2020 Garage Sale Thread
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It’s time to vote for the Picker of the Year.
Arriving at a final list of 10 nominees was no easy matter, despite my attempt to pre-load a “you ****” list for each month. As I have commented before, the search function is a little too myopic to catch all the variations of “****,” much less the many other, more creative, ways members express their esteem for laudable hauls. I integrated my accumulated “****” count as one factor in narrowing the list, but I must disavow any implication that my tallies are entirely accurate or represent an objective valuation of the hauls. This is for fun.
I began with the criteria stated in my first post:
10 candidates with 20 or more posts on this thread who, in my estimation, exemplify the high standards of economy, quality, esprit-de-corps, perspicacity…(AKA “best year of finds”).
At the point I began the process, 50 members had 20 or more posts.
As Thread Host, I disqualify myself. 2 others had won Picker of the Year within the last two years - Private Lugnutz and Tin Medic. Considering their welcome and regular contributions to the thread, the decision to leave them off the top 10 was an uneasy one, and I leave it to future Hosts to determine whether this should be an ongoing practice.
I invite each member to consider how well each of the candidates exemplified the stated standards, and let them inform your vote:
Economy - subjective. Free is as good as it gets, but there is the cost of mileage, time spent, and incidentals. Not everyone posts price, much less the cost of effort.
Quality - subjective. Aesthetics, utility, rarity - as we see time and again, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Esprit-de-Corps - complex, subtle. Meeting up in person to pick, swap, chat; sharing advice, identification, encouragement; civility, generosity.
Perspicacity - inferred. “How the heck did you find that?” It’s not luck, but the active maximization and perception of opportunity, and the readiness to act when it materializes.
Best YEAR of Finds - consistent, regular, worthy. Not a single item or even a cluster of hauls, but a calendar-spanning parade of comment-provoking items.
I came up with a proprietary formula to narrow the remaining candidates from 47 to 15, then scrolled all 6000+ posts, pausing to look at photos and read comments authored by, or responding to, those 15. Finally, after a full night’s sleep, I cut the last 5. (Hardest part of the process!)
The 10 nominees are...
b.well
BlueBomber
bmwrd0
Davefr
freudianfloyd
Old Radar
Outlawmws
pelletman
Provincial
r_olson 06
...listed in alphabetical order to avoid injecting prejudice. I hope by studying the poll results to learn whether either my formula or my gut has any predictive value. I am purposefully leaving out post- and “****-“ counts - not to conceal them (tally them yourself if you must) - but because at this point, each has already had its influence on the process.
Do your own review, then cast your vote in the 2020 Garage Sale Picker of the Year Poll, open for 1 week (ends Friday, December 18, 9:30am EST).
Arriving at a final list of 10 nominees was no easy matter, despite my attempt to pre-load a “you ****” list for each month. As I have commented before, the search function is a little too myopic to catch all the variations of “****,” much less the many other, more creative, ways members express their esteem for laudable hauls. I integrated my accumulated “****” count as one factor in narrowing the list, but I must disavow any implication that my tallies are entirely accurate or represent an objective valuation of the hauls. This is for fun.
I began with the criteria stated in my first post:
10 candidates with 20 or more posts on this thread who, in my estimation, exemplify the high standards of economy, quality, esprit-de-corps, perspicacity…(AKA “best year of finds”).
At the point I began the process, 50 members had 20 or more posts.
As Thread Host, I disqualify myself. 2 others had won Picker of the Year within the last two years - Private Lugnutz and Tin Medic. Considering their welcome and regular contributions to the thread, the decision to leave them off the top 10 was an uneasy one, and I leave it to future Hosts to determine whether this should be an ongoing practice.
I invite each member to consider how well each of the candidates exemplified the stated standards, and let them inform your vote:
Economy - subjective. Free is as good as it gets, but there is the cost of mileage, time spent, and incidentals. Not everyone posts price, much less the cost of effort.
Quality - subjective. Aesthetics, utility, rarity - as we see time and again, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Esprit-de-Corps - complex, subtle. Meeting up in person to pick, swap, chat; sharing advice, identification, encouragement; civility, generosity.
Perspicacity - inferred. “How the heck did you find that?” It’s not luck, but the active maximization and perception of opportunity, and the readiness to act when it materializes.
Best YEAR of Finds - consistent, regular, worthy. Not a single item or even a cluster of hauls, but a calendar-spanning parade of comment-provoking items.
I came up with a proprietary formula to narrow the remaining candidates from 47 to 15, then scrolled all 6000+ posts, pausing to look at photos and read comments authored by, or responding to, those 15. Finally, after a full night’s sleep, I cut the last 5. (Hardest part of the process!)
The 10 nominees are...
b.well
BlueBomber
bmwrd0
Davefr
freudianfloyd
Old Radar
Outlawmws
pelletman
Provincial
r_olson 06
...listed in alphabetical order to avoid injecting prejudice. I hope by studying the poll results to learn whether either my formula or my gut has any predictive value. I am purposefully leaving out post- and “****-“ counts - not to conceal them (tally them yourself if you must) - but because at this point, each has already had its influence on the process.
Do your own review, then cast your vote in the 2020 Garage Sale Picker of the Year Poll, open for 1 week (ends Friday, December 18, 9:30am EST).
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
"If nominated I will not run. If elected, I will not serve." 
Love your criteria, LS.
And, if only to not bump my post count up any higher than it already is, here's what I brought home from the flea market this morning.
No, I am not expanding the Lugzsonian to a menagerie or entomology lab. I'm just looking forward to the look on my grandchildren's faces some day when I say, "That's an Asian Killer Cricket."
The tool is an antique bootlace puller.
Quarter for context.
Love your criteria, LS.
And, if only to not bump my post count up any higher than it already is, here's what I brought home from the flea market this morning.
No, I am not expanding the Lugzsonian to a menagerie or entomology lab. I'm just looking forward to the look on my grandchildren's faces some day when I say, "That's an Asian Killer Cricket."
The tool is an antique bootlace puller.
Quarter for context.
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gearhead1960
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Haha.....and "it's for breakfast today!"
In the 'you win some, you lose some' and the 'don't be late' category, I missed this sign this morning by minutes. The buyer was waling away as I walked up. That outline you see is for a wooden pocket that is missing. This board was probably hanging outside of a borough hall or something like that. It would've been perfect for the Lugzsonian.
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RTM
Well-known member
And, if only to not bump my post count up any higher than it already is, here's what I brought home from the Asian Killer Cricket market this morning.
Fixed that for you.
gross. Gives me the willies just looking at a bug that big. I’d never make it in Australia
dkroth
Well-known member
wrenchguy
Well-known member
I think this qualifies on the thread. Received free as long as I repair and add to "the collection".
Toothpick model of the U.S.S. Constitution built 1976 or 77. It's 7' long 5' tall and needs repair. Looks like all the parts are there.
Video.
<iframe width="721" height="541" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q1FLrFPhqY0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Toothpick model of the U.S.S. Constitution built 1976 or 77. It's 7' long 5' tall and needs repair. Looks like all the parts are there.
Video.
<iframe width="721" height="541" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q1FLrFPhqY0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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madison069
Well-known member
tin medic
Well-known member
Lugz, you and I get the “thanks for playing award”. [emoji1787]
Good luck to the final 10.
The rest of you better watch out because I’m back in next year. [emoji48]
Good luck to the final 10.
The rest of you better watch out because I’m back in next year. [emoji48]
DITTO... Except I won't keep my price a secret. If you can find a base for my grandfather's old vise (posted here back in May), you're hired!!!
Mike
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Off to make two participation trophies!
But I'm not following your logic about next year, tin. If you win once, you're done. It's like a lifetime achievement award. Or a lifetime ban! Haha. Sorry you're stuck with my crappy trophy!
But I'm not following your logic about next year, tin. If you win once, you're done. It's like a lifetime achievement award. Or a lifetime ban! Haha. Sorry you're stuck with my crappy trophy!
I assume the central hole is threaded. What’s the diameter of the base? I bet it didn’t have “Simplex” on it, so seems many same-size bases might work. Littlestown vises seem common enough in that approximate size, so a cheap or free one may work as a doner.
Alternately, you might drill a second perimeter hole accross from the existing one, and just bolt it down like a fixed-base model.
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tin medic
Well-known member
Off to make two participation trophies!
But I'm not following your logic about next year, tin. If you win once, you're done. It's like a lifetime achievement award. Or a lifetime ban! Haha. Sorry you're stuck with my crappy trophy!
I’m sneaking in using the alias “medic tin”.
I have the original trophy. Now granted it was “some assembly required “ as it did come to me pre-broken thanks to the USPS. I’m going to make a spot next to it for my participation trophy.
misterbill
Well-known member
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- Dec 24, 2015
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Off to make two participation trophies!
But I'm not following your logic about next year, tin. If you win once, you're done. It's like a lifetime achievement award. Or a lifetime ban! Haha. Sorry you're stuck with my crappy trophy!
Emeritus, Lifetime Achievement, Best Supporting Picker... I think you two have options.
wrenchguy
Well-known member
Nice boat. Big responsibility you've accepted! Will it float?
All wood and extremely light model. Definitely will float, no ballast prolly on its side.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
My vote is NOT for sale. We don't need anyone coming in and saying "It was rigged!" or "The election was stolen from me!" 
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
The inaugural!
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
where's my 'created the thread' award
SuburbGuy
Well-known member
Another "Oh those are just Craftsman" comment. I always
like hearing that.[/QUOTE]
I love those guys too. Often when I go up to sellers at estate sales to cash out all they're doing is looking at my tools to see if I found any Snap On. Williams, SK and Plomb often mean nothing to them.
like hearing that.[/QUOTE]
I love those guys too. Often when I go up to sellers at estate sales to cash out all they're doing is looking at my tools to see if I found any Snap On. Williams, SK and Plomb often mean nothing to them.
I assume the central hole is threaded. What’s the diameter of the base? I bet it didn’t have “Simplex” on it, so seems many same-size bases might work. Littlestown vises seem common enough in that approximate size, so a cheap or free one may work as a doner.
Alternately, you might drill a second perimeter hole accross from the existing one, and just bolt it down like a fixed-base model.
You're most likely correct.
EDIT: I took some measurements, see pic below.
Nice job digging up my old pic, BTW!
Mike
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BlueBomber
Well-known member
where's my 'created the thread' award
Here you go, Jeff.
View media item 108766
I'm currently accepting donations to produce it in bronze.
3baygarage
Well-known member
That looks too much like an obit/memorial.
“May he rest in keys.”
“May he rest in keys.”
rustynbent
Active member
I'm filing a case with the supreme court, I want all the votes in GA, PA, MI and WI channeled to Lindsey Graham.
16again
Well-known member
Only bronze? This is GJ man, We need it in Gold or PlatinumHere you go, Jeff.
View media item 108766
I'm currently accepting donations to produce it in bronze.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
That is creeping me out more than the Asian Killer Cricket! I feel like I'm signing in at Jeff's wake!
BlueBomber
Well-known member
It says "In Honor of", not "In Memory of"!
I considered a Father Time figurine, but thought that would put folks off...
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
I considered a Father Time figurine, but thought that would put folks off...
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
3baygarage
Well-known member
You know I'm joking right? It should read WANTED! TIME BANDIT.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Good point, BB. And sorry. Didn't mean to deride your work. But after 3bay's allusion (look out for that bus!), I can't get it out of my head now!
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Ha! A great mini-example of how words in a post entry are drained of context and nuance. You guys weren't serious about the plaque-as-obit and I wasn't offended by your ribbing over my 5-min slapped together graphic.
Hmmm. What would be a suitable Founding Father artifact to recognize our very much alive and active OP of used tool bounties? Maybe a mini-sculpture of a guy pointing to an overstuffed toolbox and piled-high workbench full of old tools and saying "I blame Jeff Moss for this abundance"? :-D.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Hmmm. What would be a suitable Founding Father artifact to recognize our very much alive and active OP of used tool bounties? Maybe a mini-sculpture of a guy pointing to an overstuffed toolbox and piled-high workbench full of old tools and saying "I blame Jeff Moss for this abundance"? :-D.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Catfishdan
Well-known member
That might be my favorite find of the year. That guy must’ve had the patience of a saint. I don’t even like to start projects I can’t finish the same day!
d42jeep
Well-known member
Since I probably won’t be hitting any more sales in the wild this year, it was very nice of GJ member Shiftless to drop off a couple of items on my front porch yesterday. A mysterious unmarked 1/2” drive speeder and a beautiful little S-K 1/4” drive knurled socket. Thanks, Mr D!
-Don
-Don
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Here you go, Jeff.
I'm currently accepting donations to produce it in bronze.
That's great!!!! LOL Where do we send the donations?
bmwrd0
Well-known member
Indeed. Who can I overnight my two rusty SK sockets too?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I can't imagine it - and I used to make tiny biplanes from flat toothpicks. no longer than a toothpick, and wing span not much greater... (Fokker's were my favorite)
Lotusnut
Well-known member
How many of the little Fokkers did you have?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I don't remember. half a dozen? Pretty delicate so they didn't survive all the moves...
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I posted my vote for Picker of the Year. I have to say, it was a difficult choice. Other than yours truly, everyone else on the list brought home a bunch of terrific deals and contributed strongly to the thread. Regardless of who wins the vote, you all had a great year--bravo!
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