Why buy yard sale junk?

Mstrfxit12 · May 26, 2010

Guys, I realize i'm relatively new here but this question has been bugging me so I figured I'd ask. I see lots of pictures and posts about people all excited about their yard/estate/dead guy/ sale scores and all the stuff they got and how great it is. I look at the pics and am just amazed at what **** it looks like. I realize finding that old tool for removing antlers from left handed albino jackelopes is cool but alot of it is discount tool brands from pittsburgh, etc. They look like they've been living in a junk yard and sprayed with salt water for 10 years. I truly believe in "to each his own" and I mean no disrespect by this but I just didnt get it.

lipadj46 · May 26, 2010

I don't think many people post here bragging about getting pittsburgh tools for pennies on the dollar. Most of them are getting quality american made tools for pennies on the dollar.

sk farmer · May 26, 2010

oh grassshopper. much to learn you have. yes there is some **** in the boxs and no most of it may not appeal to you. but.......many of us relish in the challenge of finding the odd obscure ratchet or wrench from yesteryear. sad but true much of those older tools are as good or better than what you can buy today. if you like shiny chrome wich most of do also, great. but be careful if you get your hands on an old bonney or matco wrench, pebble finish tool or vintage tool chest/box you may be hooked because a lot of that stuff are true classics just like old cars, airplanes or motorycles. they just don't make them like they used to.

GTO · May 26, 2010

It's all about the "score".
I pass on 99.9% of yard sale and flea market junk.Because it is just that,JUNK

Hiball · May 26, 2010

Mstrfxit12 said:
Guys, I realize i'm relatively new here but this question has been bugging me so I figured I'd ask. I see lots of pictures and posts about people all excited about their yard/estate/dead guy/ sale scores and all the stuff they got and how great it is. I look at the pics and am just amazed at what **** it looks like. I realize finding that old tool for removing antlers from left handed albino jackelopes is cool but alot of it is discount tool brands from pittsburgh, etc. They look like they've been living in a junk yard and sprayed with salt water for 10 years. I truly believe in "to each his own" and I mean no disrespect by this but I just didnt get it.

I dont see much Yard sale import tools purchases here at GJ. I do see alot of Old American Made Steel that might fit your broad description. Might i suggest you check out some of the electrolysis threads, I think it will broaden your mind a bit. Its a awesome feeling to bring something back to life that is from a simpler time and is very rewarding to some here.

Teken · May 26, 2010

I think you need to take a few more weeks and see what some of the members have bought . . . A lot of the tools found / purchased are pretty much oh my God, what a deal, why can't that sort of thing happen here etc . . .

The one thing I can state for a fact is this: Some city's are riddled with third party lower quality tools . . . Others, the same main line tools such as Armstrong, Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, etc are as abundant as tree's!

Some of the quality tools found at the price purchased just leaves me speachless . . .

So, once again take a few moments and read over a few more threads about great buys etc . . . I do agree there are a few threads where the poster bragged about *** tool, and not just in my eye's but in the eye's of all were simply POS tools . . .

But hey what ever floats your boat . . .

Mickey O · May 26, 2010

Mstrfxit12 said:
Guys, I realize i'm relatively new here but this question has been bugging me so I figured I'd ask. I see lots of pictures and posts about people all excited about their yard/estate/dead guy/ sale scores and all the stuff they got and how great it is. I look at the pics and am just amazed at what **** it looks like. I realize finding that old tool for removing antlers from left handed albino jackelopes is cool but alot of it is discount tool brands from pittsburgh, etc. They look like they've been living in a junk yard and sprayed with salt water for 10 years. I truly believe in "to each his own" and I mean no disrespect by this but I just didnt get it.

Apparently you haven't seen my tool haul posts, as well as many others, have you seen any?

Have a look at these at tell me what is ****, not counting that I refer to most stuff as ****, this is good ****.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64957

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64318

warmpancakes · May 26, 2010

simple in every box of junk theres gold, example I paid 40.00 for a good size box of tools at a auction overthe weekend, figure 18x18x18 inches, 90% of it was junk but in the bottom of the box was a complete set of snap on allend drivers (3/8 drive)all metric, a cummins diesl injector socket thats sells for 70.00 on ebay you gotta dig to find gold

FoMoCoPower · May 26, 2010

Heaven forbid someone actually SAVE MONEY,what is this world coming to....people buying things used!!!!

MC1983 · May 26, 2010

Some people just enjoy the chase. It is like treasure hunting and that for every 100 pieces of china/taiwan tools, they find one or two nice USA tools. Some people are looking for collector pieces while others are looking to complete sets or simply need the tool. There are many professional mechanics out here that use these tools everyday and can afford to buy the best and buy new. Many others simply cannot afford truck brand tools and prices brand new. Instead of settling for china/taiwan equivalents, we settle for used USA quality tools for prices similar to china/taiwan tools. Others are in it to resell and make money. It takes some work, but profits can be made.

If people have the time and are not in urgent need of the tool, a great bargain can be made at the yard/estate/flea. I can speak for myself and I just enjoy digging through the pile to find the treasure mixed in the junk. A lot of people also enjoy the negotiating game that is played between seller and buyer.

I don't have much money to throw around so I am selective with my buys. I work on my vehicle as a hobby so all I really need is a basic set. I am slowly building up my collection. Along the way, it is fun to read and learn about the quality tool manufacturers.

Mr.Nutcase · May 26, 2010

Mstrfxit12 said:
Guys, I realize i'm relatively new here but this question has been bugging me so I figured I'd ask. I see lots of pictures and posts about people all excited about their yard/estate/dead guy/ sale scores and all the stuff they got and how great it is. I look at the pics and am just amazed at what **** it looks like. .

Who care how they look, what are you going to make love/*** to the tool?

Mickey O · May 26, 2010

Remember, one mans junk, is my complete tool collection.*

* not really but a good deal of it is.

wormwood · May 26, 2010

I'm in the (gradual and lengthy) process of replacing every tool in my shop that says: China, Tiawan, Korea with old (or new) tools that say "USA".

A shiny socket from China vs an old dirty socket that says Plomb or SO? I'll take old and dirty.

Moose-LandTran · May 26, 2010

Hey, more "junk" for us to buy! :beer:

JSBriggs · May 26, 2010

sk farmer said:
... they just don't make them like they used to.

For me this is a big part of it, along with getting quality tools for pennies on the dollar. There is also a bit of a romance to it for me, akin to owning a classic car.

-Jeff

TAftw · May 26, 2010

^^^Very good analogy. You could buy a new car, but it doesn't have the character, craftsmanship, or quality that and old car has.

Bull · May 26, 2010

I have never seen anyone on here brag about a yard/estate sale our flea market buy that was Asian. People are looking for the old American stuff, myself included.

Boiler · May 26, 2010

I found some big old ball peen hammer heads last week, rusted to heck, but thought it would be fun to restore them into a nice usable hammer. Not for antique value, but for use & character. You guys have got me out there sifting the junk and it is a lot of fun, just wish I had more time to do it.

Teken · May 26, 2010

For me its not whether its import or domestic tools. In this fracken city its literally just junk tools that are made of tin cans . . .

You know those tools that you buy at the dollar store? That is the kind of stuff I see, besides the endless baby cloths, and God for saken zippers!

How many Fracken zippers does a person need?? :wtf:

Last week there was 3 garage sales each of them at different parts of the city, and all three of them had bags of zippers!

Bahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, how about a fracken tool!

Mstrfxit12 · May 26, 2010

I appreciate the responses guys and as I said in the original post, I wasnt out to offend anyone. To comment on one post though, I have been "around here" for quite some time I just was slow to start posting. I also have been using my tools to make a living for more than 20 years so tools aren't new to me either nor is their cost. I understand collectors and for them the chase makes all the sense I was just trying to understand the other users. I have learned in my years that people are generallys sensitive if they feel their hobby is being put down and I promise that wasnt the case. Just trying to learn. For me, tools are what I use to make a living as well as support my hobbies, I take pride in my collection but at the end of the day they are very much tools first.

warmpancakes · May 26, 2010

HERES A GOOD EXAMPLE

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65352

I bought the jack for 5.00 I figure about 75.00 more into it Ill have 80 into a jack that i couldnt buy new for 250.00 Plus im keeping it out of the landfill so technically all us tool "recyclers" are green

wormwood · May 26, 2010

Teken said:
...That is the kind of stuff I see, besides the endless baby cloths, and God for saken zippers!

How many Fracken zippers does a person need??

Last week there was 3 garage sales each of them at different parts of the city, and all three of them had bags of zippers!

Maybe we should buy the zippers, donate them to the young gentlemen to keep their pants up to their waists.

Catamount · May 26, 2010

I went to a yard sale last summer first thing in the morning and found the remnants of an old man's tool collection.

Picked up some really nice vintage SnapOn wrenches and sockets less than the cost of lunch.

That is why you buy yard sale "junk".

arkangel06 · May 26, 2010

I dont think any GJ member buy ''junk'' at a yard sale...

december45 · May 26, 2010

I think the original poster has it all correct... you know you drive miles and miles for what... just junk. The chances of finding something really worth all the time and gas money not to mention the valuable sat. mornings...he is right, it just does not add up.
I hope he has convinced many of you guys to spend those quality saturday mornings with your families, and not bother with all that junk. There is just too much competition out there for those junky tools from china india and pakistan.

Packard V8 · May 26, 2010

Yes, we all have some lessons to learn. Some of us get excited, buy up every rusty old USA wrench in sight and post photos of our treasures. Then, we list them here in the classifieds and not a single offer. I gave away twenty wrenches on eBay for $5 because no one here would even pay shipping. Just because it is old and USA doesn't mean it is collectible. Single wrenches have to be Snap-on, Plomb, Proto to get much action here. If there's not a complete set, they usually don't move.

FWIW, used tools began for me as a way to afford tools to work with, then became a hobby in its' own right, then, I began selling a few to afford to upgrade/expand my tools. The past forty years have been fun, I've now got more and better tools than any working tech I know and none of them were bought new. They've all come from garage sales, estate sales and very few from eBay.

As mentioned above, today, when I buy a full box or a tool chest, most of what is in there is re-sold, traded or given away. Always, somewhere in the greasy depths are a few worthy additions. Through the years of cleaning, sorting and upgrading, I've got a wide variety of Snap-on stuff; diesel, some older US, some import, some engine rebuilding stuff, some 3/4"dr, most more specialized working techs have never seen. May never use it all, but occasionally years down the road, that one socket in that one application pays for the whole box.

As far as the old tool boxes with patina - either you get it or you don't. Nine out of ten obviously prefer the shiny new ball-bearing stuff. Me, I enjoy seeing the places where the paint is completely worn through and every time I use it, I'm thinking about the guy who made an honest living out of this box and how it paid him back for his investment with the enjoyment of using a quality tool. Good tools are their own reward.

Bottom line, if I could afford to have the tool truck stop by every week, I'd still not enjoy buying the new tool as much as finding the good old one for 1/10th the cost. I'm adding value and having fun by walking into a sale, looking through the piles of garbage and recognizing those quality tools which just need cleaning, sorting and passing along to a good home. Your time and money, your tools, your decision.

jack vines

71Datsun510Wagon · May 26, 2010

Lots of great discussion here.

Jack (Packard V8), and others, have covered off everything I would have said - but did so much more eloquently. :thumbup:

I used to be a shiny-tool kind of guy. Over time I have learned to enjoy the patina and history of the vintage stuff.

I have some new-to-me tools in my cabinet that I would not have considered a couple of years ago.

Rob

Jazz · May 26, 2010

Dude, I just got an 18' stainless steel countertop for $500. That's definitely a "steal on steel". More important than that though is everytime someone sees it in my garage and remarks how cool it is, I can brag about the deal I got which is almost better than the money I saved! (Almost).

True, lots of it is junk, I don't disagree, but everyone has to have a hobby right.

Indy_500 · May 26, 2010

arkangel06 said:
I dont think any GJ member buy ''junk'' at a yard sale...

i agree. the junky tools at garage sales might as well be thrown out.

rsanter · May 26, 2010

yes there is some junk out there.
there is also some good stuff.
I will agree that the amount of time spent to sift though the **** to find the good stuff may be a but out of wack, but you also have to look at the fun and entertainment value or the 'thrill of the hunt' aspect to it.

last yard sale score for me was $80 for some snap on tools. total new value was over $500 and I only bought the stuff that was not beat and had no engravings. there was a whole bunch I left there due to condition

bob

hguerrero · May 26, 2010

for me it's about "the hunt"....sometimes, if i'm lucky, it's about "the kill."

speed bump · May 26, 2010

I like buying junk out of fields, heck two days ago I bought a "junky" to most people Knapheide topper out of a field for $100 guess what its a couple of grand to buy one new.

I bought a junky old welder for $200 last summer and guess what the equivelent new welder is a Miller big 40 which is almost $20,000 new.

I guess I just prefer buying other people junk.

premierplayer · May 26, 2010

Well...

I didn't read all the posts, don't know if this has been mentioned.

For myself it's a sickness, I gotta' have that stuff.
What else would I have to do between posts here if I couldn't go out to the garage and fondle last Saturdays treasures?

Lump · May 26, 2010

I have been hunting and collecting lots of different kinds of old things since I was a child in the late 50's, early 60's. So it's natural that I keep an eye out for vintage tools today. And I was THERE when Mac, Snap On, Craftsman, Bonney, etc, were proudly made in the USA ONLY...many of them here in Ohio. I stood there beside my dad when he went to Genuine Auto Parts here in Dayton, Ohio, to buy parts for repairs on our family cars. I stared in wonder at those fabulous high quality tools on the display boards behind the counter. I LOVE to search for these old tools. (Like someone else said, either you get it or you don't.) But here is a newsflash for you: MOST hobbies don't really make much "practical" sense, if you think about it. When you go fishing and bring home some tasty fillets...they cost you WAY more than the same variety of fish from the market. Indeed, it is some of the most expensive food you'll ever eat. And where is the common sense of hitting a little white ball around a huge grassy course, following it all over the place, and spending big bucks to do it? I own a 1970 LS6 454 Chevelle, which was a monster muscle car in its day. But my last Z06 Corvette was actually faster, got better mileage, handled better, had a great sound system, etc, etc. So why in the world am I spending all that time and money to restore the Chevelle? What's the point? :headscrat

And I won't even start talking about my 1923 Hupmobile touring, which my parent's bought in '62 when I was in second grade. Boy, talk about impractical! :shocking:

So here's the deal. I LOVE to search through estate sales, old garages, flea markets, garage sales, etc. My tools are usually used only to pursue my hobbies, so I SURE cannot justify paying a couple hundred dollars for one set of sockets to sit in a drawer for months between use. And my garage is decorated with unpractical and unnecessary brass lights, bulb horns, Pontiac tri powers, vintage porcelain auto shop signs, ancient cans Gargoyle oil, etc, etc. Why? Because I like it that way, and it's my garage. I'm not offended that someone does not understand me. And I don't post my hauls to try and attract others to my way of thinking. I merely post them to share my joy with anyone else who can appreciate them as much as I do. Others should simply walk into Sears or onto the tool truck, order thousands and thousands of dollars worth of beautiful new premium quality tools, and spend the next 10 years or more paying for them at incredible interest rates. I promise not to criticize them for doing so. :beer:

Diesel_Crawler · May 26, 2010

Rust dust dirt grim age. None of this makes stuff junk. It just takes a skilled person to see the true diamond in the coal and bring it out. :beer:

Sadly seems a few here will never get that,

Merkava_4 · May 26, 2010

This thread has sure stirred up lots of emotions ... that's why I stay out of the /yard sale/ - /pawn shop/ - /flee market/ threads.

scott37300 · May 26, 2010

I am almost 30 now and have learned the difference between a rusty old american made tool and a peice of junk. When I was younger and starting my tool collection I didn't want anything to do with a rusty old tool no matter what brand it was. Now I now how to clean them up and make them like new, which most of the time they are better than you can buy new.

I have gone to some yard sales and only found mostly junk. But the guys that post on this site usually don't post junk finds, would be kind of embarassing.

mjozefow · May 26, 2010

The same reason someone buys an old car. Are new ones better? Yes. Do they have the same soul and feel? No.

the more you use old tools, the more you will realize this. Buy a few nice old ratchet on the GJ classifieds. You'll be hooked.

toolmiser · May 26, 2010

I am with you. I (we) go to a quite a few garage sales. It is kind of like hunting, sometimes you get something, sometimes you don't. I think it is a cheap form of entertainment, I don't go to bars much at all anymore (been there done that), and I don't Golf or gamble, so if I spend a few bucks on a Sat. morning I don't feel too bad. Plus I can sell some of the "junk" items at our neighborhood garage sale to get a little money back. I think most people have their "hobbies" and this one is kind of cheap.

Lump · May 26, 2010

Merkava_4 said:
This thread has sure stirred up lots of emotions ... that's why I stay out of the /yard sale/ - /pawn shop/ - /flee market/ threads.

Heck, not me. I don't feel emotional or offended about this at all.

Of course many people don't understand the investment of time and money in driving around to estate sales, flea markets, etc to find old tools. Indeed, they are right in their thinking, IF I considered travelling around to be "work" I was doing to save money on tools...and, IF I really were buying cheap imported tools when I find them. I do spend my Saturday mornings with my family...we often go to such sales together...sometimes four or more of us in a van, each eagerly seeking different kinds of things at sales. We get to see the countryside, enjoy good lunches together, and chat about what (if anything) we bought. If you don't enjoy that kind of thing, or if you don't appreciate older tools and/or equipment...then this isn't for you. No problem. Go ahead and enjoy your tools your way. Good for you! :beer:

Why buy yard sale junk?

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