old tool names to look for at sales

[59flatbedford]

well im only 19 but i like finding old stuff so i go to quite a few auctions and garage sales (got a 1951 coleman lantern this morning) and what not and sometimes there are quite a few good old tools to be had for cheap. I bought a whole box full of old buffalo, Williams, and some other USA wrenches for like 5 bucks when i was 8. So i was just wondering what are some of the old tool names to keep an eye out for at yard sales and stuff. i already have a partial list but lets add to it.

- Anything wright (really want to build a full set)
- Armstrong
-Williams
-Barcalo-Buffalo
-Craftsman (if cheap enough)
-Truck brands (if cheap enough)
-USA channel-lock and vise-grip
-klien pliers and screwdrivers
-Any thing with USA on it??
What are some of the other old names to keep an eye out for??

How about tool boxes? What are some of the old heavy duty boxes to keep an eye out for??
Hope you guys can educate me some on older American tools so i know what to look for when digging thru boxes. And ill be sure to post any good scores i find.

 

[snapmom]

Bonney, Plumb, Blue Point, Snap on.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

S-K,Snap-On,MAC,Cornwell,etc

 

[Goinlow]

Lectrolite, proto, indestro.

 

[jerryW]

A few more
Proto,
New Britain,
Wright,
Knipex,
early Blackhawk USA,
Thorsen,
Indestro/Duro.

It should be Plomb, plumb were hammers.
About anything with 'Made in USA".


jerry

 

[Lump]

One suggestion: There are LOTS of wrenches and sockets out there which are stamped only as "Made in USA" and "Forged Steel", or something similar, with no brand names. These tools were very common, and made by the tool companies without any brand name so that they would be easy for small retailers to re-label with their own brands.

(In other words, Ace Hardware, or a chain of auto parts stores could box up a set of wrenches in their own branded box, and sell them that way without a manufacturer's name. No-brand tools also help to counter price-shopping. IE: If you see a set of "Brand A" wrenches at one store for $20, and a different set at another store for $24, you won't necessarily know that they were made by the same manufacturer when there is no brand name. So the retailer can claim that his tools are "better", and that's why his prices are higher. Many small retailers used to demand unbranded tools to sell in their stores).

Anyway, while these are usually very good tools to work with, they are not worth much resale value. So lately I generally try to avoid buying them, now that I have come to realize this.

 

[Lump]

Billings
Cornwell
Herbrand
Husky
Sparta

 

[ugapug]

Hinsdale
Diamalloy

 

[scarrylarry]

Heh,this is a good topic.I find myself wondering if a tool is something to pick up at a garage sale or leave ot alone.I don't want to hijack this thread but do you guy's shy away from older electric tools?
scarrylarry

 

[FoMoCoPower]

I went to the second day of an estate sale today,which I was at for a couple hours yesterday...and found a handful of Snap-On stuff that I and everyone else somehow skipped over....so yes,the good stuff is still out there.

 

[Case]

Heh,this is a good topic.I find myself wondering if a tool is something to pick up at a garage sale or leave ot alone.I don't want to hijack this thread but do you guy's shy away from older electric tools?
scarrylarry

I don't just put a new cord on them usually and your ready to start using them.....

 

[Rickster]

Heh,this is a good topic.I find myself wondering if a tool is something to pick up at a garage sale or leave ot alone.I don't want to hijack this thread but do you guy's shy away from older electric tools?
scarrylarry

A lot of the really older stuff is too bulky and heavy, But whan I find a good deal on a modern corded power tool I'll buy them.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, choose a couple of the above brands and buy only those. There's just something pleasing about having a complete set. I'd say S-K right now is the easiest to find at the lowest cost. Snap-on is always at a premium, Mac, Matco and Cornwell are harder to find.

The rest of the rest, Proto, Plomb, P&C, Hinsdale, Lectrolite, Billings, Sparta, Wright, Blackhawk, Thorsen, Giller, New Britain, Easco, are all quality tools and will do to fill a need if you can buy them cheap enough. Craftsman, if you can buy them by the pound. Enjoy the hunt.

jack vines

 

[billymade]

Proto; one of the most under rated, not well known and under priced used tools out there.... very few people in my area... think they are worth much! Not very **** but well made.... they do the job! The industrial industry sector can't be wrong!

 

[59flatbedford]

well i have really became interested in wright lately so i really want to build a complete set of those and maybe some williams or barcalo-buffalo because i already have several. if i find the other ones and i get a good deal on them i would probably just put them on here to see if anybody needs them to complete there collection. So basically anything old with USA and a brand name is worth picking up for 10 bucks a box right. So what about boxes, new ones are so damn expensive and well the just dont make them as heavy now days. what where the top quality boxes back in the day other than the truck brands.

 

[59flatbedford]

My dad has quite a few old proto and industo socket that have stood the test of time and abuse.

 

[Scout Driver]

International Harvester tools made by Wright. Buy them. Package them. Send them to me.

Scott

 

[59flatbedford]

ok i will definately keep an eye out for those IH tools. and for older American blackhawk. I live in wyoming so there are lots old timers that use to be ranchers and what not and have some old tools.

 

[Scout Driver]

Thank you 59flatbedford.

Scott