I had an exceptional lunch break today when I was invited to pick the
BACK ROOM of a Habitat store!
I’d just entered this store which I don’t frequent often, and headed to its typically sparse tool area. As I reached to look at something I was approached by one of the employees.
It was the main guy from the warehouse. He asked what I was looking for. I said automotive tools and the like. He goes “Oh, wrenches and that type stuff? Come with me.”.
I followed him to entrance of the back warehouse, where I paused. I asked “You sure it’s ok for me to come back here?”. He said yep. Pretty sure I asked him that a couple more times too.

I know the staff at the other locations would never let people poke around in back.
First glance I noticed a well stocked work bench. He goes “We have all this”, and gestures to a Craftsman top box on the floor, a shopping cart loaded with home improvement tools, five more bins and boxes of hand tools!
I’m thinking



is this a dream? He goes “Dig in. Take your time. This is about 3 months worth of tools.” Tells me they can’t put smalls out because people steal. Told me the story of a guy who comes in and steals regularly and pocketed a whole tap and die set one piece at a time! He said the guy still comes in but they just stand behind him and watch him now. I’m like, that’s not a customer, it’s a thief. He said they can’t do anything about the thief because the whole HUMANITY thing.


He also said about 200 sockets he set out had vanished.
So, I spent my entire break digging. The chest had a lot of modern USA Craftsman. There had to be 100 screwdrivers piled in a bin. I tried to inspect every wrench and socket in the short amount of time. There was a lot of vintage USA from an estate it seemed.
Anyway, I was very much grateful for him letting me look around as employees were hustling around me receiving goods. I know there is more to see and he said save it for next time. Sweet! He gave me a flat price of $50 for my pile and $3 more for the Dewalt hammer.

Snap-On and Blue-Point. Cutters, wrenches, extension, adapter, flex sockets.

Wood handle nut drivers, unbranded with hex shank. An awl from a Detroit manufacturer (have to take another look). Mac valve core tool. Stanley and unmarked wood driver.

S-K 1/4 set with Cornwell ratchet, a couple Snap-On pcs and misc..
S-K 3/8 flex sockets.

Cornwell goodness and Chrysler MTSC almost a set.

Proto extensions

Proto chevrons, LA wrench, and pliers. Channelock ignition pliers, Crescent 4 incher, Mossberg bicycle wrench, Barcalo starter wrench, Japan oddball metric ignition wrenches, New Britain chisel, Williams locking adjustable, Fuller & AT&G ? bit screwdrivers, Pittsburgh 1/4 rat, Craftsman open end that somehow got tossed in.