That old tool store down the road...

[Trucky]

I'll be going back tomorrow, hopefully to get a few tools and even more pictures! (I've had some on my phone for a while, those will be up too.)

Everybodys tools will be shipped tomorrow if time permits. It's my day off, and not only am I getting my car fixed (front suspension needs a few things.. among them an arm and a tie rod.. grrrrrr), but I do believe I have a freakin' dentist appointment as well. BUT the tools should be all shipped by 4pm tomorrow.

 

[BJ42LX]

Hey Trucky, Super Sport said there was one old Indestro socket set still in the store. Next time you're over there could you seek that out and get some more details on it for me? Drive size, SAE/Metric, etc.

Thanks man!

 

[Trucky]

Will do.

Anyone else? I don't mind the frequent trips..

 

[jeffmoss26]

Actually yes, I am looking for a wooden handle for a 4 oz ball peen hammer. Harry Epstein sells the hammers, but does not have a handle that small!

 

[Trucky]

I'll check in a bit. Everybody, your things are mailed. Tracking numbers will be PM'ed a bit later, I have a test to take -_-

 

[Trucky]

There was a 4 oz. ball pein there, but no handles of basically any kind to be seen.

BJ, I saw no Indestro sets of any kinds.. just single wrenches and the like. Only socket sets I saw were all SK.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Rats!

 

[Scout Driver]

Hi Trucky. Great thread!

Do you happen to recall prices on the Thorsen wrenches? I could use a few to fill out some sets.

Thanks.

Scott

 

[Trucky]

High. I tried nabbed a 3/4" by something flare nut wrench and it was right at 20. Eh.

I'm guessing the smaller combination wrenches aren't tooooooo horrible, but expect to pay around 15 for them. Perhaps worth it if you're just filling a few spots.

 

[Super Scout]

The hammer handles are not buy the hammers, they are on the opposite end of the aisle of the SK rack. However I am not sure if there is one for a hammer that small. There are a bunch there tho. There are old stanley pro socket sets on the floor, and too the right of the SK rack. Just one Indestro wrench, no sets. Maybe i'll stop by and take a few pics. They still have a gasoline powered reel mower on the shelf for sale lol.

 

[BJ42LX]

There was a 4 oz. ball pein there, but no handles of basically any kind to be seen.

BJ, I saw no Indestro sets of any kinds.. just single wrenches and the like. Only socket sets I saw were all SK.

Thanks for trying. Appreciate the help.

 

[Trucky]

The hammer handles are not buy the hammers, they are on the opposite end of the aisle of the SK rack. However I am not sure if there is one for a hammer that small. There are a bunch there tho. There are old stanley pro socket sets on the floor, and too the right of the SK rack. Just one Indestro wrench, no sets. Maybe i'll stop by and take a few pics. They still have a gasoline powered reel mower on the shelf for sale lol.

Darn it. I looked down at the axes from where the hammers are but didn't see any handles so I assumed there wasn't any! My eyesight must be goin.

Hopefully I get my check at 12 and I can stop in for a quick "visit".

 

[jeffmoss26]

I already ordered a replacement handle, so if you can not make it, do not worry!

 

[Trucky]

Oh that's quite alright.. I have some personal tool needs to satisfy.. and this is a five week paycheck too. Woops! I'll save some for my Epstein's order, I promise!

New pictures will be up when I find my SDmicro or whatever card. Thing is too small, I keep losing it

 

[jeffmoss26]

5 weeks?! yikes!!!

 

[Trucky]

Yes.. but I got it so I'm happy.

Thinking of just buying the whole store. Any thoughts?

 

[metaldad]

Yes.. but I got it so I'm happy.

Thinking of just buying the whole store. Any thoughts?

Hmmmmmmmmmm............... lotsa.

 

[Super Scout]

I stopped down the other day took a few pics.
This is the main tool aisle in the store:

This is a possible the oldest thing for sale in the store. It has never been used:

And Trucky this is the handle section lol.:

 

[4x4gearhead]

LOL. I wish I lived in PA, I would have my way with that place. (Oh yeah, just let your mind wander)

 

[kidatari]

Man, that place -- and that reel mower -- is awesome!

 

[beerdog]

I would buy that mower just to use it. What was the sticker price?

 

[Trucky]

Thanks Scout, I found that after realizing how dumb I am

I was going to take a trip down now but mum wants us to get dinner somewhere for my birthday.

Tbh I'd rather get more tools

 

[jeffmoss26]

Happy bday!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Any updates?!

 

[Trucky]

I got kind of miffed that the prices rose a few times since I had started the thread and didn't give it much thought after that

End of summer is always hectic.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I don't know what keeps that place in business. Their inventory doesn't turn over and they just keep raising the prices.
I would not expect to see it around much longer. Apparently though, their overhead is very low, the building is long paid for and the place is staffed by family.

 

[29bowtie]

I noticed the Pinto and Torino key rings were still there but Mavericks were gone.

I noticed that too, must have a few "Mavericks" in that town. I wonder when the new stock will arrive? LOL. What a tresure trove of a store.

 

[jabberwoki]

I`d buy that tool magnetizer in a flash., When are you going back?

 

[uniballer]

Whats the address to this wonderful place?

 

[stratman977]

602 South Alexandria Street Latrobe, PA 15650

 

[thetreshon]

wow...I'm STILL wiping up the drool from looking at all the pictures.

Love seeing stuff like this. I always get excited when I see American made NOS stuff in local stores, and as a Canadian, I loved seeing the Canadian made FULLER chisels mixed in there! (Still made in Canada btw...)

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but WHAT THE HELL DO THESE STORES END UP SELLING TO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS ALL THESE YEARS? If they still have loads and loads of 20-30 year old tools in stock, and at regular prices, what are they selling that actually keeps them open?

Must be 'services' they offer, or maybe they mostly sell lumber, plumbing supplies etc...unbelievable to see that much old stock.

 

[Super Scout]

They do most of there business in actual hardware. Tool sales are nominal if that. The tool department may take up 1/20th of the whole store. Plus its popular with all the plants in town, one stop for everything, electrical, plumbing, etc...

 

[jeffmoss26]

If it's anything like the local hardware stores I go to...they thrive on service.
Screen repair, lamp repair, electrical and plumbing parts for old houses, oddball items nobody else wants to carry.

 

[jackfork]

My little old tool store down the road is a couple of hundred miles away in KCMO, Harry J. Epstein Co. I have nothing local.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Epstein's is over 800 miles away from me

 

[atwageman]

I found a honey hole like that about 6 months ago. Spent a **** load of money on NOS USA made vise grips. Got some NOS Stanley and SK stuff too....all USA stuff. Most of the stuff had price tags from the 70's/80's on it. I was kid in a candy store buying stuff at 1970's prices. I have my wife to thank for spotting the place as we were driving along on our vacation.

Sadly the owner died recently and the store closed. Store now sits empty.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Hey i have one of those ratchet ball thing My dad gave me when i was a kid. Its still in box like new

 

[Farmall450]

Talk about Vintage. Wish I had those in the sweet cases.

 

[Thumper]

**** me....!!!!! Did I see a P&C wrench on that rack or was I seeing things??

WOW......time warp..holee shittttt....

 

[porschedude996TT]

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!!!

I have a set of these, 1 small "Like Std Vice Grip", 1 large "Like Std Vice Grip", and 1 needle nose version. You adjust the pressure, rather than the size.