602

Last but not least a pair of offset H.D. Smith Pliers

 

[d42jeep]

There were no sales of interest listed on Craigslist this morning that we hadn’t already been to. There was a yard sale aound the corner but it showed mostly carpets and clothes in the pictures. We did a drive by this morning while we were out doing errands but didn’t see anything worth stopping for. This afternoon we took the granddogs for a walk that took us by the sale. They were packing up but I asked about tools and I was shown a few things. These Stanley screwdrivers are popular but this one looked to have been used both for gardening and painting so it became a project. I hadn’t run across a Swageloc tool before but I think our plumber used those on our new water heater installation. The Craftsman feeler gauge was in good shape and had some brass blades.
Did some work on the project Stanley driver. Cleaned up the Swagelok wrench.
Here is the Craftsman feeler gauge.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Saw another guy pick it up and then put it down. He thought it was bent because the eye is off-centered, but I don't think so. It would take a hell of force to make it twist like that. I figure it's for surfacing timber like a hewing axe. Though I'm open to suggestions. I'd imagine you'd have to custom make an axe handle to fit that eye.​

There is definitely an issue there. The left edge in this photo should be a straight line, from the lower left corner all the way to the tip. All the variance should be on the right edge.

Kinda like these

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well, another successful PIR (Portland international raceway) swap meet is in the books. Got quite a bit of stuff and not what I went in thinking I would get. Normally here I pull a ton of Plomb each year but not so this year. I pulled way more Long C craftsman and Petrolina and way less Plomb. I hadn't even been at the swap for 10 minutes and was already sending trolling texts to a friend who couldn't be there on account of work. So when I saw something he would love of course I had to take photos and then tell him I thought it was overpriced and that I walked away from the Heritage Craftsman bullet nose vise. Priced at $45 I didn't even try to talk the seller down. I paid and put the vise in my wagon. Of course I made him sweat it out for a while before I told him I bought it because well, what are friends for ?

Left side of tailgate to right side
Craftsman
-early heritage era tap and die set in wooden box
-long c 1/2 ratchet, various 1/2 and 3/8 drive sockets
-heritage era pipe threader head/handle
- aforementioned vise

Car parts-various vintage Mopar 30's-50's NOS parts. Nothing really earth shaking but the box artwork is cool and they were cheap.

Various mobil gas cans, couple of Sears Allstate cans. Reproduction Sinclair sign

-unused Mobil Gas Farm/Ag survey lubrication record chart

-Craftsman drill sander/buffer attachment in box

-couple of cool old fan belts with cardboard sleeves (one is a Sears Allstate belt)

-mobil gas T shirt

-Long C wartime top chest- filled with p&c and long c craftsman

-proto la and mfd tools- sockets, betr grip screw drivers, sockets, hammer

-various Plomb tools- did get a ton of punches this year

-Cool sun machine battery charger

-vintage mopar battery tester

 

[Smokeshow69]

more continued...because who doesn't love seeing more rusty gold

 

[VolksWomble]

Bit of an odd one, but figured you guys might appreciate it…

went to pick up a load of railway sleepers advertised in a local FB group for a project. Ended up taking the whole lot as they are a bit rotty… but that’s not the interesting bit. Got talking to the chap, and it turns out he does rubbish collection and clearances for the council. Recently he found a complete traffic light but didn’t have a use for it, so would I like to take it away??? hell yes, it will look great up on the wall in the barn!



its not old - I suspect its a modern one used for roadworks rather than genuine municipal street furniture. The lamp units are led but having told me they wanted replacing they actually just needed wiring up.

now to figure out where to put it, and whether to make some kind of programmable chase unit…

 

[Shiftless]

the Heritage Craftsman bullet nose vise. Priced at $45 I didn't even try to talk the seller down. I paid and put the vise in my wagon.

You scored a great collectible vise at a great price.
Still in original paint without much loss, and seemingly no battle scars like saw or hammer marks. The badge alone is worth about half of what you paid for the whole vise.