2018 Garage Sale Thread

[davethorik]

Question..

People here really like Plomb brand tools. Is that due to antiquity, or are those old Plombs good for hard work? I go to garage sales to find good tools because I am going to use them in my shop.

Thx.

To me, it's a case by case basis. Like sockets: I like the more modern of their tools, and a big thumbs up goes to them for drilling detents in their sockets, extensions, etc so they are usable today.

I'd say 80-90% of vintage 1/4 sockets don't have any sort of detent, just relying on the under-ball spring to hold the socket on. All the plomb 1/4 sockets I have, have a drilled hole. I also like the later Proto LA asterisk marked with the single detent setup (I also have some Bonney 3/4 sockets with the same concept, just marked with a dot instead of the asterisk).

I also like the older, skinny extensions made by Plomb and Proto. Modern Proto have changed into a generic looking extension that is fatter, that I like less.

I don't own any Plomb wrenches, so can't comment on them.

 

[LesserSon]

Stopped into a silent auction / decor store today. Did not buy anything, but it did my heart good to see some tools. The weather (heavy dripping mist) on Sunday DEVASTATED my favorite flea. I was SORELY TEMPTED by a Westcott 12” S-adjustable, but I’ve made up my mind to stick to brands I already own, when possible. As I’ve heard, and am beginning to feel: you can’t have everything (where would you put it?)!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thank you.

I'm 95% 2 with 5% 1 I think. I go to sales to find tools and other good items, because they don't make things like tools (or boots) anymore. (Of course there is the thrill of finding treasure too.)

BTW, how's about brands like Allen or Bluepoint? I'm organizing my estate-sale finds right now and I see I have a 3/8 and 1/2 Channllock ratchets, a 1/2 Allen ratchet, and a 1/4 Plomb ratchet. And a brand-new 10" Blue Point "Pipe Wrench Plier" I got for $2.50.

Edit: Oh, and speaking of "Duro", I have a Duro 651 that is bent in the front but when trying to attach a socket it slides down the shaft.

Wow, that's a long spinner/driver! It sounds like a retention stop is missing. With that kind of design, where they just formed the male drive stud on the end of a shank, they often had a detent for the socket, and then another bigger stop up the shank farther.

Blue-Point is a Snap-on brand. At first (early days, 20's and 30's), they used it for tools that were not previously available in the original Snap-on line-up (e.g., DOE wrenches, hammers, etc). Over time I think that changed. I don't know anything about Snap-on or Blue-Point after early 1950's. Ditto for Channellock. I didn't even know they made ratchets! And I can't comment on Allen either.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...you can’t have everything (where would you put it?)!

Wh-wh-WHAT did you just say?! Turn in your Official GJ Toolhound card at the nearest lodge immediately!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Stopped into a silent auction / decor store today.

LS, the screwdriver in Pic 7 at the very bottom with the size (length of the shank, not OAL) forged into the shank just above the blade is a Tobrin.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Man it's hopping in here tonight. I'm lookin for a little daylight for my ceremonious RAREST FIND post! HAHA

 

[LesserSon]

I saw one of those (much smaller) this summer at a yard sale, but the homeowner seemed encouraged by my interest to adjust the already vague price (upward).

 

[BFBOB]

Checked CL last night before I went to bed and found this Craftsman woodworking vise. Picked it up this morning The vise set me back $25 I've been wanting to find one of these older vintage Craftsman woodworking vises for the longest time. The condition is excellent! I've done zero cleanup on it. The previous owner got it from his father-in-law who was a woodworker. The handful I've seen were priced from $80-$125 regardless of condition. The moral of this story is "good things come to those who wait". Very excited.

Good grab one the vise! It looks just like mine, which is a Columbian 10". I paid about that for it, but 30 years ago when bux were harder to get. Does yours have the quick release? Mine's the first vise I ever had with it and I really like it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

..but the homeowner seemed encouraged by my interest to adjust the already vague price (upward).

I HATE THAT! Happens to me all the time. It's hard to remember to play dumb sometimes! I actually lied to a guy last week who asked me what I was going to do with something. I managed to spit out something like, 'I have to fix this thingie and I think this will work.' Because I knew he was the kind of vendor who thinks just because I am a knowledgeable picker I should pay more for something that just might have a collectible value even though he didn't bother to do his own dang homework.

 

[LesserSon]

I also spotted one of those small pick-mattocks, like the WWI one that I posted in 2017, but this one is a 1944 Diamond Caulk. And a Firestone roofing hatchet. There was a pitted 1/2dr PLVMB pebble breaker bar, but I seem to have failed to photograph it.
Really, the only thing priced inside my wallet parameters was the 12” adjustable.
I’ve never bid on a silent auction. Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime. (Of these items only the C’man jig saw and the Coleman lantern were in the auction section, the rest were in regular booths.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I also spotted one of those small pick-mattocks, like the WWI one that I posted in 2017

Didn't you find a sheath for it this year?

 

[LesserSon]

Didn't you find a sheath for it this year?

Yes, a WWI one, at the airshow in Reading.

 

[r_olson_06]

I am curious on the rarest. I know the one find that had me jaw dropped. Let's see if it's in the running.

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

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I am curious on the rarest. I know the one find that had me jaw dropped. Let's see if it's in the running.

Uh-oh! The pressure is on!

 

[pfaustus]

Since it is close to the end of the year, I decided to try and post a photo for the 1st time so everyone can see my favorite $1 purchase this year. I hope it works.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It worked!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

PRIZE #2: RAREST FIND!

This category was a little tougher, as rarity can be subjective. Keep in mind this is all in good fun, I don't mean to skip anyone or miss anything worthy, which is entirely possible. I do have biases and also big *** blind spots as a collector, just like anyone else!

Before I announce the winner, here, again, are some HONORABLE MENTIONS first:

454 ragtop’s South Bend lathe tailstock and collets, posted earlier last month, Post #7414, linked here. As accessories go, these are not easy to find for these machines!

Levaughn’s console mounted tach, used on late 60's GS 400 model Buicks, posted on March 17, Post # 2065, linked here. This got missed by everyone except a sharp-eyed rmalkow2, because it came on the heels of a HUGE score by Bagged89s10, but it’s worth some beaucoup bucks!

Cf mtn’s Craftsman speed ratchet posted very early back in January, post #511, linked here. On every Crafty collectors list! And not too many of those lists have the entry lined out!

Outlaw’s aluminum frame 1st Edition B&D Workmate, posted very recently, Post #7871, linked here. Makes grown men with 2nd, 3rd, and Umpteenth Editions weep!

BMWrd0’s Plomb Tool Company garden weeder (who knew?!), posted back in March, Post #1984, linked here. “Some weird gord kinda thing”, as Beemer tongue-in-cheekishly put it, is not a full-fledged unicorn, per se, in the sense that most Plomb collectors may not even know what the heck it is, but it’s a very uncommon find.

And staying with the Plomb theme…

Tin Medic’s Plomb WF-6 9/32-inch drive spinner-extension, posted on January 3rd! (you read that right – three days into the year!), Post #94, linked here. Now this is a LEGIT rare and HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER little Plomb plum! As I said at the time, the “unicorniest of the unicorns” when it comes to Plomb wartime tools!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

But, the WINNER of this rare “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ****!” sticker…

(…AND APPARENTLY CONTINUING THE STRANGE JAPANESE THEME OF THESE AWARDS SO FAR…)

…iiiiiiiiisssssssssss….

RagTop TA!

For this Atomic Rock, posted in July, Post #5200, linked here.

It’s dated June 5, 1951, but, let’s face it, it dates to August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan. It may seem odd to consider something obviously sold as a souvenir rare, but ask yourself these questions. Do you have one? Do you know anyone else who has one? Have you ever even seen one before? And, as I said in sarcastic jest at the time, I think a rock half-blasted with 700-million-year half-life Uranium-235 and sent by the Priest of Sairenji to someone in America HAS TO BE a Garage Sale Thread FOAK!

For me, it was just too unique, too bizarre, and too obscure to not be the winner in this category!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Good grab one the vise! It looks just like mine, which is a Columbian 10". I paid about that for it, but 30 years ago when bux were harder to get. Does yours have the quick release? Mine's the first vise I ever had with it and I really like it.

Thanks BFBOB! It does have the quick release feature. It's invoked with a quarter or half turn counter-clockwise. I don't have that down yet but it will come.

 

[IdahoMan]

But, the WINNER of this rare “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ****!” sticker…

(…AND APPARENTLY CONTINUING THE STRANGE JAPANESE THEME OF THESE AWARDS SO FAR…)

…iiiiiiiiisssssssssss….

RagTop TA!

For this Atomic Rock, posted in July, Post #5200, linked here.

It’s dated June 5, 1951, but, let’s face it, it dates to August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan. It may seem odd to consider something obviously sold as a souvenir rare, but ask yourself these questions. Do you have one? Do you know anyone else who has one? Have you ever even seen one before? And, as I said in sarcastic jest at the time, I think a rock half-blasted with 700-million-year half-life Uranium-235 and sent by the Priest of Sairenji to someone in America HAS TO BE a Garage Sale Thread FOAK!

For me, it was just too unique, too bizarre, and too obscure to not be the winner in this category!

Oh man! COOL.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I just found a Stanley No. 700. Is there anything special about it? Or are they run of the mill? It's a milky industrial green with red branding, wooden jaw inserts, and a single post and screw. I included a photo upthread, but didn't highlight it.

Lugz,
I believe that's the Stanley corner vise. Nothing of note to my knowledge but I would in no way consider myself an expert. In the past, I've wanted one. At the right price I'll pick one up. Not sure how useful it would be versus having the "right tool".

I've never seen one with wooden jaw inserts. Did those look shop made or original to the vise?

 

[454ragtop]

RE the Stanley 700 vise, the wood jaws are OEM, just a thin Masonite like liner. Strangely Stanley also made a similar vise in cast iron, earlier I'm guessing, also a No. 700. Pics of mine here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6740367&highlight=stanley#post6740367

 

[Username already in use]

For me, it was just too unique, too bizarre, and too obscure to not be the winner in this category!

And for just a dollar! That little piece of history is CRAZY COOL!

 

[Outlawmws]

Congrats RT!

I just found a Stanley No. 700. Is there anything special about it? Or are they run of the mill? It's a milky industrial green with red branding, wooden jaw inserts, and a single post and screw. I included a photo upthread, but didn't highlight it.


Nice to have all the sizes in one fell swoop. I've been trying to put together a 40's era K-D set for years.

Lugz,
I believe that's the Stanley corner vise. Nothing of note to my knowledge but I would in no way consider myself an expert. In the past, I've wanted one. At the right price I'll pick one up. Not sure how useful it would be versus having the "right tool".

I've never seen one with wooden jaw inserts. Did those look shop made or original to the vise?

RE the Stanley 700 vise, the wood jaws are OEM, just a thin Masonite like liner. Strangely Stanley also made a similar vise in cast iron, earlier I'm guessing, also a No. 700. Pics of mine here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6740367&highlight=stanley#post6740367

I have I think 4 (maybe 5) of these. all but 2 are different, and some are steel, and some are aluminum.

Not particularly rare, but you also don't see them every day either. I think they were intended to be clamped on an old fashion 2X4 saw horse, or onto a bench corner and it would operate either way.

At least one of mine is a Champion, not Stanley, although the earlier Stanley was scalloped out (so it resembled angle iron more than the later "fat bodied" version like Lugs.

Those "Angle" versions, are all steel not aluminum and one of mine is definitely aluminum and I keep it in my rig for an emergency clamper. It was put to use on the Letts Lake trip (the one where I crashed my trailer coming home) last spring, to remove the valve body from a Coleman Fount.

I'll see if I can easily round them up for a "Family Photo"

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, Tex. Thanks, 454. Yeah, I would've called it particle board. Mine is like the one that's shown one post up from yours at that link. With what that guy calls a "bullet nose" spindle.

 

[Outlawmws]

I’ve never bid on a silent auction. Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime. (Of these items only the C’man jig saw and the Coleman lantern were in the auction section, the rest were in regular booths.)

LS, that lantern is a kerosene version of the Coleman white gas lantern! I'm not sure what model it is. I'd have been bidding if I was there, (I don't have any Coleman kerosene burners)

I can tell only by the can hooked on, and the Preheat cup on the base of the generator tube. The can is to feed preheat fuel into that preheat cup and then you light that fuel. As its about to die you open the valve to start the fuel flowing to the mantles.

These are far more common in Canada (Possibly other countries) than in the US.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the earlier Stanley was scalloped out (so it resembled angle iron more than the later "fat bodied" version like Lugs.

That sounds like the one 454 shows at his link.

 

[r_olson_06]

But, the WINNER of this rare “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ****!” sticker…

(…AND APPARENTLY CONTINUING THE STRANGE JAPANESE THEME OF THESE AWARDS SO FAR…) [emoji38]

…iiiiiiiiisssssssssss….

RagTop TA!

For this Atomic Rock, posted in July, Post #5200, linked here.

It’s dated June 5, 1951, but, let’s face it, it dates to August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan. It may seem odd to consider something obviously sold as a souvenir rare, but ask yourself these questions. Do you have one? Do you know anyone else who has one? Have you ever even seen one before? And, as I said in sarcastic jest at the time, I think a rock half-blasted with 700-million-year half-life Uranium-235 and sent by the Priest of Sairenji to someone in America HAS TO BE a Garage Sale Thread FOAK!

For me, it was just too unique, too bizarre, and too obscure to not be the winner in this category!

Wasn't thinking that far outside the box on that one. That is a rare find.

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

 

[LesserSon]

That sounds like the one 454 shows at his link.

So, you just got that today? I had seen one a while back here in A‘town. I think I commented that the bullet-shaped spindle screw end looked like those on the Craftsman 5169, junior cousin to the 519Xs, and this 5044.
(Edit - yeah here it is. )
Since I had two similar ones, and some skepticism about them, I didn’t buy it. I removed the crumbling pads from these, and will probably replace them sometime. The C’man is aluminum, the LittCo is cast iron (or whatever).

 

[Outlawmws]

I could only lay hands on three of them, I think my son has one of them too.

One Stanley 700
One craftsman (from my rig - I miss-remembered, that one is the angle style and also aluminum)
And the Champion, which may have been the G'Grandpappy of this style.

My Craftsman is the same as LS's Craftsman, just a different color.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Wasn't thinking that far outside the box on that one. That is a rare find.

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

Congratulations rag! That is definitely the rarest find but the plomb 1/4 drive speeder by tin medic is a close second as I am sure is plomb guys would agree!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RagTopTA]

But, the WINNER of this rare “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ****!” sticker…

(…AND APPARENTLY CONTINUING THE STRANGE JAPANESE THEME OF THESE AWARDS SO FAR…)

…iiiiiiiiisssssssssss….

RagTop TA!

For this Atomic Rock, posted in July, Post #5200, linked here.

It’s dated June 5, 1951, but, let’s face it, it dates to August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan. It may seem odd to consider something obviously sold as a souvenir rare, but ask yourself these questions. Do you have one? Do you know anyone else who has one? Have you ever even seen one before? And, as I said in sarcastic jest at the time, I think a rock half-blasted with 700-million-year half-life Uranium-235 and sent by the Priest of Sairenji to someone in America HAS TO BE a Garage Sale Thread FOAK!

For me, it was just too unique, too bizarre, and too obscure to not be the winner in this category!

WOOHOO!!!! I'm a winner!! chicken dinner with Lugz~!! thanks!! That thing sits no my desk with the German scope I found right before it : )

 

[RagTopTA]

Congratulations rag! That is definitely the rarest find but the plomb 1/4 drive speeder by tin medic is a close second as I am sure is plomb guys would agree!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I found a Williams 9/32 spinner at the monthly flea, then again a few weeks later... they are identical and I got all kinds of excited both times until I read the makers mark...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wasn't thinking that far outside the box on that one.

HAHA. I figured you were thinking, like everyone else - including me!!! - of tin medic's WF-6 when you were concealing your "jaw dropping" choice!

So, you just got that today?

No. It was in my 11-30 haul, linked here. It was overshadowed by the Snappy, Plomb, and Cornwell drive tools.

...but the plomb 1/4 drive speeder by tin medic is a close second as I am sure is plomb guys would agree!

That's why the WF-6 is listed last among the HM's, in the runner-up spot, just before the winner. In ANY other year it would be the winner. But, as I said, I couldn't ignore the Atomic Rock, and, in terms of spreading the wealth (and without letting too many cats out of the bag...), I have other plans for tin medic in which the WF-6 comes into play.

I found a Williams 1/4 spinner at the monthly flea, then again a few weeks later... they are identical and I got all kinds of excited both times until I read the makers mark...

I am sure there are Williams guys who would love to take them off your hands! The NM-110 is not even in the same category of "rare" as the WF-6, but they are not easy to find.

EDIT: Unless I am completely wrong (and if so, I've been completely wrong about this many, many times over!), the WF-6 is a 9/32-inch drive spinner-extension, not 1/4-inch drive. Smoke referred to it as 1/4-inch above and that's the second time I have seen that this week. Am I wrong? Or not? As far as I know, the only 1/4-ich drive tool Plomb made in the WF series was a special 1/4-inch drive ratchet, where they just added an "S" to the WF-8.

 

[r_olson_06]

HAHA. I figured you were thinking, like everyone else - including me!!! - of tin medic's WF-6 when you were concealing your "jaw dropping" choice!


No. It was in my 11-30 haul, linked here. It was overshadowed by the Snappy, Plomb, and Cornwell drive tools.


That's why the WF-6 is listed last among the HM's, in the runner-up spot, just before the winner. In ANY other year it would be the winner. But, as I said, I couldn't ignore the Atomic Rock, and, in terms of spreading the wealth (and without letting too many cats out of the bag...), I have other plans for tin medic in which the WF-6 comes into play. [emoji38]


I am sure there are Williams guys who would love to take them off your hands! The NM-110 is not even in the same category of "rare" as the WF-6, but they are not easy to find.

EDIT: Unless I am completely wrong (and if so, I've been completely wrong about this many, many times over!), the WF-6 is a 9/32-inch drive spinner-extension, not 1/4-inch drive. Smoke referred to it as 1/4-inch above and that's the second time I have seen that this week. Am I wrong? Or not? As far as I know, the only 1/4-ich drive tool Plomb made in the WF series was a special 1/4-inch drive ratchet, where they just added an "S" to the WF-8.

Wasn't there either. I was thinking of that Craftsman C series in the case that had the 1/2 and 9/32 drive. Can't remember who posted it though.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070, 1161

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was thinking of that Craftsman C series in the case that had the 1/2 and 9/32 drive. Can't remember who posted it though.

That was also Tin Medic. He of the Hazet toolkit, TOO! Your are a good straight man, making a point for me that I haven't made yet!

 

[r_olson_06]

I forgot the hazet kit that is definitely up there.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070, 1161

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Remember, I have three categories remaining: BEST DEAL/SCORE, BEST HAUL, and PICKER OF THE YEAR.

For POY, I will be nominating a few names. (I have 3 picked out already.) Considering a couple more. Then I will throw up a Poll thread and everyone gets to vote. For the POY, I constructed a trophy out of things I found at the flea market! I will do a trophy reveal post next week, just before the voting. HAHA!

 

[Smokeshow69]

HAHA. I figured you were thinking, like everyone else - including me!!! - of tin medic's WF-6 when you were concealing your "jaw dropping" choice!


No. It was in my 11-30 haul, linked here. It was overshadowed by the Snappy, Plomb, and Cornwell drive tools.


That's why the WF-6 is listed last among the HM's, in the runner-up spot, just before the winner. In ANY other year it would be the winner. But, as I said, I couldn't ignore the Atomic Rock, and, in terms of spreading the wealth (and without letting too many cats out of the bag...), I have other plans for tin medic in which the WF-6 comes into play.


I am sure there are Williams guys who would love to take them off your hands! The NM-110 is not even in the same category of "rare" as the WF-6, but they are not easy to find.

EDIT: Unless I am completely wrong (and if so, I've been completely wrong about this many, many times over!), the WF-6 is a 9/32-inch drive spinner-extension, not 1/4-inch drive. Smoke referred to it as 1/4-inch above and that's the second time I have seen that this week. Am I wrong? Or not? As far as I know, the only 1/4-ich drive tool Plomb made in the WF series was a special 1/4-inch drive ratchet, where they just added an "S" to the WF-8.

Lugz, you may be correct... I know they made both sizes with the 1/4 being super rare... either way, tin medic ***** [emoji41] I would love to have either in my collection!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I know they made both sizes with the 1/4 being super rare.

Dang. So rare I didn't even know it existed! The only all-steel midget spinner-extension I am aware of is the "WF-6", which is 9/32-inch drive, and that is considered very rare. What is the 47XX model number on the 1/4-inch version?!