2019 Garage Sale Thread
- Thread starter BlueBomber
- Start date
I hit a couple antiques consignment shops today. I wound up spending $2.50 on a couple small Bonney wrenches, but I took a picture of a saw medallion made from about 1850-1865. The saw was likely made by William McNiece while working for Walter Cresson in Conshohocken PA. I did not take a picture of the whole saw, because the handle had a mild crack, one of the three original split nuts had been replaced, and the blade had been painted with a scene of several teepees, possibly suggested by the bow & arrows-in-quiver logo under “I*X*L”. It was priced around $25, but I felt the vendor should pay me that much to remove the painting, so I met myself halfway and walked away from it. Walter Cresson sold out to Henry Disston shortly after the Civil War ended.
I also relocated a shop I had been in a couple years ago, that still has most of a Bethlehem Spark Plug Company set in what appears to be an original, finger-jointed oak box missing a broken-off hinged lid. $46 was too high for my interest level. I didn’t take a picture of the entire set, just the ratchet and a few sockets, as a personal guide to identifying them when I see them elsewhere. Only the larger sockets were stamped “Bethlehem”.
I also relocated a shop I had been in a couple years ago, that still has most of a Bethlehem Spark Plug Company set in what appears to be an original, finger-jointed oak box missing a broken-off hinged lid. $46 was too high for my interest level. I didn’t take a picture of the entire set, just the ratchet and a few sockets, as a personal guide to identifying them when I see them elsewhere. Only the larger sockets were stamped “Bethlehem”.
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davethorik
Well-known member
This is the Starrett 6" double square no. 13 that I picked up with my Gerstner chest.
I don't have a close-up before shot, but I used degreaser and about 30 q-tips to get what you see here. It was coated in a dry grease with cast iron grit glued to the grease and looked horrible.
One of the sides had a lot of rust, but it was just the cast iron coating. The paint looks very presentable underneath all that, level is intact and appears accurate.
Scale has wear but works. It had cast iron **** built up in the groove, I had to wire brush it out. This must have sat out on a machine that ran castings for a long time to get like that.
I don't have a close-up before shot, but I used degreaser and about 30 q-tips to get what you see here. It was coated in a dry grease with cast iron grit glued to the grease and looked horrible.
One of the sides had a lot of rust, but it was just the cast iron coating. The paint looks very presentable underneath all that, level is intact and appears accurate.
Scale has wear but works. It had cast iron **** built up in the groove, I had to wire brush it out. This must have sat out on a machine that ran castings for a long time to get like that.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
That cleaned up nice!
txlonghorn1989
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I love the double square! I've got a 4" Lufkin and a 6" Starrett and they are all too often the ones I reach for first when I need a square. Nice find and cleanup dt!
RTM
Well-known member
Here is my find for the weekend, a Union Steel Chest Corp Tool Case, apparently a F-20 Oak 5/3 from 1949-53 per Tool Box Ted's great work. Of all the chests and cases I've found, this is the first one with the front flap and working keys. Back of the drawers are marked 115, the bottom is stamped 0060 or 0900, not sure which yet.
And it came loaded with tools, some older machinist stuff. A few fun pieces are really rusty, like the Lufkin outside caliper with the interesting adjusting setup.
Plus some newer Craftsman stuff from the "may smell like barf" era. There were a couple of broken down plastic handled screwdrivers that didn't even make it to the car. There was a bit of odor when I opened it.
And it came loaded with tools, some older machinist stuff. A few fun pieces are really rusty, like the Lufkin outside caliper with the interesting adjusting setup.
Plus some newer Craftsman stuff from the "may smell like barf" era. There were a couple of broken down plastic handled screwdrivers that didn't even make it to the car. There was a bit of odor when I opened it.
Private Lugnutz
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MercLSU
Well-known member
I went back to the same place Sunday that I'd been earlier in the week, hoping to make a deal on a Hegner 22" scroll saw. I ended up with it and another pile of fun for $250. I think the saw will be a keeper for sure.
I also picked up a neat Blackhawk Master Mechanic Wrench Chest for $20. It's had some critters living in it but no rust aside from a couple small spots of surface rust.
I also picked up a neat Blackhawk Master Mechanic Wrench Chest for $20. It's had some critters living in it but no rust aside from a couple small spots of surface rust.
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Old Radar
Well-known member
Lugz-- It's been over a year since you posted to your project thread. Time to sit down and re-evaluate your priorities!
Private Lugnutz
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Oily Nails
Well-known member
Ayup, bit of a left field pickup yesterday whilst in Scotland on business.
Mains powered HOOVER hand held vacuum cleaner from the 80's.
Thinking of converting it into a "mini" cyclone dust extractor, to hang off my workmate when working away from the shop.
Mains powered HOOVER hand held vacuum cleaner from the 80's.
Thinking of converting it into a "mini" cyclone dust extractor, to hang off my workmate when working away from the shop.
damon18
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Local old time Pawn Shop going out of business, unfortunately I didn't hear about it when they first started their sale so the tools were picked over and mostly junk was left.
I've wanted more nut drivers so dug through a bunch of bins of rusty/dirty tools to find these USA drivers, ended up with some dupes but they are all users.
Spotted the steel Milwaukee Sawzall case and it turned out to be empty but I had an idea my cheap Harbor Freight saw would fit and give me a place to store it and the blades. Worked perfectly!
I wish I had taken a picture before I cleaned it up, the right side of the top (where you can see the slight discoloration) was covered in black spray paint. I removed it by using some Jasco paint stripper, painted the stripper on the black, left it for a minute and then scrubbed the black off with steel wool. I couldn't believe it all came off after a few applications, the original red paint must be really tough.
$5 for everything.
I've wanted more nut drivers so dug through a bunch of bins of rusty/dirty tools to find these USA drivers, ended up with some dupes but they are all users.
Spotted the steel Milwaukee Sawzall case and it turned out to be empty but I had an idea my cheap Harbor Freight saw would fit and give me a place to store it and the blades. Worked perfectly!
I wish I had taken a picture before I cleaned it up, the right side of the top (where you can see the slight discoloration) was covered in black spray paint. I removed it by using some Jasco paint stripper, painted the stripper on the black, left it for a minute and then scrubbed the black off with steel wool. I couldn't believe it all came off after a few applications, the original red paint must be really tough.
$5 for everything.
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Jack84
Well-known member
Marketplace find. A 6.5 inch Heuer Front in very good condition.
The smaller one is my 5 inch Heuer from the sixties.
Paid 20,- for the big one.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I was surprised to see two sales on Craigslist mentioning tools on a Thursday but we checked them out. The first one was a garage sale where the seller was disposing of his father-in-law’s tools. We found a Powr-Kraft soldering gun set in the box, a complete Wards marked DOW wrench set, a couple of Xcelite mini sets and a few other tools.
The second sale was an estate sale put on be one of the regular companies but for some reason the tool prices were crazy high. Fortunately, I’ve been dealing with the owner for a while and we agreed on a reasonable price for the few tools I found. I liked the early Crescent hacksaw, a few early Craftsman pieces, a lifetime supply of antiseize and, of course, the obligatory Barcalo DOE. The framing hammer head was a Stiletto
-Don
The second sale was an estate sale put on be one of the regular companies but for some reason the tool prices were crazy high. Fortunately, I’ve been dealing with the owner for a while and we agreed on a reasonable price for the few tools I found. I liked the early Crescent hacksaw, a few early Craftsman pieces, a lifetime supply of antiseize and, of course, the obligatory Barcalo DOE. The framing hammer head was a Stiletto
-Don
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Going to be nothing likely for me this weekend - going hunting again through Sunday; leaving at O'dark thirty tomorrow...
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Good luck, Outlaw. Check your PM in a few minutes. Got a question.
Nice haul, Don.
Nice haul, Don.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Outlaw: I got your reply PM. Thanks! I wasn't including General Discussion in my parameters. BTW - I am replying here because your PM's are full. 
Private Lugnutz
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txlonghorn1989
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Don't think anvils get any attention here Lugz. The one I found last week got nary a comment. Personally, I love these two of yours. That top one looks very interesting. Would like to know what that was used for and how.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Seriously, I don't think it's your anvil or mine -which usually attract some attention. I think it's just been really slooooow in this thread lately.
Back to that anvil at the top, though, this is just intuition, because I am no expert on jeweler's anvils, but I'm thinking it's meant to be clamped in a jeweler's vise. I'm at work anxious to get home and check it out, but that recess in the base sure looks to be the right size for a set of small jaws, and the base is way too narrow and long and unstable for it to be used free-standing.
EDIT: Btw, I wasn't totally fibbing about the 4-man lift. I carried them to my truck in my pocket and 3 guys were walking behind me drooling!
Back to that anvil at the top, though, this is just intuition, because I am no expert on jeweler's anvils, but I'm thinking it's meant to be clamped in a jeweler's vise. I'm at work anxious to get home and check it out, but that recess in the base sure looks to be the right size for a set of small jaws, and the base is way too narrow and long and unstable for it to be used free-standing.
EDIT: Btw, I wasn't totally fibbing about the 4-man lift. I carried them to my truck in my pocket and 3 guys were walking behind me drooling!
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WNYflyer
Well-known member
A couple of pick-ups this morning from the slim number of sales this time of year. $13 for everything.
Cornwell & Snap-On ratchets
View media item 98091
Master Mechanic socket set. Old enough to be all USA
View media item 98092
Cornwell & Snap-On ratchets
View media item 98091
Master Mechanic socket set. Old enough to be all USA
View media item 98092
Old Radar
Well-known member
Well, after coming up dry last week, a country estate sale today was great. Some really good stuff was dirt cheap (which I zeroed in on) and then some other things were unaccountably and outrageously expensive. A guy ahead of me scored a 6x6x6 box full--FULL--of drill bits for $2!
The big catch was a Simonds Royal Chinook 513--a 2-man, 7-foot crosscut saw with most of the etching still nicely readable -- $10! It came with a sad pair of “handles” cut from 2x2 lumber and loosely screwed on the blade, which I tossed... I’ll have to keep my eye out for a set of Simonds #395 handles.
The dumb bells were $5 each—sweet!
Two 100’ steel tapes, one from Roe and one from Lufkin--$1 each
The five files together were $1—the four-in-hand is really aggressive
The four pliers together were $1—three duckbills, one stamped H. Boker, one Boker, the light one is a Knipex from Germany (post reunification) and the cute little nippers are Vigor from W. Germany(both handles are stamped with a 5 and a 2.
No name is visible on the 8” folding draw knife--$5
The Binghamton Manufacturing Corporation (BMC) “Pressure-Lock Wrench” was $1. The patent for this thing was filed in November 1944 and granted a year later. Mine says “Patent Applied For”.
Finally the 12-drawer, non-Gerstner, wood machinist’s tool chest. Chinese with pretty mediocre craftsmanship. I almost walked away from it but for $15, I said what the hell. If I end up hating it I can always dump it off on Craigslist. It’s hardly used and 8-drawer models go for $80 at Harbor Freight.
Hey, somebody got a cameo in!
The big catch was a Simonds Royal Chinook 513--a 2-man, 7-foot crosscut saw with most of the etching still nicely readable -- $10! It came with a sad pair of “handles” cut from 2x2 lumber and loosely screwed on the blade, which I tossed... I’ll have to keep my eye out for a set of Simonds #395 handles.
The dumb bells were $5 each—sweet!
Two 100’ steel tapes, one from Roe and one from Lufkin--$1 each
The five files together were $1—the four-in-hand is really aggressive
The four pliers together were $1—three duckbills, one stamped H. Boker, one Boker, the light one is a Knipex from Germany (post reunification) and the cute little nippers are Vigor from W. Germany(both handles are stamped with a 5 and a 2.
No name is visible on the 8” folding draw knife--$5
The Binghamton Manufacturing Corporation (BMC) “Pressure-Lock Wrench” was $1. The patent for this thing was filed in November 1944 and granted a year later. Mine says “Patent Applied For”.
Finally the 12-drawer, non-Gerstner, wood machinist’s tool chest. Chinese with pretty mediocre craftsmanship. I almost walked away from it but for $15, I said what the hell. If I end up hating it I can always dump it off on Craigslist. It’s hardly used and 8-drawer models go for $80 at Harbor Freight.
Hey, somebody got a cameo in!
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Nice haul for the money, OR. I do like the looks of those locking pliers. Those saw handles (Disston, Atkins, etc) are all over the place in price, when they aren’t attached to something. I bought one for a buck one place, then spotted another one in worse condition for $20.
Lugz, are those anvils both steel? The one looks kind of bronze.
Lugz, are those anvils both steel? The one looks kind of bronze.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Definitely bronze or brass. Just started a thread on Vintage Board.
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Gents, as your thread host, I've been out of the hunt for several months now. Regular world activities like work travel, family travel, Scout activities and other projects, coupled with a drought in nearby sales have kept me off the hunt and off this thread way more than I'd like. As we head into the holidays, I don't see it getting any better for me.
However, in the brief times I have been able to follow this thread, it's been great to see so many new participants posting great finds, big and small. Remember, every find doesn't need to be ****-worthy...this hobby has way more mundane neat-o's than it does OMGs.
Towards Thanksgiving, we'll be voting on the Picker of the Year. As host, I'll comb the posts and nominate a small group of thread posters who have consistently shown their finds, big and small. The group will vote and the winner will receive a custom built trophy from BlueBomber's Treasury of Picks, Spare Scraps and Random Ebay Purchases (it'll be as awesome as I have time to devote to it).
Then, in mid-Dec, we'll vote to select next year's thread host. This is the person who has the honor of kicking off the 2020 GJGS thread at midnight on January 1st, amongst other fully ceremonial and decidedly non-compensated duties. The list of candidates is usually drawn from the posters with the highest number of thread posts, minus those who have previously hosted and those who opt out.
All the listing and voting is meant to be in good fun, of course.
Hopefully, many of you will continue to find interesting stuff, but regardless: keep post away!
--BlueBomber
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
However, in the brief times I have been able to follow this thread, it's been great to see so many new participants posting great finds, big and small. Remember, every find doesn't need to be ****-worthy...this hobby has way more mundane neat-o's than it does OMGs.
Towards Thanksgiving, we'll be voting on the Picker of the Year. As host, I'll comb the posts and nominate a small group of thread posters who have consistently shown their finds, big and small. The group will vote and the winner will receive a custom built trophy from BlueBomber's Treasury of Picks, Spare Scraps and Random Ebay Purchases (it'll be as awesome as I have time to devote to it).
Then, in mid-Dec, we'll vote to select next year's thread host. This is the person who has the honor of kicking off the 2020 GJGS thread at midnight on January 1st, amongst other fully ceremonial and decidedly non-compensated duties. The list of candidates is usually drawn from the posters with the highest number of thread posts, minus those who have previously hosted and those who opt out.
All the listing and voting is meant to be in good fun, of course.
Hopefully, many of you will continue to find interesting stuff, but regardless: keep post away!
--BlueBomber
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Henricogolfer
Well-known member
Jack84
Well-known member
That 55mm hole punch!
Paid 25,- for the lot.
bwringer
Well-known member
I hit a couple of Habitat Restore locations today. The real reason I was there was to look for cabinets; we have a very hazy plan to update the laundry room a bit and I was looking for something to jump out and scream "hang me up".
Lots of assorted beat-up cabinetry at very close to new prices, so I suppose they need it worse than I do for some reason. However, a few minor tool finds appeared...
Going from left to right...
$5
Old Weller soldering iron kit with ancient tin of flux and a little wire poky thing and case; hardly used and never dropped. Tip is mangled, but I have new ones. My Dad's old Weller has been dropped so many times it's basically a ball of tape with a trigger and a soldering tip sticking out. Groovy artwork in the case.
$1
At least 99% of a pound roll of Oatey 95/5 plumbing solder.
The real haul was the whole two bucks I dropped on the 50 cent shelf:
- Nifty little pair of pliers. Made in USA, straight, work great, and a neat little cutter. Can't find a brand name.
- Vaughan Superbar in very nice shape.
- Nice little brad/tack hammer for upholstery. I don't really do upholstery, but hey, 50 cents...
- 75 foot measuring tape. The first few inches are a little worn, but perfectly readable, and it works nicely and has the original box. It has a little crank on the other side you pop out to wind it back up. It's a cloth tape with some sort of metal mesh in it to keep it from stretching.
Lots of assorted beat-up cabinetry at very close to new prices, so I suppose they need it worse than I do for some reason. However, a few minor tool finds appeared...
Going from left to right...
$5
Old Weller soldering iron kit with ancient tin of flux and a little wire poky thing and case; hardly used and never dropped. Tip is mangled, but I have new ones. My Dad's old Weller has been dropped so many times it's basically a ball of tape with a trigger and a soldering tip sticking out. Groovy artwork in the case.
$1
At least 99% of a pound roll of Oatey 95/5 plumbing solder.
The real haul was the whole two bucks I dropped on the 50 cent shelf:
- Nifty little pair of pliers. Made in USA, straight, work great, and a neat little cutter. Can't find a brand name.
- Vaughan Superbar in very nice shape.
- Nice little brad/tack hammer for upholstery. I don't really do upholstery, but hey, 50 cents...
- 75 foot measuring tape. The first few inches are a little worn, but perfectly readable, and it works nicely and has the original box. It has a little crank on the other side you pop out to wind it back up. It's a cloth tape with some sort of metal mesh in it to keep it from stretching.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
We went to a nearby estate sale yesterday at the end of the day. The line in the morning was so long that we just returned home. It was just as well because there was almost nothing to be found. I grabbed the propane torch set to put into the PowrKraft set I got recently that was missing the torch. There was a micrometer type thing there that I didn’t recognize so I grabbed it too.
-Don
-Don
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d42jeep
Well-known member
Since we did so poorly yesterday by going late, we tried it again today. The first sale had absolutely nothing worthwhile but we found quite a few tools at the second sale. Plenty of US Craftsman including quite a few =v= items. The metric combos helped me complete a set. The Schrader tire pressure gauge was an early one and the New Britain spinner will go into a set. The S-K screwdriver needed a little work.
-Don
-Don
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Old Radar
Well-known member
Hit an estate sale on the 25% off day. $6 total for everything.
Two Indestro Universal Sockets, 11/16" & 5/8"
Proto 5449 ½” Drive Ratchet
Pocket Nesting Screwdriver Set—no name
7” Vise-Grip 8R for sheet metal
1-1/2” Chisel—no name
Goodell-Pratt No.4 6” Rule
Needle Nose Tweezers—no name
Two Irwin Expansive Bits, No. 1 & No. 22A
Stanley Sweetheart 7-1/2” Square, No. 20
Two Indestro Universal Sockets, 11/16" & 5/8"
Proto 5449 ½” Drive Ratchet
Pocket Nesting Screwdriver Set—no name
7” Vise-Grip 8R for sheet metal
1-1/2” Chisel—no name
Goodell-Pratt No.4 6” Rule
Needle Nose Tweezers—no name
Two Irwin Expansive Bits, No. 1 & No. 22A
Stanley Sweetheart 7-1/2” Square, No. 20
Picking this up Lista cabinet tomorrow for an agreed price of 300. For the condition, You guys think I did ok?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
Unless the frame is racked or bearings worn out, yes very much so.
I drove 2hrs to Lewisburg PA this morning to buy a few things I’d seen but left behind last weekend. While there, I checked out another place I hadn’t been in a couple years. I did buy a Bethlehem Spark Plug socket set, a Craftsman Vanadium 6” dikes, a Bonaloy 11/16 combo, and a Utica Buttons pattern pliers.
I did not buy a made in Canada Workmate (I know these are popular, but I actually tossed mine years ago after I built a stationary workbench for myself).
I did not buy a Wilton vise with a missing spindle nut and a loose connection between the dynamic and the slide for <$20.
I did not buy a cool but somewhat flimsy adjustable wrench-pliers.
I did not buy a Craftsman carry box in champagne bronze (the color isn’t obvious because of the lighting, but you can see the logo badge has no red in it!).
Then I drove an hour to Berwick to help a buddy set up a hunting blind for his nephew. I stopped once and did not buy a Security hammer (only because there was no price on it, and my buddy was waiting for me, and we had to pack it in a mile from the road, set it up, and get back before dark - plus get dinner).
I did not buy a made in Canada Workmate (I know these are popular, but I actually tossed mine years ago after I built a stationary workbench for myself).
I did not buy a Wilton vise with a missing spindle nut and a loose connection between the dynamic and the slide for <$20.
I did not buy a cool but somewhat flimsy adjustable wrench-pliers.
I did not buy a Craftsman carry box in champagne bronze (the color isn’t obvious because of the lighting, but you can see the logo badge has no red in it!).
Then I drove an hour to Berwick to help a buddy set up a hunting blind for his nephew. I stopped once and did not buy a Security hammer (only because there was no price on it, and my buddy was waiting for me, and we had to pack it in a mile from the road, set it up, and get back before dark - plus get dinner).
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
You are, as ever, a paragon of self-restraint around here. That Universal Wrench Co adjustable would've been hard for me to resist right now unless the price was exorbitant. That lever operates the worm-screw. If it felt "flimsy" maybe it was sprung. Many of them are, rendering the lever useless. The second date refers to a Canadian patent (CA-191,760), the first to the US patent (1,305,628).
I have been on a bit of a mini-run on 'Oddball Adjustables' lately that is threatening turn into a full-fledged kick (and new thread). Found that Fitz-All a few weeks ago, and I found another one today that I can't read the name on yet. It was so frozen in place with old hard grease and grime that I can't even figure out how it works, and all typical suitable surfaces for branding resisted a thumbnail search. Whatever it is I have never seen one before. It is a whole collecting niche on its own (someone, can't remember who, found a couple on last year's thread I was jealous of). Twertsy says he knows a guy who literally has dozens of different models, which any dive down the DATAMP rabbit hole confirms. I can see it going that way fast! Once you have two or three different designs, you want four, then five, then...
3baygarage
Well-known member
"Paragon of self-restraint", I like that. LS certainly is! I think his and Bomber's posts rubbed off on me this week. I fought the urge to go flea marketing (still fighting it), despite seeing all the great deals and finds posted on this page alone. I did have several Ebay finds to hold me over.
You guys keep posting some amazing deals!
Lugz- that Univeral wrench has seen better days so I won't fault LS on that. The hammer though, might have had to ask about that.
Speaking of oddball adjustables, I was just planning to add one to one of your threads! In recent years I seem to have become more interested in old wrenches as well, which isn't something I thought would happen. Kind of like when I was younger and said I wasn't interested in Snap On at sales, and an old timer I was friends with said "Don't worry, you will be.".
LS certainly is! I think his and Bomber's posts rubbed off on me this week. I fought the urge to go flea marketing (still fighting it), despite seeing all the great deals and finds posted on this page alone. I did have several Ebay finds to hold me over.You guys keep posting some amazing deals!
Lugz- that Univeral wrench has seen better days so I won't fault LS on that.
The hammer though, might have had to ask about that. Speaking of oddball adjustables, I was just planning to add one to one of your threads! In recent years I seem to have become more interested in old wrenches as well, which isn't something I thought would happen. Kind of like when I was younger and said I wasn't interested in Snap On at sales, and an old timer I was friends with said "Don't worry, you will be.".