2026 Garage Sale Thread (15th Annual)

[RTM]

Here is sort of a GS find. A fine locally made wooden furniture store and shop was closed about a year ago, and they started to publicly liquidate things. Heard about it Sat from a GS nemesis, and then saw it on FBMP. Contacted him, found out a time, and decided to take a vacation day to not feel bad about screwing off for several hours. Trip was kind of a waste, not much tool wise I needed or wanted. Obviously filled with commercial scale equipment, not a hand tool hobbyist . I suspect a lot of the smalls went to the staff. There was a wide gelt sander, big planer, big newer Delta DP, big and bigger DT jigs. I grabbed a few smaller boards of curly or tiger maple.

About 8 bd ft by their calculations

 

[Smokeshow69]

Four.cycle ***** majorly!

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice grab on the maple RTM!

Four.cycle ***** majorly!

Yes he does

 

[INSP380]

Nice haul @INSP380 love the drill index’s

Thank you! Started filling them up…These things are beautiful.

Steve

 

[Provincial]

My wife and I spent two weeks visiting my daughter in Japan mid-April, so I've been out of touch, then catching up on everyday things. Nice to see you people have been finding such nice stuff!

I finally got to an estate sale the first of May in a small town up in the hills. I'm assuming there was a British motorcycle or car owned in the past.

Williams 8731A Superrench DBE 3/4 x 7/8
Williams W21 DOE (1/8W, 3/16F) x (3/16W, 1/4 BSF)
Barrington Kestrel RAW-1008 DBE "British Made" (1/4W, 3/16 BSF x 5/16W, 3/8 BSF)
P&C 2825 DOE 11/16 x 3/4
Plomb WF-84 DBE 13/16 x 7/8
Proto USA 4761 1/4 dr. extension
Proto USA 5460 1/2 dr. extension
Proto USA 9686 #3 Phillips screwdriver
Wizard H2605 D 3/8 dr. 12-pt (Duro) 7/16 socket
Snap-On FM10 3/8 dr. 12-pt 10MM socket
SK B 40826 1/2 dr. 12-pt deep socket 13/16

I made it to our local monthly flea market on Sunday. Lots of knick-knacks and clothing, as these come out in the better weather. The better weather allows outside booths set up under canopies. I didn't find anything outside, but inside there were some worthwhile picks:

Items from a lady whose husband was a retired Caterpillar mechanic -
Cat 6V4154 Pipe handle striking wrench 1-1/2 (appears unused)
Bonney 1120 combo (Loc-Rite broaching) 5/8
two John Deere (Bonney-sourced) (Loc-Rite broaching) TY3510 combos 5/8
John Deere (Bonney-sourced) (Loc-Rite broaching) TY3513 combo 13/16
New Britain NDF-514 DOE (Nut Master style) 3/8 x 7/16

Plomb pebble 1236 combo 1-1/8
KD No. 135 spark plug wire pliers
Kobalt metric Allen wrench set, with attached sorter for small MM and SAE sizes. I bought this just to organize my loose ones!

I escaped for less than $25.00

 

[Provincial]

Thank you! Started filling them up…These things are beautiful.

Steve

You ****! Post those on the drill index thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/lets-see-your-vintage-drill-bit-indices.268241/

 

[Shelbylex]

Not a yard sale, but still a find!

 

[3baygarage]

Shelbylex- I’ve run into a number of their old fixed socket wrenches over the years, but don’t believe I ever bought one.

Nice wrenches Provincial.

Another small Habitat haul that was left in the car from a couple weeks ago.

- Eklind t handle sets, Metric and SAE. Rusty, and missing the 1/4. Well worth the price.
- Snap-On specialty box end cylinder head wrench M-4380.
-old Snap-On screwdriver
-Bell System Bridgeport brand screwdriver
-Proto angle wrench
-Yet another partial Thorsen 1/2” drive set. Nice shape.
-nice Cornwell and Bonney deep wells.
-Mystery hardware jar.






The mystery jar was priced $3.99. I like looking at these jars because you never know. Well, finally I saw something good. A little bar with a ball bearing in it. Could it be? Yes!

I didn’t want to throw down 3.99 on this. The manager was nearby and he and I are friendly, so I asked if I could buy the bar. He’s like “I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m going to sell you the whole jar for 99 cents!”. Done deal.

- a nice little 1/4” cross bar in there. I discovered the rest today. Reamer, Husky key ring screwdriver (like those), several bits and paint opener.

 

[misterbill]

I was recently working on something with metric hardware where only a thin DOE would have worked. I didn't have anything on hand and didn't see anything new that I liked with the satin finish I prefer. I turned it into a game and have been picking up German-made DOEs to make a set. For $10 today off of FBM these Dowidat specimens joined the growing group of Stahlwille, Hazet, and Gedore.




Bill

 

[Outlawmws]

I was recently working on something with metric hardware where only a thin DOE would have worked.

Are those thin enough, or are you going to take them down even thinner?

 

[Beerhippie]

These walked into the shop yesterday:



I think I have the full set of the Indestro Auto Kit:



Buddy wanted to know if I wanted these. YES!

 

[Outlawmws]

I think I have the full set of the Indestro Auto Kit:

Nice! I keep a similar set in each vehicle. I owe ownership of several bench mounted vises to those!

 

[Beerhippie]

Nice! I keep a similar set in each vehicle. I owe ownership of several bench mounted vises to those!

Nice thinking! I don't keep much in the way of ASE in the rig, aside from the small selection of Coleman-specific end wrenches.

In the YS kit it goes!

 

[RTM]

Nice thinking! I don't keep much in the way of ASE in the rig, aside from the small selection of Coleman-specific end wrenches.

In the YS kit it goes!

Nice! I keep a similar set in each vehicle. I owe ownership of several bench mounted vises to those!

But you need a second 7/8” to pull the big vises. DAMHIKT

 

[Beerhippie]

But you need a second 7/8” to pull the big vises. DAMHIKT

Ah, but in the road tool kit in each rig is a Metric-English universal, ambidextrous adjustable wrench! And maybe a couple of pair of Vise Grips.

 

[misterbill]

Are those thin enough, or are you going to take them down even thinner?

I doubt it. I'm not one for modifying tools in that way unless I'm desperate. I have the obligatory bucket of sacrificial tools to go to first.

 

[RTM]

I'm not one for modifying tools in that way unless I'm desperate. I have the obligatory bucket of sacrificial tools to go to first.

Just to be a heretic, I bought some SS combo metric wrenches, made by Beta (42series), that seem thinner than average for 16 & 17mm openings. Not sure if I got them from McMaster or Steritool.

These don’t look like mine, which are a smooth shank.

https://www.beta-tools.com/en/products/wrenches/combination-wrenches/combination-wrenches-open-and-offset-ring-ends-chrome-plated-251.html

Mine

 

[bmwrd0]

If you need thin metric wrenches, Park makes metric SOE for adjusting hubs on bicycles. Cone Wrenches are what they are called.

 

[four.cycle]

Follow up on my post from a couple days ago after getting everything sorted out.
Turns out there wasn't quite as much dollar value in the mish-mash of tools.
There was a mix of Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, and Craftsman stuff I listed on ebay, but the rest of the lot is the stuff that wasn't getting used any longer, and may never be used again. Some of it will go to my buddy, some of it already went into the scrap metal pile:

I may make up some more "grab bag" deals just to unload it.
There were a few cherries in the mix. A shiny new 1/4" drive 10mm Snap-on 6-point that will go to my buddy, and a couple odd Honda OEM specialty tools.
There's a 12-inch "Crescent" adjustable in there that has the thumbwheel, but no screw to secure the thumbwheel in place. Don, do you have extra screws for those?

 

[d42jeep]

I have made several from regular machine screws with the correct thread. Just find a long one that screws in easily that preferably isn’t threaded all the way to the head. Just mark the bolt so it will be slightly recessed and cut the head off. Clamp the remaining screw in a vise with soft jaws and cut a slot in the cut off end with the hacksaw. It will work just like the original.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I circled a couple of tools in that picture that I would hang onto if it’s not too late. The chisel holder at the top of the picture can be very useful and the seal puller is a really handy tool as well, in my opinion. I own both of them and have used them frequently.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ The only seals I pull are on lawnmower engines, and that gizmo is way too large to get in there - I use a 1/8" slotted screwdriver to pry them out. The chisel holder is rusted solid - that will be somebody else's problem to deal with. (And I already have bids on the Snap-on package, so I can't make any changes to the ebay listing.)

A bunch of the stuff is soaking in Evaporust right now.
I'm accumulating a lot of older, really beat-up oddballs in these "package deals". To the point where I'm thinking about just dumping all of it as a lot just to get it out of here - it will take forever to nickel-and-dime this out as onesie-twosies.
Some of it went right into the scrap bin.
When I go pull the other stuff out of the garage, there will be enough here to make it worth somebody's time to drive out here and pick it up.

 

[coachwash]

Hit up an estate sale this morning, it was the second day. Found this old rusty craftsman tool box with tools. Sadly the bottom of the box is rusted out. Not sure I have the skill or time to restore it. Paid $30 for it all. The majority of the tools are USA made. Some are so crusty that I won’t know the maker till I clean them up. Don’t have it inventoried yet, but here are the pics.

 

[four.cycle]

@coachwash - is there a brand on the yellow-handled "RV-MH" driver handle with the white screw-on cap?

 

[alinc100]

2 stops today, a well advertised Estate Sale and a garage sale that was very lucky to be on the main road just before the Estate Sale. At the garage sale I bought the (not pictured 1/2" Cornwell ratchet and the Snap On angle wrench set. The rest was the estate sale haul.
Snap On Angle wrench set 3/8” to 1-1/4”
Cornwell 1/2” ratchet SR2 patent applied for
Cornwell 1/2” SR50 ratchet(not pictured)
Craftsman 3/8” drive qr ratchets,rhft ratchet,flex handle
Craftsman 3/8” dr 9mm-18mm 6pt shallow sockets
Craftsman 10 piece crowsfoot set 3/8” to 1”
Craftsman 3/8” dr 7/16” 6pt shallow & deep
Craftsman 1/2” dr 1/2” 6 pt shallow =v=
Craftsman 1/2” dr 11/16” ,25/32”,1” 12 pt deep BE
Craftsman 1/2” dr 19mm 12pt,20mm 6 pt shallow
Craftsman 1/4” dr 13mm,9/16”(asian)
Cornwell 3/8” dr 3/8”,9/16” ind finish 6pt swivel
Proto Los Angeles 3/8” dr 9/16” 12 pt shallow
Plomb 5430 1/2” dr 15/16” 12 pt shallow
Bonney A30 ½” dr 15/16” 12 pt shallow
Snap On SW-320½ 1/2” dr 1” 12 pt shallow G date
Snap On S-390½ 1/2” dr 12 pt deep G date
Snap On A-17 1/2” dr drag link socket 1946
New Britain 1/2” dr 1-1/8” 12pt shallow
New Britain 1/2” dr 5/8”,3/4” 12 pt deep
SK 1/2” dr 5/8” 12 pt deep
Indestro Super 1/2” dr 9/16” 12 pt shallow
PowrKraft replacement wood handle
Craftsman Needlenose Pliers
Craftsman 13/16” x 7/8” Long C offset dbe
Craftsman 10mm combination 12 pt
Craftsman 1/4” x 5/16”,1/2” x 9/16”,5/8” x 3/4”,19/32” x 11/16” doe
Craftsman 3/8” x 7/16” tappet
Snap On 1/2” combination
Craftsman 6 point combination wrenches
1/4”,5/16”,2@11/32”,3/8”,7/16”,2@1/2”,9/16”,2@5/8”
11/16”,2@8,2@9,10,11,15,16mm

 

[coachwash]

@coachwash - is there a brand on the yellow-handled "RV-MH" driver handle with the white screw-on cap?

I cleaned the handle with some tub of towels. Did not find anything other than what you see. The bits have part numbers, but not even sure they are original to the 6 in 1.

 

[WisJim]

Today was the first day of a garage sale in a community just north of town, and they advertised 73 separate sales. We went to about a dozen of them and decided there was too much children's clothes, fashions, and uninteresting household stuff to hold our attention--and we needed to pick up our son's dog for our dog sitting responsibilities. I did spend $5.50 and got a pair of hacksaw blades, a 6" black Crescent wrench, a pair of Channelocks, a Barcolo Buffalo pliers, and 2 books. I might try some more of the sales tomorrow.

 

[knock knock]

Estate sale find for $18 odd mix of things.

 

[knock knock]

Farm sale lots of digging $45 out the door.

 

[bluebolt]

Went to the Lewis Auto Swap Meet in Canton Texas today and found a few things. These are held in the Canton First Monday Trade Days covered pavilions, walking around in the shade is nice! Can't lose my hat because I don't need one!
The Coleman 1957 220E lantern was $15, the Coleman lamp was $20.
I tested the Milwaukee Sawzall myself, $10.
The Blackhawk hammer board was $25, one small anvil was $15, the other anvil, Proto 3/8" drive spinner and Williams impact flex socket were $20.
The signs and small stuff in front of them all came from the dollar table. The green handle hammer is from Two Rivers Wisconsin, my home state, and I had to have it for $15!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Hit up an estate sale close to work and scored these 2 neglected pairs of craftsman orange hi-viz pliers. They will hopefully clean up decent. Paid $2 so I won’t get hurt. Not a huge score but felt good to get on the board today.

 

[JMP]

Hit up an estate sale close to work and scored these 2 neglected pairs of craftsman orange hi-viz pliers. They will hopefully clean up decent. Paid $2 so I won’t get hurt. Not a huge score but felt good to get on the board today.

I'd surely be happy with those. Easy cleanup and they look to have lots of life.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I'd surely be happy with those. Easy cleanup and they look to have lots of life.

They look rough but they are completely free and I think if I just suspend the metal in evaporust, it should do the trick!

 

[four.cycle]

^ If they're not frozen solid, hit 'em with some WD40 and a little brass brush - might be all you need. Won't change the tone of the metal.

 

[Smokeshow69]

^ If they're not frozen solid, hit 'em with some WD40 and a little brass brush - might be all you need. Won't change the tone of the metal.

good call. I like to persevere metal finish/tones as much as possible.

 

[four.cycle]

^ The little brass brushes at Harbor Freight are cheap, but they wear our quickly. I've tried all kinds - they'll all work. Some better than others. You don't lose the patina using that method. (Thanks to @LesserSon for the sage advice on that one.)

 

[LesserSon]

Scrape the rust clusters flat to the surface with an old scredriver, putty knife or whatever before wire brush.
I personally don’t like using EvapoRust on anything I can reach with a brush, because it removes the passivation (magnetitie) at the same rate as the rust (hematite), leaving bare shiny steel that starts to rust again.

 

[LesserSon]

Coatings only protect if they have something to grip onto, and that something is magnetite.

 

[bmwrd0]

I use a paint scrapper, the type that holds a razor blade. Works great for this sort of thing.

 

[Outlawmws]

I use a paint scrapper, the type that holds a razor blade. Works great for this sort of thing.

For flt machined surfaces - I agree ^^ for as-forged or as-cast the wire brush and oil/WD-40 works great.