2025 Garage Sale Thread (14th Annual)

[four.cycle]

@Beerhippie -

Swivel / Sockethead Brace? Any ideas of the history?

Gentlemen, I've had this sock head for 20 years, garage sale find. I've used it to level up the camper trailer. I have no idea of its history, manufacturer, nor intended uses. Any ideas on this beauty?

www.garagejournal.com

and

The vintage Blackhawk Thread

How did you black out your tools? Painstakingly! :) I had a whole thread on that set. (You guys know me and my predilections for preservation. The funny ironic and haha thing is, when I do decide to do something else with a set, I usually go crazy and really trick it out! I did something...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Beerhippie]

@Beerhippie -

Swivel / Sockethead Brace? Any ideas of the history?

Gentlemen, I've had this sock head for 20 years, garage sale find. I've used it to level up the camper trailer. I have no idea of its history, manufacturer, nor intended uses. Any ideas on this beauty?

www.garagejournal.com

and

The vintage Blackhawk Thread

How did you black out your tools? Painstakingly! :) I had a whole thread on that set. (You guys know me and my predilections for preservation. The funny ironic and haha thing is, when I do decide to do something else with a set, I usually go crazy and really trick it out! I did something...

www.garagejournal.com

Been there, done that!

Ironically, that Blackhawk wrench is a prime example of just what I DON'T buy anymore--cool old tools I can't use. But it had been there all summer long, just begging me to take it home ("love you long time")... and I knew the price would be good after that long on the shelf.

 

[mikeinri]

Regarding @NJ Marty's mystery box...

If I were a pessimist, I'd add an old, dull, steak knife to the lists you jokers are crafting. Or, is it just me (and my Dad, who I learned this from)? In a pinch (or because you're not able/willing to buy specialty tools), a steak knife can cut all sorts of stuff: fuel line, etc.

Hopefully, it's tons of old, rare tools, in mint condition!

Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

Did we get dead pens, broken pencils, old ripped out tire stems, broken utility knives, used crimp on wire connectors, mouse turds, old match books, and an ancient condom for Marty's tool box?

Needs a check list and see how much we got, (and what we missed...)

 

[Beerhippie]

Did we get dead pens, broken pencils, old ripped out tire stems, broken utility knives, used crimp on wire connectors, mouse turds, old match books, and an ancient condom for Marty's tool box?

Needs a check list and see how much we got, (and what we missed...)

A few broken hose clamps. And that thing I put away years ago and can't recall where I put it, nor what it was but it still bothers me.

 

[d42jeep]

Although most of the NV sales started yesterday, we decided to see if anything worthwhile was left today. We stopped by a TOO on the way out of town and grabbed a rusty wood handled screwdriver with a promise by the seller that he would dig through his tools and put more out tomorrow.
We headed over the hill and found the first estate sale in Minden was basically an almost completely empty house. We headed for Carson City and accidentally ended up at an ongoing moving sale we checked out the previous Friday. I found a Craftsman hacksaw that the seller decided to keep and left with these plastic clamps.
As we left we spotted a garage sale sign a few blocks away so off we went. It turned out to be three TOO sales on one block. We checked out the first sale and a rusty wartime Jeep can that I would have paid $10 for was priced at $75. Every other item in the sale was pretty much the same. We headed across the street and down a dirt driveway to the next sale which turned out to be just the opposite. After I mentioned that I was looking for old tools one of the sellers pulled out the longest early Snap-on 3/8” drive Ferret speeder that I had ever seen.
Another of the sellers kept disappearing and reappearing with more vintage treasures priced right.
My wife used the speeder as a walking stick as we headed to another sale up the street. A very nice gentleman just let me pick through the tools in his garage and accepted my first (low) offer.
Some yardsticks for my wife.
Next we stopped by the final day of an estate sale and found almost nothing of interest. The last interesting looking sale turned out to be off of old Highway 395 seemingly halfway to Reno. Fortunately the seller had a Duplex cantilever box filled with tools used for slot machine repairs. We emptied all of those out the box and added in some other tools he had for sale. The box was a little more expensive than I would have liked but I’ve always wanted one and I think it will clean up.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Don ***** for the Duplex cantilever box! looks to be very straight despite some cosmetic paint wear.

Some yardsticks for my wife.

I walked past some NOS yardsticks with Levis company markings today...

 

[ecotec]

A few broken hose clamps. And that thing I put away years ago and can't recall where I put it, nor what it was but it still bothers me.

He will finally get it open, and your blue screwdriver will be in it… like a magic trick.

 

[bmwrd0]

Now I know who is getting my old Duplex box I have sitting around...

Also, I do have to say, even thought we are all thinking it, going through an old tool box like Marty gets to do is one my absolute favorite things in the world to do. I have dragged home more junky boxes just to be able to paw through them at my leisure than I care to admit.

 

[bbbarracuda]

A few broken hose clamps. And that thing I put away years ago and can't recall where I put it, nor what it was but it still bothers me.

Don't forget the glass cutter. I think every old tool box I ever bought has at least one.

 

[four.cycle]

"WeighOMatic" ?

that's a new one... that's not the box, is it? or... ?

 

[d42jeep]

I believe it is a brand of pinball machine flippers. The box was used to hold tools and supplies for repairing slot machines and I assume pinball machines.
Misspelled, I see. I’m probably totally wrong. See below.
AI Overview

"Weighomatic Filper" is likely a term referring to a Weighpack Weigh Filler or similar automated filling equipment from another manufacturer, designed to accurately dispense small weights of ingredients like nuts, spices, or pharmaceuticals.The name itself suggests a device that uses a "weighing" method to "fill" products, with "Filper" potentially being a specific model or feature name, or a misremembered term for a weighing/filling machine
On the lid.
-Don

 

[NJ Marty]

Looks like tumblers on top and bottom of lock. Cant get it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like tumblers on top and bottom of lock. Cant get it.

It would be rare for such a simple lock to have two facing sets of pins and a 2 sided key. the plates may be mistaken for "two sided", as they are plates, not actual pins.

I'm not seeing the "saw" bent paper clip - something like this:



Its not a very "finessed" picking, just saw at the plates and have slight rotational pressure to catch them. too much and they wont slide. once all 3, maybe 4 plates catch it will turn easily.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Looks like tumblers on top and bottom of lock. Cant get it.

What’s the code stamped on it?

 

[NJ Marty]

It would be rare for such a simple lock to have two facing sets of pins and a 2 sided key. the plates may be mistaken for "two sided", as they are plates, not actual pins.

I'm not seeing the "saw" bent paper clip - something like this:



Its not a very "finessed" picking, just saw at the plates and have slight rotational pressure to catch them. too much and they wont slide. once all 3, maybe 4 plates catch it will turn easily.

I rake the top with clip i trip 3 tumblers. Hear them click.
Bottom i trip 2. Hear them click.

 

[NJ Marty]

What’s the code stamped on it?

89

 

[Outlawmws]

Compiled list (since I have no early sales to go to):

BeerHippie:
	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 flatone Phillips with trashed points
	six-inch Crescent wrench glued into the drawer with the Permatex.
	Seven pairs of slop-joint pliers also glued into the drawer
	In addition to EVERYTHING listed above, a cheap glass cutter w/broken wheel.
3Bay
	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.
GLE man
	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.
Marty - who dreams its the old mans gold coin collection they are still looking for.
	38lbs of fishing lead sinkers next to the pound of rust flakes.
MisterBill
	I'm hoping it's packed full of vintage 1960s Williams Vulcan Tool goodness!
GLEman
	I'm hoping he strikes "Old Man" gold too.
ctual
	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.
Jayman17
	You forgot the roller tool for installing new screen in your window screen frames!
bmwrd0
	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.
BeerHippie #2
	In addition to EVERYTHING listed above, a cheap glass cutter w/broken wheel.
DebCrow
	nobody mentioned Saw Sets?
	3Bay:
		Too hard to come by
Mikeinri
	old, dull, steak knife
Outlaw:
	dead pens - See 3bay
	broken pencils - See 3bay
	old ripped out tire stems
	broken utility knives
	used crimp on wire connectors
	mouse turds
	old match books
	and an ancient condom
BeerHippie #3
	A few broken hose clamps.
	And that thing I put away years ago and can't recall where I put it, nor what it was but it still bothers me.
ecotec
	He will finally get it open, and your blue screwdriver will be in it… like a magic trick.
bbbarracuda
	Don't forget the glass cutter. I think every old tool box I ever bought has at least one.
		See Beerhippie #2

 

[NJ Marty]

What’s the code stamped on it?

 

[Outlawmws]

you can try making a longer "sawtooth" clip pick, and make a U bend and give that a shot if its truly 2 sided.

Or alternate top and bottom "sawing"

 

[LesserSon]

Jeez, @Outlawmws , we should all download your checklist and use it to assess our hauls. There could be an end-of-year recognition for whoever checks the most boxes in one purchase. (You do need another host duty, right, @mikeinri ?)

 

[LesserSon]

Acro organizer, Bonney Outline DOE, Stanley ball peen, HDSmith adj auto wrench, 3/4” pipe clamp, Red Devil Buttons pliers -$19/all at Blue Ridge Flea.
Blue tackle box with cracked plastic tray, dozen+ carving tools, sharpening thing, jeweler hammer, files, taps, dies, drill bits, bonus goat fodder - $10/all at a TOO yard&barn sale. The hammer will go to LesserDottir2, the carving tools to LSsr. The gouges and veiners all have the Pfeil mark and profile numbers, but the handles are bare, so maybe generic replacements. New or used, most of these tools are $40/ea retail, so I paid two cents on the dollar.
The goats were some miniature breed in a pen.
MrsLS bought a freshly-seasoned WagnerWare Sidney O 1148 griddle for $60, as a gift for LSjr. I thought this was a bit high for flea marketry, but they have sold on eBay for 2-3x that.

 

[Patrickm82]

Slow day, even the flea market kind of sucked!
$10 for the vise and $5 for the hammer
Smith 2 1/2 with 1-1/2” jaws
Greene and Tweed no. 1 soft blow hammer

 

[Beerhippie]

Slow day, even the flea market kind of sucked!
$10 for the vise and $5 for the hammer
Smith 2 1/2 with 1-1/2” jaws
Greene and Tweed no. 1 soft blow hammer

Cool vise! It's rare to see a covered screw in one so small.

With the hammer tossed in, I'd say it earns you a hearty you ****!

 

[RTM]

Snap On Tool Box Replacement Keys Series 1801-1900

You are purchasing 2 replacement keys for a Snap On tool chest. Keys are cut to your lock code, the code is located either on the original key or on the lock next to the keyhole. All keys are guaranteed to work.

gkeez.com

 

[LesserSon]

Slow day, even the flea market kind of sucked!
$10 for the vise and $5 for the hammer
Smith 2 1/2 with 1-1/2” jaws
Greene and Tweed no. 1 soft blow hammer

That’s a nice little vise. Here’s the DATAMP page on the Colton patent.

 

[Patrickm82]

Cool vise! It's rare to see a covered screw in one so small.

With the hammer tossed in, I'd say it earns you a hearty you ****!

Thanks Tim I have its big brother as well with 2” jaws.

 

[bmwrd0]

So, I went back to that sale today. I got there about 20-30minutes after it opened back up, hoping that someone got that mill, so I wouldn't have to buy it. And I was lucky! I went straight too it, and, lo and behold, marked sold. Dodged a bullet there. But now I had time to do some more looking around, and here is what I found:

Starrett inside micrometer in box, small metal box, General circle cutters (2) in box, Jo-Line torque wrench (in reamer box, and I didn't realize it was rusted up), Starrett centering head, (2) mismatched trammel points, pillow blocks (need for a project, so that makes this whole trip free!), Cleveland brace bit set, Pee Dee thread wire set, weird inside mic, Jewelers loop, Diston file handle, Marbles cleaning rod handle (in shadow), Ekland metric hex keys, Brown & Sharpe mic, sockets (Plomb, Snap-on, Walden, Apex, Chrome Alloy, Speed Master), P&C flex (2), Vlcheck T-wrench, Starrett center punch, Jiffey screw starter, (2) machinist jacks, Dodge pin spanner, small box of HSS bits (+1 tool post rocker), Plomballoy adjustable carcass, PEC and Starrett 6" rules, Mt2-MT1 adapter, and a Proto 1/4" t-handle.


I also grabbed a small bin of HSS, which seems to have housed a mouse or two from time to time. So, a little rust, but nothing I can't take care of with a little bleach.

All of that set me back $6. And I will be going to the expanded sale next weekend.

 

[Outlawmws]

$10 for the vise

I'd say it earns you a hearty you ****!

Yes he does!

Here’s the DATAMP page on the Colton patent.

I have its big brother as well with 2” jaws.

So what markings are in the face arc of the static jaw? what is the width?

So, I went back to that sale today.

And you ****!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Snap On Tool Box Replacement Keys Series 1801-1900

You are purchasing 2 replacement keys for a Snap On tool chest. Keys are cut to your lock code, the code is located either on the original key or on the lock next to the keyhole. All keys are guaranteed to work.

gkeez.com

Looks right to me

 

[bmwrd0]

I'll tell you, that was the type of sale I enjoy the most. It isn't that there are buckets of tools, it's that I get to dig though someone else's ****, finding all sorts of weirdness. There were valve grinders from the thirties in wooden cases, engine lifts, file cabinets, and so much more. You would go through a pile, find some cool stuff and move on, but when you look back, someone else was digging there and pulling out great stuff! Just **** packed in every corner.

Heaven.

 

[NJ Marty]

Snap On Tool Box Replacement Keys Series 1801-1900

You are purchasing 2 replacement keys for a Snap On tool chest. Keys are cut to your lock code, the code is located either on the original key or on the lock next to the keyhole. All keys are guaranteed to work.

gkeez.com

Thanks, I will be seeing my locksmith friend this week and get a key made. No need to waste time trying to pick it.

 

[Patrickm82]

So what markings are in the face arc of the static jaw? what is the width?

Pat. Applied 1885. Bigger one is 2” small one 1-1/2”

 

[3baygarage]

Went to both of the regular weekend flea markets last Sunday, and again today. I picked up a bunch of tools, but didn’t have the time and energy to sort them yet. Here are just a few interesting finds. Somehow the theme is “case”.

-Case Sod Buster

-watch case back pliers by Lindstrom (Sweden)

-Leatherman Super Tool. Going in the car “just in case”. My third in a short few years after wanting one for a long time.

- my second “American” brand pipe wrench, in case you all may not remember. A 10” to go with the 8” found earlier this year. I think that means a collection!



Also:Powr-Kraft short box wrench set made by Barcalo

 

[Outlawmws]

Spent a lot of the day diagnosing AC issues on the family DD Toyota Corolla so late with this:

I went back to an estate sale for the third week running, mostly to look for more books, but found a few other things as well:

6 inch deck screws, a giant syringe, 1-1/2 rolls of electrical tape,



2 wood framed folding stools - possibly unused:




What I believe to be a White Stag (bag is tagged) folding army style cot - possibly unused:



and the books:








$20 all in

 

[Snaparxon]

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.

Not saying all locks are this way but in my experience with tool boxes, mostly Snap on and MAC, when the key slot is vertical it is unlocked, horizontal is locked. Does it have rods visible in the slot between the lid and sides of the box in the lower corners to prevent the lid from opening or does it have a hook style latch that hooks to a slot in the bottom of the box directly below the lock?
I bought a Snap on box like that for $100 years ago. Store owner said it was locked, I tried to open it, thought it was locked myself. Very heavy box so I took a chance, got it home and messed with the lock. Come to find out it wasn't locked, all I had to do was lift the lid straight up a bit and pull outward. It was built that way maybe to prevent the lid from opening unintentionally when unlocked?
Anyway it was full of Snap on tools and auto body tools.

 

[brockmub]

Went for a mid week pick last week. Had two piles of stuff that we paid $200 (only captured a picture of the first pile). Farmer was sure he didn’t have anything we would be interested in. Some of the highlights were this sewing machine oil bottle, DeLaval porcelain sign, and salesman sample windmill.

 

[alinc100]

Thanks, I will be seeing my locksmith friend this week and get a key made. No need to waste time trying to pick it.

The suspense lingers. Giving a procrastinator like me to add to the content list:
Crappy pair of wire strippers/crimpers
Small sockets hex drive with the very coarse knurling
rusty hex keys
plumbing o-rings, valves, washers, brass hardware
Permatex
Misc air fittings and teflon tape
a glob of a roll of electrical tape
Empty CO2 containers from a BB Gun
Handful of wire nuts

 

[Skellyii]

Was following the fiance around on Sunday, she only went to last day estate sales so pickings were slim, and none of them advertised tools. But I found a few things of note.

I damn near tripped over this thing, it's a small 3300lb Craftsman jack in a weird carrying thing with rollers. Dusty, but looks like it was either lightly or never used. $10 The two wood handled screwdrivers came with it.



Craftsman WF Wood chisels, in original package, never used. $15


Next, we went to a large home in an older neighborhood. Picked up a variety of books, all were $0.50 each except the 40s and 50s books on the right that I got for free...long story. Also snagged a new soundbar wall bracket for $2.50.

But seriously, the coolest thing was the Mechanics Vest Pocket Reference Book, copyright 1945, and the owner left his address sticker on it.

 

[Skellyii]

We made it to a different sale, and found these.

Laser Parking guide $5 - Going to try this with my four post lift.
3 wrenches @ $1 each
Crestoloy 10"
Can't make out the name on the next one, will need to clean it up
Preidian Motorized Adjustable Power Wrench
Never seen one of these, bought it because it was interesting, and only $1



At the last sale of the day, it was 50% off, but everything was pretty picked over, not even cheap broken tools in the garage. By chance I was standing next to the garage fridge, which was already sold, and noticed a sealed Amazon box on top. Turned out to be a brand new Orbit sprinkler system that someone ordered and never got to use. Only two zones, but that's all I need to cover my front and side yards. $80
I guess since it was sitting on top of the sold refrigerator, everyone assumed it was sold as well.