To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

help with ID and value

fordnut85

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
231
Hello fellow tool geeks. My siblings and I have recently acquired some vintage tools after my fathers passing. We come to the decision that none of us are particularly attached to any of them and we have decided to sell them. However we are unsure of their value and weather or not to put them in with the rest of the auction or if they are worth listing on craigslist and here on GJ. So if any of you can provide any input as to rarity or value please chime in. Thanks in advance for all your help. Below is a link to my google photos page, let me know if the link don't work.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VsWG66tL5ZgYudGQ8
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,587
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
I don't know anything about the various planning tools, but the auger drill bit brace is interesting. It looks like a Simmons mark on the shank. E.C. Simmons was a very old and venerated hardware store outfit famous for being one of the first big catalog merchandisers (i.e., Sears & Roebuck). Unlike Sears, it actually had its own manufacturing enterprise. Which brings me to the marking. If it is indeed Simmons it seems to be stylized like its KEEN KUTTER brand. Are there any other marks on the brace? And do all (or any) of the auger bits in the roll-up have the same marking? If so, that might worth something decent. Others (maybe notlob will drop by...) will be able to tell you much more on that subject.
 

DadsTools

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
1,852
Some nice pieces here.

You need to do a little research. Go to Patrick's Blood and Gore site and look at the bottom of the page where you'll find links to all the series of Stanley planes. Your Stanleys will have a model number on them. You'll also find whether there's any parts missing and if they have any of the problems discussed. Once you know what you have, you can check eBay sold items for pricing. The better the japaning, the more you can ask.

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

In photo #9 you have a box of cutters. I believe these go with the plane in photo #3. THESE ARE VERY RARE IN A FULL SET LIKE THIS. Again, read Patrick's site to find which plane they go to and keep/sell them together.

Next to last photo: The brace is not worth that much. Though I can't examine it closely, I'd say it's worth in the $15-20 range before shipping. Most folks when they get these inherited think they have gold, but they don't realize NO ONE EVER EVER THREW THESE AWAY. There are a gazillion of them out there. Still. So unless they are in near-mint condition or are of a very desirable make (like Stanly, North Bros or Millers Falls) they are so much cannon fodder.

However, the brace bits in the pouches ARE something. Vintage ones are desirable, especially with good names. Maybe not so much for each, but as sets like this they'll fetch some dollars. Be sure all are straight (try to roll them on a flat surface) and that the points are good. If the points are buggered up it greatly reduces their vaue since its hard to reform them correctly

The folding wood rulers are worth a little, but here again, there are a surprising number of them still left in the wild. Common.

The wood planes like in photo #1 are problematic. An important thing to remember is that most of this kind of material is not purchased by collectors, but by traditional-style woodworkers. Simply put, no wood-based plane will ever perform at the same level as a high quality metal plane. Brand and condition are important, and some command a good price, but most sell for less than you might first think.

The stanley plane in photo #5 has the kidney shaped hole in the lever cap, which makes it a little later. Needs cleaning up too (be careful not to mess anything up--leave it alone if unsure). Follow the dating wizard on Hyperkitten to find what age/series it is.

http://www.hyperkitten.com/tools/stanley_bench_plane/

The Buck Bros Socket Chisel is desirable. even without original handle. Width of blade is important. Condition looks good--the buyer is going to sharpen, hone and buff it anyway, so don't worry about the discoloration. Looks like it has a little sheath--if original, a nice plus.

Finally, this is my own personal advice, and no offense to anyone. If you're looking to get the greatest return on these, DO NOT SELL THEM IN THE GJ CLASSIFIEDS OR ON CL. There are a few reasons why I say this, but the biggest reason is that you need to have as many traditional-style woodworkers competing for these. This is not what you'll find on a mechanic's forum nor probably in your local area. If you were selling a used Snap-on ratchet, think of all the mechanics shops in your area that have mechanics that might use it. Now think about in the same area how many traditional woodworkers you have buying antique planes. You get the picture. eBay will give you the best access to the greatest number of collectors and users of these vintage woodworking tools than just about any venue. It's not like you have 300 pieces that you need to liquidate--you only have a handful, they don't take up much space, so you can afford to hold out for the best money.

Anyway, that's my take on your collection.
 
Last edited:

hsvtoolfool

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2015
Messages
185
Location
Rocket City USA
Here are my best guess-timates...

Stanley #50 bead plane, good cond, w/ orig blades, $120-ish
Stanley #5C bench plane, 1930s, fair cond, $40-$50-ish
Stanley #148 7/8" tongue & groove plane, good cond, $50-ish
Stanley #194-ish fiber-board bevel plane, good cond, $40-ish
Stanley #66 1/2 (unsure) rule, 1950s-60s-ish, boxwood? $50-$80, other? $20
Buck Bros 3"-ish timber frame slick chisel, good cond, $100-$150-ish
Wooden 1.5"-ish skew dado plane, fair cond, $50-ish
E.C. Simmons 8" swing brace, good cond, $20-$30-ish
EZ-Mark 3.5" **** gauge, good cond, $5-ish
Collection of misc bits for brace, $50-$80-ish
 
Last edited:

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,125
Location
Minneapolis
I could load you up with most of that for half your prices.



That's the problem with asking about prices on a web board - they depend on location. Values in one part of the country (or in other countries, since there are people here from all over the planet) can and will vary widely.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

DadsTools

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
1,852
That's the problem with asking about prices on a web board - they depend on location. Values in one part of the country (or in other countries, since there are people here from all over the planet) can and will vary widely.
This. And more.

That's why I recommended to the OP to do his own research, then scout eBay for what these items are really selling for. Also needs to check Patrick's site to see if everything is correct, complete and without defects. There's really no way to accurately appraise them unless you have them in hand. I didn't find Post #4's assessment too out of line, but of course each price comes with the caveat "good condition." Can't really tell that just by the photos. Bit tips could be all buggered up. If any of the planes have chips in the mouths or even casting cracks, they're only good for parts. Not sure how it was determined just from the photo that the chisel is a 3", but notice it has center-punched owner's marks, which hurts it. Heaven know what's under all that grunge on the bench plane, it also has a broken tote that may have been jury-rigged to the bed. The No. 50 looks like it may have bent fence posts, plus it's missing the fence, if the spur screws are seized that's another problem. If the brace has buggered up jaws or a broken chuck spring, it's scrap. And so on and so forth.

So I agree, there's problems with asking for appraisals on forum threads. OP needs to do his own research on these. At least we've provided a starting point for him.
 
Last edited:

hsvtoolfool

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2015
Messages
185
Location
Rocket City USA
I assumed the OP knew nothing about his tools and
hoped he had a winning lottery ticket. I think we can
all agree the answer is "No". These items are all either
commonly found (the #5C) or mostly useless (#194).

So I gave some fair "ballpark" prices that you might
see at a flea market booth or on Ebay. My guess-timates
reflect the maximum you'd pay, not the least. Not to
mention that we can't evaluate condition from photos.
Who can price a large, skew, wooden dado plane without
knowing the wood, maker, age, and condition?

I personally love the little #50 (along with the teeny
Record 043). I've never seen a complete #50 in decent
condition with all the blades sell for less than $100. I've
also never found a large slick in good shape for less than
$80. But like Stuart said, maybe it's just my regional market.
 

ducksface

Banned
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
2,477
I could load you up with most of that for half your prices.

At least.
Probably a quarter of it for someone not filling a hole in a vast collection.
Those values are for hole filling a collection not casual acquisition.

GJ is most of the problem when it comes to CL dreamers.
Those brace bits are free to 10 bucks maximum, for the entire lot, if you need them for art projects, not as tools. And that's anywhere in the world except a desperate third world need.
You can of course whack off the head and make them usable in the real world, but I doubt a need for such a thing exists except a mod to use some of the ones you already have...certainly not something to seek out....

The disclaimer from the poster won't work. Dreamers have already cut and pasted that post and are going to post on CL at 30 percent higher so they can 'come down' on their sales price.

OP
Sold prices on ebay will be your only hint. Subtract the real world cost of eBay and time...call it 40 percent on items in the cost range of your items.
 
Last edited:

DadsTools

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
1,852
I assumed the OP knew nothing about his tools and
hoped he had a winning lottery ticket. I think we can
all agree the answer is "No". These items are all either
commonly found (the #5C) or mostly useless (#194).

So I gave some fair "ballpark" prices that you might
see at a flea market booth or on Ebay. My guess-timates
reflect the maximum you'd pay, not the least. Not to
mention that we can't evaluate condition from photos.
Who can price a large, skew, wooden dado plane without
knowing the wood, maker, age, and condition?

I personally love the little #50 (along with the teeny
Record 043). I've never seen a complete #50 in decent
condition with all the blades sell for less than $100. I've
also never found a large slick in good shape for less than
$80. But like Stuart said, maybe it's just my regional market.
I fully agree.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom