Are these vintage wrenches worth keeping?

[JimFZR]

Hello all- I found these vintage wrenches and am looking for info on them and whether or not they’re worth keeping. One photo is Hazet, another Craftsman, and finally one is a JH Williams adjustable wrench and a small plier stamped “W Germany”. Thank you.

 

[DadsTools]

They are all decent quality tools, so if you're a user then they're worth keeping. I think they all have some collector value as well. The USA Craftsmen are in demand. If any of the German tools happen to be a part from and auto or motorcycle tool kit, these command a premium--additional research will be necessary. If you just want to dump them, I bet a number of members here would be glad to receive them.

 

[3baygarage]

Hazet and old Williams adjustables are good quality. Taiwan and Craftsman, well, best to pick and choose your favorites. What brand is the short little box wrench that says IN USA?

 

[woody 73]

OP do not let any of that vintage rust get on your hands or in your lungs because you could end up with rustosis and end up in the ER; better yet put on some white gloves and put them in the post ASAP. Just the very thought of you dying at such a young age saddens me to no end, better you should mail them to me.

 

[Boogerman]

Keep two DBE's; adjustable, pliers. Toss rest scrap iron. Unless hoarder or no tools & no money to buy. Not much usable in cheap tools or open ends. Or sell to tool worshipers here, using classifieds; pay postage & maybe enough left over for bottle coke.

 

[JimFZR]

They are all decent quality tools, so if you're a user then they're worth keeping. I think they all have some collector value as well. The USA Craftsmen are in demand. If any of the German tools happen to be a part from and auto or motorcycle tool kit, these command a premium--additional research will be necessary. If you just want to dump them, I bet a number of members here would be glad to receive them.

Funny enough, i have several stamped “Mercedes” and others “Toyota”, so yes, likely part of an automotive kit.

 

[matthew]

If you’d use them, yes.

I’d very much like to have the 27mm and 17x19mm, as those are the sizes I’d keep with my drill press and saw for setup. Usefulness for you may vary…

 

[DAustin]

The 21x36 box wrench go in old VW tool kits and sell for real money. Look them up on ebay.

 

[d42jeep]

I generally discard tools marked Taiwan. Others may disagree.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

Hazet and Williams, yes.

Craftsman combos and Taiwan flare-combos, if you need them.

Short "in USA" dbe, ???

 

[Orangina]

All your "Hazet" ("HAZET" written since 1965, so your tools are 50s to early 60s) are very old tools in good condition.

The tools starting with 5xx are for old Volkswagen and are from 1950 to 1957 (later the numbers shifted to 25xx)
So e.g. price for one Hazet 561 is ~ $ 100 and are collected and popular with VW classic car owners.
Prices of the 450 wrenches depends, if they are common size combinations as 10x11 or fit to special VW/Porsche/Mercedes toolboxes as 10x12 - so starting at $ 20-30 for some common sizes and could be much, much more.

See classifieds at theSamba.com...

regards,

 

[Dave455]

The old Hazet are top quality tools. They are all current sizes so very useable. Personally, I would keep the lot. Hard to get modern wrenches of that quality.

As Oringina points out, the double box end wrench No.561 is a VW specific tool and has a good deal of value to a VW enthusiast. I have seen them go for more than the $100 here in the U.K.