That old tool store down the road...

[Trucky]

Well.. I sure found mine a few days ago! Spent about half the cash I had on me on tools.

I bet a lot of you have your little home town store that carries all the good stuff. If you could snap a few pics and put them up here, I would greatly appreciate it. I love old stores, especially chock full of US made goodies!

I didn't really find anything searching, maybe I just **** at it. But I thought about it and I really think this deserves a thread of its own.

Now.. after you look at my crappy pictures, go get some of your own and post them here

These are from Petrosky's Pro Hardware.. about a half mile away from my house. I couldn't believe it.. I had never been in there before, and boy did I stick around for a while:

 

[Trucky]

Pictures!!!!

My "full" collection of Vise Grips.. hardly lol.

That's it for now.

 

[wrenchr]

I bet they have bonney wrenches??????????????????

 

[Trucky]

I'm fairly certain I saw Thorsen, SK, and maybe a few others but I can't remember. I'll have to check it out again.. and take some more pictures.

 

[WWIIjeep]

WOW! Some of that stuff has been there for a very long time. I cut hundreds of keys on a key machine just like that, but I haven't seen one like it since the 1970s. I think it's a Keil, or at least ours was IIRC.

So, how much did you buy?

 

[Trucky]

Not a whole lot, sadly. If I had 1000 I would have spent as much, but I only had a bit over 100. Petersen 7R Vise Grips, 7WR Irwin Vise Grips, 7LN Irwin Vise Grips, that same very Nicholson needle file kit (Made in switzerland! I used them a ton at work today.. those are some top notch files.), a few Starrett things (tape measure and small utility knife), a few General rulers (especially the ones in 100ths!), a couple mill files, a carbide scriber,

ALL made in the good ole' United States of Awesome except for the files...

Notice the prices are high.. but it's negotiable to a point.

I literally can't wait til my next paycheck. The deal for me is (I'm 19 and in college. Not a great money combo), 60% goes to savings right away, and the rest is mostly to help out with bills and a bit of cash to spend. I'm hoping I can just throw 50% in savings and spend the rest on TOOLS! It's a better investment anyways. (But I'll still help with the bills of course )

 

[Monte]

Nice pics ! Looks like the paradise for US made tool fans !

 

[nyrapscalion]

I think I'm taking a road trip. Amazing selection.... too bad all the stores like that have been replaced by HD & Lowes...aka china garbage. I'll be visiting the bank tomorrow for a loan

 

[darkk]

You were pretty bored this morning eh?

 

[Chadwilliam1]

There is no store like that near me that I know of.

 

[honcho]

Great find and you're lucky it's close to you. I used to work in a photo store that was kind of the same sort of historical treasure palace. The owner and his long time manager just let old inventory build up and were very reluctant to mark down prices to move stock. We had incredibly good prices on consumables like film, chemicals, batteries and sold tons. We did a pretty good business selling popular cameras and accessories but lots of gear just sat on the shelves becoming obsolete.

Like the tool store, we had tons of interesting stuff--at high prices. Even when the stuff was largely obsolete, management had no interest in selling at or less than cost. The inventory was paid for and there was no shortage of space to store stuff. What will probably happen is the owner will retire / pass away and perhaps his heirs will keep the shop going for a while. The store might be sold intact but a new owner would want to make money and all the old inventory would not be a paid-for sunk cost. They would have to move inventory or remake the business model. Another possible outcome is an auction.

Enjoy it while it lasts and be glad you discovered it while there's still inventory worth buying.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

none of those tools are obsolete

 

[metaldad]

Very nice find. Almost like taking a step back in time, looking at the pics.

 

[Coach James]

The bits from ARTU USA are imports at the store near me.

Coach

 

[JayL]

Lots of goodies still there. I wonder what they will start selling when the NOS is all gone.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

The lever wreanch in the photo was made GLENVILLE NEBRASKA they are very good and were bought out by Vise Grip and production stopped. The Vise Grip now Irvin tool tin snip that cut circles were a product of Lever Wrench and Vise Grip keep them in production.

I would be all every pair on non china made Vise Grips on that rack!!


Capt. Chrysler

 

[osborn.ozzy]

you cant tell that stuff has been on the shelves for YEARS, probably marked up stupid high.

 

[mikew13]

I remember those lever grips between the time I was 3 to 7 years. Born in 1982. Now I know what these vise grips were called! I really want one for myself. Really was going to post and describe trying to figure out what these were!!!

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Cool photos! Some stuff certainly has been in there a while! I have no idea how places like that stay in business, but there must be something else going on that kept cash coming in. I found one sort of similar in Alabama and it was across from the steel plant, so the plant kept them in business.

Certainly no deals there, and the place is managed extremely poorly! But, you may be able to find some things we all thought lost forever.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Is that easy driver priced at $4.99? If so you need to go and buy every one they have. We had a store like this up to about 10 years ago here in my town. I went in there one day with my father and they actually still had brand new leather football helmets in stock at their original price. They also had NOS rollerskates in stock the kind that you had to strap to your shoes!

 

[Underdog]

Nothing but a ton of NOS US made no longer available.

 

[woody 73]

Sad what used to be a common sight for me years ago is now as rare as seeing a Dodo bird...But then again I never dreamed of cordless phones, hand held computers, or even seeing who I was talking too.

Who knows maybe in fifty years my kids will say wow did you see all that old chinese gold in the hardware shop; right next to the new tools from the African pygmy tribe of the Mbuti people hand forged by their village elder.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Great thread. Gonna have to go into town and snap some pics myself.

 

[Gregster]

I would have cleaned that place out! Go there while you have the chance! Marked up prices? Perhaps years ago but I would gladly pay 24$ for NOS ViceGrips.. Considering they're going for double that on Ebay.

Usually hardware stores like that stay in business because the owner caters to a small loyal crowd or is "retired" and does it for fun. The little hardware stores here have mostly sold out to a banner chain (Rona, Home Hardware etc) that came in and replaced the old stock with new stuff.

 

[BHH]

How in the hell is this store still in business? It looks like the shelves last got stocked in 1983.

 

[Trucky]

While I was there I noticed exactly what you said, Greg. Everyone that came in knew everyone else by name, including the owner. He knew where everything was too, and could describe it in detail to the customer as they walked through the store, 45 feet away. Crazy. What's weird is the guy who owns it and works there lives about a block and a half away from me, and has run that store for the past.. well.. a lot of years. Many more moons ago than I have ever seen.

I think I'll go nuts on the Vise Grips there with my next check (2k+ woooo! That's a lot for being about 12 compared to some of you.) and maybe give a few up to the good folks on here. I know I'm lucky to have found this place so I might as well share a bit, eh?

It smells like old people in there though. Only downside.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

I like those old Vaco screwdrivers!

 

[Trucky]

Me as well. "BULLDRIVERRRR" is about the only thing on the side of those screwdrivers, but I really wanted to get one.

But again, the price was jacked up quite a bit.. SO prices for some of it. But you get what you pay for.. everything in there was oozing quality.. and probably some sort of dust-bourne bacteria. But the quality is what I wanted.

 

[Flatland Dave]

That place reminds me of Doughton's Hardware in Salem Or.

 

[concealer404]

What was the price on the Vaco drivers?

 

[Big Gus]

Holy ****! I'd be broke if I were to step foot in that store. I'd definitely start by buying ALL of the NOS vise grips. I've been on a USA vise grip pilgrimage for awhile now, buying up any NOS I see in the store or good shape used I find at the auctions I attend.

Most of the ones I've bought, I use, but I do have some of the new ones stockpiled. Hopefully my son (who is an infant now) will want a few of them down the road...if not, they'll sell well on my estate sale.

 

[Big Gus]

Those vise grips in the black and green box remind me of the ones my father gave me when I was a teenager, so there is some reminiscing that happens when I see those.

 

[Trucky]

What was the price on the Vaco drivers?

A heck of a lot. 14 I believe... but worth it if you've got memories into that kind of stuff, you know?

Holy ****! I'd be broke if I were to step foot in that store. I'd definitely start by buying ALL of the NOS vise grips. I've been on a USA vise grip pilgrimage for awhile now, buying up any NOS I see in the store or good shape used I find at the auctions I attend.

Most of the ones I've bought, I use, but I do have some of the new ones stockpiled. Hopefully my son (who is an infant now) will want a few of them down the road...if not, they'll sell well on my estate sale.

That's what I plan on doing... one of every kind they sell, then extras after that. My birthday is in a month.


I'm getting more pictures in about half an hour or so when I get back (more like "or so"), but if anyone is interested in anything let me know. I'll gladly buy and ship at cost, nothing big (over 40) until my next check though, or sooner if you'd like to pay first.

 

[concealer404]

Thanks!

Was The Bulldriver the only Vaco they had?

 

[Big Gus]

...I'm getting more pictures in about half an hour or so when I get back (more like "or so"), but if anyone is interested in anything let me know. I'll gladly buy and ship at cost, nothing big (over 40) until my next check though, or sooner if you'd like to pay first.

Thats very nice of you, thank you. Hopefully if any members would like anything, they'd chip in a few bucks just for your time and effort.

I know I'd like some vise grips, but I personally feel that since you're 19 and just starting out, you should buy what you want and keep them for yourself. I'd much rather see a guy starting out get them and use them.

 

[JayL]

@Trucky

Just curious ... what brand is this locking pliers?

Thanks

 

[tribbles]

Wow, talk about making a slow dime rather than a quick nickel. If the guy wanted to move some inventory, he could have his son or grandson introduce him to eBay.

 

[WWIIjeep]

How in the hell is this store still in business? It looks like the shelves last got stocked in 1983.

Some of them got stocked around 1963.

They probably own the building, so overhead is low. Maybe they move some hardware, but even the few hardware merchandisers that are visible in the photos are ancient.

 

[BHH]

Some of them got stocked around 1963.

They probably own the building, so overhead is low. Maybe they move some hardware, but even the few hardware merchandisers that are visible in the photos are ancient.

Maybe it is one of those small town shops that sell tools / hardware and also farm food/supplies and that is their bread and butter.

OR

It is just proof that you only need to buy a good USA tool ONCE in your life and everyone in the town has been set since the 80's

 

[NJHandyGuy]

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