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The island of misfit tools

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Rileysan

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Sep 11, 2015
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Location
Milwaukie, Oregon
Does anyone else have this problem? I have a table full of disassembled, unsorted, rusty, or broken tools that either have no spot in my collection, are awaiting an intervention, or need to be thrown away. I seem to spend endless hours working on them but don't get anywhere.

If you have this problem, what does your island look like?

Brian
 

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Private Lugnutz

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The Authentic Jersey Shore
Rileysan said:
awaiting an intervention
Click to expand...
Hilarious! And so true. In my case, typically, the CINCHOUSE (Commander-in-Chief-of-the-House). :)

I was just talking about this in a PM with Ed (Oregon Rock Crusher).

My island appears and disappears with the tides. I just did a major clean-up (sorting, disposing, re-organizing), so, currently no island to take photos of. Give me a few months, and the island will reappear! :lol:
 
S

ssdave

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Eastern Oregon
I used to have that problem. I solved it by taking flat rate medium size boxes, filling them, and putting them on ebay starting at 4.99 and shipping. Got rid of the old and rusted and odd pieces of indestro, Bonney, New Britain, P&C, Bog, Giller, etc that way. I'm sure they ended up in piles on someone elses workbench, just like yours. The lots that didn't sell I would throw in the scrap metal bucket with the asian tools and take them to the scap dealer. Now I'm down to a half dozen tool boxes full of better stuff that I need to take the time to ebay when I get my new shop/house finished.
 
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bmwrd0

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Beaver Fever Oregon
I am eternally contemplating putting the piles of better stuff on eBay, lesser piles to the restore, and best stuff on GJ classified. But time is of the essence and the pile still grows.
 
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Gmonkee

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I picked off my favorites and sold the modern stuff and the profit margin stuff. Put antiques in a display case and tossed off the bad stuff.

I still have too much but it is 1/10 of the sheer bulk. All the broken stuff I could have repaired is another msn's treasure now.
 
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Oregon rock crusher

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Jun 28, 2016
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West of Salem
That's the challenge of collecting treasure. Keeping it all organized. I spend way too much time sorting and fixing things but really try hard not to let it get the best of me even if it means occasionally taking a day or two to deal with it all. This weekend I emptied out three lockers and a tall cabinet and most of it fit the remaining nearby storage but I ended up with this wheelbarrow full that still needs a place to go. I'll just wheel it around the shop putting things where they go until whats left doesn't inspire me to keep it. The leftovers either go to the scrap heap or the trash. I think I see a bit of Rileysan trading stock in this load...Ed.
 

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Rileysan

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Milwaukie, Oregon
Oregon rock crusher said:
That's the challenge of collecting treasure. Keeping it all organized. I spend way too much time sorting and fixing things but really try hard not to let it get the best of me even if it means occasionally taking a day or two to deal with it all. This weekend I emptied out three lockers and a tall cabinet and most of it fit the remaining nearby storage but I ended up with this wheelbarrow full that still needs a place to go. I'll just wheel it around the shop putting things where they go until whats left doesn't inspire me to keep it. The leftovers either go to the scrap heap or the trash. I think I see a bit of Rileysan trading stock in this load...Ed.
Click to expand...

Yes! That Craftsman box will look great next to my other heritage boxes.

I never thought about using a wheelbarrow. You may be on to something ...
 
2

2oolhound

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Dec 18, 2010
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BC Canada
I solved the problem by purchasing extra cabinets and stowing it all in the drawers. Now they're never a problem unless I accidentally open one of the drawers when looking for something else.
 
U

Username already in use

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Location
Ohio
I'm currently working on filling up a .50 cal ammo box with orphaned tools. Works great until I need to dig to the bottom to find something.
 
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BFBOB

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Sep 20, 2011
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5,073
I can help!
If you have any wrenches in the Vee Groove pattern (like Snap-On VS series) in brands OTHER THAN: Snap-On, Thorsen, Action, Dayton, Blue Grass, Channellock, KAL, and Powr-Kraft, I'll take 'em! One such brand is Westcraft, though very few Westcrafts were made in the VG pattern. I've seen pictures but have yet to lay hands on one.
 
D

d42jeep

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Oct 22, 2014
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Northern California
Sure enough. This is from four.cycle’s list of manufacturers.
HWI / Hardware Wholesalers Inc. / Do it Best Corp. (after 1998), Ft. Wayne, IN / (some manufactured by Thorsen) /
Here is a link to the sale.
www.ebay.com

hwi wrench for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for hwi wrench at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!
www.ebay.com
I spotted a Dayton example yesterday but left it behind, since BFBOB already has one.
-Don
 
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BFBOB

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5,073
The Collective Garage Journal Mind strikes again!
Some time in the last five years, I managed to acquire two examples of the HWI wrenches. But, I'll go take a look at this current offering; who knows, I may decide I can't live without it.

Thanks!!
 
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d42jeep

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Oct 22, 2014
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Location
Northern California
The seller made me a special offer of $9.00 so you might want to wait a bit and receive the same offer. I‘m not buying it.
-Don
 
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BFBOB

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Messages
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Hobbies and Jeep --

Just FYI, the count of Thorsen VG brands now stands at 17:

Action
Blue Grass
Blue Point
Caterpillar
Channellock
Dayton
HWI
Hunter
IBM
KAL
PowrKraft
Snap-On
Synthes
Thorsen
Troy-Bilt
Westcraft
Wilde

And of course, on the lookout for more!

The most recent addition is the Hunter, an offset DBE in 26 & 28 mm. I wonder if it's a tool
to go with their tire changers or some such?
 
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