2026 Garage Sale Thread (15th Annual)

[Patrickm82]

You **** for that haul @timoboy !!

 

[LesserSon]

Generic no-name crate opener which looks remarkably similar to the "Mephisto" that @LesserSon just found - has the same odd-shaped "Pad" on the handle, but no logo stamped there.

@Private Lugnutz pointed out the likely OEM - Bridgeport HM, on the Mephisto thread.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

@firstyearchevelle *****. Nice eagle eye!

 

[alinc100]

You **** for that haul @timoboy !!

yes he does. But he did it Wright.

 

[3baygarage]

Timoboy gets a great big YOU ****!

Excellent finds guys. Firstyearchevelle and David99 also get a You ****!

 

[Macduf]

A two dollar haul on 2nd day. Ok is the larco a gimmick or not?

 

[four.cycle]

@Private Lugnutz pointed out the likely OEM - Bridgeport HM, on the Mephisto thread.

^ That is kind of what I had assumed. It has that "trapezoid with roundy corners" panel on one side of the shank just above the wood handle.

Ok is the larco a gimmick or not?

it's the "Larc-O-Matic"!

(You didn't think Ron Popeil was first, did you?)

some of them were made by Hedstrom:
Hedstrom / Hedstrom Industries Inc., Chicago, IL / "Larc-O-Matic" "Larcaloy" wrench / patent 1830033 Nov 3 1931 & 2351821 Jun 20 1944 John V. Larson / see also Larco Wrench Co. /

Some were made by Larco:
Larco / Larco Wrench & Mfg. Co., 7800 Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL / patent 1155136 Sep 28 1915 Charles Albin Dies & 1389581 Sep 6 1921 Charles A. Dies / acquired Cochran Pipe Wrench Co. 1920 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/anyone-heard-of-larco-wrench-mfg-corp.484714/ / see also Hedstrom Industries Inc. /

(forerunner to the Cochran wrench you see in the background on the sidebars on this website.)

 

[JonahBrown]

A two dollar haul on 2nd day. Ok is the larco a gimmick or not?

Before quick wrenches and robogrips, you had this.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

The heartbreak of the month. I spotted this craftsman in the very corner of an estate sale listing photo. I decided to play hooky from work and take a chance. I got there 30 minutes early and waited outside. I could see the vise through the window and a price sticker that wasn’t legible. Once they opened I rushed back to see the sticker said “not for sale”. I asked the guy running the sale. The owner seemed to think the homemade bench was some sort of statement piece and didn’t want the vise to go. It was a very nice 5182 with copper jaw covers and a heritage badge.

 

[coachwash]

The wife and I spent Saturday morning hitting the local GS in our area. It was hit and miss so not sure what I actually paid $10-$15. Here is what I brought home.
orange case is black & decker

 

[WNYflyer]

Pick-ups from the weekend
Matco wrenches from a family run estate sale, Metric and SAE



From a family run estate sale, Craftsman locking flex ratcheting wrenches in SAE that looks to be missing the 7/16



From a recently retired chemical plant mechanic, unused 3/8 drive Proto deep metric impact socket set.

 

[Patrickm82]

Nice haul @WNYflyer! Those Craftsman wrench’s are one of my big wants. Just don’t see them.

 

[JMP]

Stopped at a couple sales this morning and got a few things. I've been purposely avoiding the sales lately with a lack of space and basement water/moisture issues which has had me relocating things into storage.




Sale #2: A custom Bell System tool driven by a Plomb ratchet. I picked this one up on FB Marketplace today. It was advertised as a lineman cable splicer but I haven't found much on it yet but I'll need to look this one up and post on the Bell thread. In the deal I also ended up with a Western Electric 445A reflex klystron vacuum Tube and a vintage pager/beeper all for $15

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I just grabbed these four auto body dollies off FBMP for $20. They should clean up nicely. Good quality heavy old school dollies.

 

[WNYflyer]

Nice haul @WNYflyer! Those Craftsman wrench’s are one of my big wants. Just don’t see them.

Thanks, I hear you, first time I’ve ever seen them in the wild.

 

[Provincial]

timoboy get a **** for the Wright pick!

 

[Levaughn]

These are some items I picked up last Saturday at a Yard Sale for $15.

- Allied Wire Strippers
- Proto # 4993 Folding SAE Hex Key Set
- Mattel Hot Wheels Slip Joint Pliers
- Husky 17mm Ratchet Wrench
- Joran 3/8 Cement Drill Bit
- Battery Terminal Remover Tool
- Nuova Faro Italy 12mm Open-End Spanner/Flat-Head Screwdriver
- Craftsman 8mm Wrench
- Latin Percussion Music Collection 8/9mm DOE Wrench
- Misc No Name Tools
- Crimping & Cutting Tool

 

[designer485]

I picked up this Sioux Model 330 Impact Wrench at Goodwill for $12. It works perfectly but is in need of some visual refurbishment. I plan to make this one look as new as I can with some new paint and polishing. I also reached out to Sioux and they were kind enough to send over a full exploded view parts diagram to help with disassembly / service. This one dates from the mid 50s-60s and is built like an absolute tank. In 1956 it retailed for $127.50...about $1500 in today's dollars.

 

[timoboy]

This find goes squarely in the category of “I didn’t know they made this” and I thought I had a pretty good beat on the Craftsman tool and storage lineup over the past couple decades…

Apparently Montezuma made a 26” Craftsman branded box for catalog/online only. I was under the impression they made the boxes in China, but the original Sears tool catalog clearly lists my “new” black powdercoated example as USA made. Steel is super thick, 16ga goodness. An incredible find for $50, having lived a sheltered life in a dry California home wood shop and not subjected to road tool box use as intended.

 

[Outlawmws]

You ****! I love those slant front top boxes and I'm not a big fan of top boxes generally.

 

[JMP]

Picked up a partial bucket of random sockets originally from a defunct auto/radiator shop and stored in a shed for several years. As expected some of these are a bit rough but still plenty of good useable tools. I figured it was worth a shot for $30. A good two thirds of the sockets are vintage USA with the majority being Craftsman along with a good mix of SK, Mac, Cornwell, Matco, Snap On, etc. A good 30% is metric. I still have to sort through it completely so it's possible I've yet to find a gem or two. A good bit of Craftsman to help me complete some sets and the bulk/extras I'll try and resell/donate.



Snap On and a few Kobalt USA sockets



Random 1/2" drive impact sockets (Mac, Matco, Cornwell) and a couple socket trays.

 

[mrb1]

Just a heads up for those in the area and that are interested...The Rt 127 Longest Yard Sale starts today, running through Sunday.

127 Yard Sale - The World's Longest Yard Sale

The 127 Yard Sale happens the first Thursday thru Sunday in August each year. It is 690 miles long and spans 6 states.

127yardsale.com

.

 

[coachwash]

Hit up two GS close to the house this morning. Found a few item I needed, . Really not sure that is true! Any way, hard for me to pass up tools. Paid $10.

 

[3baygarage]

Excellent finds guys.

Today on my route I decided to stop at a far away pawn shop that I like, but haven’t been to in a couple years.

They really haven’t added much to their hand tools, and looks like way fewer. I dug deep to the bottom of every bin and came up with some interesting finds, mostly smalls.

The whole haul:

Small wrenches: Walden, Bonney, Blue-Point, Controlled Steel (Danielson), Wilde combo !!!, Traxxas (RC hobby brand), Craftsman mis-struck.

Kal Japan adapter, Smith & Wesson screwdriver, Proto Los Angeles 3/8” sliding T handle, Husky 1/4” driver w/female end

Blue-Point (Diamond made) slip joint pliers, Plomb 5/8” wrench.
Sockets: 4 Snap-On metric, 3 vintage Craftsman
1 vintage Bonney, a Proto Canada, Gray Canada

 

[mikeinri]

This find goes squarely in the category of “I didn’t know they made this” and I thought I had a pretty good beat on the Craftsman tool and storage lineup over the past couple decades…

Apparently Montezuma made a 26” Craftsman branded box for catalog/online only. I was under the impression they made the boxes in China, but the original Sears tool catalog clearly lists my “new” black powdercoated example as USA made. Steel is super thick, 16ga goodness. An incredible find for $50, having lived a sheltered life in a dry California home wood shop and not subjected to road tool box use as intended.

$50, including the tools???

Mike

 

[Patrickm82]

Pretty good morning picking today, even though it’s nasty hot out! First was an estate sale that was 10 mins down the street from me so I went early to grab a decent number, I got 17, not bad was in the first group! Didn’t get much but a couple of cool finds I think. $10 got me this;

Snap on vacuum grip hose clamp pliers hcp48a
Nice hammer with octagonal handle, no name as of yet.
Blue bird pliers of some sort
Old square drive ratchet #883





Next was another estate sale that I did not wait in line for. Too hot and too long. Last stop was a moving sale from Craigslist that advertised and snap on dead blow hammer. 3 mins down the street I went and check it out. I’m glad I did! I walked up and spot a sledge hammer with a duct tape handle and a 5lb sledge. Then I spot a bunch of other Snap on stuff with some good prices!! I grabbed the 5 lbs hammer and all the other snap on stuff and asked how much. He adds it up and says $45 I said sold. Then I asked about the big boy, why the handle was taped. He said it was cracked so I could take it for $5 he only had $15 on it to start with!. Here’s what I got

Metric and standard crows foot line wrenches don’t look used.
1/4” socket set box with Snap on Torx in the bottom, Stanley in the middle and SK ratchet
Snap on and 1 Allen hex keys 3/8 - 5/8
Blue point bc7b 5 lb dead blow
Blue point bc114b 11.5 lb sledge
A rail with 3/8 drive 12 point, 6 point and 2 impact sockets Snap on
$50 for everything.

 

[3baygarage]

Wow what a YOU ****! on the crowsfeet!

That ratchet or ratcheting wrench is an oddball . I feel like I've seen it before but no ID for you.

 

[Beerhippie]

Wow what a YOU ****! on the crowsfeet!

That ratchet or ratcheting wrench is an oddball . I feel like I've seen it before but no ID for you.

S-K?

 

[3baygarage]

S-K?

The one in his first three pictures

 

[Patrickm82]

Wow what a YOU ****! on the crowsfeet!

That ratchet or ratcheting wrench is an oddball . I feel like I've seen it before but no ID for you.

Not really. I think the square would be it but it’s not really decipherable. Then 883 on the other side.

 

[Marsim]

I just picked this up from a bowling alley that is closing down. It was too cool not to get for $10.

 

[bluebolt]

Yesterday I went to the Lewis Auto Swap Meet in Canton Texas. One of my favorite vendor's always has stuff dirt cheap and gives me a discount as a repeat customer. Here's what I got for $20!
Mint USA Craftsman screwdrivers, Mac Tool snap ring pliers, Greenlee 3/4" SQUARE punch, Klein magnetic level, Channellock pliers, Kobalt USA full polish 15/16" wrench, drafting compass, Coleman First Aid Kit and hardware box, brown hardware box and 4 Hurst Shifter new T-shirts.

 

[a6hux]

Found some Proto cold chisels today for $9. Some education on the L shaped ones would be useful and appreciated! Thanks

 

[jb books]

This weekends finds. All in for $18

 

[3baygarage]

Found some Proto cold chisels today for $9. Some education on the L shaped ones would be useful and appreciated! Thanks

The curved ones are various irons for plumbing work. Pipe joints filled with lead. I've never seen it being done. Probably on youtube.

 

[a6hux]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Beerhippie]

The curved ones are various irons for plumbing work. Pipe joints filled with lead. I've never seen it being done. Probably on youtube.

The bells hubs of the joints were first stuffed with oakum--like loose Manilla rope fibers. The irons are for packing that stuff in good and tight before pouring molten lead over to finish the seal.

 

[ctuai]

Super slow here in Des Moines. 2 weeks and 5 estates sale later and all I've got to show for the effort is a toaster and a pair of clarinets. Figured, I'd post just to keep in touch.

Toastwell 740 manual ($5)



Bb and A Buffet Crampon (Carl Fisher) R16 one piece full Boehm clarinets. Serial # 858S1 & 983S1 (1926). Included a Buffet Evettine mouthpiece, and a Woodwind Co. Steel Ebonite K9 mouthpieces both w/ Selmer Magnitone Ligatures, 2 extra Buffet barrels and Buffet lyre sheet holder. ($300)

 

[bluebolt]

Some scores from Old River Valley Antique Mall ($96 total with tax) in Stewartville Minnesota on Monday plus a $20 Coleman 220F in a yellow clamshell case from a Marketplace add in Fayetteville Arkansas on Wednesday. The guy with the 220F even delivered for free! The Lanterns are an early Quik Lite and 1957 22E, the cooler is a twin to my green Coleman cooler and the yellow Coca-Cola crate is 1955. The cooler was soon used for beer from Point Brewery in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Yes I've been doing a lot of traveling! And enjoying several breweries LOL.

 

[bluebolt]

JB Books *****!