came across these… are they worth anything?

[sonolaja]

1980 Petersen Vise Grips 6LN + 7WR practically new.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

At least 14.99!

 

[four.cycle]

^ exactly! $14.99 I'm guessing most any guy on this website would be happy to pay you $14.99 for that set.

Hello sonolaja and welcome to the site!

Here's a link you might find handy

Here's the "Vise Grip" (and other locking pliers) thread

You will need to look at the "sold" listings on ebay to determine the "market value" on a given item.
Ebay - top right - click "advanced". Enter the brand name in the first window (Petersen Vise Grip), scroll down a bit, click "SOLD", then scroll all the way down and under "Sort by" select "Newly Listed", and then click "search".

There is a way by which you can find the actual selling price of an item that sold for "best offer", but you have to use the "Sellers Hub", and unfortunately I haven't quite yet figured that out, but I don't set my prices by what other people sell for.




so... this is #3 today, right? I need to write a script for this.

 

[PCustoms]

so... this is #3 today, right? I need to write a script for this.

I know your thoughts on this, and agree with some. But this is obviously a setup to sell

 

[four.cycle]

^ Of course it is. I handle them all the same way - everyone is equal, right? No need to get nasty about it - we're all just tryin' to get by here.

Again, this is the inevitable consequence of this website having become the de facto "go to" site for all things "tool". They hit AA first, but discover that their widget doesn't appear there (as his site is limited to what he has in his own collection), and/or there is no way to interact with the site, so the next stop is here.
On any given Google search for such an item, Google's search results are going to spit out a whole list of links to GJ pages - that's our reality here, so we should expect this to become more common as time goes on.
When I am digging for stuff for my list, I'm always somewhat amused that no matter what I'm looking for, Google will invariably send me back here.

My remark about "writing a script" was serious... I'll figure something out so I can just do a copy/paste, although I may have to use another application program to spit out the text with the users name in it and all that:

alias -l sell { set -u0 %A $1 | msg $active Welcome to the site $1 $+ ! blah blah blah | halt }

Easy peasy.

I'll figure something out so I don't have to type out all that jazz over and over.

 

[luvtheheat]

They are not worth anything. Please send them to me for disposal.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...everyone is equal, right? No need to get nasty about it - we're all just tryin' to get by here.

Sorry, but I'm with @PCustoms on these kinds of posts and posters, 4.c. And I always have been.

No, not everyone is equal. New member, very 1st post, asking about the value of a tool doesn't deserve the same kind of welcome as someone introducing himself, providing some background, telling us his interests, etc, and he definitely doesn't deserve all that help about value and how to find it, etc. A member with 1,347 posts who has contributed to discussions about fabrication, garage builds, and vintage tools, etc, who finds and posts the very same set of NOS Vise-Grips with the very same question, is completely different. In that case, he would've established himself as more than someone who has no intentions of sticking around and is just fishing for quick easy information or a quick sale.

The script we need is something that prevents all new members (0 posts) from posting at all until they read the rules explaining that there are 'No Sales Allowed' in the discussion forums. That would discourage all the fly-bys.

 

[The Cobbler]

While I agree everyone needs to start somewhere, as in your first post is your first post... and We know pretty much these type of requests end up in a one or 2 post wonder, never to be seen again... not sure what can be done about it, other than ignore them.
I'm not in the camp of making tons of rules , I prefer the simple rules that are enforced , Like Ryan has implemented

 

[four.cycle]

No, not everyone is equal. New member, very 1st post, asking about the value of a tool doesn't deserve the same kind of welcome as someone introducing himself, providing some background, telling us his interests, etc, and he definitely doesn't deserve all that help about value and how to find it, etc.

I very much understand and appreciate your point there, but for me, it isn't all that much effort - I type pretty fast.
I'll write something up so it requires less of my time - so I'm not having to type out all that stuff over and over.
I'm with @The Cobbler on this one - I just don't see imposing more "rules" as a solution. I tend to think it may well cause more problems than it might solve.

More to the point: We have a HUGE membership on this site. I'd be curious to see exactly how many members are actually "affected" by this activity, other than it being something of a minor annoyance for them.

There is always the option of simply ignoring their requests and moving on to the next thread.

Again, my reasons are 100% self-interest: I'm always on the lookout for more entries to the list, and maybe one out of a dozen of these types of posts result in a new entry to the list. If the cost of my getting a new entry in the list is catering to the other eleven, I'm willing to do that.

On the surface, when you look at @Meagan's first post and then look at sonalaja's first post, there isn't a whit of difference.
On the former, most of us already know the answer. On the latter, there is something to learn.
You and I have had somewhat similar discussions about other issues, and I'm in that camp of "more is better" (even with all the chaff.)

 

[d42jeep]

While normally I wouldn’t respond to a request for values, especially since four.cycle took care of that, I appreciated seeing the original Petersen packaging.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not in the camp of making tons of rules , I prefer the simple rules that are enforced

I didn't recommend any new rules. Most of us who are active members abide by the 'No Sales Allowed' rule. It's only the 1-post wonders who read the rules to register and then immediately ignore or bend the 'No Sales Allowed' part.

I just don't see imposing more "rules" as a solution.

Agreed. See my reply above. I forgot that reading the rules was already a prerequisite to registration. Unfortunately, the 1-post wonders are usually the ones who ignore them.

There is always the option of simply ignoring their requests and moving on to the next thread.

I know. That's what I always do. Or I mess with their heads in a completely misleading and sarcastic and discouraging way. I didn't reply to the OP. You did. I replied to you. I loves ya, 4.c! But if it's not already apparent, I hate that the site can't filter this **** out and would never genuinely help anyone fishing for easy answers or a sale - while you actually encourage and perpetuate it. On this we are at loggerheads.

 

[four.cycle]

I forgot that reading the rules was already a prerequisite to registration.

It is? Been so long since I registered I had forgotten all about it.
I'll have to clear out all my cache files and cookies to get to that page so I can see what it says.

I know. That's what I always do. Or I mess with their heads in a completely misleading and sarcastic and discouraging way. I didn't reply to the OP. You did. I replied to you. I loves ya, 4.c! But if it's not already apparent, I hate that the site can't filter this **** out and would never genuinely help anyone fishing for easy answers or a sale - while you actually encourage and perpetuate it. On this we are at loggerheads.

Look, I am fully aware that this sort of thing irks the hell out of several members. There are times when we get multiples in one day and I start to wonder "What the hell am I doing here?"

I think I may have already figured out a way to handle these expediently while I was washing the dishes. I don't need a script, just a *.jpg file - it's too easy.

Again, I just don't see it being as big a problem as some might suggest - I see it as the result of the site becoming more popular, and Google directing the people here in their search results.

 

[RTM]

When I am digging for stuff for my list, I'm always somewhat amused that no matter what I'm looking for, Google will invariably send me back here.

Fixed it for my experience

GJ results are almost always in the first 10, almost regardless of the tool type or brand I am searching, and I look for obscure $hit some times.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Again, I just don't see it being as big a problem as some might suggest

Agreed. I think whenever something becomes a discussion point it seems as if it is being inordinately magnified. I wasn't ranting. Just providing my opinion.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Indeed.
I am composing the *.jpg image in my head. I am pretty sure I can accomplish it with just using Windows "Paint".
Just need to let it roll around in my head while I'm out of town for the weekend and come up with something effective, diplomatic, and helpful that ANYbody can steal and use.

And make no mistake, sir: I am GLAD that we are at polar opposites on this one - works as kind of a "checks and balances" thing.

GJ results are almost always in the first 10, almost regardless of the tool type or brand I am searching,

Exactly... drives me nuts sometimes. I think "Is Google responding this way because I'm ON GarageJournal right now?" So I'll log off, clear all the internet cache files and cookies, start all over, and I still get the same as you: GarageJournal right on the top of the list.
I think perhaps THAT part of it isn't seen by some of those here who are raising the objections about this - these new people are being directed our way by the search engine they're using.

 

[PCustoms]

I think "Is Google responding this way because I'm ON GarageJournal right now?" So I'll log off, clear all the internet cache files and cookies, start all over, and I still get the same as you: GarageJournal right on the top of the list.
I think perhaps THAT part of it isn't seen by some of those here who are raising the objections about this - these new people are being directed our way by the search engine they're using.

The irony is that the more that "this" gets posted, the more "this" pops to the top of Google.

I fail to see the benefits of encouraging bots and/or someone looking to make a quick buck off that rare garage find tool to post here. If it's that beneficial for the site maybe there should be a specific section, but I thought Ryan (and other mods) were clear on their position.

 

[paulsomlo]

I'm in the camp of those annoyed by members who take, but give very little. That includes flippers who just want to know who made it and when, what's it worth, and people who continually post in the classifieds, but contribute little otherwise.

 

[ecotec]

Years back, I found about 8 boxed 2 packs of Vise-Grips. I ended up opening them up and putting the pliers in my Vise-Grip drawer.

I have found so many pairs of Vise-Grips since then, that I wish that I had never opened them and kept the boxes.

At this point, I only buy Vise-Grips models that I do not have. I barely use the ones I have… and definitely not enough to justify the quantity that I have.

 

[PCustoms]

OP was here for a few hours and hasn't been back...

 

[bobg03]

OP was here for a few hours and hasn't been back...

Ok Fess Up, which one of you addicts low balled him on a score.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I usually stick with the pre Irwin stuff

 

[ecotec]

I usually stick with the pre Irwin stuff

Me too. 95% of mine have the Petersen stamp.

 

[scooterbum46]

I've been around forums for at least a quarter of a century - Cub Cadets, Computers, Welding, Video, Motorcycle (and Scooters) the list goes on. Most of these have gotten the "one and done" joiners and there is always a thread about it.

Do you remember your first dip into the posting pool? Mine was on that Cub Cadet forum run at the time by Bryan M, who was a very talented programmer, sysop, administrator but pretty much was not a diplomat. I posted something about the 48" deck on my 129 and was very tersely corrected with an implication I didn't know my part numbers or something. I felt like I'd been smacked... I'd been reading the forum for quite a while before "daring" to ask a question. If another member hadn't sent me a DM telling me to don't let that put me off, "it's just him" , I wouldn't have posted again, because I didn't have time for that BS. I'm not active there any more as time and things change, but my current post count is over 3700 there

My point is this: If we're nice, they may come back and create more traffic for the Boss (he just had to buy new tires). You never know, they could be the next Pines , Kay, Strouty or Bob Heine (or Squankum) and gosh knows we need more of them.

JMHO (and RIP to Bryan M, gone for so many years)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That includes flippers who just want to know who made it and when, what's it worth, and people who continually post in the classifieds, but contribute little otherwise.

I call it the 'Invasion of the FBMP Snatchers.' The biggest change Ryan ever made to GJ - creating separate forums for General and Vintage tools, and banishing ALL sales to its own Classified section, was the best thing Ryan ever did for GJ. Some members are truly just FBMP'ers, CL'ers, etsy'ers, and eBay'ers in disguise, they have no real interest in contributing to GJ as a knowledge base for collecting, and this is just a place to gather information for their sales ads language or advertise without explicitly advertising. Not too many, though, and many of these guys down here on this board do add to the discussion.

I fail to see the benefits of encouraging bots and/or someone looking to make a quick buck off that rare garage find tool to post here.

Amen. And that is not in any way a cold, harsh, or unwelcoming attitude.

If it's that beneficial for the site maybe there should be a specific section, but I thought Ryan (and other mods) were clear on their position.

Maybe I am misreading you, or I don't understand, but there is a Classifieds section. The Catch-22, if I am understanding correctly, is that Classifieds are set up for active members. In other words, if you want to post there, you have to have x number of posts in other forums. The whole premise of that logic - a post minimum - is to establish exactly what you, I, @paulsomlo and anyone else looking at this with clear-eyed realism is saying. And that's what makes this discussion of these kinds of fly-by posters so ironic.

To post a legitimate ad in Classifieds you are asked to at least make some meager contributions to discussions in other forums.

But to drop a thinly disguised sales ad on the Vintage board, you don't.

You never know,

I do.

By his own admission, @four.cycle knew, but replied as if he didn't know for peculiar reasons I will never understand.

I suspect that @Oldtuleguy knew but wanted to make a joke out of the very visible price sticker. Or maybe not. Maybe he didn't notice the guy had 1 post.

When I see a post like this, the first place I look is the posting history. As I already said upthread, it's very possible for an active member with 1,000 posts to find the same NOS Vise-Grips and ask about value. Completely different situation.

I've been a member here for 4,530 days. Some of that time was before 'The Great Schism' I talked about above, but even then, when it was the Wild, Wild, West - new tools, old tools, and sales mixed together, when you came back after lunch your thread was on page 3, buried by sales threads "bumped" for the 5th time that day, 90% of my posts were vintage tools, and 90% of my posts have been down here on the Vintage board since then. That's ~6 posts per day since 2012. In that time I have seen 100's of these kinds of posts. They have grown more in number and audacity with the spread and rise of the Flippant Flipper FBMP mentality. No longer even trying to hide it. Not even bothering to ask a question in the first post, but sticking it in the title itself instead in a form usually bearing no resemblance to proper grammar or anyone who has taken the time to compose a proper thought.

The context - that the world is only a marketplace, that the only thing worth talking about with respect to old tools is marketplace value - is bad enough. The implicit expectation of the question being answered - as if we're just a bunch of saps sitting here at the beck and call of any rando fishing for quick, free info, or a sale, is particularly grating.

Comparing them to someone with a genuine interest and a genuine interest question - such as your experience on another forum, does a disservice to genuine new members and those of us who welcome them with open arms, help, and patience.

It is important to recognize that coming back is not even a prerequisite. There have been many other, similar kinds of posters here in the past, temporary "new members" dealing with a death and a basement or garage who doesn't know what to do with grandpa's old tools. They also clearly have no intention of coming back. But they politely introduce themselves. They explain their plight. They are personable. They express some degree of appreciation for the prior owner and the tools. They are clearly not just lazy flippers. They offer their real selves and their circumstances and in return, they get help, including mine.

A great example of this kind of newbie and the welcome they get happens to be active right now on this board, linked here...

Seeking info on Armstrong Torque Wrench "Series C" USA made

Found this in my late grandfather's tools. Unsure on age. Would like to know more about when it was manufactured and how reliable they are if it can still be serviced today. I don't have access to tool trucks or calibration equipment. I would like to use this instead and get rid of my...

www.garagejournal.com

New member, 2 posts, gets constructive, helpful assistance from several Vintage board regulars, providing information and a link to an existing thread with more information.

 

[Ricky Joe]

You act as if the only acceptable approach is yours.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not sure how you would reach that conclusion. I have a strong opinion on the matter, but it was certainly not the only opinion on the matter, in agreement or not. Too strident? Maybe. Probably time to let it go. Thanks for the nudge.

 

[Cruzan80]

Probably time to let it go.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not much of a Def Leppard fan, but it would probably be more persuasive than a fey Disney princess theme song!

 

[Cruzan80]

I mean, they both have long blond hair...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snerk.

 

[wrenchguy]

alotta long talking here, glad i don't read every post anymore. thx.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've noticed that my posts have grown longer, more complex and thoughtful in direct proportion to those that seem to be growing shorter and nearly unintelligibly lacking in correct grammar, punctuation and useful purpose. Thanks.

 

[RTM]

One and done's never get a serious price valuation from me. If they're looking to sell I tell them what I bought my cheapest one ever for. If they're looking to buy the highest thing I've seen on craigslist or eBay.

Members with more than a dozen posts, They get a more serious answer. People who have earned my respect, detailed answers to the best of my knowledge.

¢¢

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I'll stand by 14.99