What to look for when buying vintage tools?

[GalaxyRat]

Hello, all! This is my first post here and I figured I would use it wisely. I am trying to build my tool inventory and was going to start with older tools that are made with quality and pride.

An acquaintance in her sixties will be allowing me to look through he deceased father's tool shed and machine shop. I'm mostly looking for a bench vise, tool boxes, and maybe a drill press or welder. If you guys (or gals) have any suggestions on what to look out for, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Good hand feel, avoid bent jaws.

 

[r_olson_06]

Hello, all! This is my first post here and I figured I would use it wisely. I am trying to build my tool inventory and was going to start with older tools that are made with quality and pride.

An acquaintance in her sixties will be allowing me to look through he deceased father's tool shed and machine shop. I'm mostly looking for a bench vise, tool boxes, and maybe a drill press or welder. If you guys (or gals) have any suggestions on what to look out for, I would greatly appreciate it.

Look for Plomb tools. If you see any, buy and then send them to me[emoji1] . Welcome to GJ.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3060, 3061, 3070

 

[2oolhound]

Did you say "Tool Shed" ...and "Machine Shop"????
Marry her! Just marry her and move in!

It's really hard to advise without seeing pics of what is there but
a bigger vise that's not all beat up and NOT made over seas. (he likely had several).
Tool boxes should be deep (from front to back) with lots of shallow drawers is what I like.
Drill press should have 3 pulleys up top under the lid so you have some slow speeds. Again, big as in 1hp or more with a 3/4" chuck. It should have a drill press vise which you'll need too. Also holding clamps, V-blocks etc should go with it. I like floor standing units as bench space is scarce.
Welder is wide open, there's so many it's hard to advise. Keep an eye out for steel stock, angle iron, tubing, channel, I beam, plate steel and bar stock which are scrap prices but I'd pay 40 cents a pound for good clean stuff. You'll want a steel top welding table or bench.
And what about the metal lathe? even a small one

Happy Hunting!
Oh, and Welcome to Garage Journal!

 

[GalaxyRat]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. I will definitely post an update, hopefully within the next week or so. I'm supposed to go pay her a visit this upcoming weekend. She told me that her father's tool shed would probably have enough tools and equipment to fill three garages. And the machine shop holds even more, albeit bigger, items.

I'm certainly excited!

And I would, but she has about 40 years on me and my wife wouldn't like that very much... Haha

 

[Farmer J.]

Welcome.
Buy the things that you like the most.

 

[snapmom]

Welcome.
Buy the things that you like the most.

Yes, collect what you like, later when the bug digs in a little deeper, you can expand.

 

[Milton Shaw]

If is is broken/cracked think about whether or not you can fix for cheap. I got a Wilton vise 40 years ago with a broken jaw and swivel base all to pieces. I took the swivel base off,drilled it for two mounting holes and welded up the jaw and have used it for 40 years. Got if free since it was being thrown away when the new one came in.

 

[crguy]

If is is broken/cracked think about whether or not you can fix for cheap. I got a Wilton vise 40 years ago with a broken jaw and swivel base all to pieces. I took the swivel base off,drilled it for two mounting holes and welded up the jaw and have used it for 40 years. Got if free since it was being thrown away when the new one came in.

I disagree about picking up bent/broken/cracked/rusted solid tools. No sense wasting your time on them. Plenty of good tools available.

 

[Elvisidal]

Pick up every OLD broken bent rusty **** tool you can find otherwise it’ll end up as landfill

Never hurts to have a practice run on a restore ....

 

[lafester]

I would bring a trailer to something like that, and make sure to set stuff aside that can't make the first trip.

 

[lilredex]

Back up your truck and get all of it...you can sort through it later.

One word of caution, make a list of what you are taking (and maybe pictures) and have her sign off on it. Have done that a few times locally and had some uncomfortable blow back once. Especially, when there is an old broad that doesn't know zip about that stuff.

 

[crguy]

Pick up every OLD broken bent rusty **** tool you can find otherwise it’ll end up as landfill

Never hurts to have a practice run on a restore ....

I think there's a TV show about people like you...............

 

[Elvisidal]

Yeah I can already tell you’re fkn great at parties

 

[GalaxyRat]

I guess I should update this thread, the woman had a stroke and I never followed up with the family since my wife and I moved to florida.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[rsanter]

Condition, condition, condition.
And then popularity

 

[Garage.Girl]

Spend the time to really look at the art and time people spent. What your looking for, will find you. Don’t go for crazy prices.. And your gunna need some cool old tool boxes to store your stuff haha