2021 Garage Sale Thread

[Outlawmws]

Nothing like that here, that's for sure. 4 planned stops adn at least that many TO's and only three produced anything...

Got the Plier type stuff and the Craftsman ignition and Thorsen Combo at one planned stop, for $5, the red punp at another for a buck, and the local Flea produced the Long C Craftsman and LA Plvmb, DOEs for a buck, Kershaw throwing knife for three,.

I had some interesting stuff at the last FM vendor, but the guy wanted $20 for stuff he clearly dug out of a scrap bin. We could not come to terms, so he lost a sale.

 

[Davefr]

Hitting the Thursday garage sales, I did not have as much luck as I thought I would today.

It was supposed to be a moving sale, and I have my doubts about that, I found a very nice Stanley No. 0 level with great markings:

Both a Sweetheart and the original decal. And the price made me think that it wasn't a moving sale, as they were asking antique store prices. Oh well, I bought it anyway. No way I was going to pass it up.

After that, I hit a few more sales where I saw a lot of rusty ****. But I did manage to pick up a couple of books:

The two Railway Car Lighting books are actually textbooks for railroad workers published in 1927, while the Boy Mechanic is a compilation of all the projects for young craftsmen published in Popular Mechanics up through the mid-fifties.

That 6" double square looks like a sweet find!! They are incredibly useful. Looks like it could even be a Starrett.

I hit a dry spell. It seems like everyone postponed their sales because of the heat.

 

[bmwrd0]

I had a few planned stops today, most of which didn't pan out. Either a bad address, no tools, or garbage tools. And in one case where I was going to purchase something the sellers bugged me so much I just left. Oh well. I did manage to find some goodies at a few sales and at a used tool dealer I know, so I ended up spending a whopping $12.

At the used tool dealer I found the body of a Stanley 49, the two Simmons notebooks, and two socket boxes, one of which is going to go to a fellow GJer. The wood box, Pipefitters and Pipewelders handbook, small tubing cutter, bits, bent Walden ratchet, and ignition gauge came from the final clearout of an ES I was at a few weeks ago. Sadly, there were the remains of a JC Pennys 11-drawer machinists box out front being used as a planter, but it was just too rusty to save.

The final stop produced the Gasoline Automobile book from '28 and a few odds and ends:

A vintage drawer pull, Stanley level bubble, and what looks like the driver for a Stanley 45.

I hit one last stop on my way home, an ES after noon on the last day. They said they were trying to clear it out, but wouldn't budge on prices "Its already half off..." And it will stay that way. Anyway, today left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[bmwrd0]

That 6" double square looks like a sweet find!! They are incredibly useful. Looks like it could even be a Starrett.

I hit a dry spell. It seems like everyone postponed their sales because of the heat.

I found that last year, and boy howdy is it useful. And yes it is a Starrett. But, it sounds like you hit a hot, dry spell! It's probably what is putting this part out of sorts.

 

[thool]

Garage sale nearby with tons of tools, some kinda rusty, some HF stuff, and this I got for $40. Brand new in box, mint condition.

 

[BlueBomber]

Nice finds, everyone! I've been too busy with work and fixing broken things around the property to get to sales, so I had high hopes for a huge 3-day estate sale this weekend in the next town over. I stopped in between errands today midday, but alas, there was nothing there I wanted to bring home. I even put back a DBE wrench rather than wait in the line to buy it for a quarter (for those who know me and DBEs that says it all). I'm still trying to get garage bays cleared of prizes from previous scores, as well as from my dad's garage cleanout from two years ago. Good thing I'm retiring at the end of the year. I'll need three months off to get caught up projects before I start looking for work. Maybe I'll get things clean up/out and find some good sales, too!

 

[LesserSon]

Congrats and best wishes on your retirement plans, BB!

 

[saukit]

One for Lugz real quick, this thing just jumped out at me. More to come, got to a few sales today.

 

[saukit]

Got to some sales the last few days, will post more pics in the brand threads once I get some of this stuff cleaned up.

First off is an estate sale that I showed up early for and was 2nd in line. I'm starting to learn that this might not be the way I like to pick, I get amped up about getting in there first and then pay 1st day prices on stuff that I normally would be a little more particular on. Anyhow, here is the first sale. Some nice stuff but I paid too much for the overall package. And I need another ratchet like I need a hole in the head. I also bought a rusty but complete VlChek DOE wrench set and a brand new SK Metric 3/8 deep set. Of interest in the pic may be the Snap on pliers and ratchet wrench (need to date this one). I also liked the Indestro wrench and the T handle is old Craftsman but somewhat sparsely marked.



After I left the estate sale I was I little off, I liked a few of the pieces but wasn't feeling good about the price I paid not to mention my inability to be selective. Headed to a sale that was marketed as "estate" but was only on CL. When I got there the garage was just open with no one around. I eventually figured out that the folks running the sale were in the kitchen of the house and the whole place was up for grabs. I found some stuff I liked and took it into the kitchen. They wanted $1 each and after I counted out 15 pieces they gave it to me for $10. Why did I buy more Proto 9/16 Combos? I dunno, now I have 4.

I liked the Herbrand ratchet and breaker in particular here, along with the measuring tools which are nicely made. The bigger rusty combo is P&C and feels very much like a Plomb. Anyone know what the little tools in the pouch are?




I felt pretty good about the deal on that last set and once I figured out that the whole place was up for grabs I went back out and dug around a bit more. Came out with this for $5, probably could have gotten it cheaper but this was a nostalgia purchase as I remember my Dad and others carrying these knives when I was a kid

Schrade Uncle Henry USA. All the green stuff came right off, seemed like wax or something. Just forgot to take an after pic.



Finally a few long C craftsman sockets and extension for 3 bucks.

 

[Provincial]

It was hot today, and my wife an I had to go to an outdoor meeting that started at 11 AM. By 2 PM we were on our way home, and noticed a garage sale sign that said "tool sale" on the bottom. By the time we decided to check it out, we turned off on a side street to get turned around, we saw another garage sale sign, and decided to hit that one first. At the first sale I found two combo wrenches, a Plomb pebble 1/2 1216, and a Vlchek WBE 12 3/8". They are on the bottom left this photo.

At the "tool sale" we found quite a few good tools, but mostly things I already have or do not collect/trade. The four Barcalo "scoop" combos are 1-1/8, 1", 15/16, and 7/8. The yellow-handled Proto Professionals are:
9682 #1 Phillips
9585 1/8 Allen
9586 9/64 Allen
9587 5/32 Allen
9588 3/16 Allen
9589 7/32 Allen

There were 6 chains for sale, and I got them to take an offer for all the tools and the chains. That is a 3 foot ruler at the top of the photo.


I spent $42.00 for everything in the two photos.

 

[Provincial]

saukit, the buys from the second sale qualify as a "you ****", and much of that is for items you show but didn't mention. Like the Craftsman RHFT 1/4 ratchet, the small hole gauges, and hook rules.

That SO ratchet with the rivets shows up in the Industrial catalogs in the late 1940's. I picked up one like it earlier this year.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One for Lugz real quick, this thing just jumped out at me.

Nice. It's wartime. AXS-702 is the spec. The "44" prefix in the contract number is 1944.

I also bought a rusty but complete Vlchek DOE wrench set

Also? ALSO? This would've been my headliner, especially if they're in a holder! Eager to see them in the Vlchek thread.

 

[LesserSon]

Saukit - I carried a Buck 110 (who hasn’t?) in a leather holster for years, and it would get that waxy green stuff on the brass bolsters, too. I would wipe it off, and it would return. I concluded it was the brass reacting with the leather.
While it is a very traditional material for sheaths, I have read that leather is not good for long-term storage of knives. The metallic compounds used in the tanning process can react chemically, and it can absorb and hold onto moisture.

 

[bmwrd0]

There is a lot of great stuff in there Saukit, and I totally feel you on the gut reaction after the purchase. It took me a long time to get to the point of not just buying to buy and to be more selective in what I pick up and in knowing what a deal is and isn't. Also, I try to never get to an estate sale at the opening. First of all, I hate waiting in lines, and second, the urge to get grabby is pretty great and it is easier for me at least to overcome when I have more time to look at each thing and not have to deal with people breathing down my neck. That said, I never pull out my phone to check prices, as I have a bad taste in my mouth about that from another industry. But to each his own.

You will also, as time goes by and you spend more and more time doing this (for fun and profit!) get to know the companies who run these sales and who to go to, and who to avoid.

 

[Old Radar]

Saukit--Beemer hit the nail on the head. We've all felt the twinge of buyer's remorse. You've recognized the factors involved in your situation--now you just need to be aware of them when they surround you and think it through before pulling out your wallet. The vast majority of those on this thread do this for fun or the thrill of a good deal. Just remember if you feel you didn't get the best deal at one sale, you may get a you-**** deal at the next time--just like you did yesterday.

Unlike Beemer, I do like to get in early on the first day and don't mind waiting n line (within reason...). You do have to control your grabby urges and yes, peaceful solitary perusals of the available tools is an uncommon luxury, but the trade-off is first crack at that vintage socket set from the 30's!

I'm on my way to a sale that events this week have conspired to keep me away from until this last day. I hope some goodies remain!

BTW, although Provincial mentioned them, he didn't point them out as the "little tools in the pouch" you asked about--small hole gauges.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have actually had incredible luck on the final day of sales before. I scored a Plomb top box once at well under half price as it was the end of the sale and they were making deals. I couldn't believe it was still there, as there are a few Plomb collectors closer to the sale than me and I would have figured they would have snapped it up. But for whatever reason it flew under the radar, so to speak.

Of course, as soon as I got that box home I wondered what I would do with it, as I already had one of those models. So I traded off to Smokeshow and regretted doing that as soon as it left my hands. I got it back in the end though...

 

[RTM]

BTW, although Provincial mentioned them, he didn't point them out as the "little tools in the pouch" you asked about--small hole gauges.

here is a catalog cut of a Starrett set

Starrett Precision Tools : Catalog 26 : L. S. Starrett Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

292 p., illus., 17.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Today's run (Lugz 2021_47) yielded a 50' coil of rope, some kind of terminal crimper with a patent number from the 1930's, a body dolly, a very unusual Walworth mystery tool (guessing some kind of pipe wrench or tongs) I have to admit I don't recall seeing before, a Walden-Worcester midget extension, and Long C duckbill snips.

EDIT: Walworth-Parmelee pipe wrench is from 1907!

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, I believe I have a couple of the odd clamping heads, adn IIR they are essentially "no mar" pipe wrenches.

 

[saukit]

here is a catalog cut of a Starrett set

Starrett Precision Tools : Catalog 26 : L. S. Starrett Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

292 p., illus., 17.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

I believe the ones I have are from General, so not as nice as Starrett I would think. I'll take some more pics later today.

 

[saukit]

All,
Thanks very much for your words of encouragement and wisdom! As bmwrd0 mentions I'm learning the process and trying to stay true to why I enjoy this in the first place, which is the intrigue of discovery combined with the excitement of a "you ****!" score. I'll keep that in mind and try to enjoy the learning process as I spend time doing this! Probably not gonna show up an hour early to a bunch more first day estate sales, or so I tell myself...

 

[saukit]

Here's a quick teaser Lugz, I'll post in VlChek once I get them cleaned up. The pouch is filthy (not sure if it's actual VlChek either as I don't see any obvious markings) and a couple of the smaller wrenches are pretty badly rusted. I'm hoping the Evaporust will clean them off but I have a feeling a few of them are going to be pitted...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, I believe I have a couple of the odd clamping heads, adn IIR they are essentially "no mar" pipe wrenches.

Yup. I'm watching the Phillies game and GoogleBooksing on my phone at the same time, and I found some really cool period ads. Same principle as a strap wrench, but not adjustable like a strap wrench, so they came in multiple sizes, some quite large. As late as 1913, Parmelee's own company was making them in Chicago, but by 1917 Walworth had bought him out. I'm going to post photos and ads on the vintage board somewhere.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's a quick teaser Lugz, I'll post in Vlchek once I get them cleaned up.

Thanks. Later (probably late 50s, at least) than I collect, but any complete set of anything is always a nice find. Not sure what that gunk is, but I use Simple Green on vinyl pouches. I believe that color scheme is correct for that era Vlchek.

 

[RTM]

I believe the ones I have are from General, so not as nice as Starrett I would think. I'll take some more pics later today.

Early General wasn’t too bad. Modern General is OK at best it seems.

 

[FMB4]

... a couple of the smaller wrenches are pretty badly rusted. I'm hoping the Evaporust will clean them off but I have a feeling a few of them are going to be pitted...

That rust doesn't look bad enough to make them unusable imo. Nice pick up rust and all.

 

[Provincial]

Early General wasn’t too bad. Modern General is OK at best it seems.

Especially on an item like this. You set these to the diameter of the hole, and that involves using a proper (and consistent) tension between the gauge and the hole. You then measure the gauge with a micrometer, which again involves using the proper tension (what machinists call "feel") to match the tension you used in the hole. There is much more room for error in the "feel" process than in lack of precision of the gauge.

I agree that "old" General was pretty good. The function was close to the more expensive brands, and the appearance was where most of the cost difference showed up. Perhaps wear-resistance and durability, as well.

 

[Old Radar]

Not much in the way of US made hand tools left on the last day of this sale. Several plastic tool boxes full of all manner of junk and a Powr-Kraft stack used as a parts bin.



Snap-on ND 120 5/8 nut driver
Williams 1120 5/16 ignition wrench stamped U.S.
Two 1/2 drive, 1/2 sockets--the one marked 1/2 is 8pt, the one marked 1-2 is 12pt. Can anyone say who the maker is?
Small hand bell for Mrs. Radar who's going under the knife in a couple of weeks for her tonsils. At $1 for everything in the first picture, I won't feel bad at all pitching the bell in the event it becomes habit forming...



The books are hard-backs and were $3 for the pair. I've always enjoyed C&H and I couldn't pass up a compilation of quotes from flying greats from the Wrights through Armstrong. I'm interested in knowing what Francis Gary Powers had to say beyond "Holy ****!!!!"

 

[bmwrd0]

That rust doesn't look bad enough to make them unusable imo. Nice pick up rust and all.

Yep, those will clean up nicely.

 

[bmwrd0]

General seems to have fallen on the same way greats such as Stanley have fallen. While they still make tools, and they are above the "lowest comment denominator" so to speak, they aren't much better and are a far cry from their glory days.

 

[saukit]

Old Radar, those sockets look like early Duro/Indestro, especially the one on the left. The one on the right could be early SK if it has the dots on either side, hard to tell from the pic. Keep in mind that I'm no expert but I've done a bit of research on similar finds lately.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm still soaking that Parmelee pipe wrench, but I just posted photos of the crimper (it's a Rajah, for classic rajah type spark plug terminal connectors) on a thread I just started on the subject on the VB linked here.

In the LEFT-BEHIND category was this antique portable Chicago Scale Co. scale and the biggest hand pipe cutter I have ever seen in person...

 

[LesserSon]

OR, I agree with saukit for the socket on left. The one on the right could be New Britain, though they usually have “Made in USA” in three lines to the right of the size.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, that pipe cutter may be for old school cast iron sewer pipe.

 

[PacificaVette]

Slim pickings at the San Francisco flea market this morning. Thy only opened back up a few weeks ago, so not too many sellars showed up. All I could find were these items:
X-Acto razor/saw tools with new blades. They replacement blades were still (according to the packaging) being made in New York, so they must be fairly vintage.

Also, a Lincoln grease gun, Model 5947. It's very small, looks like something for a miniature zerk. It should clean up nicely. $5 for everything.

 

[Shelbylex]

Went to a single sale today
Snap On compression tester - looks like MT308JB
Snap On Vacuum Grip cutters (a little rusty, Vacuum Grip sign is missing and Snap On is on internal part of the handle - I assume it's a later version as I have similar one where Vacuum Grip and Snap on are on the top (if I remember correctly)
Snap On Brake tool

$35

Will have to look up the prices for compression testers at some point - I never used one (yep, side effect of being GJ member - remembered I saw it somewhere here and decided to buy...)

...forgot to add the pictures...

 

[LesserSon]

Today, MrsLS had business in Easton, so we headed to the Blue Ridge flea. I didn’t find anything I was actively searching for, but did manage to spend cash on the incidentals. To the left, a water-damaged periodical I will experience zero guilt dismantling to frame a cross-interest-box-checking Bonney advertisement. At top, Craftsman Vanadium nested-diamonds grip dikes, Stanley electrician screwdriver, Utica adjustable.
A Crescent checkerdot-grip hacksaw. I did not know these existed.
Fairmount 33C, Duro-ish(?) #2 tappet, Champion quilting frame clamp (alas, I didn’t notice the screw was broken short), “B” stamp to fill a hole, 2 D-I sockets, S-R socket.
5 Bonney DOEs and a 1/4dr socket.

After the business was concluded, we took a 45-minute 2-mule canal boat history guide lecture and toured the Canal Museum, where I spotted some wrenches. The big guy on left is a Williams 2-3/4”. Really enjoyed the guide’s spiel, which knit together the War of 1812, the anthracite coal deposits, the Lehigh River, Mr. Thomas’ iron smelting, and how the Lehigh Canal effectively gave birth to the railroads and ended all other canals before succumbing itself.

 

[saukit]

Here are a few more pics of the measuring tools, anyone know what the small compass is? I can read Los Angeles but some of the brand is rubbed off. Thanks Provincial and Lugz (and everyone else) for the info on this stuff!

 

[Doylee4693]

I‘ve been doing really well lately passing up stuff I don’t need, but I couldn’t pass up this deal for 6 bucks. Craftsman box full of stuff. 1st picture is everything, 2nd is the craftsman sockets, 3rd is misc. stuff including 2 nice perfect handle screwdrivers, 4th are the craftsman wrenches in a nice roll up, and the 5th is the sockets broke down into sets. Lots of metric stuff. Oh, and I found a unicorn in the bottom of one of the pouches… more on that in the plomb thread.

It’s funny you say that.. as I’m pretty much done buying any sae sockets and wrenches anymore. I don’t care the brand. I’ve got a few sets and hardly use them as it is. It’s getting really hard to find usa metric sets anymore. I see them as a TRUE treasure nowadays!

 

[bmwrd0]

To each their own, but I am getting rid of most of my metric stuff. I only buy that stuff to flip now. Just don't use it, and have moved what little I am keeping to one drawer in my box down near the bottom.