2020 Garage Sale Thread

[txlonghorn1989]

Hit two estate sales this morning. One I've been looking forward to for weeks as I'd heard there were going to be "tools, tools & more tools". Big disappointment. In fact, I bought exactly ZERO tools. Did pick up a NU-Dell Plastics No 30 card tray, box of 525 Winchester .22 long rifle cartridges, a pack of targets to shoot with BB guns with the grandsons, and a 6-shooter key ring rack. Which I'll try to resell to a "gun enthusiast". The card tray was made in Chicago, USA. Grew up watching my parents, aunts & uncles use these to play Canasta. Love finding them. This one will go to my son and his wife who just started playing gin rummy with each other. I spent $20 at the sale.

Second sale was also a disappointment. The White Mountain ice cream freezer was still there but too much rust inside the ice cream freezer itself. Did pick up the Proto 6541 wrench for $1. I see it being called a distributor wrench on ebay but can't find anything else about it. Just bought it to resell. Anyone know anything?

One more item at the second sale which I probably would have bought if they'd priced it lower than the $1 asking price. Don't know what it was part of but would sure like to know. Couldn't see any maker's marks on the back or front. You can see the holes where it could be attached to the wall/workbench (?) with screws. Any ideas?

Last comment, I said I was disappointed and I had hoped for some better tool picking at that first sale but I enjoyed the morning and am glad I went. Got to have a nice chat waiting in line with a fellow who did 4 tours in Vietnam with the US Navy. Served on many ships but had a USS Prairie cap on. He ended up as a principal at a high school here in Austin. Really nice guy. Anyway, I am living my dream and life is great! I hope life is good for you guys too. That is all! :0)

 

[Shiftless]

Not much worth bringing home at an estate sale near my house this morning.

I did find this little jewel in the rough. 4 inch size. Rusted stuck now, but an Evaporust bath should free it up. Appears to be undamaged with no owner marks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Better watch out for a pickpocket named Don with that one, Shiftless!

 

[Shiftless]

Better watch out for a pickpocket named Don with that one, Shiftless!

Your read my mind, Lugz.

 

[Old Radar]

I went to this sale today mainly to check out this cool Borg Warner parts cabinet. It appears to be in mint condition, but I didn't want to part with $200.





I then began to root around in a little bin of sockets and turned up a mixed collection of Indestro 1/2" and 3/8" sockets. They range from #6432 (1") down to #6212 (3/8"). If I didn't care about driver size or throat depth, I could claim to have found a full set--including two overlaps.




I didn't see any ratchets but I did pick up this Knipex (W. Germany) tile nipper #910-200. $5 for everything.

 

[d42jeep]

We found three sales to check out. The first two were in El Cerrito, CA and the third was in Oakland. The first sale was a bit of a disappointment but we were able to score a little clamp on vise that Shiftless wanted. The second sale was a bit expensive but I couldn’t leave the two Powr-Kraft complete sets behind although I came close. We were late to the third sale but found quite a bit of Craftsman stuff at friendly prices. The last shot is of today’s haul.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hey Fellas,

I'm literally typing this from Gate B11 at the Tucson airport sipping a Thunder Canyon amber waiting for my flight.

I was TDY this week at Fort Huachuca, but I got a little picking in just a few hours ago at Kent's Tools on East Grant and Roy's Garage Sale Clearance Center on South Nogales Highway, very close to the airport. That is literally the name of the place! Neat concept. Sort of like a house liquidators permanent storage facility, with a cash register, at flea market prices. GJ members Corndoggeh and bonneyman recommended it. Not many tools, and yet I found two keepers.

Here is the haul (Lugz 2020_11) just before I checked my bag!

At the top there are thw two things from Roy's Garage Sale Clearance Center - a Mossberg No. 650 Ford script hub cap wrench for my Mossberg No. 600 Salesman Board, and a Duro-Chrome Circle-X dwarf double offset DBE wrench for the GMTK.

Everything else on my suitcase came from Kent's.

The double offset DBE dwarfie under the Circle-X is a wartime Blue-Point Boxsocket. The knife sharpener has a 1930 patent number (1,749,442) on the flip side. Those heavy nickel-plated prewar Bridgeport combination pliers have the cool BHM logo. The half-moon wrench is a 40's Bonney. The box end attachment is PWA. Not sure of the OEM. Could be Plomb. The midget spinner is actually a prewar Livermont preset click-stop torquer (15 inch-lbs). That sheet metal thing is the sliding sheath for a 1930's era Duro-Chrome No. 660 or Indestro No. 1306 convertible T-L handle. I have two of the T-L bars, both without the sheath! (LesserSon, no worries - I will still trade you one of them.) No markings except the patent (1,744,413). Lastly, on the right there, five (5) GMTK spec-correct 10-pin spring steel carbon scrapers. A Proto LA, a Duro-Indestro (literally!), a VIM (!), and two generics.

I will post more pics in type or brand-pertinent threads, including close-ups, after clean-up.

 

[BFBOB]

File this one under WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

Yeah, it probably was worth $20 before you viciously attacked it with a Magic Marker.

 

[Outlawmws]

Glad to see you guys are dong well!

Nothing going on here today, and I'm going camping this weekend, so unless I happen across a TOO, not expecting anything this weekend either.

I will have something delivered to me at the campsite, and may buy/trade for something else, who knows?

 

[Outlawmws]

Bob, Denatured alcohol will almost always take that off..

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, that will come off. Nice find. I've been hoping to run into one for a long time.

 

[BFBOB]

Yeah, that will come off. Nice find. I've been hoping to run into one for a long time.

OutL and Lugz- ummm.... the few times I've attempted its removal, nothing short of acetone worked. Anyway, I didn't buy it, haven't even seen it in person. A sale that starts tomorrow, mostly uber rusty ****. Don't think I'll go. Are you saying I should??!!

 

[bmwrd0]

Uber Rusty ****?

Did you just light the garage-saler batsignal?

Why isn't this out my way?

 

[Shiftless]

“Uber rusty” I like that term!

I dunked the 4 inch Barcalo wrench I bought this morning into an Evaporust bath.
Here’s my before and after pics.
As Lugz hinted at, I offered the piece to my friend and fellow GJ member D42jeep but he passed due to already owning a few.

But thanks are again due to Don for picking up that unusual clamp on vise for me.

 

[Outlawmws]

Shift, is that a "fat Head" early adjustable? (some were made real thick due to the poorer metallurgy, just like some early DOE's)

 

[Shiftless]

Shift, is that a "fat Head" early adjustable? (some were made real thick due to the poorer metallurgy, just like some early DOE's)

I don’t know about that. It is identified as “drop forged steel”.
A little research showed me that this form was adopted after 1940.
I’m sticking to collecting bench vises so that little wrench is going out on eBay. Proceeds might pay for the Millers Falls ? clamp on swiveller vise that Don picked up for me.

(I bought the little Barcalo for $1.00)


.

 

[Outlawmws]

How thick is the head?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Lugz, what are those scrapers used for?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

+1 on the Thunder Canyon amber or anything! I saw one of those spring steel scrapers today but had no idea what it was. Passed on it and made no attempt to identify a maker. Intersting.

Lugz, will you be back in Tucson in Mar or Apr? I plan on volunteering at Gila Cliff Dwellings NM during those months and also plan on visiting Tucson during that time. Would be cool if it happened when you were at Ft Huachuca. Love the Huachuca Mtns too! Hiked some miles there and most of those Southern Arizona Sky Islands.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm boarding my connection in Dallas. I will elaborate tomorrow.

Scrapers were for pistons, cylinder heads, valve parts. Anything with carbon build up. That sliding part would make it more flexible or stiffer, and the pins will spread to a rounder shape, too, with pressure. I will post the specs and figures from WWII.

Bob - nail polish remover or hair spray.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Tex- I am there 1 week every month. Always arrive on Sunday, depart on Friday. Tandem pick sounds fun! I'll coordinate.

 

[3baygarage]

Finds from two pawn shops.

Stop 1 : Vintage 1/4” Craftsman extension and breaker bar in excellent shape

Also, an unlikely find at a pawn shop, an antique wrench by Wright Wrench Co.. I was happy to find it in that place.

He hit me with a price of $2 for all three. Sold!

Stop 2: a 3/4” S-K ratchet with the price slashed way down. $12.50 plus tax. Hard to resist.

 

[r_olson_06]

Well done all. It is finally starting to warm up here a bit and hopefully some more sales will show up soon.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Shiftless]

How thick is the head?

I’m a newbie in the world of vintage wrenches. I measured the dimension of what I assume you mean “thickness” here at the maximum.

.4145 inches


.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep that was it. - Yes much thicker than more modern Adjustables. the 4" '56 Crescent I carry daily is near a tenth of an inch thinner.

 

[d42jeep]

Most all of the early carbon steel adjustable wrenches have much thicker jaws than their stronger alloy counterparts. Here are a couple of early Crescents. The Barcalo adjustables in the last picture all have thick jaws except the bottom Danielson made alloy one.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

That sheet metal thing is the sliding sheath for a 1930's era Duro-Chrome No. 660 or Indestro No. 1306 convertible T-L handle. I have two of the T-L bars, both without the sheath! (LesserSon, no worries - I will still trade you one of them.) No markings except the patent (1,744,413).

All good news! Looking forward to our formerly-termed “fall” swap, and appreciative of the extra time to keep finding trade fodder.

 

[BlueBomber]

My daughter is visiting this weekend, so I had a rare +2 to a sale today, as both she and SWMBO came along. This sale was heavier on household stuff, and for perhaps the first time, I finished my searching, checked out, loaded the car, and was still waiting on the ladies. No complaints, it's fun sharing the hobby.

I picked up all of the tools below for $10. SWMBO and daughter's treasures were $23.

Drew & Co shingle removal bar, made nearby in Kingston, Mass!
NIB Federal Mogul 620/621 spotlight--this'll go down to VA for the back of OSWMBO's tractor.
Ridgid 1202 handsaw--Swedish-made!
Bonney 1172 1-1/8" combo wrench--i dont collect these, but couldn't leave behind a good Bonney wrench
CLC no 417 leather plier holster
Three hose clamps
Brass valve body for the scrap bucket
Two no-name wire cutters, one spring-loaded
Handful of 1/2" conduit fittings
Lindell 8x8 tamper



No fewer than 10 razor holding devices. I wouldn't have looked twice at any of these, but after last weekend's utility knife theme, I just started throwing them in the carry bag on a lark. I didn't realize I had this many until I dumped out the bag at home. Mixed in there are three Stanley 10-299s, two Stanley No 199s, an Ardell 55-0799, a Millers Falls fixed, no-name retractable, a Robert's 10-215 carpet knife, and an Allway USA-made scraper.

Not pictured, a small pewter sailboat for my daughter, the mariner.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Private Lugnutz]

..an antique wrench by Wright Wrench Co..

Nice find. Please add that to my Oddfellows thread (dedicated to antique adjustable wrenches that use anything except a screw or worm gear!), 3bay! I haven't put that thread in the Stickie Index yet, but if you search on 'Oddfellows', it will come up.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, what are those scrapers used for?

Jeff, I posted more photos and references and info in the Duro-Indestro thread, linked here.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I hit a few sales this AM. I found an untouched Briggs & Stratton Service and Repair Instructions manual for $2. Inside the manual was the 1985 invoice for the manual from a local B&S dealer for $8.62 shipped.

Cheers

Jim

 

[gearhead1960]

Restore was a bust today and no local sales worth hitting, but SWMBO wanted to go to Goodwill, hence the finds below....

For the SWMBO's shelf in her classroom


and to relive a previous life

 

[Jack84]

Marketplace finds.


Some NOS Belzer and Bahco screwdrivers and Felo, Gedore and PB Swiss.


Also a new Snap On S80A with universal joint.

Paid 70 for all.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This haul cleaned up pretty good. I posted more photos and info in various threads on the Vintage Discussion board, including Duro-Indestro, Mossberg 600 board, Snap-on, Bridgeport, Bonney, Proto, Richmont, and Vim.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is a little summary on that knife sharpener. If we had a thread on Vintage Knives (and it's kind of strange we don't with so many vintage knives being collected!), I would've posted it there.

DATAMP has the patent (1,749,442, Fred Pass, 1930!) in their database, but they don't have a photo of an example of the tool (I just emailed it to them...), and they don't know who the OEM was. Per DATAMP, the same patent was licensed to dozens of those cheaper household junk drawer models with enclosed plastic bodies. It's neat (you slide the stone up as it gets worn...) but I'm not sure if I could find replacement stones in that size.

 

[PacificaVette]

I hit two estate sales today As usual, there were crowds when I arrived about 15 minutes before they were going to open (luckily, at different times).

At the first sale I found a set of Craftsman SAE combo wrenches (+plus one add-on) and a Mitutoyo digital caliper for $25 altogether.

At the next sale, I found a LARGE 5 qt. SwingSpout oil can that will look good with my 1 qt. can in my oiler display. All it needs is a bit of cleanup. Also, I found a nice Proto puller. $20 for both.

 

[LesserSon]

I’m pretty sure I posted this “5 Star” version in 2018 or 2019. I feel like I have accompanying literature somewhere. Ah, here it is. Just “MADE IN USA.” It’s obviously based on the same patent (but not marked so), with additional tools like a glass cutter wheel and bottle opener. Scissors, lawn mowers, knives - sky’s the limit!

 

[tin medic]

Been playing email tag with a gentleman since December about some tools he had listed on FB marketplace, finally met up with him today. Spent 80 dollars on 84 pieces so I can't complain. Akita not included. Nine early SO pieces. Bonney main bearing wrench. Some Plomb pieces. An SK Chrome socket which I've never come across before and other various items. The Allstate timing light and vacuum gauge dont appear to have been used much if at all.

 

[Gidge]

Picked this up Today :

 

[d42jeep]

Been playing email tag with a gentleman since December about some tools he had listed on FB marketplace, finally met up with him today. Spent 80 dollars on 84 pieces so I can't complain. Akita not included. Nine early SO pieces. Bonney main bearing wrench. Some Plomb pieces. An SK Chrome socket which I've never come across before and other various items. The Allstate timing light and vacuum gauge dont appear to have been used much if at all.

Looks like you’re all set to do some ring and valve jobs on some early motors! What size is the S-K Chrome socket? I have several.
We went to a tool sale in Santa Rosa, CA this morning. There were quite a few wrenches of various brands and a Powr-Kraft carry box. On the trip home we spotted an estate sale sign near Sonoma State College and picked up a few more items including five US canteen cans.
-Don