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Picking advice

zachzach

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May 23, 2017
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48
Location
Florida
I’m trying to spend more time on my hobbies lately so I have started fishing again and I even made it to the local flea market to dig through some junk looking for tools. I’m hoping to start yard sailing soon too.

I have a basic grasp of major name brands both past and present but that is as far as my knowledge goes. I was wondering if anyone could point me to other threads or websites to learn more. I’d also appreciate any quick tips you might want to offer in response to this with.

Basically I want to know what some of the most collectible items are?


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3jakes

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Nov 8, 2017
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South Central PA
Best barometer of value is to head over to ebay & study sold listings.
For instance, search ax or axe, then add vintage to the search title.
there are some nasty rusty ax heads that will be worth your time digging in the rusty bucket of tools at the yard sales.
Just don't get there before me ok?
 

bmwrd0

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Nov 7, 2010
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5,466
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Beaver Fever Oregon
Start with thing you need/want for yourself. When you get them home, then check the value. While you are spending time looking on a phone, the pros are scoring.
 
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zachzach

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May 23, 2017
Messages
48
Location
Florida
Best barometer of value is to head over to ebay & study sold listings.
For instance, search ax or axe, then add vintage to the search title.
there are some nasty rusty ax heads that will be worth your time digging in the rusty bucket of tools at the yard sales.
Just don't get there before me ok?



Great, now I have to go check out the three axes in the garage haha. Thanks for the advice.


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zachzach

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May 23, 2017
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48
Location
Florida
Ooo maybe there are pocket guides, I have a couple for coins. Maybe some vintage pocket guides about vintage tools!


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d42jeep

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Oct 22, 2014
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Northern California
Check out the 2018 Garage Sale thread in the General Tool Discussion forum hosted by Pvt. Lugz. A lot of us post the type of sales we attend and the tools we find. Some even post prices. There is a wealth of information on that thread.
-Don
 

woody 73

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Apr 14, 2009
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The Great State Up North
First off only you can decide what it is you are going to collect, oh sure there are tons of posts like show me your_______________xyz tool/brand/item, etc. but unless you have deep pockets limit your area of interest.

After you find what it is you are looking for (what interests you) make sure you have lots of room in your man cave. Do you want 200lb. anvils then you better have the room to show them off.

Three when you find what interests you then start doing a web like search like the following: (in this case wrenches).

http://wrenchingnews.com/

four knowledge is power.

Five Have fun, if you find you hate hauling around 200lb. anvils find something else that makes you happy.

Six before I forget be sure and get an idea of what is available in your area, in other words you are finding a ton of wrenches but no anvils, (or whatever it is you are looking for) then you will have much better luck in your searches when you do go out looking.
 
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zachzach

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May 23, 2017
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Location
Florida
Check out the 2018 Garage Sale thread in the General Tool Discussion forum hosted by Pvt. Lugz. A lot of us post the type of sales we attend and the tools we find. Some even post prices. There is a wealth of information on that thread.

-Don



I do follow that thread and I love it. I’ve already posted my first mini. They are the only reason I even considered my local flea market.


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Rickster

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Jun 26, 2005
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SE PA
You need to know what things will sell for before you buy. Check through ebay postings for different manfs tools but search on the sold listings. Remember you're going to have ship these items. Tools are heavy and the USPS flat-rate boxes are only so big and everybody expects free shipping. Also paypal and ebay will take a portion of your sale price. Good luck!
 

crguy

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Jan 24, 2016
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Location
SW Washington
People spend many years learning about what to buy, sell, value, etc. There's no way you can just pick it up from a book, ebay, etc.
 

Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
Messages
2,808
Define your area of interests. Mainly becausr whatever cool **** you bought that never resells becomes your private collection. Or a millstone of regret around your neck.

I have near 500 old DOE wrenches and similar going back a century or so. All unsellable in my market.

Yet half a ton of Asain import tools could be resold easily within two months. Go figure..
 

Cf mtn

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Aug 5, 2016
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265
hi, watch out!! there's been a couple replies that have mentioned it, be specific in your gathering, i can only speak for myself but it can get way out of hand!
 

Shiftless

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Mar 9, 2014
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14,550
Location
East Bay SFO
Yes, by all means, specialize. Gather up the stuff you like so that when it doesn’t sell you will have an enjoyable collection. Also, a successful picker needs to have a great depth of knowledge so obviously a guy can’t know everything there is to know about everything.
 
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zachzach

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May 23, 2017
Messages
48
Location
Florida
I’m 23 and just starting to put together a tools collection so I think I’m a long way from out of hand.

I started buying tools when I took this metal fab. job and now after living in an older home for awhile I see that it is a safe bet to start investing in quality tools. I think investing in older tools is a better idea because they are often cheaper and better quality and just plain cooler. Plus I will need backups for some of the cheap stuff I’ve collected.

I do all of my flipping locally I’m not trying to make a living off of it I just like to try and cover the cost of what I bought.



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thehorse13

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Mar 15, 2015
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Jefferson County, WV
Your illness is at the starting phase. It will take years to mature and by the time it does, you'll look back and realize what your expertise/specialty is because you'll have piles of it around you.

Buy what you like most. As others said, during this process you'll be exposed to other things and over time you'll have a good feel for value. This is when you can start turning things over to finance your primary collecting illness. Ask me how I know.
 

humber2

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Feb 13, 2011
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Location
Downunder
Your illness is at the starting phase. It will take years to mature and by the time it does, you'll look back and realize what your expertise/specialty is because you'll have piles of it around you.

Having piles really is another problem..........:bounce:
 
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