2021 Garage Sale Thread

[bmwrd0]

Oddly enough, no. And when I lived in Sac I would drive through Galt to get to Stockton. But, if I remember right the Galt swap was on Tuesdays, and so it didn't work with my schedule.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Oh, no worries Lugz, I tend to be, as I have mentioned earlier, a bit of a hoarder and will pick up things such as this whenever the opportunity presents. I do have an eyeglass case set already, and that sits in my desk upstairs, as you never know when you might need it. But, it is nice to have a few extras to slip into the estate sale pile, er, I mean have in every possible nook.

And Smokeshow, do you mean the bottle of Kroil?

That adaptor wasn't part of that set...you had to buy it separately. It isn't common but isn't rare either but I have a feeling you ****.

 

[BlueBomber]

No sales near me this weekend, but a quick peek at the Free <my town> Facebook group just now netted me a pair of kids' bikes that will donate their wheels to SWMBO's yard art project. Same goes for the hockey sticks.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Oddly enough, no. And when I lived in Sac I would drive through Galt to get to Stockton. But, if I remember right the Galt swap was on Tuesdays, and so it didn't work with my schedule.

I wanna say it was on Thursday if I remember correctly ?? Whatever the reason, weak days are an odd time to have a flea.

 

[RTM]

Looks like a Shelton Versatool from the 50s, but they are always marked. They made alot of them 3rd party too (e.g., John Deere, J.A. Sexauer, etc), but those are always marked, too. I have posted photos of mine in my Sexauer thread. And I think there's a John Deere on the gimmick thread. My guess would be offshore knockoff of a Shelton Versatool, or Shelton possibly made them un-branded for retail giants (e.g, Monkey Wards).

Very similar to the Versatool: the knurling is different, the grip is translucent, and has a shoulder?
Can you post some detailed pics RTM? particularly the ratchet switch and blades?
The Versatool has very smooth ratcheting once you get some lube inside. I've been using MMO.

Here are a couple of better pics. The Versatool crossed my mind when I first picked it up, but this only has the 4 fixed screwdriver tips, and no ratchet. You can flip the blades in and out, but can't exchange them for a socket, or a phillips etc. I thought it might have been a later version of the Yankee "magazine" style screwdriver, but no luck there either. Gonna take the blades out to clean shortly, see if there are any identifying marks, but nothing visible so far.




Here it is closed, ready for pocket storage. Think I will pursue that next, pocket screwdriver, as a search term. Polished the rust off the bits, they fold much nicer now that they aren't rusted together.



Oops, never mind. A quick glance through DATAMP shows it as patent 2662568, a predecessor of the Shelton Versatool. (searched type, screwdrivers, screwdriver blades, and wisely started looking at newest first. 3rd from the end.)

US Patent: 2,662,568 - Multiple Blade Screw Driver

US patent 2,662,568 Multiple Blade Screw Driver was issued to Raymond P. Lavietes of Shelton, CT. It was granted on 12/15/1953. Four blades, each of which can be extended straight or set at right angle to the handle. The FOUR-IN-ONE screwdriver was described and pictured in Apr

datamp.org

It appears the one I saw on the LV catalog cover was probably this Billings patent, made by Billings and Spencer.

US Patent: 554,046 - Combination Tool

US patent 554,046 Combination Tool was issued to Charles E. Billings of Hartford, CT. It was granted on 02/04/1896. Original patent is for a hollow handled, sliding blade pocket knife. This patent was applied to a screwdriver manufactured by Billings & Spencer Co. H

datamp.org

Nice haul RTM, and between the spokeshave and the Mingus, lots of good stuff.
Surprisingly, I never made out to the Alameda swap the whole time I lived in the bay, and never knew anyone who did. Which, once you think of it, is kinda strange.

We hit Alameda once and that was enough. Acres of distressed furniture and almost no tools. Concord is pretty good and we had some success in Stockton.

The quality and quantity of tools there seems to vary month to month. We've been going 2-3 times a year since 2007. July is a good month for sight seeing, but not usually tool buying. May and December have been very good, on average, for tool buying and tool ogling. A couple of the big tool sellers were not there this time. A few are older, and may not feel comfortable with the current environment.

My first trip there was in August ~1999?, with the ex wife and 2 little kids (both <7). We left a warm and sunny day on the coast (rarity), and it was windy and freezing in Alameda. We bought the kids hot chocolates, bundled up in all the jackets we brought, and it didn't help. At the halfway point, they all went back to the car and sat until I gave up due to the cold. Not nearly as successful as cmccuist1 was, it seems.

Now that they've moved to the northern side of the island, the layout is a bit more straightforward, and you used to be able to see all the marks from when Mythbusters had filmed car tests there. At the south end, the aisles were odd, and L shaped protrusions that make it hard to stay on a logical path.

Overall, its not the first place I'd go to look for bargain tools, but a great diversity often shows up, and sometimes it is affordable. We've pulled a few jewels out, at reasonable prices. Its mostly for the camaraderie, as we have local regular attendees, from Santa Cruz, SF, Richmond, Berkeley, and even Alameda show up. Occasionally we get out of town visitors who join us, from SoCal, Calgary, and Massachusetts so far.

 

[3baygarage]

a very early Snap-on F7 ratchet (either 1930 or 1932), an unbranded 1/4" hex reversible ratchet #673, a partial Chapman set, and a very complete, albeit engraved, Craftsman Heritage 1/2" set.

i have a post about the 673 in the Duro thread. Interesting thing is yours is hex, and not the common hex drive ratchet either:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...stro-and-duro-chrome-tools.94937/post-9035846

 

[Outlawmws]

RTM, thx for the pics. The bits and grip pattern match the Versatools closely for those that use the folding bits. Mine have 2 flat and one Phillips, not the 4 flat yours show.

I have a couple of those with folding bits, and several that are 1/4" hex drive. All of mine are ratcheting - I wan't expecting that to NOT ratchet.

 

[bmwrd0]

i have a post about the 673 in the Duro thread. Interesting thing is yours is hex, and not the common hex drive ratchet either:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...stro-and-duro-chrome-tools.94937/post-9035846

Cool, thanks 3-bay, that answers a few questions I had, such as who made it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oops, never mind. A quick glance through DATAMP shows it as patent 2662568, a predecessor of the Shelton Versatool.

Um, I told you so!

The older ones did not ratchet. Here's my Sexauer, which I am pretty sure was made by Shelton. Marked only "PAT. PEND."

 

[RTM]

Looks like a Shelton Versatool from the 50s, but they are always marked. They made alot of them 3rd party too (e.g., John Deere, J.A. Sexauer, etc), but those are always marked, too. I have posted photos of mine in my Sexauer thread. And I think there's a John Deere on the gimmick thread. My guess would be offshore knockoff of a Shelton Versatool, or Shelton possibly made them un-branded for retail giants (e.g, Monkey Wards).

Um, I told you so!

The older ones did not ratchet. Here's my Sexauer, which I am pretty sure was made by Shelton. Marked only "PAT. PEND."

I tried looking for Versatool -ratchet folding screwdriver, and got the regular newer ones. Google was not liking me yesterday. I had doubts when you said Always Marked, and mine wasn’t. It’s turning out to be quite handy, throw it in the pocket when tweaking a plane, less looking for where I laid the two different screwdrivers down that I used in the past. Would not want to do serious screw driving with it due to the eccentric nature.

thanks for the pointers to the right answer, just gotta convince myself sometimes.

 

[Provincial]

Our local Flea Market happens on the first Sunday of each month, except August (because that would interfere with the County Fair, and the event is held at the Fairgrounds) and setup begins on Saturday. They started a program of Early Admissions last year, and for $5.00, instead of the regular $1.00, you can get in on Saturday, or at 6AM (instead of 9AM) on Sunday. This is when the vendors set up, so you get an early shot at what is set out, as long as the vendor is there. Many are out prowling for bargains to add to their inventory, so you miss quite a few opportunities.

I met bmwrd0 in parking lot Saturday mid-day and we did a deal a Kennedy intermediate chest. He had already done some shopping, so I went ahead and batted clean-up. I did pretty well, and then returned at about 7AM on Sunday. I met OregonRockCrusher early on, and I see from a post above that Davefr was there also. There were a lot of empty spaces in the main building, but the market has expanded into three other buildings, so the apparent emptiness was misleading.

I haven't divided out my purchases by time, so both days are mixed together.

Photo #1 is a pair of Tillotson (aftermarket) carburetors for Model A Fords. When I went together with my older brother at age 14 to buy a Model A, it had a Tillotson on it instead of the original Zenith carb. We drove it for years with not problems, and when I built up another Model A for myself, I used a Tillotson. I still have that car, and my son and I dragged it out and got it running again last Summer. The vendor gave me these because they were so weathered, and I hope to be able to make one good one from the pair.

Photo #2 is three different purchases, each one small

$3.00 for the:
Chrome Alloy 31/32 socket
MTF 1/2 dr. 6 pt. 25/32
MTF 1/2 dr. 6 pt. 9/16
Wizard 4H2529 brake spoon

$2.00 for:
Plomb USA 5424 1/2 dr. 12 pt. 3/4
Plomb WF-46 1/2 dr. 12 pt. 5/8

$1.00 for the Proto 979 screwdriver

Photo #3 cost me $20.00
Proto 5449 1/2 dr. ratchet (for parts, I need the selector for a pebble Plomb)
P&C N84 DBE 13/16 x 7/8
P&C #51 grooving chisel
P&C 2716 1/2 combo that has been modified
Plomb LA 5224 3/8 dr. 12 pt. 3/4
Long-C circle-H 1/2 speeder
Long-C circle-H 3/8 dr. 12 pt. 1/2
A bundle consisting of:
Rusty S- wrench DOE 3/8 x 9/16 openings
Unmarked older DOE
Barcalo Starter and Manifold DBE 5/8 x 3/4
Barcalo combo 3/8
Williams DBE Deep Offset 8729 5/8 x 3/4
Williams DBE Deep Offset 8727 9/16 x 5/8
Williams DBE Deep Offset 8725 7/16 x 1/2
Billings DOE M-1729 5/8 x 3/4
Billings combo 1163 Vitalloy 9/16

Photo #4 was another $20.00 bundle:
K-D 260 Valve bar for Ford 60HP V-8
K-D 918 Valve Guide puller of 85HP Ford V-8
Barcalo "deco" DOE 5/8 x 3/4
Barcalo "roof" DOE 3/4 x 15/16
Diamond M16 angle nose pliers
Unmarked 1/2 dr. 18" speeder that is surely Indestro. It is just like an Indestro-made Wizard I have except not chromed, and one inch longer.
Spring-loaded hog ring pliers "**" Republic Fast. Prod. NYC
Unmarked Ford T flywheel bolt wrench. The socket is held on with the Walden Worcester patented design, so probably WW made on contract.
11/32 Spintite (but not marked except for "5 1/2" stamped in the end of the handle)
"Made in USA" chisel
Chicago Specialties Mfg. Co. #3003 plumbing lock nut wrench
"Chromium Vanadium" Model A Ford main bearing wrench DBE 9/16 8-pt x 3/4 12-pt. Probably made by Indestro for Western Auto in early 1930's.
Hose cutting tool
Plomb 6507 valve guide knocker for Model A and B Fords
P&C 100 P706 screwdriver


Continuing next post.

 

[Provincial]

There was one area that was sort of dedicated to auto parts. The last photo in the previous post came from that area, and both of these photos are of items from that area.

Photo #5, $10.00:
Mossberg sockets, all 6 pt. 5/8, 15/16, 31/32, 1-5/32
Mossberg 1/2 speeder
Model A Ford Shock Absorber arm and link
home-made 3/4" square handle. The handle is factory-made, but the rest is not
unmarked 1" hex wrench, looks 1920's
1-3/4" clamp-on vise. Very heavy for its size. Clamp screw is 1/2" NC, so it will be easy to replace. The vise is all cast, and the main screw has square threads. This is a substantial vise!
1" external hex drive sockets:
"1/2 S" square 15/16" across flats
"5/8 H" hex 1-1/8" across flats
Unmarked stamped 1-1/16 across flats
1/8" thick cork, 12" wide

Photo #6 cost $10.00:
SK Box (Green)
Top row of sockets is all SK
Bottom row of sockets is:
3/8 drive hex - 15MM (I don't recall seeing a metric in 3/8 hex drive before)
2 MAC
2 Thorsen
Dayton
2 Torx
Rail of 3/8 drive SK Wayne, 9/16 to 7/8
Tru Fit DOE 13/16 x 7/8
Barcalo DOE 3/8 x 7/16
2 small ball hones
Heller 28 oz. ball pein hammer
Plomb WF sockets:
WF-77 11/16 swivel
WF-78 3/4 swivel
WF-32
Plomb USA 5222

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Must be time for $20 boxes. Skipping back,Shelton also made the "socketool".

After work I decided since I was already in Santa Cruz a jump over 17 to investigate a vague craigslist omg in Saratoga was in order. Had a chat with the nice fellow, made arrangements, checked gps and my 35 minute drive was an hour twenty due to a wreck. Sat around and did busy work till it was under an hour, think it they'd have it clear by the time I got there. Not!

Anyway how about this file handle? I can't even find reference to one like it. T4521 is the only marking besides copious owners initials.
I'd have gone just for the green hammer(proto badged), but I filled a box for $20 and it was bursting so I split some into my previously owned box.

The biggest leather punch is 1-3/8

 

[d42jeep]

We stopped by the last day of a Tahoe Paradise moving sale on the way to town and found some early pipe wrenches and an auto wrench. The 18” Ridgid was made in 1943 and the 10” Walworth is marked 1942. The other Stillson is Erie and prewar but still in mid cleaning as is the auto wrench.
-Don
Edit—-Now all are cleaned up. The auto wrench is unmarked.

 

[mikeinri]

Wow, some really interesting finds, guys.

I looked for some garage and estate sales this weekend, didn't find anything interesting (most had no tools, or were crazy-expensive online-auction estate sales).

The weather didn't help. Lots of rain (3+ days straight), although the cooler temperatures were nice.

Mike

 

[Private Lugnutz]

RTM - I was just messin' with ya. And yes, they are not cheaply made tools, I use mine all the time.

Big haul, Jock!

 

[Fred Knox]

We ran away to see some relatives and I was able to have a little July 4th weekend side-fun at a garage sale:

Craftsman No. 506-51801 Vise Craftsman 3/8" Drive Flying V Ratchet Crescent Tool Co. Crestoloy 72-7 Nippers Snap-on F-4-D Ferret 3/8" Speed Driver ??? No-name 12" Twist Ratchet (any help on this one appreciated) Plomb 10" #5449 Ratchet Stiletto 8" shears - extremely sharp Proto #5249 Ratchet Great Neck SU-5 Scratch Awl Proto 226 Needle Nose Pliers (great grip) Western Giant 6" Adjustable Wrench Proto Professional 1208-E 1/4" Combination Wrench Craftsman Set of Seven Miniature Combination Wrenches Three Irvin Perfect Handle Screwdrivers (14 1/2", 8 1/2", 6") Herbrand J-5 Ratchet Van-Chrome 3/8" Drive Klein Flat-Nose Pliers SK 40954 1/4" Spinner Nut Drive Craftsman Long C BE 1/4" Drive Ratchet Set Thorsen 1/4" Ratchet Set 4" Jeweler's Anvil with Stand $88 haul.

 

[bmwrd0]

That is a nice haul. Well done!

 

[Old Radar]

??? No-name 12" Twist Ratchet (any help on this one appreciated)

I don't know who made it but I have one, too!

 

[seber]

I talked to the guy that invented that some years ago. I barely remember him but it seemed like a good idea at the time. He told me he needed to make it cheap enough to sell to Sears and Kmart. The quotes he got from US manufacturers made that impossible. He went to China and as I recall the name was printed in ink at shipping, depending on who it was shipped to.

 

[Old Radar]

Ink being notoriously short-lived on chrome, it's unfortunate for all involved. Mine is very lightly used so to make sure, I just went to take a good hard look at it but there is no visible ghostly remnant on either shaft or head of any ink marking.

Do you remember how long ago you spoke with him and how long had it been produced at that time?

 

[LesserSon]

Quick walk through a couple shops, while I waited for my dad to be done at his dentist, yielded a P&C 1/2dr 1-1/8” socket on a Snappy Tee for $4.

 

[mikeinri]

Those twist ratchets are interesting. How much torque can be applied by twisting?

Mike

 

[Outlawmws]

How strong is your wrist?

Dang you guy are killing it!

 

[duddly]

The wife and I took a 2 day trip out of town this weekend and hit a few flea markets. I got and old wooden multi-tool, a Millers Falls No. 59 ratcheting screwdriver, a RAST Fits-All wrench, unmarked calipers, an AH Reid push drill and bit, a couple prints from an old book and a cool Kiwanis button.


And... I bought a sturdy wooden table base because they only were asking 59 cents... I may throw a grinder, or miter saw on it.

all in all, an enjoyable trip with the wife, and I picked up a few trinkets...

 

[saukit]

Was able to spend some time over the long holiday weekend driving around to various sales. I am getting addicted to this way too quickly...

First photo (Snap on box) is a good deal a fellow tool collector gave me, his shop was amazing and he was clearing out some unused stuff.

Best deal of the weekend was probably the 2nd photo, got the SK box and sockets, Ford wrench and the calipers are Starrett - $5.

Third photo is a bunch of random stuff, got the CLC tote for $3, the Nicholson files are for a buddy that turns them into knives. Lots of random little wrenches and stuff.

Anyone know anything about these snips? Branded USMC from what I can tell.

Last photo is the two Ford wrenches I picked up the first day...got a couple more the next.

 

[saukit]

Lucked into a big pile of rust in first pic, everything in photo for $35. Still cleaning it up but Proto and SK sockets (anyone know if the dark gray SK sockets in the back of pic 3 are impact?), bunch of wrenches including a Ford box wrench and pipe wrench.

Third photo is some of the SK and Proto stuff along with a few of the wrenches I acquired over the weekend. Finally have a full Proto 1/2 inch set although they're a mix of socket types and someone put the 9/16 on a lathe.

Fourth photo is some of the interesting wrenches (at least that I found interesting) after an Evaporust bath. Anyone know what the circular object in the back is? It's stamped Bonney.

 

[RTM]

Anyone know anything about these snips? Branded USMC from what I can tell.

USMC is United Shoe Machinery Corp, or something close.

There is a thread on them on the Vintage side.

USMC (no, not that USMC!) Hand Tools - United Shoe Machinery Corporation

Ironically, these hand tools are probably most famous (or infamous as the case may be…) among tool collectors not for what they are, but for what they are not, with the script “USMC” logo often misconstrued as United States Marine Corps. United Shoe Machinery Corporation, like other famous...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Provincial]

saukit, nice picks! If you give away the files, keep the handles. File handles are always good to have, and you need a variety in order to fit the many different tangs on the various file sizes and shapes.

 

[RTM]

. Anyone know what the circular object in the back is? It's stamped Bonney.

stud wrench. Not this exact one, but similar

Bonney Tools : Catalog C-1 : Bonney Forge & Tool Works : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

120 p., illus., 17.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

this one looks closer

Bonney Tools Catalog No. 67 : Utica Tool Co., Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

67 p., illus., 27.0 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[ForrestT]

We stopped by the last day of a Tahoe Paradise moving sale on the way to town and found some early pipe wrenches and an auto wrench. The 18” Ridgid was made in 1943 and the 10” Walworth is marked 1942. The other Stillson is Erie and prewar but still in mid cleaning as is the auto wrench.
-Don
Edit—-Now all are cleaned up. The auto wrench is unmarked.

Don,
How does rigid’s date code system work?
Thanks!
Forrest

 

[Shelbylex]

I bought a 24" Diamalloy by Diamond and Horseshow Co from Dulluth on 4th. The second adjustable wrench is my smallest one for comparison. Took it apart today, cleaned as much as I could till I got bored and ran out of elbow grease. Some superlube instead of old dried up grease and it is silky smooth now

$18.42 including gas...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

How does rigid’s date code system work?

L-#-#. The letter is unknown. The first number is month. The second number is year. They only seem to appear on the dynamic jaws made during WWII. To read more, click on the Sticky at the top of the Vintage Board. Find the RIDGID dating thread in the Index. Click on it. Enjoy!

 

[Provincial]

I forgot the books!

I found these four books at the Flea Market last weekend. They cost me $5.00. The contents of the Delco Remy manual have been replaced with aftermarket parts lists. The two body work manuals were thrown in.

My favorite is the 1957 General Tool catalog. General Tool, based in Portland, Oregon, was an early distributor of P&C tools. They also carried Thorsen later, and I have a 1937 catalog from them that features Herbrand tools. This one features Proto hand tools, but also SK and Lectrolite. The brands listed are a who's who of industrial tools.

I've included photos of a few pages as a teaser.

 

[saukit]

stud wrench. Not this exact one, but similar

Bonney Tools : Catalog C-1 : Bonney Forge & Tool Works : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

120 p., illus., 17.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

this one looks closer

Bonney Tools Catalog No. 67 : Utica Tool Co., Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

67 p., illus., 27.0 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Thank you for this and the ID on the snips! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. Now to find more rusty stuff...

 

[d42jeep]

Don,
How does rigid’s date code system work?
Thanks!
Forrest

Here is the direct link to the extensive study started by Lugz.

Vintage RIDGID Pipe Wrenches

READ ME! THE THREAD IS WIDE OPEN AND WE ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN SEEING EXAMPLES - BUT THE ORIGINAL RESEARCH SURVEY HAS BEEN SOLVED! With 50+ examples, we have positively determined that the Letter-Number-Number (L-N-N) codes on dynamic jaws, which sometimes appear in LN-N or even LNN format...

www.garagejournal.com

It applies to Ridgid pipe wrenches made before 1950. The red 14” Ridgid in the following picture was made after 1950.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

We stopped by a Tahoe estate sale yesterday and picked up a few goodies. The Proto Professional breaker will replace a Craftsman =v= breaker in my user box. The Klein screwdriver and Indestro 14mm combo went into that box as well. I plan to use the Ace pail for rinsing off tools that come out of the evaporust.
-Don

 

[seber]

Ink being notoriously short-lived on chrome, it's unfortunate for all involved. Mine is very lightly used so to make sure, I just went to take a good hard look at it but there is no visible ghostly remnant on either shaft or head of any ink marking.

Do you remember how long ago you spoke with him and how long had it been produced at that time?

Sorry, I don't I can only say it took place at my place of employment where I worked from 1985 to 2014. Engineers tend to share ideas a lot and different people get mixed up into the background.

 

[d42jeep]

(anyone know if the dark gray SK sockets in the back of pic 3 are impact?)

The 6 point sockets are impact, the two 12 point sockets look to be WW2 wartime.
-Don

 

[rossddvm]

I recently got a number of tools from my dad among them a number of files and rasps that are a little rusty. What is the best way to clean these up while preserving their "sharpness". How can I store them to prevent this from happening again? My shop stays dry, but humidity here in the summer can be a problem.