2025 Garage Sale Thread (14th Annual)

[ctuai]

Estate sale ($8): Nevalyashka Roly poly doll (Soviet Union):

It's so sweet and adorable. I'm going to send it to my daughter... because it told me so.​

​

 

[Skellyii]

Made it to a few sales last weekend. finally taking time to post. We started off at a bag sale, it was either $5 or $10 depending on the size of your bag. I got this and a few more things not pictured for $10.

Quaker State synthetic oil
Lysol wipes - I had two, but the female took off with one before I could get pictures
flashlight
Husky phillips screwdriver - looks to be never used
Two MS keyboards, with mouse and trackball, one wireless the other ergonomic
a couple of ethernet cables
3 rulers
2 tape measures (Not pictured)
a drill gauge
About 20 music CD's (not pictured)
Oh yeah, had room in the bag so I couldn't resist the Disco Dancing Guide!
(Of course, at my age, if I try to do some of that stuff I'll probably break a hip)

Next stop was 50% off, and they were REALLY trying to get rid of stuff.

Upper left is two of those LARGE CD holders, both were stuffed with CDs with the labels $5 each

2 Chilton's and 1 Motors manual $3 each
Partial 1/4" Craftsman socket set $1
Roll of blue towels $1
Freon - big container $6, the others were $2 each
2 of the 3 small ones were R12
Armor all **** $2


This one was 75% off, but we got there late on the last day and they were just about giving stuff away.

Entire lot for $12
Older USA Craftsman sockets, 1/2 and 3/8
Cummins Industrial soldering gun kit - looks like it was never used
Craftsman WF screwdrivers
Craftsman 1/4 nut driver
2 tape measures
Random box of misc hardware, it was laying on the cashiers table and the guy to me to take it with me
DBE Craftsman 11/16 - 13/16
DBE Indestro Super 1/2 9/16
Olympia 1 1/8

 

[Skellyii]

Here's the last sale of the previous weekend.

This sale was advertised as TOOLS, TOOLS, TOOLS. I had stopped by this sale on the second day, when everything was 25% off. The prices were ridiculous, and most of the tools were no-name, and the sockets were stuffed in ziplock bags where it was difficult to make out what was in there! The wrenches were individually priced, and most, if not all were no-name.

There was a young couple looking at the tools, and the guy remarked, "You can buy better tools at HF for half these prices. I went home empty handed.

This place was close to our house, so my house female decided she wanted to stop by there on the last day which was 75% off. I went with her, and at 75% off of ridiculous, a few things were reasonable.

The manuals were down to $3 each. I'll probably sell the 1958 Chevrolet shop manual. I won't be restoring a 1958, so many parts on that car are 1 year only, and I'm not into a major scavenger hunt at my age.
The Stanley Sort Master's were $3 each also. I already have a few, and like them.

I did buy one of the remaining socket bags, at $28 it was a no-go, but for $7, what the heck.
It turned out to be both SAE and Metric, with a mixture of Snap-On, Craftsman V series, Proto, and a few random Taiwan.


I did spring for a garden cart for $12, a little rusty, but it looks like the tires are new.


I also grabbed this Schumacher Charger/Jump Starter for $20

 

[Ben Buck]

Got this for $1.00

Greasy lookin 1/2 drive ratchet. Armstrong S51

Used degreaser & carb clean, small brass brush to rid it of the grease.

Took it apart, cleaned the insides, 26 tooth anvil, greased it with red& tacky, ratcheting is smooth & the selector is also.

 

[gearhead1960]

@Skellyii that's a you **** for your findings. That corded MS keyboard is the best ergonomic keyboard MS ever produced. I won't use any other....

 

[Old Radar]

Made it to a few sales last weekend. finally taking time to post.

You definitely ****, but if your "house female" ever sees you refer to her that way, it'll **** to be you.

 

[3baygarage]

Got this for $1.00

Greasy lookin 1/2 drive ratchet. Armstrong S51

Used degreaser & carb clean, small brass brush to rid it of the grease.

Took it apart, cleaned the insides, 26 tooth anvil, greased it with red& tacky, ratcheting is smooth & the selector is also

Nice find. Kind of tougher to find.

 

[NJ Marty]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

 

[DetailSeeker]

$5 (Canadian) for a socket box with a busted latch that has a mix of mostly Proto and Gray. The hunt for missing pieces will keep me entertained for hours.

(Also: a giant toolbox, more than a dozen wrenches, a handful of taps, and other stuff that I am not opening the trunk to take pictures of.)

 

[Beerhippie]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

Gotta love a real mystery!

Start a pool to bet on what's in it!

I'll start: A leaking tube of Permatex, gluing together everything in that drawer. A bunch of hose gaskets, used. Rubber bands. Scissors, dull. Half of a head gasket from a flathead eight. Fifty pounds of old nuts and bolts. Thirty pounds of woodscrews with stripped heads. Two screwdrivers, one flat, one Phillips, with trashed points. A six-inch Crescent wrench, glued into the drawer with the Permatex. Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers, also glued into the drawer.

 

[3baygarage]

Gotta love a real mystery!

Start a pool to bet on what's in it!

I'll start: A leaking tube of Permatex, gluing together everything in that drawer. A bunch of hose gaskets, used. Rubber bands. Scissors, dull. Half of a head gasket from a flathead eight. Fifty pounds of old nuts and bolts. Thirty pounds of woodscrews with stripped heads. Two screwdrivers, one flat, one Phillips, with trashed points. A six-inch Crescent wrench, glued into the drawer with the Permatex. Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers, also glued into the drawer.

Add a couple dried out pens and vintage pencils, a crumpled piece of solder wire, loose finishing nails that only come out when the whole box is tipped over, an odd shaped strip of sandpaper, six Allen wrenches, three random thumb tacks, one half of a Stanley door hasp, and of course, the obligatory rubber furniture leg tip.

 

[gleman]

Add a couple dried out pens and vintage pencils, a crumpled piece of solder wire, loose finishing nails that only come out when the whole box is tipped over, an odd shaped strip of sandpaper, six Allen wrenches, three random thumb tacks, one half of a Stanley door hasp, and of course, the obligatory rubber furniture leg tip.

Add a c-cell flashlight ruined by the old batteries, broken Stanley plastic utility knife with bad blades, The two screwdrivers have to have disintegrating handles too!

Edison fuses too.

 

[Skellyii]

Gotta love a real mystery!

Start a pool to bet on what's in it!

I'll start: A leaking tube of Permatex, gluing together everything in that drawer. A bunch of hose gaskets, used. Rubber bands. Scissors, dull. Half of a head gasket from a flathead eight. Fifty pounds of old nuts and bolts. Thirty pounds of woodscrews with stripped heads. Two screwdrivers, one flat, one Phillips, with trashed points. A six-inch Crescent wrench, glued into the drawer with the Permatex. Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers, also glued into the drawer.

I would laugh harder, but that list resembles the stuff that was in a toolbox I dragged out of a friends uncles barn after he passed unexpectedly.

 

[Patrickm82]

Add a c-cell flashlight ruined by the old batteries, broken Stanley plastic utility knife with bad blades, The two screwdrivers have to have disintegrating handles too!

Edison fuses too.

I was going to say there has to be some screwdrivers with the mange stinking the whole box out!!

 

[Patrickm82]

Had a pretty good morning today even though of the 10 or so sales I hit (mobile home park) only 1 had tools worth a damn. Then met a nice older lady for a market place pick up. From the yard sale;

VTG craftsman 6 drawer side piece with crown logo keys
Craftsman =v= saltus wrench set like new
Nice Klein #3 Phillips
Standard tool # 5 drill index
$45 for all




Next was the market place score $50 for a box of snap on 3/8 drive sockets and what not.

3/8 ratchet anvil in a 1/4” body
3/8 drive palm ratchet
3/8 deep set missing 1, 6 point SAE
semi deep swivel sockets SAE
3/8 shallow 6 points
4 6 point wrenches
Brass mallet head
Proto LA with pebble Pat. Wrench
Craftsman vanadium linesman pliers

 

[NJ Marty]

Gotta love a real mystery!

Start a pool to bet on what's in it!

I'll start: A leaking tube of Permatex, gluing together everything in that drawer. A bunch of hose gaskets, used. Rubber bands. Scissors, dull. Half of a head gasket from a flathead eight. Fifty pounds of old nuts and bolts. Thirty pounds of woodscrews with stripped heads. Two screwdrivers, one flat, one Phillips, with trashed points. A six-inch Crescent wrench, glued into the drawer with the Permatex. Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers, also glued into the drawer.

I will take pics when open.
I will add to the list.
38lbs of fishing lead sinkers next to the pound of rust flakes.
But in the meantime I will dream its the old mans gold coin collection they are still looking for.

 

[misterbill]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

Contrary to the other folks, I'm hoping it's packed full of vintage 1960s Williams Vulcan Tool goodness!

 

[gleman]

Contrary to the other folks, I'm hoping it's packed full of vintage 1960s Williams Vulcan Tool goodness!

I'm hoping he strikes "Old Man" gold too.

 

[ctuai]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

A cat, whose state is still yet to be determined, but can be assumed to be simultaneously existing in both states until the box is opened.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Just like last weekend, the first yardsale had several good deals and didnt find anything else the rest of the day. I saw a posting for this sale yesterday but had to work, so im surprised that anything was left, but im glad we went today to see. Even though we didnt leave the house until almost 11 I still found some killer deals.

Complete Proto Hex Socket set - $5


Snap on Puller set - $5

KD Tools Double Flare set - $5

OEM Harmonic Balancer Puller set - $5


Starrett 6" Dial Calipers - $2


A tackle box full of automotive bulbs - $1

Drill press clamp - $1


And finally. Milwaukee Heat Gun - Free because it needs a new cord.


Not a bad way to spend $24.

I didnt find anything the rest of the day but it was still worth it.

 

[Jayman17]

Gotta love a real mystery!

Start a pool to bet on what's in it!

I'll start: A leaking tube of Permatex, gluing together everything in that drawer. A bunch of hose gaskets, used. Rubber bands. Scissors, dull. Half of a head gasket from a flathead eight. Fifty pounds of old nuts and bolts. Thirty pounds of woodscrews with stripped heads. Two screwdrivers, one flat, one Phillips, with trashed points. A six-inch Crescent wrench, glued into the drawer with the Permatex. Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers, also glued into the drawer.

You forgot the roller tool for installing new screen in your window screen frames!

 

[bmwrd0]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

I am putting my money down on 37#s of iron bar that have mushroomed ends from being used as punches, along with a drawer full of off-gassing Xcelite drivers causing rust.

 

[ctuai]

Just like last weekend, the first yardsale had several good deals and didnt find anything else the rest of the day. I saw a posting for this sale yesterday but had to work, so im surprised that anything was left, but im glad we went today to see. Even though we didnt leave the house until almost 11 I still found some killer deals.

Complete Proto Hex Socket set - $5


Snap on Puller set - $5

KD Tools Double Flare set - $5

OEM Harmonic Balancer Puller set - $5


Starrett 6" Dial Calipers - $2


A tackle box full of automotive bulbs - $1

Drill press clamp - $1


And finally. Milwaukee Heat Gun - Free because it needs a new cord.


Not a bad way to spend $24.

I didnt find anything the rest of the day but it was still worth it

Wow, you ****. That's quite a haul for $24

 

[ctuai]

Estate sale ($35): Red Wing 3526 steel toe boots (new); Tetra UV-Clarifier 1000 (nib); Drew Force V shoes (nib); Danner Pondmaster 40 watt UV clarifier (nib); Rauschenberg Sculpture book (signed); Sandvik 8140 flush-cut precision cutters; L.S. Hyde 12" tailor's scissors; Razertip SK detail burning system; 3 Osborne punches; Liberty puzzle

 

[Outlawmws]

Laughing my *** off at the guesses!:

I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca.

We can end the guessing early - these locks are dead simple to pick. Tools: two paper clips, or one and a smaller flat blade screwdriver:

straighten one and bend about an inch or less into a "saw-tooth - use narrow needle nose...
bend #2 into a "hook" (or use a the small driver mentioned the driver has to be small enough to clear the "saw" paper clip....)

Get some "opening rotational pressure" (it doesn't take a lot) with hook or driver:

"saw" at the plates the teeth of the key would align:

What happens: the "saw" gets the plate "pins" moving up snd down they wil catch as the align adn hols due to thr rotatinal pressure. SNICK! once it starts you can open it and it doent need anything on the plates...

A cat, whose state is still yet to be determined,

I did find a mummified cat in a big shed/small workshop, at one estate sale run by a buddy. I told him about it, and he just shrugged an said he knew, and just knew I would have been one of the people to have found it...

 

[3baygarage]

Freudianfloyd gets a YOU ****!

 

[Beerhippie]

I would laugh harder, but that list resembles the stuff that was in a toolbox I dragged out of a friends uncles barn after he passed unexpectedly.

In addition to EVERYTHING listed above, a cheap glass cutter w/broken wheel.

My little foray (honey holes) today only netted two goodies:



Blackhawk 4-in-1 Rim Wrench, Pat 1923 (?), Elora double-end L in 3/8". $5 total.

I also picked up a nice folding wheelchair for a buddy:



Another $5.

 

[humber2]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

Long odds would be offered for finding anything metric or whitworth.

YMMV

 

[Outlawmws]

Blackhawk 4-in-1 Rim Wrench, Pat 1923 (?), Elora double-end L in 3/8". $5 total.

You **** for the Blackhawk!

 

[Outlawmws]

Quite a few stops planned, including a Freecycle PU and the Col Flea, and lots of TOO's - just sort of flat results, although the Frees were good and everything was cheap:


Started the day with a Feeecycle PU - 27" wide and 80" long carpet for the camp gear - the light spots are not bleached out, just sun spots through the tree.



Col Flea: a buck for a Proto LA "pebble" combo - $3 for the MAC combo and the un-marked for maker DBE.




tard sale for $3 - Bessey 3" C-Clamp, almost left as I was thinking "import" - and it is, but not Asian... Snap On angle screwdriver, two pin vises, bigger one is Brown & Sharpe, and a G&B level - date stamped 1977, but still dead level accurate!.



Free from the same place and the seller guided me to it: 24" bar clamp, Bar needs some de-rusting:



Also Free from the same palce a 2 gallon compressor - Seller offered to let me test it, and it does make and hold pressure!




Free from a different sale: stakes for guy lines, and an ignition wrench, and a 4" adjustable - Both Craftsman





And a buck from the last YS: a Master Rench - from Lynchmead MFG. Co. based at the time in Turlock CA. Heller Bros. later bough them out and made them branded MasteRench, with sizes from 6" to 18", and pipe or hex nut jaws.

These are my favorite "adjustable" as they do not slip, just get tighter!

 

[Debcrow]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

How come nobody mentioned Saw Sets?

 

[3baygarage]

How come nobody mentioned Saw Sets?

Too hard to come by

 

[bmwrd0]

I hit two really good looking estate sales today, both out in the country, in opposite directions sadly. The first was the final day, and they were making deals. I just missed the Logan lathe (which I don't need, as I already have one) but there was still a lot of good stuff.

Swedish angle nose pliers, Vacuum Grip nippers, Stanley chisel, Brown and Sharp box (I am a sucker for nice boxes), a ratcheting ships auger handle, and



Almost two dozen vintage and reprint metal shop working books, mostly Gingery/Lindsey press, but some very nice originals.

All that was $8

The second stop was back on the other side of town, out in the farm land, of a helicopter repairman's shops. And I do mean shops! There was a house, a two bay shop and a hanger to pick from, and they are having the sale going next week too, with an additional three bay shop, along with a few helo carcasses. And there were around a dozen vehicles for sale at the same time, from commuter cars to an old jet fuel tanker. This is the sale ad.

Vintage maintenance handbook, part of a dial indicator set, Snap-on torque wrench case (empty), Starrett thread gauge, Yankee right angle ratcheting driver, Goodell Pratt right angle driver, Old Forge pin tool, Blue Point single offset box, BP combo, Snap-on ratchet, SOE unmarked, socket chisel, Craftsman 9/32" drive socket (and I looked and looked for more, but alas), 1/2" sockets (Blackhawk, Speedmaster, SK black oxide), Ulman screwstarter, Starrett inside micrometer, Tumico micrometer, and an odd special OD tubing mic. All of that for $5.
And, yes, I am going back tomorrow. There is a Benchmaster mill for more than I want to pay, and if it is still there I will make a lowball on it. I don't need it, not sure I want it, but damnit, it is too rare to pass up!

 

[ctuai]

Hold on, just noticed that the cover of the Rauschenberg Sculpture book is just a blue painted crown craftsman toolbox. I guess one person's art is just another's beat up toolbox.

 

[Fred Knox]

Hunted and picked onesie-twosie until I pulled together a pretty good haul:

group of MAC sockets;
larger group of Snap-on sockets, ratchets, extensions, etc;
SK ratchets;
a couple Plomb on the left.

 

[NJ Marty]

Laughing my *** off at the guesses!:



We can end the guessing early - these locks are dead simple to pick. Tools: two paper clips, or one and a smaller flat blade screwdriver:

straighten one and bend about an inch or less into a "saw-tooth - use narrow needle nose...
bend #2 into a "hook" (or use a the small driver mentioned the driver has to be small enough to clear the "saw" paper clip....)

Get some "opening rotational pressure" (it doesn't take a lot) with hook or driver:

"saw" at the plates the teeth of the key would align:

What happens: the "saw" gets the plate "pins" moving up snd down they wil catch as the align adn hols due to thr rotatinal pressure. SNICK! once it starts you can open it and it doent need anything on the plates...


I did find a mummified cat in a big shed/small workshop, at one estate sale run by a buddy. I told him about it, and he just shrugged an said he knew, and just knew I would have been one of the people to have found it...

I will give the paper clips a try tomorrow.

 

[ctuai]

I did find a mummified cat in a big shed/small workshop, at one estate sale run by a buddy. I told him about it, and he just shrugged an said he knew, and just knew I would have been one of the people to have found it...

Ahhh, the opened box. I assume, alternative universe kitty just wandered away like nothing happened. In which case, alternative universe @Outlawmws would have found nothing, making your buddy's point moot. Hmmm, now I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in the box.

 

[bmwrd0]

It could have been Schrödinger's cat, and you would never know what state you were in when you opened the box...

 

[mikeinri]

Here's the last sale of the previous weekend.

This sale was advertised as TOOLS, TOOLS, TOOLS. I had stopped by this sale on the second day, when everything was 25% off. The prices were ridiculous, and most of the tools were no-name, and the sockets were stuffed in ziplock bags where it was difficult to make out what was in there! The wrenches were individually priced, and most, if not all were no-name.

There was a young couple looking at the tools, and the guy remarked, "You can buy better tools at HF for half these prices. I went home empty handed.

This place was close to our house, so my house female decided she wanted to stop by there on the last day which was 75% off. I went with her, and at 75% off of ridiculous, a few things were reasonable.

The manuals were down to $3 each. I'll probably sell the 1958 Chevrolet shop manual. I won't be restoring a 1958, so many parts on that car are 1 year only, and I'm not into a major scavenger hunt at my age.
The Stanley Sort Master's were $3 each also. I already have a few, and like them.

I did buy one of the remaining socket bags, at $28 it was a no-go, but for $7, what the heck.
It turned out to be both SAE and Metric, with a mixture of Snap-On, Craftsman V series, Proto, and a few random Taiwan.


I did spring for a garden cart for $12, a little rusty, but it looks like the tires are new.


I also grabbed this Schumacher Charger/Jump Starter for $20

You **** for the cart, at a minimum!

Got this for $1.00

Greasy lookin 1/2 drive ratchet. Armstrong S51

Used degreaser & carb clean, small brass brush to rid it of the grease.

Took it apart, cleaned the insides, 26 tooth anvil, greased it with red& tacky, ratcheting is smooth & the selector is also.

Is that a before pic? If so, where's after?

Just like last weekend, the first yardsale had several good deals and didnt find anything else the rest of the day. I saw a posting for this sale yesterday but had to work, so im surprised that anything was left, but im glad we went today to see. Even though we didnt leave the house until almost 11 I still found some killer deals.

Complete Proto Hex Socket set - $5


Snap on Puller set - $5

KD Tools Double Flare set - $5

OEM Harmonic Balancer Puller set - $5


Starrett 6" Dial Calipers - $2


A tackle box full of automotive bulbs - $1

Drill press clamp - $1


And finally. Milwaukee Heat Gun - Free because it needs a new cord.


Not a bad way to spend $24.

I didnt find anything the rest of the day but it was still worth it.

Massive Suckage. Wow...

Mike

 

[bbbarracuda]

I took a chance at $125 for this box. Unopened and about 200lbs full of something. I wont know till next week when my Locksmith buddy gets back from vaca. Guy running sale didnt want to drill out lock and damage anything and selling as is full. Was under a work bench hiding for prob 50 years. I shall find out soon enough if its tools or junk.

A few years ago, I bought a box from a single picture on an auction. It looked like it was practically full of various tools.
When I sorted through it, every tool was broken. It obviously was used as a trash can for all his broken junk
Hoping you have better luck.