Collecting quality

[beakie]

I started a thread when I found an older welder, figured I'd start one for all the random tools and such I collect from family, friends, and kijiji (our version of craiglist).
I'm moving from a suburban (barely) 1 car garage, to a 2 bay, double deep shop in just over a month. Having mooched off a buddy for garage space and bigger tool needs for 5 years... I am trying to find older "quality" tools that have been taken care of, and proven their worth.

As I said, first was a 20 year old ESAB PC200 mig, recently replaced whip liner, plenty of consumables, 1/2 roll of .30, 1/4 of .35
Price was $650, which I was content with.





Have had this kicking around the garage for a month now... but no 220v available until we move.

 

[beakie]

Today, a few more new to me tools showed up.
I was visiting family last weekend a few hours away. Decided to check their areas "for sale" stuff and found an Eagle 5hp 60gal, 18.5CFM @ 90psi unit for $500. Guy bought it new, had taken very good care of it, changing oil often, and handed me the original manual looking like it had been filed away from day 1.
His story was he was moving from the country, no room for many bigger tools, and needed the money, great older guy, out in country wife his wife, kids long moved away and the cold/snow/etc was getting too much for them both.
After seeing it run, and what else he had there, I asked if he wanted to get rid of anything else.
York 125A vise = $25
Makita angle grinder = $50
4 jack stands, 6ton = $30

He delivered it all almost 2 hours to me, and I made sure he was well compensated for his time, gas and taking such good care of what he had, and generosity in pricing on the low side.

Compressor


Grinder & a few discs


Vise



Again, this will all sit in the garage until we move and I start organizing and laying out the new shop.

 

[beakie]

I also spent some time in the military once upon a time, and found out about the government surplus website back then, and have been keeping an eye on it ever since.
Always seen Buffalo or Rockwell drill pressed on them, normally going for what I thought was more then they should have. I can only imagine people are buying them hoping to resale for eve more in the big city (I'm 30mins east of Toronto)

Finally won an auction for this upright Buffalo 15, military surplus, came with the monthly "Cleaned & Inspected" booklets from it's inception to service in 1981 to when it was put away for sale in 2010 or so.
Soon after I won an auction for 2 more, bench models, sold one to guy for 3/4 cost of both, and gave one to brother in law as a gift for storing out camper over a winter.

Buffalo 15 Upright



Then before I left the service, I asked one guy what the deal was with this vise which had sat on a shelf since I got to that unit (transferred from reg force to reserve unit 5 years before) He said he had never seen/noticed it used (he'd been there 31 years), and only moved when new QuarterMaster would come in and move things around the way they liked it.
"Take it", he said, "otherwise it will sit there for another few decades. I'll know where it is if anyone ever wants it back"

Yost

 

[1930artdeco]

Aint things like Craigslist (in the US) and Kijiji great! You have some great finds there.

Mike

 

[sberry]

I am not a collector but that is fine stuff.

 

[thundermug]

I dig that York vise. Been looking for one of those.

 

[beakie]

Aint things like Craigslist (in the US) and Kijiji great! You have some great finds there.
Mike

somethings I like to buy new, but I normally look for used items that have withstood the test of time and still going strong. I won't be torturing them, so know they should last a long while still. very pleased with the "finds" but it can become consuming (going to pick up another vise Tuesday... ugh)

I am not a collector but that is fine stuff.

I agree, and by no means am I "collecting" these, but I wanted my shop to have good tools in it if/when the opportunity arises to get some.

I dig that York vise. Been looking for one of those.

I am actually having a hard time finding info on the York 125"A" specifically. 125, no problem, but trying to determine what the A signifies is proving difficult. May contact York directly to see what they have to say, see about new parts/pieces if required.



Should have a few more things to add in a few days.
Can't wait to put these in place, and actually use them in 6 weeks once we've moved.

 

[beakie]

I received very quick and informative emails from both York and Yost today, regarding the vises.

York;
Dear Tom
It is our bench vices, these bench vices 125 A we produced from 1969-1981, the type number "A“ was type, from 1981 to 1989 it was type B (but the bench vice was nearly the same), from 1989 we produce the typ L - but this model is different from type A, B.
We produce the bench vices from 1912 , the patent for these bench vices was from 1934 (these bench vices copied 1 company from USA – bench vice WILTON and the same bench vice from 1934 produces also now from 1941 (now it is company JPW Incorporation), the copy founder in USA was Czech man (the seller), which went to USA 1937 .
Best regards Robert Svirk

Yost;
Tom,
Good morning! Thank you for sending in the picture of the Yost Vise. The vise you are looking at is one of our machinist vises. The handle indicates that it is over 10 years old. Because it has machinist jaws it is newer than 1980. I would need another picture of the side of the vise to give you a better idea of the age. Also, can you tell me the jaw width of the vise?
Thanks!
Ryan

Follow up;
Thank you for the extra pictures. The vise you have is a model 104. We do sell swivel bases for this vise, although it isn’t a requirement for the vise.



I emailed both of the companies about 0630hrs this morning after returning from the night shift... before I went to bed @0800 they had BOTH replied. I would guess I could email 10 or 20 different "modern" companies selling tech, toys, big 3 auto-makers, etc and not received a reply until the end of day if not a few days later.

 

[48RON54]

Wow, I'm really impressed with that level of customer service.

 

[beakie]

Wow, I'm really impressed with that level of customer service.

no kidding, keep in mind York is Czech I believe and while I didn't do the time conversion, I doubt it was mid business day for both companies.

 

[beakie]

Found another vise today, after grabbing a few other things price ended up being $40.
No idea what kind it is, been painted a few times, some surface rust, but still had grease inside and moved smoothly.

 

[beakie]

So now that we have made the move, I am on the hunt for more tools.

Brought home a new 56" Torin tool chest the other day. Very happy with it so far, moving tools over as time permits.


Today after conversing with the seller I put a deposit down on a Myford ML7 lathe, sale dependant on actual inspection when I can make the drive (1.5 hours away) and pick it up.
Comes with some tooling, few new pieces in last few years, and he's going to give me some old literature/books he has to help get me started turning. He is a machinist by trade, getting rid of this one as he bought another/bigger lathe.
Price isn't bad for up here, and while I know it's a smaller lathe, I feel it will work well for me to learn on and realize if it's something I want to spend more time/money on.

Only a few pics for now, will add more when I get it home.

 

[zkling]

Nice stuff. Myfords have a cult like following.

 

[e30bradley]

Nice finds. You are going ton use this stuff right? Collecting makes me think its not going to used \,..

 

[beakie]

Nice stuff. Myfords have a cult like following.

hmm, I'll keep my eyes open and a watch out for strangers with kool-aid!

Nice finds. You are going ton use this stuff right? Collecting makes me think its not going to used \,..

well I was "collecting" before I moved out here as my tiny garage couldn't support most of the tools I was bringing home.

now that I'm out here, 24x36 shop, 100amp sub panel, each wall on own circuit, plenty of room in panel for compressor, welder & other 220v tools breakers... I fully plan on "using" all of these tools in the near future.

first is overhead storage
second is a proper work bench
third is wiring up 220's in appropriate places
fourth, hook compressor up
fifth... burn some metal, turn some metal, bring home more tools... in no particular order

 

[beakie]

picked up another piece tonight
spur of the moment while searching kijiji (craigslist for Canucks)

I've been barely getting by with a portable Ryobi saw, but trying to rip anything fullsize ***** cause it's so tipsy, and I've got 2-3 roller lifts front/back/side to prop the work piece up.

blahblah, here's my super clean, Canadian made, Rockwell Beaver saw, with cast extensions & lockable roller table for $240

 

[zkling]

Very nice, solid CI wings and all

 

[beakie]

also picked up these pieces a few days ago
the grinder will be repurposed into an upright/pedestal. big vise will go on work bench, or metal fab bench. little vise is an import, go on a shelf. mid sized vise will be added to collextion for future refurb/gifting to family or friends.

all together $130, I was content with that. Big one is as yet un named, middle is Record clone, probably a Paramo, small is an import, unknown.

 

[sasquatch12]

Interesting post Beakie, enjoyable viewing this kind of finds.

 

[beakie]

Well, it continues.
Brought home a Myford ML7 lathe last night. Probably paid a little more than I should have, but I got lots of tooling, chatted for a few hours with the previous owner, and he offered to order anything I wanted in the future for it, using his discount (he's a machinist by trade)
only got a quick pic last night after setting it up near where it will end up.
Future projects are to build proper table for it, tear it down, grease/oil/wax where needed and get familiar with it. Needs a few replacement pieces just to look stock again, quick change tool holder & tail stock drill chuck.

Pretty happy with the size, this will be more of a hobby tool, to learn and have fun with... and if warranted, replaced by a bigger unit.

 

[beakie]

adding another piece
found a Rockwell Beaver radial arm saw, model 1550, 10" blade, 18" cut depth, multitude of cutting options (compound mitre, rip, height adjust, etc)

not as clean as the RB table saw, but a little TLC and it will be good as new. Already removed the base table, will get some oil/grease into the right spots and then get a proper table set up for it.

picked it up after buying some old barn wood to check a few "honey do" items off my wifes list. This should work a little better than my light duty compound mitre saw on a rickety "portable" table.

 

[ritzblitz]

Looks like you're having fun getting all of these tools.

That lathe will teach you a lot. Old school lathes like that aren't the easiest to use, lack of quick change gears makes things a lot slower and should help you be more deliberate in choosing your feeds. Lack of power also helps to show you right vs. wrong in your tool selection for the particular cut. If and when you upgrade to a better lathe, it will be like night and day. I started with a south bend 10K which was similar to what you have. Running lathes every day at work spoiled me, so I upgraded to a clausing, and now a 10EE. You may find yourself following the same footsteps. Good luck!

 

[beakie]

Looks like you're having fun getting all of these tools.

That lathe will teach you a lot. Old school lathes like that aren't the easiest to use, lack of quick change gears makes things a lot slower and should help you be more deliberate in choosing your feeds. Lack of power also helps to show you right vs. wrong in your tool selection for the particular cut. If and when you upgrade to a better lathe, it will be like night and day. I started with a south bend 10K which was similar to what you have. Running lathes every day at work spoiled me, so I upgraded to a clausing, and now a 10EE. You may find yourself following the same footsteps. Good luck!

I got the lathe thinking "I'll use this all the time" and I wanted too...
But time has been precious since we moved.
Between playing dad, keeping 2.5acres mowed, "honey do" items checked off, and working shift... I now hope to use it in the winter months as a "hobby" when I have less "things" to do.

as for collecting the tools, yes good fun indeed.
BUT, as everyone here knows it is an addiction... I used to really be into metal work (building Jeeps) but after selling mine I am back into woodworking again. So my welder, grinders, metal tool, etc. are being put away while other tools come out to play.

 

[beakie]

Found an older gentleman who was moving into a condo with his wife, downsizing everything... and I lucked out.

these pics are JUST the bottom of an old Craftsman Tool chest (made by Beach I'm pretty sure, for Sears Canada)




each drawer;









and the really great pieces included

SnapOn PWN 16 1/2 Internal Pipe Wrench


SnapOn CT 4C Circuit tester


Craftsman Machinists Micrometer Caliper tool


Mitutoyo Vernier Caliper


Motomaster Puller, Made in Japan


Snap On PIT 120 Impact Driver


That's all for now.
Top Cabinet, and other tools will be added this afternoon/night, when time permits.

Oh ya, tool box complete with all tools inside $250

 

[Pumpman1968]

If those tools could talk, they would have some great stories to tell. Nice haul Boss!

 

[beakie]

got around to going through the upper cabinet.
a few more surprises, some really old tools, and a few "customized" pieces that I wish I knew the story behind.

everything together



Snap On, Gray & Craftsman wrachets, & extensions


Craftsman & Gray upto 1 1/8", and various others in for good measure


Drawer contents, going to organize everything into new places in the near future















That is everything in the tool chest.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice!!

 

[beakie]

These are the odd ball pieces.

Various electrical connection kit


Belt Sander and 1/2" Drill


8" ShopCraft Bench Grinder


Bunch of old Mastercraft, Stanley "Handyman", and Brink & Cotton C-Clamps


Lastly, 100' extension cord, always handy.




grand total, $430
I feel it's money well spent/invested.

 

[lbgradwell]

Superb deal!
You're lucky I didn't spot that first!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Canadian Charlie]

You got yourself the motherload there, congrats on a great haul

 

[timbitca]

Dayum!

Way to make me feel like I really really should have driven out to Ontario to grab that box hah. From the ad I only tought it was the top and not the whole stack. You ****.

I also have what I think to be a Craftsman top box made by Beach, or that's what I gathered from reading on here, but it has more Crafstman looking handles. First time I see a Sears box with Beach handles.

I see you also have a few of the Fuller made in Canada screwdrivers, pretty sure every house in Canada has a few of those, at least 1. I've got a few of those Hoppe wrenches too, dunno why but we seem to have quite a few German hand tools from the 50s-60s floating around Canada.

 

[beakie]

Very nice!!

Superb deal!
You're lucky I didn't spot that first!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You got yourself the motherload there, congrats on a great haul

fully admit I got lucky with this deal.

Dayum!

Way to make me feel like I really really should have driven out to Ontario to grab that box hah. From the ad I only tought it was the top and not the whole stack. You ****.

I also have what I think to be a Craftsman top box made by Beach, or that's what I gathered from reading on here, but it has more Crafstman looking handles. First time I see a Sears box with Beach handles.

I see you also have a few of the Fuller made in Canada screwdrivers, pretty sure every house in Canada has a few of those, at least 1. I've got a few of those Hoppe wrenches too, dunno why but we seem to have quite a few German hand tools from the 50s-60s floating around Canada.

well that's a long drive... even if my buddy, from Nova Scotia, is stopping by with the family Friday... and could have dropped it off on the way back!

ya, German, and even a few Italian tools in here. seems like good pieces, but certainly not a lot of them out there.

 

[bonneyman]

...the grinder will be repurposed into an upright/pedestal.

Now THAT is a repurp I'd like to see!

I always thought - if I got an old belt-driven grinder - I'd redo it in a vertical orientation and make it look cool!

Watching this post with interest!