2025 Garage Sale Thread (14th Annual)

[LesserSon]

Back home from the NY90 50-mile yard sale. Typical set-ups above, in Genoa. Made a few stops on the eastern leg, then things got serious from Aurora through Union Springs. LesserSonJr, LesserSonSr, MrsLesserSon & I ranged over an expanse of interesting sales, individually and in variously-configured parties.
This year the UCC had already sold out of chicken dinners before we hit town, then LesserDottir2 & fiance (scouting next year’s wedding venue) joined our party, which led to a mid-afternoon shift of interest from the sweltering sale trail to Prison City Brewery in downtown Auburn. I have no complaints, though I did spot a Heritage-era Craftsman flip-open carry box out the window just as we turned away from Cayuga.

$16 brought me the joyful assemblage above. HF plastic socket holders for 1/4dr SAE, 1/4dr(x2) & 3/8dr metric, unmarked mine pick head, folding climbing pegs (ironic that Ameristep is made in China), Starrett compound lever end nippers needing some love, 9” BMC locking pliers (I have found plenty of the 7”; this is my 1st 9”), Cheney nail-holding hammer head, Williams box wrench & reefer rat, C-man & SK sockets, unknown (yet) small compound square, Bonney 1/4dr rat & two 3/8dr sockets, various wierd stamped steel wrenches and spanner wrenches.
Left-behinds included:
a pretty ChrisCraft (a bit above my spending limit for the day),

wind chimes in need of TLC (I have an identical set in slightly worse condition),

a folding toilet (this seemed like too much trouble to set up in the kind of time-sensitive situation where it would be needed),

and a few brass hose nozzles (of which this Hercules was the nicest).

 

[bmwrd0]

I would set up that toilet under the tonneau cover on my truck.

Just sayin'

What's an Ameristep?

 

[TheRealZeus]

Screw-in foot steps. You screwed them in as you ascend, and out as you descend. Trees, and light poles.

 

[bmwrd0]

Utility poles usually have bolt heads that steps attach too, so, same basic thing I guess. I see the extended(?) one at the top of the pic now.

I usually leaned a ladder against the pole, and went up that way. Almost never needed to go over 18'.

 

[JMP]

I would say so just for the fact his truck is smashed to hell!!

Reminds me of this old parable:

A farmer and his son lived on a farm in the countryside.

They owned a beautiful horse they cherished deeply. The farmer entered the horse into a village contest and won first prize along with some money.

When his neighbors gathered to congratulate him, they said enviously, “How lucky you are to have such a remarkable horse.”

To the neighbor’s puzzlement, the farmer responded, “Who knows what is good or bad.”

Not long after, some thieves heard about the prize-winning horse and stole it during the night.

The neighbors came by to express their sympathy for the farmers loss and again were confused by the farmers calm response—“Who knows what is good or bad.”

The next week the spirited horse escaped from the thieves and miraculously returned to the farm—with several other spectacular wild horses.

Again, the astounded neighbors commended the farmer on his incredible good fortune, but his reaction was unchanged—“Who knows what is good or bad.”

Not long after, the farmer’s son fell off one of the horses and broke his leg. Compassionate neighbors again expressed their heartfelt sorrow.

“Who knows what is good or bad,” repeated the farmer calmly.

A short time later, the King’s army passed through town requiring all young and able-bodied men to be drafted into the War, but the farmer’s son was passed over due to his badly broken leg.

By this time, the neighbors brought some food and simply came to enjoy a meal with the farmer and his son. They expressed neither joy nor concern for the farmers current circumstances because they knew how he would respond.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Utility poles usually have bolt heads that steps attach too, so, same basic thing I guess. I see the extended(?) one at the top of the pic now.

I usually leaned a ladder against the pole, and went up that way. Almost never needed to go over 18'.

True.. Only time I have used a fist full was running a long wire dipole antenna horizontally be between couple trees for an old timer. Since he wasn’t doing it, he kept wanting me higher… “Height is Might!”
…and it wasn’t his neck.

 

[Beerhippie]

Screw-in foot steps. You screwed them in as you ascend, and out as you descend. Trees, and light poles.

Used by hunters to establish and access tree stands, too.

 

[Provincial]

As a forest landowner, I will point out that they are hard on trees. Also, metal in trees mean the logs are not welcome at the sawmill.

 

[Beerhippie]

As a forest landowner, I will point out that they are hard on trees. Also, metal in trees mean the logs are not welcome at the sawmill.

The steps aren't left there--they cost money.

Fortunately, it seems that most tree stands used these days--around here at least--are the "climbing stands" that don't require mutilating the tree to get there.

Please don't stick **** into living trees unless you're cutting them down. Really, it doesn't help them at all. Plus, I've seen several nice campsites ruined because someone "needed" to put some nails in pine or spruce trees for some reason, resulting in a constant drip of sticky resin.

 

[LesserSon]

Screw-in steps:
The seller was doing “buy two bags, get one free” and two bags had the Bonney rat in one and the sockets in the other. I struggled to find a third bag, since they were mostly filled with Taiwan, Sri Lanka, etc sockets I did not want, so chose the screw-in steps. I don’t know what, if anything, I will do with them.
I own a little forested land (<20acres) and do hunt. Mutilated trees here in PA are ubiquitous along property lines. “No Trespassing” signs, wire fencing, and cobbled-together tree stands practically define those “neighborly” borders, and the staples, nails and screws remain decades after their purposes are long gone.
Plus, the lots being both smaller and older in the East, there’s proportionately more forested acreage on borders. Public land here often bears the same blemishes, because much of it has been purchased from multiple, formerly private parcels.
There is currently a “purple paint” law in PA - landowners do not have to hang signs to define their borders, just spray some purple paint on the trees - so maybe in the future, the trees will be less riddled with steel. But PA is also a significant producer of maple syrup, which cannot be done without tapping. The days of collecting with pails are over, and miles of flexible tube now entangle stands of Sugar Maple where once a person could walk freely.
Yet fire, wind, and especially disease-spreading insects probably account for much more damage than metal. In addition to sappy conifers like Eastern Hemlock and White Pine, broadleafs like American Chestnut, Elm, Beech and White Ash dominated PA’s forests in living memory, but it’s rare to see undamaged mature examples of those today.
I’ve been in the West a few times - recently, just to enjoy the Giant Sequoias & Coast Redwoods. I liked the Sugar Pines, too. Our trees here don’t reach the girth or height or cone size of those, but there’s still a lot to enjoy about them, so rest assured - I won’t be driving these steps into mine any time soon.

 

[Beerhippie]

....
I’ve been in the West a few times - recently, just to enjoy the Giant Sequoias & Coast Redwoods. I liked the Sugar Pines, too. Our trees here don’t reach the girth or height or cone size of those, but there’s still a lot to enjoy about them, so rest assured - I won’t be driving these steps into mine any time soon.

Sugar pines are the under-appreciated giants of the Western woods. One of my favorite trees, and, of course, under threat due to White Pine Blister Rust, an introduced Eurasian disease. The rust hit the East coast a century or two ago and has been spreading west ever since. It attacks any five-needle pine, so among the trees at risk are the oldest in the world--Bristlecone Pines.

One of the things I like about Sugar Pines is how easy they are to recognize on a aerial photograph--a giant asterisk. I did lots of navigating by those while doing forestry surveys years ago.

 

[WisJim]

I got a box of miscellaneous at a recent sale, for $9 or so. Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 speeders, a Skil hammer drill, a right angle drill attachment, some masonry bits, and a couple of complete sets of drill bits, older Triumph brand, 1/16 to 1/4 inch and a Huot index with a few good bits in it. And some other odds and ends in the picture, plus stuff I already threw away. This was the weekend of our county fair, which is held about 4 blocks down the street from our house, so there weren't many garage sales with anything of interest--mostly kid's stuff.

 

[Professor Gascan]

Passed by a yard sale in the neighborhood yesterday and picked up a Husky 15 inch 3/8 ratchet for $15.

 

[four.cycle]

Yet fire, wind, and especially disease-spreading insects probably account for much more damage than metal.

Not that this is relevant to "Garage Sale" but FTR:
Single greatest cause of tree mortality in Western Washington and Western Oregon is wind. (NOT fire, disease, or insects.)

 

[oak_park]

From this past weekend....

Stanley pegboard chisel and punch store display.
Husky USA metric 6pt socket set
K-D 731116 long handled RHFT in nice condition.



Vessel Nutdriver holder..must be bulbous drivers, the top holes seem huge. lol
Craftsman Circle Z Reamer...think its my 3rd.
Snap On nut driver bits, 1/4, 7/32, 3/8ths, couldn't find the handle.
Craftsman orange Torx T10, T15.
Indestro Super 2oz hammer 980-2
Craftsman 2 inch Circle U extention
10mm Craftsman Crowsfoot
Snap on 15mm offset wrench
And lastly, the Wiha Chip Lifter in action with Tostito

 

[Beerhippie]

^That chip lifter works as advertised!

 

[JMP]

Got this SK 3/8 set for $25. Spent $32 total.

 

[Outlawmws]

JMP, what is the markings on the screw holding driver? Smacks of older Craftsman?

 

[JMP]

JMP, what is the markings on the screw holding driver? Smacks of older Craftsman?

Yep, old Craftsman. No other marking besides patent #2292657

 

[JMP]

 

[Outlawmws]

Long C era with the Geometric font!

 

[Provincial]

I went to the swap meet at the Oregon Steam Up Saturday. I got there early because my wife was working in a booth, so by about 7:30 I was at the tables. The place was packed, even though it didn't open until 8:00! I mainly picked the $1.00 tables, but found a few other items. I met up with Smokeshow around 9 and we did our trade, which brought me the Plomb body file.

Dollar table items:

"WARDMASTR" combo (Barcalo) 1/2
Barcalo "scoop" DBE 11/16 x 3/4
Barcalo DOE 25/32 x 7/8
Proto LA 3025 DOE 7/16 x 1/2
P&C 2720 Combo 5/8
MAC D 9 DOE 3/4 x 7/8
??? "USA" 3/8 dr. 7" extension. Black oxide finish. The USA is the only legible marking with rust and damage to the rest. Serviceable, and going into my user drawer. Thorsen?
Walden 7448 Short, offset DBE 19/32 x 11/16
Proto USA 96-7/16 punch
Herbrand H-3 Tappet wrench (x 2) 5/8 x 11/16
CHROME MOLYBDENUM tappet DOE wrench 5/8 x 11/16

Plomb & P&C:

Plomb 1608 body file from Smokeshow
P&C 2244 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-3/8
P&C 2246 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-7/16
P&C 2248 DBE 1-7/16 x 1-1/2

I found this feed screw assembly. It is right hand thread, so it works opposite to the cross feed and compound feed of a lathe. It draws the moving part toward the anchor point when turning clockwise. I figure just the dial was worth the $15.00 price, and everything is in excellent shape, with no backlash in the threads. I'll find something to do with it.


I picked up my wife at 11 and we spent some time checking out the show, including the parade of farm equipment. Fortunately, it stayed cloudy until nearly noon, so it wasn't real hot.

I left that Craftsman valve compressor for Smoke, who was coming along behind me. That is where I found the big P&C DOE's. Apparently he didn't get the Proto LA pebble 3/4 drive hinge handle that was a few tables down from the compressor.

 

[hudstr]

I went to the swap meet at the Oregon Steam Up Saturday. I got there early because my wife was working in a booth, so by about 7:30 I was at the tables. The place was packed, even though it didn't open until 8:00! I mainly picked the $1.00 tables, but found a few other items. I met up with Smokeshow around 9 and we did our trade, which brought me the Plomb body file.

Dollar table items:

"WARDMASTR" combo (Barcalo) 1/2
Barcalo "scoop" DBE 11/16 x 3/4
Barcalo DOE 25/32 x 7/8
Proto LA 3025 DOE 7/16 x 1/2
P&C 2720 Combo 5/8
MAC D 9 DOE 3/4 x 7/8
??? "USA" 3/8 dr. 7" extension. Black oxide finish. The USA is the only legible marking with rust and damage to the rest. Serviceable, and going into my user drawer. Thorsen?
Walden 7448 Short, offset DBE 19/32 x 11/16
Proto USA 96-7/16 punch
Herbrand H-3 Tappet wrench (x 2) 5/8 x 11/16
CHROME MOLYBDENUM tappet DOE wrench 5/8 x 11/16

Plomb & P&C:

Plomb 1608 body file from Smokeshow
P&C 2244 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-3/8
P&C 2246 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-7/16
P&C 2248 DBE 1-7/16 x 1-1/2

I found this feed screw assembly. It is right hand thread, so it works opposite to the cross feed and compound feed of a lathe. It draws the moving part toward the anchor point when turning clockwise. I figure just the dial was worth the $15.00 price, and everything is in excellent shape, with no backlash in the threads. I'll find something to do with it.


I picked up my wife at 11 and we spent some time checking out the show, including the parade of farm equipment. Fortunately, it stayed cloudy until nearly noon, so it wasn't real hot.

I left that Craftsman valve compressor for Smoke, who was coming along behind me. That is where I found the big P&C DOE's. Apparently he didn't get the Proto LA pebble 3/4 drive hinge handle that was a few tables down from the compressor.

The feedscrew looks looks like its from a south bend lathe compound. In the compound, the leadscrew travels with the compound body and the nut is stationary screw into the base, meaning it is right hand threaded. The crossslide is opposite, with the screw stationary and the nut moving, which is why that has to be left hand threaded.

 

[gearhead1960]

Got this SK 3/8 set for $25. Spent $32 total.

@JMP I can't believe you paid more than retail for the S-K set....

 

[Smokeshow69]

I went to the swap meet at the Oregon Steam Up Saturday. I got there early because my wife was working in a booth, so by about 7:30 I was at the tables. The place was packed, even though it didn't open until 8:00! I mainly picked the $1.00 tables, but found a few other items. I met up with Smokeshow around 9 and we did our trade, which brought me the Plomb body file.

Dollar table items:

"WARDMASTR" combo (Barcalo) 1/2
Barcalo "scoop" DBE 11/16 x 3/4
Barcalo DOE 25/32 x 7/8
Proto LA 3025 DOE 7/16 x 1/2
P&C 2720 Combo 5/8
MAC D 9 DOE 3/4 x 7/8
??? "USA" 3/8 dr. 7" extension. Black oxide finish. The USA is the only legible marking with rust and damage to the rest. Serviceable, and going into my user drawer. Thorsen?
Walden 7448 Short, offset DBE 19/32 x 11/16
Proto USA 96-7/16 punch
Herbrand H-3 Tappet wrench (x 2) 5/8 x 11/16
CHROME MOLYBDENUM tappet DOE wrench 5/8 x 11/16

Plomb & P&C:

Plomb 1608 body file from Smokeshow
P&C 2244 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-3/8
P&C 2246 DBE 1-1/4 x 1-7/16
P&C 2248 DBE 1-7/16 x 1-1/2

I found this feed screw assembly. It is right hand thread, so it works opposite to the cross feed and compound feed of a lathe. It draws the moving part toward the anchor point when turning clockwise. I figure just the dial was worth the $15.00 price, and everything is in excellent shape, with no backlash in the threads. I'll find something to do with it.


I picked up my wife at 11 and we spent some time checking out the show, including the parade of farm equipment. Fortunately, it stayed cloudy until nearly noon, so it wasn't real hot.

I left that Craftsman valve compressor for Smoke, who was coming along behind me. That is where I found the big P&C DOE's. Apparently he didn't get the Proto LA pebble 3/4 drive hinge handle that was a few tables down from the compressor.

Prov- I totally missed that hinge handle otherwise I would have grabbed it. I need one for my 3/4 set I’m working on

 

[seber]

Got this SK 3/8 set for $25. Spent $32 tota

As I recall, that is what I paid for that set in 1970. Finally retired it for Koken just a few months ago.

 

[JMP]

As I recall, that is what I paid for that set in 1970. Finally retired it for Koken just a few months ago.

Did you wear it out after all these years?

 

[mikeinri]

From this past weekend....

Stanley pegboard chisel and punch store display.
Husky USA metric 6pt socket set
K-D 731116 long handled RHFT in nice condition.



Vessel Nutdriver holder..must be bulbous drivers, the top holes seem huge. lol
Craftsman Circle Z Reamer...think its my 3rd.
Snap On nut driver bits, 1/4, 7/32, 3/8ths, couldn't find the handle.
Craftsman orange Torx T10, T15.
Indestro Super 2oz hammer 980-2
Craftsman 2 inch Circle U extention
10mm Craftsman Crowsfoot
Snap on 15mm offset wrench
And lastly, the Wiha Chip Lifter in action with Tostito

Wow! Aside from the reamer and hammer, most of that stuff looks unused!

That Stanley display is pretty cool! Is it rare?

You ****!

Mike

 

[seber]

Did you wear it out after all these years?

A few of the sockets were getting worn. It was still getting the job done but I have the means and was ready for off corner engagement. Still using the deep well.

 

[JMP]

A few of the sockets were getting worn. It was still getting the job done but I have the means and was ready for off corner engagement. Still using the deep well.

Just a couple of the small 6 point deep sockets in this set are about worn out while the rest are lightly used or even unused at all. The Koken stuff looks like a great choice, especially if you are wrenching on really nice stuff.

 

[seber]

Just a couple of the small 6 point deep sockets in this set are about worn out while the rest are lightly used or even unused at all. The Koken stuff looks like a great choice, especially if you are wrenching on really nice stuff.

I don't work on motorcycles any more but high end garden tractors do have a fair number of exposed fasteners.

 

[Patrickm82]

My weekend flea trip and a MP score this afternoon. I saw this add Sunday am and thought that’s a nice Craftsman roller but I don’t want the rest of the stuff.

I messaged the guy Monday morning asking if he would sell just the box. He replied $100 for everything, I passed. He messaged me this morning and said $50 for the box negotiable. I said I’ll take it. I picked it up on my way home and the guy says $40 and it’s mine I was the first one to show interest so he gave me a deal! I’ll take it. She need a good scrub but the drawers are very good as well as the rails no rust.


Then the flea market stuff was $25 total.
Snap on 7/8 6 point
Long C deep offset 9/16-1/2”
Cman professional screw driver
Metric and standard Craftsman adjustables
Partial craftsman 1/4” and 3/8 metric 6 point deeps
Easco 1/4” ratchet
Craftsman 1/4” ratchet
Craftsman extension

 

[Outlawmws]

My weekend flea trip and a MP score this afternoon

Yeah, he *****...

 

[Smokeshow69]

My weekend flea trip and a MP score this afternoon. I saw this add Sunday am and thought that’s a nice Craftsman roller but I don’t want the rest of the stuff.

I messaged the guy Monday morning asking if he would sell just the box. He replied $100 for everything, I passed. He messaged me this morning and said $50 for the box negotiable. I said I’ll take it. I picked it up on my way home and the guy says $40 and it’s mine I was the first one to show interest so he gave me a deal! I’ll take it. She need a good scrub but the drawers are very good as well as the rails no rust.


Then the flea market stuff was $25 total.
Snap on 7/8 6 point
Long C deep offset 9/16-1/2”
Cman professional screw driver
Metric and standard Craftsman adjustables
Partial craftsman 1/4” and 3/8 metric 6 point deeps
Easco 1/4” ratchet
Craftsman 1/4” ratchet
Craftsman extension

First off- you ****. That’s an amazing deal. Secondly you didn’t want the aluminum race Jack? Those are pretty good provided the surface is flat

 

[Patrickm82]

I already have 2 jacks, plus he ended up selling that stuff separately before I got to him. He said the guy who bought that ramps and jacks didn’t want the box!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Picked these up at the restore yesterday, plus a couple misc brass pieces for scrap.

 

[zanyad]

Catching up....

A nice GTD Tap and die set.

Very nice. You ****!

I'm still in shock right now. Today I spotted this 1940's era handmade machinist treasure chest time capsule on Marketplace for $25.

you ****

As asked for here are a few more pictures of the tank destroyer map.

How very cool!

24 pieces of Williams Sonoma tin-lined copper pots/pans, made by Mauviel in Villedieu-les-Poêles France.

****!

After some deliberation with my wife, we chose a medium saute pan and sauce pan to add to the kitchen, and decided to list the remaining lot on FB at a ridiculous price and see what happens. Well, I woke up a few hours later to 33 separate offers, and promptly sold the lot that evening FOR A THOUSAND FREAKING DOLLARS.

nice!

Estate sale: ($20): Coleman 5435B700 stove w/ case; Thermocell w/ 20 refills; Panavise.

Nice! I've been wanting to try a Panavise

Yesterday was an anomaly as I had to meet the boss at the office at 8am for a blueprint and instructions. Well I didn't make it.

Ouch. Glad you're okay.

A Columbian 504 and a Japanese “AC” vise both for $20.

You ****

My day today included the 35th annual block sale for about 20 streets in a housing development area in the town next to me, plus 7 other planned stops and a few TOOs.

Some very nice finds there!

"What do you offer?"
They agreed to take my $25.

You ****

a MP score

You ****

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I got 500 things going on from now until Sunday so I won't get to make it to this estate sale. This guy had one hell of a collection of stuff! Maybe someone here from the DFW might see it and get something out of it!

50 % OFF TERRIFIC TONS OF TOOLS & MID CENTURY... starts on 7/31/2025

View information about this sale in Dallas, TX. The sale starts Thursday, July 31 and runs through Saturday, August 2. It is being run by Alamo Aztek Estate Sales.

www.estatesales.net

 

[mikeinri]

Wow!!!

Mike

 

[Skellyii]

Road trip!!!