2022 Garage Sale Thread

[Old Radar]

The old year is gone and the New Year is here.
So, Out With The Old And In With The New!!

That mindset is one of the many things that compel people to put their own—or their relatives—formerly treasured items up for sale while it enables those reading this post the opportunity to acquire new (to us!) treasures! It is the simplest form of recycling—and although all recycling has a cost, with this one, most of the time it is borne by the Previous Owner!

This is the 11th year the Garage Journal has featured the Garage Sale Thread and we’ve defined, refined, distilled and lived by a particular set of rules that have enabled us to last this long with no loss-of-life to the membership. If you’re new to the thread, take a moment to read the rules and if you’re an old head, take a moment to read the rules again—I know you forget ****.

RULES OF THE THREAD

1. The most important rule is:





2. Without photos – it never happened.



3. Give us the backstory. Posting photos alone is as worthless as describing a great score alone, without photos. If you don’t have the time to do both as soon as you get home, we can wait. Compose your epic saga when you have quality time to devote to it and once your editor has corrected your formatting, grammatical errors and spelling—and you’ve arranged and properly oriented your photos—then post it. At that point, you can sit back and let the accolades, envious comments and claims of your superior suckage wash over you.



4. No Acquisitions From Any Retail Source. Keeping in mind the thread title and the overarching theme of the Garage Journal itself, we have given wide leeway on types of items and sources of acquisition as long as you can provide an interesting story. That said, about the only thing I, as Host, will disallow is baby clothes—unless there is a fantasmagorical story behind it!



5. Suckage and the price you pay. It’s nobody’s business what you pay for your acquisitions so it’s purely your choice to include or withhold that tidbit—but it does add another facet to the overall interest in your find. It also increases the odds of you scoring the coveted “You ****” comment from your fellow pickers. Awards of You ****—and all its derivative forms—will be tracked by me (I do Not have OCD, Dammit!) to determine the ten (10) most suckworthy posters who you will then vote on for the 2022 Picker of the Year (PotY) Award. It goes without saying—so of course, I’m obliged to say it—you cannot **** yourself and it is still illegal in most states to solicit suckage, so don’t do it here.



I would like to thank all the Garage Sale Thread Host Emeriti for providing a site for camaraderie and an outlet for participants in this interesting hobby that slows the loss of old tools and other items of historical interest. Thanks specifically to bmwrd0 as the great Host of last year’s thread—I had a fantastic time as a thread contributor and now that you have passed the torch, I will do my best to live up to the standard set by you and the other Hosts of the first decade.

Links to previous year’s threads are provided for easy access to walks down Memory Lane and to prove to SWMBO that you haven’t owned that tool since you were sixteen:

2021—bmwrd0 – 2021 Garage Sale Thread
2020—LesserSon – 2020 Garage Sale Thread
2019—BlueBomber - 2019 Garage Sale Thread
2018—Private Lugnutz - 2018 Garage Sale Thread
2017—3baygarage - 2017 Garage Sale Thread
2016—jakemac - 2016 Garage Sale Thread
2015—nine4gmc - 2015 Garage SaleThread
2014—Outlawmws - 2014 Garage sale thread!
2013—maddawg308 - it's 2013 garage sale season!...
2012—jeffmoss26 - it's garage sale season!!



Finally, as a Public Service to those considering dipping your toe into the warm and invigorating side of garage sailing and also to those who fear they may have drifted over their heads toward the deep, dark and malevolent side of our delightful hobby, I offer this website: The Difference Between an Obsessive Collector and Hoarder, in order that you (or whomever grants you internet access and monitors your browser history) can become familiar with the warning signs of Hoarding. Remember, as Thread Host, I’m here for you. If you feel you may be getting in over your head, just PM me and I’ll be happy to go through your stuff to help you reduce your inventory to a manageable tonnage.


For the rest of you, get ready to grab your flashlight, magnifying glass and get out there and do what you do best—and then report back!

Good luck, good hunting and remember to stay safe out there this year.

 

[3baygarage]

Happy New Year Old Radar!

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost two hours to go here, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[mikeinri]

Woo hoo, let's go!!!

Thanks for getting us going, @Old Radar!

Thanks again to @bmwrd0 for hosting 2021!

And thanks of course to all former hosts, participants and spectators for keeping this whole thing going!

Oh, and of course, Happy New Year!!!

Mike

 

[BlueBomber]

Excellent launch, OR! Here's to a prosperous picking year for all of us in 2022!

 

[LesserSon]

…And we have launch!
Great start, OR, and thank you for the hoarding v collecting link. While my local fleas hibernate, I resolve to unblur the line and catch up on stymied projects.

 

[LostBoy(IRL)]

Happy new year to one and all and may it be a good one!
I don't post much here (don't have access to many sales like ye do, so don't have the purchases to be able to post) but this is one of my most read threads on this site for the last few years (yes this is a new thread, but you know what I mean).
Good luck to all and I can't wait to see what you all find!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...as Thread Host, I’m here for you. If you feel you may be getting in over your head, just PM me and I’ll be happy to go through your stuff to help you reduce your inventory to a manageable tonnage.

Classic!

...stay safe out there...

Hill Street Blues flashback.

Excellent launch, OR!

...and thank you for the hoarding v collecting link.

Indeed. It was actually an interesting read, describing many of us, in comparison, to a T.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I resolve to reduce my post count.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Light rain. Three vendors and nine or so buyers. We're all in our cars looking at each other like, are we going to do this or not? I see someone go over to Lee, a regular vendor, and after they talk for a few minutes, Lee gets out and opens the liftback on his van. They're standing there hunched over under the liftback looking and talking and I can see an old toolbox so I go over, too, say my polite Happy New Years, and wait my turn.

My first haul of the year (Lugz 2022_1) isn't nearly as large of a haul as last year, which fell on a Friday, and was super cold, but super clear, but 'it'll do, Pig, it'll do'.

The oldest "Wiggy" I have ever seen, the weirdest ratchet I have ever seen, and an indestructible BELL SYSTEM screwdriver made by IRWIN.

 

[MacTexas]

Happy New Year.

 

[Southern83]

I resolve to reduce my post count.

Snerk.....

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I resolve to reduce my post count.

Lugz: Let's hope you're kidding! I think we all enjoy your posts!

All: Happy New Year and Happy Picking!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snerk.....

Haha!

Sorry, I couldn't resist

On the contrary! You got the joke.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Let's hope you're kidding!

Except for the important stuff (belief, country, family, and technical/historical tool details), I'm always pretty much kidding. No, seriously, reducing my blabbermouthiness is sort of a running joke, because my post count is apparently hopelessly always going to be somewhere just north of the host's, but just south of Outlaw's!

 

[ForrestT]

Lugz fires the opening salvo with a flea market open on New Year’s Day!

 

[Outlawmws]

Except for the important stuff (belief, country, family, and technical/historical tool details), I'm always pretty much kidding. No, seriously, reducing my blabbermouthiness is sort of a running joke, because my post count is apparently hopelessly always going to be somewhere just north of the host's, but just south of Outlaw's!

Only now its not so easy to tell...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This one is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, year round, and holidays don't mean squat to these people. Haha! Picking is life, life is picking!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Only now its not so easy to tell...

Thank goodness!

 

[ForrestT]

Lugz,
What is a Wiggy? What does it do? What trade is it used in? Also, Maker?

OR, Happy New Year and thank you for being host!!!

 

[RTM]

Wiggy is an electrician’s tool, a very safe method of checking for voltage, as the voltage pulls in a solenoid, giving you a vibration, and it won’t fool easily like a multimeter.
Usually reads 110, 220, and I think mine will do 480 too.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What is a Wiggy? What does it do? What trade is it used in? Also, Maker?

What RTM said. Invented in 1918 by a man named George P. Wigginton and made by his Kalamazoo, Mich. company for the big Detroit outfit, Square D. It was called a "Wiggy" for short by electricians for so long that Square D actually trademarked that name in 1972 and that's the name that appeared on models ever since, so some (maybe most?) guys may not even know that it comes from the name Wigginton.

I am quite sure mine is first generation, and if not, second at the latest, probably from the 20's. I will post more photos and info somewhere on the vintage board. Probably my Lugzsonian thread since I doubt we have a thread for these or electrician's tools in general!

giving you a vibration,

For AC. I have to clean the brass up on this one to see the readings. I decided to take apart the ratchet first.

 

[3baygarage]

Happy New Year guys!

It appears Lugz beat me to the first haul of the year. Interesting ratchet! Is it open gear?

After a nice New Year’s Eve (the wife made it home safely on her flight) of music on tv, food, and watching fireworks all around the neighborhood, I felt the urge to get out for some “exercise”. Yes, yes, exercise, that’s it!

I also slipped out the door with pizza box in hand in case I was spotted and questioned, I’d just be taking out the trash.

Off to the flea market I went. It was maybe a third or a quarter the normal vendors, but I had a good morning.


First thing I dug out was a Craftsman 19/32x25/32 dbe. The seller gave me the key to his old Massy Ferguson tractor when I looked at it.

Found the Craftsman 3/4 ratchet at another vendor, along with random sockets and Indestro socket set cheap. The ratchet‘s for parts, missing its lever and one screw. Also the Sargent “Grip Snip” and Mercedes Heyco pliers (last week found BMW version), Snap On screwdrivers and end mill. The metal box freebie.

Two other vendors yielded the rest of the sockets and the wood chisels, one being Stanley.

The morning was not lacking in seller B@ll$#@t though, that’s for sure. Let’s see. I was told by one old guy that Craftsman 1/4” drive tools are rarely ever seen for sale! i walked away with a big smile on my face.

Another older seller had a bunch of Snap On including a ratchet for $60. Said he was duped into a deal buying a trailer load of Snap On just two days ago that belonged to a guy who passed, then the story changed and it was a warehouse, but he had really paid up for the tools. He claimed to be selling the ratchets at just a $5 markup. Ok. I wasn’t interested in buying or attempting to negotiate at this point so I walked.

One seller had some old Stanley planes but told me he wanted to research the prices if I was interested! No thanks.

 

[RagTopTA]

Happy Pickers New Year Folks! From Holiday Street FleaMarket! Texas, where it was 90 on Christmas and 35 degrees on New Years Day. May the picking gods favor us all this coming year, with good weather, good sales, and great finds! Nice open Old Radar!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Interesting ratchet! Is it open gear?

Thanks! Yes. I was thinking it was homemade, given how fat it is and the initials, but after I opened it up, I am not so sure. Look for more on the 'Ratchets' thread.

You hit all the classic treacherous vendor snake oil razamatazz on one trip!

Happy Pickers New Year Folks!

Same to you, Rags! The place looks desolate. May the warmth and vendors return!

 

[Old Radar]

Well, it looks like we're off to a decent start with Lugz and 3bay drawing first blood and RagTopTA coming up cool but dry in Northern Texas--sadly, it's warm but sale-dry here in Southern Texas, too.

Thanks everyone for the comments and well-wishes for the start of this year's thread. Can't wait for things to pick up. As a reminder, those of you who picked up last-minute hauls in '21 but weren't ready to post before the calendar clicked over, feel free to show us your stuff here.

 

[Arne73]

What RTM said. Invented in 1918 by a man named George P. Wigginton and made by his Kalamazoo, Mich. company for the big Detroit outfit, Square D. It was called a "Wiggy" for short by electricians for so long that Square D actually trademarked that name in 1972 and that's the name that appeared on models ever since, so some (maybe most?) guys may not even know that it comes from the name Wigginton.

I am quite sure mine is first generation, and if not, second at the latest, probably from the 20's. I will post more photos and info somewhere on the vintage board. Probably my Lugzsonian thread since I doubt we have a thread for these or electrician's tools in general!

For AC. I have to clean the brass up on this one to see the readings. I decided to take apart the ratchet first.

The Wiggy was an indispensable electricians tool in the days before affordable Fluke products. They have an unfortunate track record of spectacular failure and injury. Strictly forbidden in industry today.
Lugz- your example is very cool & very early!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Wiggy was an indispensable electricians tool in the days before affordable Fluke products. They have an unfortunate track record of spectacular failure and injury. Strictly forbidden in industry today.

While all of that is true, I think more electricians still swear by the modern versions for certain cases (especially house wiring... what's hot? what's not?) than you might think, Arne. Low impedance where digital multimeters can often provide strange readings. I'm certainly no electrician, but I just read through a mess of forums with very experienced electricians extolling their virtue, including GJ, up in General Discussion and especially Lighting & Electrical. A blogger-electrician named David Herres provides a very concise summary here.

Lugz- your example is very cool & very early!

Thanks!, and thanks for the confirmation. I have been poking around for hours and I still haven't found one as old. None with a brass plate, in fact.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

First haul of the year Teasers attached.

You can find more photos and info on the Bell System, Ratchets, and Lugzsonian Virtual Tour threads down on the Vintage Board.

 

[gpw_42]

OR, I feel personally attacked by your link to that collecting/hoarding article. Doing some cleaning around the house as a result!

Good day at the flea this morning, with some tools and a bit of ancient militaria.

Plombpire
P&C 1/2" dr. sockets: 1/2" and 15/16"
Plvmb WF-10x 1/2" u-joint, 3/8" dr.

Bonney 1/2" u-joint, 3/8" dr.
Unnamed 5/8" u-joint
Duro 1-1/8" socket
D-I 9/16" socket
Shapleigh 6" x 1/2" cold chisel
Vlchek 725 DOE, with 42 forging code (date?)
8" ******* round file, will be a good stand-in for a WW2 file

M51 field shirt. I debated letting this go, since it is in severe need of some Woolite and elbow grease. However, in all the years I've been chasing this stuff, I've never seen one in size XL, so I let the seller talk me into it, by coming down $5 on price.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Vlchek 725 DOE, with 42 forging code (date?)

(No.)

However, in all the years I've been chasing this stuff, I've never seen one in size XL

If I had a dollar for every Size 38R Eisenhower jacket I ever looked at! 38! WTAF? The last time I fit in a 38R jacket I was 12 years old. And I'm not a big guy. 5'10" 200 lbs. All I can say is WWII apparel sizes and the distance between a Willys MB steering wheel and the seat are consistent.

 

[gearhead1960]

I nominate everyone today, New Years Day, for a big “You ****”. A wealth of great finds. Love the Wiggy Lugz.
I hope to be able to join the hunt more often in 2022, but if I don’t, rest assured I’m watching you “Suckers”!

 

[gpw_42]

(No.)

If I had a dollar for every Size 38R Eisenhower jacket I ever looked at! 38! WTAF? The last time I fit in a 38R jacket I was 12 years old. And I'm not a big guy. 5'10" 200 lbs. All I can say is WWII apparel sizes and the distance between a Willys MB steering wheel and the seat are consistent.

Not surprised about the absence of a link between the forging code and a date, but thanks for the clarification.

The M51 field shirt is a great piece of cold weather gear. Heavier than a shirt (think wool jacket, more than shirt) but still insulating when it’s wet (unlike anything cotton, like the field jackets it was contemporary with). They’re useful now for hunting and such…this one has been nearly used to death, but I’m hoping it’ll look decent enough to be useful when it’s clean.

When I got to Korea in the late 90s, they were no longer issue, but I was glad to have my own on a few frigid January and February mornings when it was “stupid cold.” My old Large is getting a little snug, and this gives a lot of leeway. I could stand to lose 10lbs and the L would be just right. Again.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The M51 field shirt is a great piece of cold weather gear. Heavier than a shirt (think wool jacket, more than shirt) but still insulating when it’s wet (unlike anything cotton, like the field jackets it was contemporary with). They’re useful now for hunting and such...

Oh, brotha from anotha motha, I am well acquainted with the virtues of the M51, Shirt, Field, Wool. Here is mine, Olive Drab Shade #105, made in 1953. Never issued. I wear it over another shirt from November to March for anything except standing around.

 

[Raineman]

Before I get rolling this year, I would like to personally thank Old Radar, saukit, and tooljunkie4 for their generous assistance this past year in my quest to complete some sets I am working on.
Thank you guys.

 

[bmwrd0]

Well, I have a swap meet to go to tomorrow, so wish me luck!

 

[Old Radar]

OR, I feel personally attacked by your link to that collecting/hoarding article. Doing some cleaning around the house as a result!

I'm sorry to hear you say that gpw--especially since feelings of guilt, persecution and lashing out at those simply trying to help are some of the signs of an advanced form of the malady. As I offered in the initial post, if you need help stepping back from the edge, I can advise you on which items would be most beneficial for you to dispense with. Simply send me a PM with a picture or a listing of your hoard and I'll be happy to let you know how much I can take off your hands. The road to recovery is just a drive to the Post Office away!

 

[Old Radar]

Before I get rolling this year, I would like to personally thank Old Radar, saukit, and tooljunkie4 for their generous assistance this past year in my quest to complete some sets I am working on.
Thank you guys.

It was only a very small contribution, but you are more than welcome.

 

[gpw_42]

OR, you got me....I left out the [/Sarcasm] at the end of the sentence about the personal attack. After graduating from HS in NJ I have a pretty wide sarcastic streak. BUT you did prompt some general cleaning around the house, as mentioned yesterday. However, the general details of my...accumu/collection...will stay under my hat. Compared to some of the more regulars on here, I'm a rank amateur on old garage stuff. Other than posting it to the internet, I'd like to figure out a good way to display my garage treasures. However, one GMTK-load of it gets hauled down the road a couple times a year to work on a 1950s M43 ambulance.

Lugz, I assumed (!) you'd be all over the M51 field shirts...and Outlaw, as well. But figured some more of our thread compatriots might need some brief orientation.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I wasn't defending my woolen field shirtjac honor, @gpw_42, just playing along and helping you extoll their virtues with others! If we do hats and caps next, though, my faux post count resolution is kablooey for sure.

@Old Radar is so good at extended dry sarcasm that newcomers who don't know we actually like each other in here may need a warning and even old timers had better recalibrate!