Fairmount Wrench Set

[Thax]

Hello Garagejournal. First time poster and long time lurker here. Recently I was helping my neighbor go through his recent tool inheritance. We found a Fairmount wrench set in a roll tool bag. They are double open end angled wrenches from 11/32 thru 1 1/2 . Im not familiar with them or what the approximate value is. The set is near mint except for wear on the 11/16th wrench. Any input or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[popparoach]

how much?

 

[rockinacummins]

Welcome! Sounds like you've made a decent find. I can't offer any insight as to how good they are or what they're worth, but it sounds like a rare find to me.

Also, if you've been lurking for a while you know we love pictures around this place...

 

[Thax]

I am trying to post the two pictures I have of this set but so far am unsuccessful. Any pointers on how to add pics to a post here?

 

[Thax]

how much?

I dont know if he wants to sell them , really looking to get an idea of the value and history on this brand and set.

 

[Thax]

Welcome! Sounds like you've made a decent find. I can't offer any insight as to how good they are or what they're worth, but it sounds like a rare find to me.

Also, if you've been lurking for a while you know we love pictures around this place...

Pics uploaded , thanks for the welcoming!

 

[3baygarage]

That's a nice big set and looks to be in great shape.. If selling on ebay I'd start it at 100 and see if anyone bites. Could start low but it's a gamble. Tough to put a price on an old brand but those aren't beat up...

I believe Fairmount was bought by Martin so the angle wrenches today would be Martin brand.


Some info on the company:
https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/fairmount-tool-forging.html

 

[jakemac]

Here's a little light reading about the Fairmount Tool Company for you. It's now known as Martin Tools.

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/fairmount-tool-forging.html#history


EDIT -
3bay - either two great minds think alike, or 1+1=3.

 

[Thax]

Here's a little light reading about the Fairmount Tool Company for you. It's now known as Martin Tools.

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/fairmount-tool-forging.html#history

Looks like a good read . Thank you.

 

[3baygarage]

EDIT -
3bay - either two great minds think alike, or 1+1=3.

 

[davethorik]

I have never seen a set of those, nice find. I see a lot of Fairmount stuff probably being so close. It is mostly industrial stuff like line wrenches I've come into contact with. Look up angle head wrench sets made by other mfg. Usually pretty pricy even used.

 

[Thax]

I have never seen a set of those, nice find. I see a lot of Fairmount stuff probably being so close. It is mostly industrial stuff like line wrenches I've come into contact with. Look up angle head wrench sets made by other mfg. Usually pretty pricy even used.

I know his Grandfather whom he inherited these from worked for Chevron , so im assuming they were for use in the oil industry. I found the same set , even the same part # from Martin listed on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Martin-18-P...-Angle-Opening-Chrome-SAE-OB18K-/130874429296 Would this set be valued near this or is Fairmount a collectible brand in itself. I wonder if there is a collector's value to this set. We also found some really nice SK 3/8th and 1/4 sets , and a Williams 1/2 sae set he gave to me for fixing a few problems on his cars.

 

[Vantastic]

Your set would sell for around $100 on eBay.

 

[Thax]

Your set would sell for around $100 on eBay.

Really only a $100 , is there no collectors value for vintage Fairmount tools?

 

[sk farmer]

Really only a $100 , is there no collectors value for vintage Fairmount tools?

there may be some collector but fairmount collectors are not that prevalent. bonney v-cut wrenches, proto/plomb pebble line wrenches, etc. there is more demand.


they are worth more as users but since they are not a real common brand, not as much value. they may be worth a little more than 100 but they are not worth 100's of dollars for sure.

 

[chopper1]

there may be some collector but fairmount collectors are not that prevalent. bonney v-cut wrenches, proto/plomb pebble line wrenches, etc. there is more demand.


they are worth more as users but since they are not a real common brand, not as much value. they may be worth a little more than 100 but they are not worth 100's of dollars for sure.

This is very true. I have a fairly large collection of Fairmount, my step dad worked at the Fairmount foundry in Cleveland part time. Without many collectors around the eBay price will either not be very high or if multiple bidders want it it could go through the roof, but I doubt it. It's a **** shoot.
They made that wrench for a few different tool companies and the well known companies will draw a much higher price. I've sold the exact same wrench in Mac and Fairmount and the Mac brings a lot more.
Your friend has a nice set, my set of those only goes to 1"

 

[jakemac]

Sadly, despite what Ebay sellers would like us to think, the words - old, rare, collectable, and vintage - don't actually add value to ANY item. An item is only worth what someone will pay for it at that time. Tomorrow it could be more, or it could be less. For some items, I've seen the prices artificially skyrocket simply because we've been talking about them here and GJ is one of the first sites that comes up when doing a search for tools.

While your wrench set is in excellent condition and not often seen, the value won't be high simply because very few people are aware of the brand nameand those that do, know it more for body tools than wrenches. I think $100 would be a good price for the set if you can get it. Most wrench users use combo wrenches and never think to pick up a DOE set. If they were combo wrenches you might be able to get a little more for them.

 

[sgs236]

If it was me, I would start my price at 200. If it didn't sell after a month , I would start lowering the price. Be sure to put both the words FAIRMOUNT and MARTIN in the title listing.

 

[Thax]

Thanks everyone for the advise. Ill let my friend what every thinks about these. Im not sure if he even wanted to sell them , rather was genuinely interested in what they were.