2026 Garage Sale Thread (15th Annual)

[d42jeep]

I was doomscrolling on FBM and I saw this lot of 3/8” and 1/2” Wright listed locally for $10. No brainer.


Bill

You **** for a local Wright haul!
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

Jake’s Flea Mkt opens next weekend, but I see potential rain in the forecast. Plus, I’m way off my game and need some Spring Training. Today was sunny, so when MrsLS had completed some errands, we drove to the Quakertown flea market, where I generated some vitamin D and exercised my healing toes.



$9 brought home a Hamilton Metal Products box, a made in England rule with an American-looking webbed center head, an LSStarrett 1/4” pin punch that a PO decided to grind to a point, two Merit (Sears) pliers, a cute 102-year-old MKlein&SonsChicago 6” linemans (marked 1-24 inside the handles), CeeTeeCo slips, and two nutdrivers.

 

[bmwrd0]

Diggin' that Hardite nut driver.

 

[LesserSon]

Yeah - I don’t think I’ve seen one before. Looking for it on GJ led me to Lugz’s Cohardite thread.

 

[bmwrd0]

I actually picked up two of those Hamilton boxes a few weeks back, but some former owner (USForest) had slathered them with green paint, including the leather handles. So, a project for another time...

 

[Motorman55]

Picked these up yesterday at an estate sale. No tools, but I did get this Ridgid 5 hp., 12 gal wet/dry vac w/accessories and hose (not shown) for $ 15.00 for the garage/shop. Also a vintage lathe turned wood picture frame tripod, an older framed Mallord duck print and a nice vintage, small aqua/blue glass bottle, made in New Jersey for my NJ glass bottle collection. These will all go in the Hobby/Art room.

 

[zanyad]

Another you **** for @bmwrd0!

 

[SC Fly Guy]

First entry for 2026 from a friend that is a reseller. A couple of Craftsman extensions, sockets, and an SAE hex driver set. Also, a Proto 5250XL 3/8” ratchet.

 

[four.cycle]

I needed to scratch an itch.

I grabbed this for the Penncraft 1/2" drive set (manufactured by New Britain) - it's shy an 11/16" socket, unfortunately.

The rest is all oddball stuff:
Liveright "Gold Medal" 18 in file
2 hacksaw blades
no-name slotted screwdriver
no-name screwdriver P3
Reed & Prince 716 driver
chainsaw file
4 ea punch / chisel
Dunlap hacksaw
Ridgid 8 in pipe wrench (marked A Rx) black finish
Pexto 12 in adj wrench
no name 1 in putty knife
Great Neck retractable knife
Crescent L26 pliers (user modified)
Thorsen 2016 1/2" comb wrench
KMart 19/32" x 11"/16" DOE
Lectrolite C18 9/16" combo
Barcalo 11/16" comb wrench
Fuller 5/8" comb wrench (KTC Japan)
Bon-E-Con ZE1618 1/2" x 9/16" DOE
Duro Chrome 2013 9/16" x 5/8" DBE
Indestro (forged steel) 5/8" x 11/16" DBE
Indestro (forged steel) 3/8" x 7/16" DBE
Bonney A602 1/2" dr x 1 in extension
Stahlwille 509 1/2" dr x 5 in extension
Proto 5414 1/2" dr x 7/16" 12 pt socket
Proto 5320 1/2" dr x 5/8" 12 pt deep well socket
Speedmaster 84-4865 1/2" dr x 1/2" 12 pt socket

PENNCRAFT 3811 1/2" F x 3/8" M adapter
PENNCRAFT 3740 3/8" dr x 7/16" 12 pt socket
PENNCRAFT 3751 3/8" dr x 5/8" "
PENNCRAFT 3753 3/8" dr x 3/4" "
PENNCRAFT 3847 1/2" dr x 7/16" 12 pt socket
PENNCRAFT 3849 1/2" dr x 5/8" "
PENNCRAFT 3852 1/2" dr x 3/4" "
PENNCRAFT 3854 1/2" dr x 13/16" "
PENNCRAFT 3855 1/2" dr x 7/8" "
PENNCRAFT 3856 1/2" dr x 15/16" "
PENNCRAFT 3858 1/2" dr x 1" "
PENNCRAFT 3817 1/2" dr x 13/16" 6-pt SP socket
PENNCRAFT 3802 1/2" dr x 5 in extension
PENNCRAFT 3801 1/2" dr x 10 in extension
PENNCRAFT 3805 1/2" dr RHFT ratchet (Kilness patent)
PENNCRAFT 3813 1/2" dr x 16 in speeder handle
PENNCRAFT 19 in L x 6 in W x 5 in H steel hip-roof box

anybody needing any of the oddball stuff to complete a set - get ahold of me.
I'll peddle the Penncraft off on somebody.

anything special about a Ridgid 8-incher with "A Rx" stamped on it and most of the black japanning?

Probably the only thing in this mess I'll keep is the file, but only because it's such a monster.

oh... and if you just happen to have an odd Penncraft 1/2" drive x 11/16" 12-point shallow socket, shoot it my way.

 

[INSP380]

Got a few boxes over the weekend. First three came as a package, I paid up for them, $20 was tough to beat. Next was a $10 Vermont American full of Yankees, and some cool Craftsman pliers. Thrown in were some Wetzler bar clamps and a MF brace. Screwdrivers are MAC, the cutters a Crest-alloy, needle nose are Sheffield, Rigid and General pipe cutters. It was a good weekend!

 

[INSP380]

Contents of the Vermont…far right screwdriver is Bell Systems, red band. Billings wrench was a nice surprise too..

 

[four.cycle]

Got a few boxes over the weekend.

Your blue box looks like a model 106 Huot.
(see the 1956 Huot catalog at International Tool Catalog Library)
I have the top box for that unit.
BK

 

[INSP380]

Your blue box looks like a model 106 Huot.
(see the 1956 Huot catalog at International Tool Catalog Library)
I have the top box for that unit.
BK

I was thinking Huot… but, there are two rivets in the middle the front door. Almost like a Duplex type label??? No inset or lines like some of the Huots. This is a top chest, or a road box. I’m kind of hoping Huot, I have some NOS decals that would look killer on it after resto. I’ll add more pics of all three in the Tool Box thread… The 65 ish Commercial is cleaning up nice.

Steve

 

[alinc100]

One sale/purchase today. This one worked out so well it was in my neighborhood and the transaction took place while I was walking the dog. Snap On SHLF80A.

 

[ecotec]

One sale/purchase today. This one worked out so well it was in my neighborhood and the transaction took place while I was walking the dog. Snap On SHLF80A.

How much?

 

[alinc100]

How much?

less than 1/2 of retail.

 

[ecotec]

less than 1/2 of retail.

Awesome. It is my most used 1/2” ratchet… if it’s the one that is 24”.

 

[Shergar]

First Bootsale of the year for me in the UK So what did I get in the grimy £1 cutlery tray?

For £6 ($7.94) this little bundle of bits, all post tetanus jab and scrub up, though they picture makes them look shinier than they were.

Setco hammer head with 1971 Broadarrow Ministry of Defence stamp.



Yale 713 NOS made in England lock and key.



Stanley Handyman measure and Emco template former - never beard of them but the quality is top notch for a tool thats over 50 years old.




Laser Dzus driver, BT (British Telecom) terminal driver, GKN driver (GKN in the UK who make everything metal, but maybe most famously the mag wheels on the Equaliser’s Jaguar XJ). Lastly a really chunky Gordon stubby driver in a great deep purple blue colour!



A further £10 ($13.20) got this bundle of 12 USAG drivers, I think its two incomplete sets? They feel lovely, but I’m struggling to find anything out about them? Answers in the USAG thread please!



Last buy of the day was the £20 ($26.20) black rattle canned Record No 3 vice. It moves freely, but the jaws might need replacement.



Whats hiding underneath is pale blue paint, rather than the more common brighter ‘Roundel’ blue, so potentially a 1950’s casting. Its soaking right now and the spray paints coming off seemingly.



If only I could walk in a store and buy tools with this on still….

 

[alinc100]

Awesome. It is my most used 1/2” ratchet… if it’s the one that is 24”.

Yes like 25-5/8" stem to stern. Funny thing the seller says he only used it once or twice. Not sure if it was an impulse buy for him, his few other ads suggest he lightly cleaned his toolbox and possibly moving along some less frequent items. Without implying anything bad ,he was 30-ish at home midday with a wife and child, maybe he's between jobs ,or he works nights I really can't say and I'm not judging. For me it worked out to right place, right time, right amount of cash in my pocket, and kept the dog happy. I will say I'd not want to carry it daily more than the few blocks I did.

 

[misterbill]

Another Wright FBM pickup. None of the sockets in this partial set have any date codes but they seem consistent withe the 1964 dated (“D”) ratchet.


Bill

 

[Outlawmws]

I will say I'd not want to carry it daily more than the few blocks I did.

I feel the same about my 1" drive Plvmb ratchets. 12 lbs!

 

[bluebolt]

I'm back! Had some issues getting signed back in.
Today I went to the 3rd day of a family run estate sale. Pretty picked over but I found some goodies. Everything on the 2 plastic pallets including the pallets themselves cost me $36 total. Highlights incude my first Stanley Sweetheart vise, a barn light fixture with 2 green porcelain light shade and some other goodies! I'm cleaning stuff up and will post better photos tomorrow!

 

[bluebolt]

One of my picking buddies who does cleanouts enticed me into going to his sale at his place last Thursday LOL. I don't need more stuff. I shouldn't go. Ugh I went.
Spent $320, $150 of that was the Flathead intake manifold and carburetor. Not pictured are 4 axes I dug up including a Norlund, a Craftsman and a couple of other good axes that I paid $60 for and sold for $70 to my axe buddy. The fishing gear with 2 Smithwick lures, Littco vise and Emerson fan have already sold.

 

[bluebolt]

2 weeks ago on Friday I went to the Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days in Arcadia Louisiana and spent about $70 not including vittles. The Columbian 203 1/2 was half that and has already been cleaned up and sold. The Craftsman tin I got at a Minden Louisiana antique store for about 12 bucks. Happy hour booze and food at a Minden restaurant was a requirement too!

 

[bluebolt]

Back on March 3rd I hit up an Air Force surplus sale, I'm retired AF and have base privileges. An active duty buddy let me know about the sale. He let me know there were Stanley Vidmar cabinets there cheap. So I got up early and headed that way with my little 5 x 10 trailer in town. Had to wait precisely until 8 AM according to AF rules. I had spotted the cabinets at the very back and grabbed the Tags. Tall Vidmars $10 each, mostly empty except for new lawn mower blades. Short Vidmars $5 each with tools including Craftsman and Snap On. A pair of auto wheel dollies for $5. Yes $55 total. I sold the Palmgren vise and 3 hammers for $55 and then sold the 4 tall Vidmars too for $1200. I'm keeping the short Vidmars for now.

 

[bluebolt]

On Friday March 6th my Air Force buddy and I went to Lewis Auto Swap Meet at the Canton Texas First Monday flea market pavilions. We both got some good deals, mine included this 1958 Coleman military lantern for my lantern buddy, some NASCAR clocks from years ago, signs and other goodies. On the way back we stopped at Twisted Spirits Distillery in Gladewater Texas for some free booze tasting. On Saturday my AF friend, his wife and I drove to lunch together. Both had just had birthdays and are avid cyclists and I gave them this Bike Route sign for their birthdays!

 

[Patrickm82]

You **** for those vidmar cabinets @bluebolt

 

[Outlawmws]

Tall Vidmars $10 each, mostly empty except for new lawn mower blades. Short Vidmars $5 each with tools including Craftsman and Snap On. A pair of auto wheel dollies for $5. Yes $55 total.

You **** for those vidmar cabinets @bluebolt

Definitely, and generally!

 

[zanyad]

Tall Vidmars $10 each.... Short Vidmars $5 each....

Holy ****, @bluebolt. YOU ****!

 

[Beerhippie]

Back on March 3rd I hit up an Air Force surplus sale, I'm retired AF and have base privileges. An active duty buddy let me know about the sale. He let me know there were Stanley Vidmar cabinets there cheap. So I got up early and headed that way with my little 5 x 10 trailer in town. Had to wait precisely until 8 AM according to AF rules. I had spotted the cabinets at the very back and grabbed the Tags. Tall Vidmars $10 each, mostly empty except for new lawn mower blades. Short Vidmars $5 each with tools including Craftsman and Snap On. A pair of auto wheel dollies for $5. Yes $55 total. I sold the Palmgren vise and 3 hammers for $55 and then sold the 4 tall Vidmars too for $1200. I'm keeping the short Vidmars for now.

Well, now, who's the sucky boy?

You are!

 

[four.cycle]

Carew patent (patent 107334) nippers
Diamond No. 12 farriers nippers

Believe it or not, actually purchased to perform a particular task.

 

[RTM]

Believe it or not, actually purchased to perform a particular task.

Wait, what?

 

[Beerhippie]

Wait, what?

Puttin' new tires on a hay burner?

 

[RTM]

Puttin' new tires on a hay burner?

Nope

Believe it or not, actually purchased to perform a particular task.

Much more concerned about buying tools with a particular task in mind. What the heck happened to impulse buying, peer pressure buying, that's a coo tool, no idea why I want it buying. Etc. etc etc.

 

[four.cycle]

Wait, what?

I have an old buck saw here that a previous owner attempted to repair by driving about half a pound of 6-penny box nails into it.
I need something to get all the nails out without damaging the wood too badly, and that's the only thing I could think of that might accomplish the task.
Once the bucksaw is fixed, and the nippers are cleaned up, all three will go on the block.

 

[Outlawmws]

Once the bucksaw is fixed, and the nippers are cleaned up, all three will go on the block.

But, but, What will you use the next time you need them for such a task?

 

[bluebolt]

A few more photos of yesterday's $36 haul after cleanup. I started working on the green porcelain barn lights, cleaned up the 2" Stanley Sweetheart vise, wire wheeled the 5" diameter 1" piece of plate steel, the blue wire wheel is made in Spain. The small grease can is Quaker Maid. The red tool tray is probably for a Craftsman hand carry box. The Lakewood snubber is fiïr old style traction bars. The Pontiac yardstick is for a Marshall Texas dealership.

 

[four.cycle]

But, but, What will you use the next time you need them for such a task?

Backstory:
The buck saw was dropped off on my front porch by an individual unbeknownst to me. I do not know the person, nor did I ask for the item or tell them where I lived. It just showed up and was on my front porch when I returned home after a ten-day trip. Needless to say, I was not at all pleased.
The individual then had the temerity to request that I call them when I had it refurbished so that they could pick it up. We assume this was an attempt at humor, as this individual had been making some snarky remarks regarding my tool restoration efforts.
Under any other circumstances, I'd probably have simply tossed the entire thing into the trash, but a subsequent attemp at "taking a shot" was made, along with a reminder to advise them when it would be ready for pickup after restoration.
The circumstances call for a proper and innovative restoration. One which will command a high dollar amount on some outrageously overpriced platform like ebay.
Nothing could give me more satisfaction than making a monetary profit from another person's idiocy.

Oh... and no, I will not be restoring any buck saws in the future.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

@bluebolt *****!!! NICE FIND!

 

[ctuai]

Estate sale ($2): Set of 9 Williams wrenches (3/8" - 1/8")

Slim pickins in Iowa, which is ok as it allows me to actually use some of the gear I've been hoarding.​

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