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Vintage (1950's) Snap On Tools. What to do with them?

pfbz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
962
I have lots of older hand-me-down Snap On tools that I just looked up the date code stamps on. Most are 1955 & 1956 with some as early as 1948.

I have ratchets, T handles, speed wrenchs, large metric socket assortment in 1/2 and 3/8, SAE sockets, full set of "Blue Point professional" open end wrenches (these are some of the oldest), etc. Probably 80+ pieces total.

These have been in my boxes for about 30 years with very light occasional use (home mechanic stuff) during that time. All are in great service condition with great tool edges and no non-cosmetic damage. Much of it is also in very good or excellent cosmetic condition. Many of the sockets are not as nice and have some light to medium surface corrosion.

So... the question:
What should I do with these tools? I could happily put them back in my box and just continue to use them (mostly as duplicates) for another few decades.. I have no interest in keeping them as any sort of "collectible".

Are these tools that people are likely to be interested in?

Would they have similar value to say lightly used 5-10 year old Snap-On tools?
More?
Less?


 
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krusty the clown

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Nov 18, 2007
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niangua, mo
it's hard to say what they are worth without seeing them. my opinion is 50's era are not HIGHLY collectible since the styling of them are the same as current models (for the most part, but some may be valuable). i would use them........
 

goodfellow

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Dec 17, 2006
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As an old SNAP-ON rep told me several decades ago -

..."Tools are Tools -- use them as intended. That's the best tribute to the guys who made them".

I'm inclined to agree with him, unless you have ultra rare pieces that could be considered a significant part of a retirement account.
 

Bolster

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Jul 8, 2008
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Mexifornia
Or, sell them here to the weirdos (like me) who actually prefer vintage tools, take the money and buy new stuff!
 

Vinko

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Jul 7, 2008
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Location
Los Angeles
I bought a 50's 1/2" SO ratchet from Chad for my tool kit at work. If you've got any 1/2 sockets c. 1950's, I'd be interested in taking a look.
 
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pfbz

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Dec 17, 2008
Messages
962
I have quite a bit... mostly stamped '55 and '56, some a bit earlier. I cleaned a bit of the accumulated grime off yesterday and was surprised how nice their condition was.

I'll take some pictures next week and post 'em up with the model numbers and some pictures of the date stamps, but from memory, this is what I have:

1/2" Ratchet
1/2" Sliding T bar
1/2" Extension
1/2" Socket set, standard depth, metric, 11mm - 22mm

3/8" Flex head ratchet
3/8" Round head ratchet
3/8" Breaker bar (two)
3/8" Speed wrench
3/8" Extension
3/8" Socket set, standard depth, metric, 11mm - 20mm

Blue Point Supreme open end metric wrench set, 10 pc.
 

Elroy

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Oct 15, 2005
Messages
3,467
Location
kentucky
I have lots of older hand-me-down Snap On tools that I just looked up the date code stamps on. Most are 1955 & 1956 with some as early as 1948.

So... the question:
What should I do with these tools?

Or, sell them here to the weirdos (like me) who actually prefer vintage tools, take the money and buy new stuff!

And don't forget that nut case Elroy. Yep that's a good idea. Sell them to Elroy for pennies on the dollars. Then you can go buy new shinny tools that are actually a fraction of the quality you have in those vintage Snap-on tools.
Ya, that's it. Sell them to Elroy real cheap.

I have quite a bit... mostly stamped '55 and '56, some a bit earlier............I'll take some pictures next week and post 'em up

Please do. Elroy would enjoy seeing them and he is sure there are many other here that would like to see your vintage stuff as well.

You know we got to see them before we buy them. :lol_hitti
 

wrenchr

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Staff member
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Jul 29, 2007
Messages
11,603
Location
Michigan
Here is my old snap on iron!!!

Picture.jpg
 
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