2018 Garage Sale Thread

[Private Lugnutz]

Welcome to the 2018 Garage Sale Thread!

This year…. with PRIZES

If you’re a veteran of this perennial thread, go ahead and skip to the prizes. If you’re new, you may want to read this introduction!

“My name is Private Lugnutz and I’m a pickerholic…”

Er, wait, wrong meeting. Here we go…

Are you a selective picker, only looking for holy grails and hen’s teeth? A volume bargain hunter looking for a large lot of useable (or re-useable) stuff for a steal? Or a little of both?

Are you into antiques and vintage? Or nearly new?

What’s your “go to” source? (We have a rather inclusive and “Big Tent” definition of “Garage” here in GarageSaleThreadLand!) Come Thursday night, do you find yourself reading Garage, Yard, and Estate Sale ads in the local newspaper and deciphering them into a driving map of your prioritized listings for the weekend? Or do you find yourself constantly honing your CL, eBay, and etsy searches? Are you the kind of guy (or gal! we are an Equal Opportunity thread!) constantly hitting your favorite Pawn Shops and Habitat for Humanity ReStore stops? Or do you prefer trolling the Flea Markets and the Car “Boot” or “Jumble” (that’s “trunk” and “swap meet”, respectively, for you unwitting ‘Mericans out there!) sales? Perhaps you dig digging through the town dump or trekking through the woods to the secret ravine in the back 40?

What are you hunting for? Tools are our foundation and our forte. Automotive mechanics tools, mainly (it is the Garage Journal, after all). Hand and machine. And other garage stuff - workbenches, cabinets, etc, and anything on wheels. Or do you like machinists’ tools? Welding equipment? Electricians’? Woodworkers’? Farming or household? (We also have a rather inclusive and “Big Tent” definition of “Tool” here in GarageSaleThreadLand!) Are you into camping gear? Household and general garage stuff? Or the occasional firearm? A good rule of thumb to follow is old school usefulness. If it’s not exactly a tool, but it’s used (or re-used) for something that makes your life or outdoorsy type hobby a more functional (or even just a cooler) thing, it probably fits.

In my best Richard Dawson voice… “#1 Garage Sale Thread Answer is ?????”

ALL OF THE ABOVE

No matter your own personal predilections, we collectively like and respect it all here.

Well, almost all. I have to do my duty and post the obligatory "not!" notice:

This is not the right place for retail store (online or brick and mortar) or tool truck purchases. If it’s NEW (and/or INVOLVES A RECEIPT) it doesn’t meet the intent of the thread. And, even if it’s old, used, and vintage, this is generally also not the right place for clothing, electronic gadgets, sports, or mindless entertainment items, either – unless of course they’re related to our broad definition of “Tool” (1950’s Esso coveralls, a fishfinder, or a cool pinball machine for the garage, den or mancave, for example!)

If that sounds confusing, our founder (the esteemed Jeff Moss) doesn’t post as often as he used to, but he set the tone for what this thread is and also what it’s not (more about the hunt than the kill!) in the inaugural year…

2012/Hosted by jeffmoss26
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2217816#post2217816

…and every year since then the thread has carried through on that like an unspoken oath. It’s what makes the thread special. Well, that and the “You ****!”’s. Don’t be alarmed. Suckage is a compliment. But remember, don’t be like the man from Nantucket. Just don’t. You only **** if someone else says you ****.

You may also want to skim through the rest of the old threads to see what we’re all about.

2013/Hosted by maddawg308
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2796926#post2796926

2014/Hosted by Outlawmws
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3622457#post3622457

2015/Hosted by nine4gmc
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274738

2016/Hosted by jakemac
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315373

2017/Hosted by 3baygarage
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348891]

Speaking of the hunt, like any good hunter or fisherman, we like stories. The longer, funnier, more suspenseful, and shaggy doggier, the better. A photo of a complete set of 12-point double box end single offset wrenches or a 44-inch musket is nice. But without the story behind it (Where? When? How? Why?), it’s just another guy with a photo of a 12-point buck and 44-inch muskie. As always, How much? is encouraged, too. Personally, I am more impressed by the quality of a find rather than the difference between its actual value and its purchase price, but everyone loves to hear about bargains and figurative “steals”. Or not. You can keep that to yourself if you want. (Your 2018 Thread Host always does!)

Speaking of photos – gotta have them.

No excuses! As Tin Medic says, “Without photos – it never happened”. And it couldn’t be any easier to post photos on GJ. You don’t need a photo hosting service. Simply use the attach feature. Our 2014 thread host (Outlaw) has created a handy “how-to” chart. Here is a link. And if you still have trouble, just PM me and I’ll help walk you through it.

Also, PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS! Especially for large hauls! A simple list will do. Some guys do, some guys don’t, but I’ll be the first to admit that my eyes and my patience ain’t what they used to be, and if I have to guess or figure out what’s what in a big haul I generally just ignore it. Sometimes it’s fun to withhold – especially when there’s something really special or rare or fantastic you know one of the experienced eagle eyes patrolling this thread are going to spot! Or you want people to guess. But most of the time it helps to provide details.

In the 2018 Host Poll thread, our 2016 host provided, in his own inimitable fashion, a concise (and funny!) job description…

Welcoming Committee
Lead Cheerleader
Entertainment Director
Troll Hunter
Dispute Diffuser
Suckage Arbitrator
Head Enabler

I hope to have to never perform a few of those duties and I think I have the others covered. However, inspired by a jokey statement from our founder in the same thread…

We need a plaque or a trophy

...I decided to add another duty to the list - at least for this year!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Award Giver

Come this time next year I am going to be handing out five (5) awards!

This vintage black-and-gold enameled “YOU ****” pin will go to the Garage Sale Thread picker with more than ten (10) posts and the Oldest Find in 2018!

View media item 78772
Patent or actual date stamps are the strongest proof, but anything that definitively dates a
piece, even if it takes some research, will count. This one is simple. Oldest single item found this year wins.

This vintage “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ****” sticker will go to the Garage Sale Thread picker with more than ten (10) posts and the Rarest Find in 2018!

View media item 78773
The find could be an antique, vintage or nearly new. Doesn’t matter. As long as it’s a unicorn. This one is subjective, but it’s good to be king, or at least thread host with prizes (for a year)!

This “YOU $UCK! and yes, that is my FINAL ANSWER” magnet will go to the Garage Sale Thread picker with more than ten (10) posts and the Best Deal in 2018!

View media item 78770
It might be one item worth $100 that you got for a buck or a trailer load of stuff for $1,000 worth 3 times that. Doesn’t matter. Biggest score, most bang for the buck, qualitatively, in my opinion. (I do take bribes!)

This Stewie “you ****!” sticker will go to the Garage Sale Thread picker with more than ten (10) posts and the Best Single Haul in 2018!

View media item 78771
One single tool or a truck bed full. Vintage or modern. A big bargain, you ‘probably overpaid a bit but oh well’, or you gave an arm, a leg, and a left nut for it. Doesn’t matter. Whatever rocks our world the most. Again, my call.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And last, but definitely NOT least, is the....

“MVP” (Most Valuable Picker) Trophy!

I plan to mount this fine metal sculpture of a vintage vacuum cleaner – the international symbol for “You ****!”…

View media item 78793
… on the first suitable salvageable vintage trophy plinth I can find (at a Flea Market, of course!), with a plaque reading, “Garage Journal MVP”. Resulting in something like this…

View media item 78794
This award will be open to voting. This time next year I will start a poll and everyone will vote among those nominees. This is for the Garage Sale Thread picker with twenty (20) or more posts who consistently finds the best stuff. It may not always be the oldest, the rarest, or the biggest or best score, but the hauls always seems to be in the running for suckage, week after week after week, through thick and thin, hot and cold, ups and downs.

It’s my hope that this Trophy gets passed around from winner to winner, year to year, so I’m not going to put a name or a year on it. It can sit on a mantle or a workbench or a desk or a dashboard for a year and when someone asks, “What the heck is that thing?”, you can lie and sheepishly claim, “I have no idea how that got there!” or proudly proclaim it as your well-deserved award.

When the year is up, you mail it to next year’s winner!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Without any further ado…

View media item 78807
BUT PLEASE WAIT FOR MIDNIGHT TO POST... the 2017 thread is still active!

 

[jakemac]

Don't know yet how active I'll be this year, but as always, I'm in. (already subscribed)

Great opening posts Lugz. And prizes too !?!
You've got your work cut out for you in the coming year.

 

[cbacres]

Well Lugz, that was a great intro. I think you can scratch that of the list.

The man from Nantucket, I haven't heard that phrase in years. That brought back memories from being in my dads shop and hearing the welder that worked say that limerick a bunch, usally half way through his bottle of Vat69.

Look forward to this year.

Oh man, where I'm I going to put all this stuff I buy?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Going to have to spend some time to read those first few posts! Posting to subscribe to the thread! Hopefully there will be some good sales in the coming weeks, there was nothing in December...

 

[Hexen]

And last, but definitely NOT least, is the....

“MVP” (Most Valuable Picker) Trophy!

I plan to mount this fine metal sculpture of a vintage vacuum cleaner – the international symbol for “You ****!”…

View media item 78793
… on the first suitable salvageable vintage trophy plinth I can find (at a Flea Market, of course!), with a plaque reading, “Garage Journal MVP”.
...

Clever! What's the story on that vacuum sculpture?

 

[dodge610]

Congrats lugntz hope to have this be my best pickin year yet.

 

[Bobcat753]

Awesome opener! Can't wait to see what 2018 brings!

 

[Outlawmws]

GREAT Intro Lugz! Looking forward to it as always!

You certainly raised that host bar!

 

[tin medic]

Oh, it’s on. Can’t wait to see what everyone finds this year. Major Suckage, here we come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[woody 73]

What no free bottle openers...

 

[Outlawmws]

Anymore that is thumb and forefinger, right?

 

[BlueBomber]

Those prizes are cool, Lugz Thanks for the enthusiastic launch--2018, here we come!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[3baygarage]

Checking in and subscribing!

Great thread opener Lugz. Love the vacuum trophy idea!

Happy New Year to all! The 2018 season is upon us. Good hunting!

 

[LesserSon]

SUBSCRIBED!
Looking forward to another great year. Finished the old one with a Hail Mary to a thrift shop that has occasionally come through for me with an oddball vintage tool, but not this time. The closest thing to a tool was a box of mismatched stainless flatware (none in a pattern I’m looking for, or I’d post it anyway!). Probably the last time I stop there.
Can’t wait to see what treasures turn up for the rest of you.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And prizes too !?!
You've got your work cut out for you in the coming year.

Glutton for punishment! I may have to keep some copious notes so I don't have to go through 336 pages! of finds (might be a new Garage Sale Thread record) at the end of the year!

Well Lugz, that was a great intro. I think you can scratch that off the list.

I hope to scratch them all off the list and just hope the thread runs itself, cb! I got some pickin' to do!

Clever! What's the story on that vacuum sculpture?

With the idea of awards/prizes in mind, about a week or so ago I started doing some intense sophisticated research (typing 'YOU ****' into Google), and all kinds of interesting stuff popped up! I almost went with trucker's hats (You ****!, You **** big time!, etc) for the lesser awards, but while I like all you guys, I don't like you $75 ($19 x 4) worth! I also found a very cool and genuine vintage Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Salesman Award from the 50's, with an actual tiny sculpture, but it was also way more than I wanted to spend. I found this one on eBay. It is metal, but it's for a high end doll house!

You certainly raised that host bar!

I don't know about that. We've always sort of had the loose end of year awards comments. Jeff's half-joking "plaque or trophy" comment just lit a fire under my **** to formalize it. I was a little worried about changing something, actually - glad nobody is upset. Maybe it will be an added incentive. Of course, I trust everyone to be on their honor on the finds actually being from 2018 and not somebody's collection!

What no free bottle openers...

HAHA.

Hopefully there will be some good sales in the coming weeks, there was nothing in December...

hope to have this be my best pickin year yet.

Can't wait to see what 2018 brings!

Oh, it’s on.

--2018, here we come!

Thanks, guys! I wish it was Early Bird Friday already!

Good hunting!

And to you, 3eeb. Thanks for being such an able, knowledgeable, and affable 2017 host. Hard act to follow!

 

[Rickster]

Having just moved from a target rich area to a not-so tool rich area I'm looking forward to the challanging new season!

 

[MacTexas]

Great intro for sure. I don't attend many sales but I love this thread. I'm in for 2018. Let the suckage begin.

 

[jpickar]

Well, incentives to post. Let's do it!!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Nice introduction Lugz! This'll be my first time subscribing to the garage sale thread here. Looking forward to it!

 

[stewed baker]

I think a mention of etiquette needs to be made and clarified:
YOU CANNOT **** YOURSELF.
YOU CANNOT SOLICIT A YOU ****.

 

[3baygarage]

I think a mention of etiquette needs to be made and clarified:
YOU CANNOT **** YOURSELF.
YOU CANNOT SOLICIT A YOU ****.

Good reminder Stewed.

Lugz- in response to your last post in the '17 thread

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6930400&postcount=6719

Was just thinking there should be one more award then, the "Nephew Nugget", awarded for best description of the crappiest sale of the year.

 

[d42jeep]

I hardly ever find any tools but since you are the host I might have to give this thread a try this year.
-Don

 

[Swingpress]

Oh, it’s on. Can’t wait to see what everyone finds this year. Major Suckage, here we come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Agreed!

 

[Rileysan]

Brilliant posts, Lugz! I never cease to be amazed at the well written and enthusiastic posts written by our members, which seem to find inspiration from the opening sentence of post #1.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and successful year!

Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think a mention of etiquette needs to be made and clarified:
YOU CANNOT **** YOURSELF.
YOU CANNOT SOLICIT A YOU ****.

I know I'm verbose, but apparently you missed the Nantucket joke (or don't know the limerick), and the line that followed!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I hardly ever find any tools but since you are the host I might have to give this thread a try this year.
-Don

You're far too humble! We've all seen your haul. I always report here first, then I divvy them up by brand or type on other threads. Give it a try, Don. I think you'll like it. Make sure you 'Subscribe' though, because I've been a Garage Sale guy since 2012 and even I forget about it up here on the "other" (non-Vintage) board.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz- in response to your last post in the '17 thread

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6930400&postcount=6719

Was just thinking there should be one more award then, the "Nephew Nugget", awarded for best description of the crappiest sale of the year.

Oh man that is hilarious. And easy. I think ill go back and add one!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

txlonghorn: Glad you're in! New blood!

 

[bluebolt]

My first find of the year! BIG jack! Neighbor wanted it out of there so I got for doing a little work, taking out that scrub bush. Got some tin too. Notice today's paper, kidnap victim style, to show that it was today LOL.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Notice today's paper, kidnap victim style, to show that it was today LOL.

First dibs! Congrats!

 

[bluebolt]

So the story of today's find:
I had known of this jack for a while and am surprised it was still there.
I had thought about getting it today but the weather even here in Louisiana is cold, 24 degrees.
So half my brain is making excuses not to and the other is saying why it needs to get done.
Lazy half: It's COLD outside and windy!
Worker half: It's sunny out and you have plenty of warm clothes.
Lazy half: It's New Years Day! Why work?
Worker half: Because you gained 7 pounds in the last two weeks from holiday food!

So Worker half wins temporarily and I bundle up and go to hook up the trailer.
Except the jack is FROZEN and won't go down.
Lazy half: Screw it lets go inside, my toes are cold!
Worker half: The propane torch should unfreeze it you wimp!

And indeed the torch gets it unfrozen and off I go LOL.

 

[jakemac]

Was just thinking there should be one more award then, the "Nephew Nugget", awarded for best description of the crappiest sale of the year.

I am NOT volunteering polish that award !

 

[Outlawmws]

Good reminder Stewed.

Lugz- in response to your last post in the '17 thread

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6930400&postcount=6719

Was just thinking there should be one more award then, the "Nephew Nugget", awarded for best description of the crappiest sale of the year.

Oh man that is hilarious. And easy. I think ill go back and add one!

A place I worked at many MANY years ago had a picture framed (no glass) pile of Cow Flop, well dried and spray painted gold... it was awarded weekly in staff meetings to be displayed outside the recipient's office...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah I was thinking of the plastic gag poop patties.

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is great. Amazing how far we have come in 6 years!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Jeff this is the 7th year of the thread! (does it make you feel old?)

 

[Swingpress]

Here is a question that I will throw out there since many of us go to auctions and sales that include much more than tools. Would it be appropriate to have another thread dedicated to non-tool/other cool finds? Or am I overthinking it and should just post away and have fun?

I know that I personally enjoy seeing all the antiques, etc. as much as the tools.