slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Couldn't pass this odd ball up.
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Re store finds
- Thread starter slowtwitch73
- Start date
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Think Ill just start putting all my re store finds in this thread.
Here's today's haul for 7 bucks:
Was a good day at the store.. I passed on a number of things that were pretty nice. Some old fart must bought the farm lol.
Here's today's haul for 7 bucks:
Was a good day at the store.. I passed on a number of things that were pretty nice. Some old fart must bought the farm lol.
OP
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
duplicate post
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Mintgrun
Well-known member
Things come in waves at the Habitat store too. Sometimes it's obvious which things came from the same garage. It often pays to go back again to see what else has been put out. Many times I'll buy stuff I regretted leaving the first time.
Go back for more!
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Yup, I've been guilty of 'going back' lol.
Packard V8
Well-known member
Pickin' at our ReStore is pretty thin. There is a craigslister who volunteers there in order to get first dibs on the good stuff.
jack vines
jack vines
Model A Fan
Well-known member
At my local one there is a mix of trash priced as good, trash priced as trash, and good priced as gold. I get my haggling fix by going there. I bought 100+ Fine Homebuilding, Fine Woodworking, and a couple other titles for $5 the last time I went. Found a Sunnen Valve Spring Compressor for $6. I collect them now as its become handy to have a variety of types.
The "lumber" is usually ****, $10/milk crate is ridiculous, hardware is decent to buy, etc. Lots of pricing for the same as new, but usually looks like hammered dogshit.
The "lumber" is usually ****, $10/milk crate is ridiculous, hardware is decent to buy, etc. Lots of pricing for the same as new, but usually looks like hammered dogshit.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Yesterday's finds for 3 bucks. I grabbed the driver b/c the handle is really nice... great fit. Turns out it is a Bell Systems.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
^^ it's a numbers game (like everything else). I wear down the stats until I find something good. I don't post all the days I've gone in and found nada lol.
I hunt often. Once in a while I get.
The prices are always cheap however.
I hunt often. Once in a while I get.
The prices are always cheap however.
Provincial
Well-known member
My best Restore find was a $0.50 cold chisel marked as coming from the Central Pacific Railroad. The CP was the western part of the Transcontinental Railroad, which met up with Union Pacific in Utah. It was absorbed by Southern Pacific in 1880, so the chisel is at least that old!
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Todays haul, 3 NOS Jacobs chucks and pair of 'vise grips' for 5 bucks. Passed on some stuff.. xcelite nut drivers etc.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Unless that's the Canadian Pacific RR, which lasted much longer.My best Restore find was a $0.50 cold chisel marked as coming from the Central Pacific Railroad. The CP was the western part of the Transcontinental Railroad, which met up with Union Pacific in Utah. It was absorbed by Southern Pacific in 1880, so the chisel is at least that old!
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-pacific-railway
They had LOTS of CPRR marked tools and equipment, some of which is highly collectible--like the CPRR Coleman lanterns.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Oops--My bad! Those were embossed CPR for Canadian Pacific Railway. Carry on!
Provincial
Well-known member
I researched the font of the marking, and it matches the Central Pacific marks. I checked Canadian Pacific early on, and kept looking.
OP
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
My local store had two really nice big Northern Pacific stamped 'hawks bill' adjustable wrenches, but they wanted 70 bucks for the pair when you can get them on Ebay for 20 or so each. I couldn't justify the cost for display items.. they were gone when I went back.
Model A Fan
Well-known member
I have that same set of "vise grips". They work fine and are just as good as new ones. Just not as shiny is all.Todays haul, 3 NOS Jacobs chucks and pair of 'vise grips' for 5 bucks. Passed on some stuff.. xcelite nut drivers etc.
OP
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Pretty good day yesterday. Nice Weatherhead box bursting at the seams with hardware, and there was a ho hum looking plastic toolbox on the floor.. gave it a nudge with my foot and it was heavy. Guy must have been into electronics.. got a nice haul of dikes and needle nose along with various tweezers and dental picks. From left first two are marked 'made in Sheffield', ChannelLock dikes, small USA dikes, Proto dikes, bottom row Knipex, Hunter made in Japan, and then no markings on last pair. Grabbed two pocket clip drivers.. one Gambles expert and one Powerkraft. 25 bucks.
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Where I live, there are five ReStores each within half an hour's drive of home. One of them's so-so, the others are pretty good, but not predictably so. Thus like all these places, you have to hit them relatively frequently to get the bargains. (Helps if you're retired.)
And I've seen from visits to ReStore in other cities, they vary significantly in what they have. Furniture, kitchen, and bathroom fixtures tend to be common; with tools it's highly variable.
My top "score" locally was a Craftsman 3650 miter box from the late 1930s to post WW2. This link does not show mine — which wasn't in such good condition — but it illustrates the model:
langdonmitreboxes.wordpress.com
I found the box part minus the saw in the local RS with no price marked. Brought it to the desk thinking I'd go up to $40 for it. After a pause, the clerk said, "$5?"
When I took it home I realized it should have its accompanying saw. Got in the car, went back, found the saw grouped with the other saws, and paid the $10 price marked on it. So the whole deal came to $15.
The other score was a Workmate in all-but-unused condition for $16. I've mentioned it here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/black-decker-workmate.92136/post-10209511
My basic principle with ReStore is catch-and-release. I visit the local stores fairly often. If I find something I already have but in better condition, I'll buy the find and donate the one already on hand on the next scouting trip.
And I've seen from visits to ReStore in other cities, they vary significantly in what they have. Furniture, kitchen, and bathroom fixtures tend to be common; with tools it's highly variable.
My top "score" locally was a Craftsman 3650 miter box from the late 1930s to post WW2. This link does not show mine — which wasn't in such good condition — but it illustrates the model:
3650 (ca. 1938)
Judging from the available catalog material this specimen is believed to date from sometime in the very late 1930’s. Its factory shipping crate is shown under the Accessories category. Compar…
langdonmitreboxes.wordpress.com
I found the box part minus the saw in the local RS with no price marked. Brought it to the desk thinking I'd go up to $40 for it. After a pause, the clerk said, "$5?"
When I took it home I realized it should have its accompanying saw. Got in the car, went back, found the saw grouped with the other saws, and paid the $10 price marked on it. So the whole deal came to $15.
The other score was a Workmate in all-but-unused condition for $16. I've mentioned it here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/black-decker-workmate.92136/post-10209511
My basic principle with ReStore is catch-and-release. I visit the local stores fairly often. If I find something I already have but in better condition, I'll buy the find and donate the one already on hand on the next scouting trip.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Lucked into this a few months ago.. 20 bucks
jacksonmang
New member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2022
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- 1
This is my first post here,so I hope this image doesn't ruin the formatting and display WAY too large. If necessary I'll resize and make a mental note for future posts.
Anyway, our habitat restore is a gold mine. Everything below was in a box for $20. Almost all of it is American made. Lot's of older Craftsman, including the three nickel plated ball pien hammers, the hack saw and the little torpedo level next to it. The double box end wrenches are mostly Craftsman (with the pointed top A) and I think two are Sparta. I collect old screwdrivers, specifically with semi clear urathane handles. I can remember being fascinated by their jewel like appearance when I was a young child in the early 1980s. So if they're under $1 and have some age I generally buy them.
Some older B&D I've restored already. Several more waiting for me to find the motivation.
Found 3 of these spring arm desk lamps a while back. Kept one and repainted the other two as gifts for friends. These aren't original Luxo or Tensor designs, and likely circa 1970s, but still have the look. @ $5 each it's hard to say no.
Another bundle of tools. Big wrenches are Proto
and Snap-On, Stanley 21 combination square, bunch of Utica pliers and a Samson "Lever Jaw Wrench"
I often think I'm the only one in this little city restoring old tools. I mostly focus on 1950s-1980s power tools, just whatever strikes me as appealing; and various mechanics tools, the older the better. That obsession started when I cleaned out a deceased relative's shed and found a 5 gallon bucket full of wrenches, a good portion were pre-WW2. Not many rare or unique items, but enough to get me hooked! The power tool love began several summers ago when my stepdad gave me a 1956 Delta table saw that was his father's and was exceptionally well cared for and complete. I still use the saw often, even though I work with metal by trade. From time to time I take on a woodworking project as a favor or to build a gift for a loved one.
That's all for now, lest I get carried away and start digging through my phone's picture gallery and embarrass myself like some egregious show off. Most of my "collection" will inevitably be restored and put up for sale or trade, while I keep the ones I most enjoy or have a personal connection with.
Thanks
Edit: looks like I correctly inserted the pictures as thumbnails and shouldn't mess up anybody's thread sizing
Anyway, our habitat restore is a gold mine. Everything below was in a box for $20. Almost all of it is American made. Lot's of older Craftsman, including the three nickel plated ball pien hammers, the hack saw and the little torpedo level next to it. The double box end wrenches are mostly Craftsman (with the pointed top A) and I think two are Sparta. I collect old screwdrivers, specifically with semi clear urathane handles. I can remember being fascinated by their jewel like appearance when I was a young child in the early 1980s. So if they're under $1 and have some age I generally buy them.
Some older B&D I've restored already. Several more waiting for me to find the motivation.
Found 3 of these spring arm desk lamps a while back. Kept one and repainted the other two as gifts for friends. These aren't original Luxo or Tensor designs, and likely circa 1970s, but still have the look. @ $5 each it's hard to say no.
Another bundle of tools. Big wrenches are Proto
and Snap-On, Stanley 21 combination square, bunch of Utica pliers and a Samson "Lever Jaw Wrench"
I often think I'm the only one in this little city restoring old tools. I mostly focus on 1950s-1980s power tools, just whatever strikes me as appealing; and various mechanics tools, the older the better. That obsession started when I cleaned out a deceased relative's shed and found a 5 gallon bucket full of wrenches, a good portion were pre-WW2. Not many rare or unique items, but enough to get me hooked! The power tool love began several summers ago when my stepdad gave me a 1956 Delta table saw that was his father's and was exceptionally well cared for and complete. I still use the saw often, even though I work with metal by trade. From time to time I take on a woodworking project as a favor or to build a gift for a loved one.
That's all for now, lest I get carried away and start digging through my phone's picture gallery and embarrass myself like some egregious show off. Most of my "collection" will inevitably be restored and put up for sale or trade, while I keep the ones I most enjoy or have a personal connection with.
Thanks
Edit: looks like I correctly inserted the pictures as thumbnails and shouldn't mess up anybody's thread sizing
OP
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
^^ yeah we're a minority for sure. I don't even bother with all the high quality doe's and combinations I come across unless they are in a set which is pretty much never. They just languish there for wks before anyone grabs them.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Today's find.. nice old Craftsman Professional Mechanic 8oz for a buck.
1930artdeco
Well-known member
I did not see this thread until now. I posted in the 'garage sale of the day' thread to show what I got at the local restore shop today. My haul was essentially a NOS Dreadnaught 3 ton bottle jack, and a Sear/Penski timing light that looks brand new. I pop in every so often to see what they have, they have some antique jointers but I just have no use for one.
Mike
Mike
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Latest find.. 10 bucks. Works like a charm.. will be a welcome addition to the shop.
RTM
Well-known member
You can get replacement individual dies and punches at HJE at a price about what you paid, or a complete set from Roper for way more than you spent for the unit. Was cheaper than buying what I was missing.Latest find.. 10 bucks. Works like a charm.. will be a welcome addition to the shop.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Amazingly, this was complete... nothing missing. For some reason (mental), there are re store regulars who like to open tool boxes etc and dump the contents.
RTM
Well-known member
Now that I zoom in, I can see that, looked like you were holes for at least three, but the tiny one seems to be thereAmazingly, this was complete... nothing missing. For some reason (mental), there are re store regulars who like to open tool boxes etc and dump the contents.
Jr. punch with all the dies in a metal box for $10? Major suckage!Latest find.. 10 bucks. Works like a charm.. will be a welcome addition to the shop.
charger 73
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2017
- Messages
- 75
Hello slowtwitch 73
The middle tool you have on display on top the box looks like the item I recently posted what is it on the weekend.
could you tell me what it is?
The middle tool you have on display on top the box looks like the item I recently posted what is it on the weekend.
could you tell me what it is?
Vise_Squad
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2022
- Messages
- 89
One problem with Restore is the people they hire are usually GenX/Y/Z types who know so little about tools, raw materials and hardware they cannot tell what will sell and what won't and so turn away perfectly good stuff. Around here they've taken to refusing open boxes for some unknown reason. Lots of cherry picking by stafff going on as well of course, which does the business harm. I hardly ever bother going now and don't bother dragging stuff out there anymore only to have it refused by some kid who has no clue. They have people in the back busy googling stuff as it comes in and then putting sometimes ridiculous prices on too. To top it all off, they don't bother to sort out their scrap metal and so throw away thousands and thousands of dollars. 
Bottom line is you'll do a lot better at garage sales and flea markets, before the unsold residues get taken to Restore!
Bottom line is you'll do a lot better at garage sales and flea markets, before the unsold residues get taken to Restore!
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charger 73
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- Joined
- Nov 4, 2017
- Messages
- 75
I was referring to the may 21 photo on top the toolbox with the curved handle and round end.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
There is that... I find it a positive as they also run the place and have no clue what stuff is or what it's worth.. usually to my benefit.One problem with Restore is the people they hire are usually GenX/Y/Z types ore!
This store has special needs folks 'helping' fairly regular... some are ocd about organizing, some are ocd or whatever about dumping things out of boxes/containers, etc etc.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Charger73, some kind of grabber for holding small stuff... cross between a tweezer and a kitchen tongs.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Humorous find today for a buck.
"Profit Minded Farmers Use New Idea Farm Equipment". About 8" long. Advertising promotion? Part of a tool kit?
Quite a bit of info out there on New Idea... guess their claim to fame was the manure spreader as we know it.
"Profit Minded Farmers Use New Idea Farm Equipment". About 8" long. Advertising promotion? Part of a tool kit?
Quite a bit of info out there on New Idea... guess their claim to fame was the manure spreader as we know it.
Agree on the lack of knowledge at the stores. That deal I got a week back on two windows was due to the pricing practice of measuring the size, period. No consideration for brand, tint, R or U factor, screens, type of construction, just size.
Oldsnapper
Well-known member
as I posted in the 2024 garage sale.
Had a hour to kill Saturday waiting for my wife. Went to Habitat Restore. 3 items.
Plomb Los Angeles "3030" DOE 9/16X5/8 by date code 1938
Snap On "Octo-Grip" SD-4 screwdriver best I can tell until it is cleaned better 1954
Blue Point Made in Canada OEX-18 no date code
75 cents for the first 2. $1.00 for the Blue Point
Had a hour to kill Saturday waiting for my wife. Went to Habitat Restore. 3 items.
Plomb Los Angeles "3030" DOE 9/16X5/8 by date code 1938
Snap On "Octo-Grip" SD-4 screwdriver best I can tell until it is cleaned better 1954
Blue Point Made in Canada OEX-18 no date code
75 cents for the first 2. $1.00 for the Blue Point
OP
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Found a nice Plomb blacksmith hammer today marked 'Victory' with original handle in little used condition.
