Found an old tool box today...

[Junkman]

Actually I found more than one... I found six (6)... I built the house 30 years ago, and because the old house was sold quickly, I had a dumpster put at the house, and started throwing things into it that I thought that I would never need again. I took all my rolling boxes, and the "spares", and everything got pushed into the garage at the new house. One bay has been "packed" with "junk" for more years that I can remember, but the time to clean it out has come. While tossing everything into the driveway, and looking into boxes that haven't been opened in years, I found the first tool box that I owned, at 13 years old. I also found my first Snap On box, that I bought in high school. On top of that, I found 4 more that I totally forgot about buried in the rubble. When I opened them, I found a very wide assortment of Snap On, Cromwell, Armstrong, Mac, Craftsman, etc., and some names that I don't ever remember hearing, but it is all USA tools. My dilemma is that I don't have the time or the energy to sort through everything, so I was thinking of making up 10 pound boxes and selling them as an "odd" lot of tools. I have no idea how to price these, nor do I know if they are worth. What would you do??? As you can see from the pictures, some is clean, some is dirty, some are rusty, etc. I will probably be selling some of the boxes also. My most difficult task is determining values that are fair to both the buyer and myself.

 

[Farmall450]

I'd be in.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I noticed that you have a Remline box pictured above. I believe I have the exact same box but mine is missing the drawer on it that says Remline which is the bottom drawer that you have pictured. Looks like your box is missing a drawer as well. I am wondering if you would be willing to sell the bottom drawer? I live in Oregon but am willing to pay shipping, drawer cost, etc.

 

[beatcad]

that snap-on box is to cool.
i'll keep my eyes peeled if you decide to sell some of the small items here

 

[zkling]

I'm anxious for more pics. I personally can't imagine having so much stuff that I forget about 6 tool boxes but congrats on finding them again.

I like your first snap on box. It is a 50's KR-53.

 

[Junkman]

This is a picture of what I have put outside already... Later tonight, I will post some pictures of the tool boxes that weren't "lost"... You can see one of the kennedy boxes, and under that is a 1954 Stanley carpenters box. Unfortunately, I don't have the tools that originally came with that box, and it got filled with other tools.

 

[bonneyman]

Tools by the pound? Novel idea!

Sounds great, but I'm sure the shipping would kill it for me. Funding the Post Office retirees is a buzz kill.

 

[rick carpenter]

Consider filling the holes in family members' tool kits then contacting a church mission team or a non-profit such as Habitat or Hands-On or whatever and offer them the rest of the tools for a fair price of their choosing. That might be of more value to you than cash.

 

[Junkman]

Here is my collection of tool boxes. Unfortunately, all are filled, and I need to pare it down to maybe 3, because the garage isn't big enough for all my "junk", and all my cars. Building another garage is out of the question, and getting rid of some cars is also. Last year, I stored them off site, and I will have to do the same this year, but I intend to get to use the garage from now on for more than storing useless junk... How I accumulated so many tools and boxes is a long story that I will save for another time.

 

[Junkman]

Also buried in the garage is this gem that I bought back in 1962 from a fellow that was closing his garage. I have reached the point in life that I realize that I shouldn't burden my family with disposing of my stuff, so I am determined to complete this task while I am still able bodied to do so.

 

[zkling]

WOW, I'm loving the vintage boxes, especially that 3rd stack

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Aww man, you got a KR 300 roller. That's the one I'm looking for...wish you were closer.

If I was in your situation, I think I'd ask someone I trust and that knows something about tools to do a lot of the physical work in terms of sorting and categorizing stuff for sale. Of course he'd have to be a bit of a tool nut himself, and you could probably give him tools in exchange for his services.

From what you have there, cleaning that up looks exhausting to me, and I'm only in my forties!

 

[bluebolt]

Invite some GJ'ers over to help sort out stuff and give them a bunch of stuff. You will make some good friends very fast LOL.

 

[Junkman]

I have spend the last 4 days moving and sorting. I actually got the floor cleaned up enough that I was able to spin my 4 post lift around so the controls are not on the wall side. Next is to push it to the rear of the garage, so I can get a car in front of it. The garage is 24' x 36' and has one drive through bay which is why the lift is moving to the rear. I only wish that I had made the garage much larger. After I get the garage straightened out, I have to tackle the cellar. It is filled with obsolete parts from 10 years of picking dealerships in the 1970's. I have already sold off all the hard to find parts, and what is left is mostly common mechanical parts. I held onto all this "stuff" and I believe that the "golden" days of restoring cars back to original has passed for the most part.

 

[AV tinker er]

I'll buy one. USPS Flat rate would be your friend.

 

[Junkman]

I have reduced the pile of clutter to this, and have pushed the lift to the rear of the garage, and got one of my cars on it. Still cleaning the rest of the garage, but I have found all four corners of the garage, and have swept all of the concrete floor completely. Moved all the tool boxes back into the garage, and am pleased how this project is moving along.

 

[zkling]

Great progress. You have some very cool old boxes. I'm liking the bay of boxes.

 

[ArtDeco]

maybe get someone trusted on here that is local to do the sorting, selling, etc. and split the profits

or flat rate "specials" that YOU think would be fair

either way, it sounds like you need someone to look up close and "appraise"

maybe someone will volunteer that you can trust

 

[rick carpenter]

Invite some GJ'ers over to help sort out stuff and give them a bunch of stuff. You will make some good friends very fast LOL.

That would be a cool fix! If ya do, post pics of the 'event' for the rest of us.