The collecting bug...

[OmegaDPW]

I'm sure most of us who are visiting this vintage forum are collectors to a certain degree. I've just started collecting vintage tools and would appreciate some advice so I don't just collect old junk.

When you started, did you collect a certain brand of tool? Type of tool? Maybe tools from a certain time frame or region? Did you think about actually using the tools or were you collecting just wall hangers?

My idea right now is to just collect adjustable wrenches. I've already got a decent selection of older USA ratchets and other tools from when my Dad passed, and I actually use them. Same with adjustable wrenches- I carry one every day for work and basically anything I buy, I'd like to be able to use to some degree. Right now, I have a J.P. Danielson, a J.H. Williams (both my Dad's) and a Craftsman USA coming from Ebay.

Does anyone have any advice for this new hobby of mine? Thanks in advance!

 

[bdbecker]

The only advice I'd give is to do what makes you happy. If you want to collect 1960's Craftsman hand tools, or US made adjustable wrenches in all size and make, that's cool. Heck, even if there is no rhyme or reason for what tools you collect other than that you find them interesting for one reason or another, that's cool too. As long as it's fun for you, that's all that matters.

I have a small axe collection. I don't hunt for any particular make or model, if I see something interesting at a garage sale or on Marketplace, I'll get it. Half the time I don't even know what I have until I clean it up and reveal the maker's mark. I don't go overboard (no high grit sanding or polishing), I just remove any corrosion and preserve the head, then hang them on an appropriate handle. Other than paint and/or stain, I don't get crazy with the handles either. No custom profiles or exotic woods, I just buy them from House Handle Company. For me, they are just wall hangers. I'm not a lumber jack. I don't even have a wood fire pit or fire place. Because of that, I don't even sharpen them (unless the edge is really boogered up).

When it comes down to it, I guess I just like the process of taking a rusty, neglected piece of steel and bringing it back into functional condition and preserving for the future. Right, wrong, whatever... I'm just having fun.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I'm sure most of us who are visiting this vintage forum are collectors to a certain degree. I've just started collecting vintage tools and would appreciate some advice so I don't just collect old junk.

When you started, did you collect a certain brand of tool? Type of tool? Maybe tools from a certain time frame or region? Did you think about actually using the tools or were you collecting just wall hangers?

My idea right now is to just collect adjustable wrenches. I've already got a decent selection of older USA ratchets and other tools from when my Dad passed, and I actually use them. Same with adjustable wrenches- I carry one every day for work and basically anything I buy, I'd like to be able to use to some degree. Right now, I have a J.P. Danielson, a J.H. Williams (both my Dad's) and a Craftsman USA coming from Ebay.

Does anyone have any advice for this new hobby of mine? Thanks in advance!

I second what he said. But what I've found is to follow these threads and learn as you go. There is so much to learn. And when you find what tickles you, go down the rabbit hole and learn some more.

 

[Provincial]

My first set of tools was a birthday gift when I was 14. It was assembled by searching second hand stores and pawn shops. Brands included Plomb, P&C, Powr-Kraft, Crescent, and SK. I've been partial to those brands ever since.

I often pick up other interesting tools, and many that I think my friends in the hobby might appreciate. We do a lot of trading to pass things around.

Sometimes, I have bought more than I want when I believe it will otherwise be scrapped or sent to the landfill. I give away quite a bit of this stuff to people who can use it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ What they all said!

Welcome to GJ.

For me it started with a 1943 Willys MB jeep. I wanted the on-board toolkit. When I started searching for info, I discovered G503.com. There I discovered that there was no good, single, definitive source on make and model, plenty of interesting debate, a few so-called good guesswork guides, and plenty of misinformation and their tribes. I joined the fray - and about 7 years later ended up co-authoring a chapter in a book with a long-time early CJ expert based on factory evidence we dug up directly from NARA.

From there I stayed WWII in era and military in use case, but went sideways, to General Mechanics Toolkits that were issued to all 2nd Echelon mechanics during the war. That led to an interest in large civilian master mechanics type toolkits, here to GJ, and eventually, back to the 1920's and antiques.

My idea right now is to just collect adjustable wrenches...[ ]... I have a J.P. Danielson, a J.H. Williams (both my Dad's) and a Craftsman USA coming from Ebay.

It's as good as a place to start than any! When you want to post and discuss them down here on the GJ Vintage Tools Discussion forum, there're a couple different ways you can go. In general, from the 50,000' view, we have many threads by type of tool (e.g., DOE engineers wrenches, pliers, wood-handled screwdrivers, hacksaws, etc), and we have many threads by mfgr/brand (e.g., Snap-on, Bonney, Plomb, etc). We have a thread for adjustable crescent-type wrenches, by type, all brands. And we have threads exclusively dedicated to J.P. Danielson tools, J.H. Williams tools, and several threads for Craftsman tools, separated by era (Long C, Heritage, and Crowntop).

And when you get around to posting your JPD, you will probably discover that it's my favorite make (the square throat and the BET'R GRIP name are hard to beat!), and see my rack of them in all sizes.

All of these threads can be found, at any time, regardless of where they are in the forum (i.e., active and shown on page 1, or buried somewhere between pages 2 and 537), in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[MShaw]

I don't collect tools. I started buying them when I was 13 for my own use, first to repair lawn mowers and later when I worked as a heavy equipment mechanic while going to college, and then many years of shade tree repairing. I now have a fairly large "collection" of every day users which I have started passing on to my sons as I am now 84. It worked for me.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Does anyone have any advice for this new hobby of mine? Thanks in advance!

Advice you probably won't hear from a lot of folks is to think about the future and to be very honest with yourself. That includes thinking about what happens if you lose interest or when you run out of space (or perhaps both).

I have a number of vises I am now paring down and selling off, and it's consuming a lot of time. I also once had a vast collection of plants which I've spent an enormous amount of time whittling down. Hobbies are great when you're in them, but your interests are likely to evolve over time and it's a good idea to think about "what if..." before find yourself owned by a collection of things and not the other way around.

Just my $.02.

 

[crguy]

It depends on what you're collecting for? What is the end game? Are you collecting just for fun, or would you like to build a collection that will have value down the road?

 

[oak_park]

If your going to focus on adjustable wrenches, you will come across tons of them at flea markets and estate sales. At some point in the future, you or you heirs will be disposing or selling them. If you already have your 'users' then I'd suggest you focus on condition, condition and condition. Avoid engraved and beaters with bad jaws, etc. 4 inchers are very collectable and are cheap to ship, Diamond Calk/Diamalloy with green grips get good money on resale. Also look for adjustables that have a broached hole (ie 9/16ths) at the end of the handle. Nowadays, I pass over most I see at estate sales as I probably have well over 100, in just 4 inch size. Pay attention to font size/locations over time you'll be able to decipher who made what for whom. For example that old Ace hardware wrenches have the same fonts as Diamond. Additonally, avoid all china made. USA, Japan or Germany are safe bets. Good luck and enjoy your collecting journey.

 

[Shiftless]

I have a number of vises I am now paring down and selling off, and it's consuming a lot of time

There are a few vise collectors here on GJ
Post some pics in the classified section. Smaller ones that fit into flat rate boxes are easy to ship.
You posted about some of your nice ones about 10 years ago, didn’t you?

 

[cody1325]

If your going to focus on adjustable wrenches, you will come across tons of them at flea markets and estate sales. At some point in the future, you or you heirs will be disposing or selling them. If you already have your 'users' then I'd suggest you focus on condition, condition and condition. Avoid engraved and beaters with bad jaws, etc. 4 inchers are very collectable and are cheap to ship, Diamond Calk/Diamalloy with green grips get good money on resale. Also look for adjustables that have a broached hole (ie 9/16ths) at the end of the handle. Nowadays, I pass over most I see at estate sales as I probably have well over 100, in just 4 inch size. Pay attention to font size/locations over time you'll be able to decipher who made what for whom. For example that old Ace hardware wrenches have the same fonts as Diamond. Additonally, avoid all china made. USA, Japan or Germany are safe bets. Good luck and enjoy your collecting journey.

This is sort of what I've been doing. While I always look for Craftsman for my user tools, I always keep an eye out for old, long-defunct brands. The strange thing is that I've rarely come across a USA, or even Japan adjustable.

Recently, I cleaned up an old Globemaster Japan-made wrench, as at one point, I culled it into my junker drawer because "It's just some cheapo". I looked closer at it than I had during my teenage years, and I was surprised to find that it was smooth and tight once I de-gunked and de-rusted it.

I wonder if "TOP" (stamped near the hang hole) means anything? Looked like a maker code, but Toptul is Taiwanese.

 

[Provincial]

Advice you probably won't hear from a lot of folks is to think about the future and to be very honest with yourself. That includes thinking about what happens if you lose interest or when you run out of space (or perhaps both).

I have a number of vises I am now paring down and selling off, and it's consuming a lot of time. I also once had a vast collection of plants which I've spent an enormous amount of time whittling down. Hobbies are great when you're in them, but your interests are likely to evolve over time and it's a good idea to think about "what if..." before find yourself owned by a collection of things and not the other way around.

Just my $.02.

Vises are easier to keep than plants. That is my experience.

 

[humber2]

It is easy to start collecting to a theme, maybe it is difficult to close out a collection.

For example there are 8 sizes of Crescent made wrenches but these were made in at least 6 different generations.

Add on Crescent monkey wrenches and there’s 50 examples to find.

Next how to display or store, either option may not be inexpensive.

But do try to avoid abused tools, owner named or cuts or grind markings as buying unacceptable examples is a time and money wasting experience.

Massaging purchases back into presentable objects will need paint strippers, rust destroyers, stainless steel wire brushes, perhaps a bead blaster or ultrasonic cleaner and then application of lubrication and invisible rust inhibitors.

A tank to immerse a 24” shifter can be avoided by using a plastic bag to contain chemical and the wrench then immersing into a barrel, bath or jacuzzi.

YMMV

 

[OmegaDPW]

Advice you probably won't hear from a lot of folks is to think about the future and to be very honest with yourself. That includes thinking about what happens if you lose interest or when you run out of space (or perhaps both).

That's a good point. My Dad was a collector of sorts and was an airline mechanic for 30 years and then a tool and die makers for 12 or so. His garage is chock full of toolboxes and pegboards. Most of the tool and die stuff (the majority of what he left) I have no idea about. I've never been involved with anything like that and don't know anything about it. Luckily, there's no real rush to start getting rid of the stuff.

 

[OmegaDPW]

It depends on what you're collecting for? What is the end game? Are you collecting just for fun, or would you like to build a collection that will have value down the road?

Nope on the value. I just settled on adjustable wrenches because I use one every day at work (and just enjoy fidgeting with them when I'm not working with them) and my Dad started the collection for me with the few older ones he had when he passed.

 

[OmegaDPW]

It is easy to start collecting to a theme, maybe it is difficult to close out a collection.

For example there are 8 sizes of Crescent made wrenches but these were made in at least 6 different generations.

Add on Crescent monkey wrenches and there’s 50 examples to find.

Next how to display or store, either option may not be inexpensive.

But do try to avoid abused tools, owner named or cuts or grind markings as buying unacceptable examples is a time and money wasting experience.

Massaging purchases back into presentable objects will need paint strippers, rust destroyers, stainless steel wire brushes, perhaps a bead blaster or ultrasonic cleaner and then application of lubrication and invisible rust inhibitors.

A tank to immerse a 24” shifter can be avoided by using a plastic bag to contain chemical and the wrench then immersing into a barrel, bath or jacuzzi.

YMMV

These are all great points and thanks for replying. I'm probably not that type of collector. If the thumbwheel spins and the jaws aren't falling out, I'm the type of guy to throw on some mineral oil and call it a day. I do agree on tools with names engraved and grind markings unless it's something really interesting. I've already thought about storage and not displaying. I'll probably keep them in one of my Dad's old Sears toolboxes. He left behind about 5 of them.

 

[Shelbylex]

When you started, did you collect a certain brand of tool? Type of tool? Maybe tools from a certain time frame or region? Did you think about actually using the tools or were you collecting just wall hangers?

... When I started collecting, I did not know much about tools and kept buying, cleaning, fixing and slowly putting sets together with eventual goal of having a good useful collection of tools (you are already once step ahead as you already have some tools)
There is one problem though - there are a lot of really interesting brands of tools and GJ is full of great people with a wealth of knowledge and passion to collect and restore.

I got interested in too many brands, but from the beginning read somebodies advise to try to limit the collection before it gets out of hand.
I started collecting a lot, but quickly narrowed it to fewer brands, newer tools which still can be used (SAE and metric, no prior versions) and mostly mechanical tools.

Some tools I use, some I do not as I have multiples of sockets and ratchets from different brands. As some tools have Cadmium finish (I have incomplete SO1500 set for example), I do not use them as I am just slowly putting a set together

Once you narrow your interest to few brands, try to also see what is available in your area and how much money you want to spend on putting sets together. (For example I have few Blackhawk boxes, but I quickly realized that I see almost no Blackhawk in MA and buying tons of rare tools for Ebay or relatively fair prices would be very expensive... (though who knows what happens in the future)

Keep your mind open - your interests might change with time, you can switch brands, acquire tools and boxes when you get a chance to get something rare or at a great price and that will lead you. I never collected Ko-ken tools, but at some point got interested and got a good 3/8 drive 6point socket collection when there was 30% sale and suspicion that tariffs will worsen the economy (in which case DIY projects might increase). I also keep an eye on some less common tools which members suggested to be useful in certain situation (too many interesting and specialized tools : ) )

One suggestion: make a decision on 6 vs 12 point socket need/want/preference early. I have a lot of 12 points, but living in a rust belt decided to have majority in 6 point after some collecting

Do not set major limits - just enjoy the trip, learn from the members (I am VERY GREATFUL to a lot of members of GJ who taught me about tools, brands, restoration techniques, etc). It's a fun trip: I do not use tools at work, but still enjoy collecting, using and learning about the tools.

WELCOME TO GJ!

 

[Dagny]

Nail pullers here. and maytag oil cans

 

[Shiftless]

Nail pullers here.

I‘ve been active on GJ for 10 years and you are the first nail puller collector I’ve run into.

Got any pics?

I have just one slide hammer nail puller… a user.

 

[crguy]

Nail pullers here. and maytag oil cans

That's one way to keep your collection to a minimum.

 

[thehorse13]

I'm one of the guys here who has collected himself out of space. This happened as I branched out from where everything began. It started with tools given to me by old timers at the gas station I once worked at and it ran fast and furious from that point forward. Gas & oil signs, old cars (when they were priced with sanity) and tools from the early through mid 20th century. My problem is that the old stuff that I like has become garage jewelry for rich people so I've slowed down to a crawl present day. Like many others, I've been doing a lot of house keeping and it's a lot less fun than when you buy things.

My goal was never to collect, rather, to acquire things that I needed to complete a job. Over time, this resulted in the creation of a space that reminds me of a place and time that no longer exists. To me, this is more valuable than money.

You can see some of the things discussed here in the threads where members give tours of their collections.

Welcome.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Over time, this resulted in the creation of a space that reminds me of a place and time that no longer exists. To me, this is more valuable than money.

Well said, Sonny.

You can see some of the things discussed here in the threads where members give tours of their collections.

^
OP - Links to the tool cellars, cribs, dens, and barns that he is referring to are on post #4 at the end of the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky titled READ B4 POSTING! at the top of the forum.

 

[Shiftless]

Over time, this resulted in the creation of a space that reminds me of a place and time that no longer exists. To me, this is more valuable than money.

Lugz beat me to it, VERY WELL SAID

 

[milkovich]

I try to collect by one rule, buy low, never sell. I very much try to pay 25% or less of what something typically goes for on ebay unless it's something I really need. When I croak, hopefully the proceeds of selling my junk surprises the family with a few thousand bucks. They have strict orders to auction it all and not sell it as a lot to the first "concerned acquaintance" that offers to clean everything out for them.

 

[PowderKeg]

Some thoughts in no particular order:
- set limits/parameters like only collect a particular size or few sizes, only made in USA (or British, or European, etc), only one or a specific few designs (there are a lot of "adjustable" wrenches in many different shapes/designs). Also consider what you might NOT want to chase, like obscure/minor changes in stamp font, etc.
- consider how you're gonna store/display them. Thrown in random tool boxes gets old when you want to check if you have a particular brand/size/etc as the collection grows
- keep a spreadsheet to track what you have, for once you reach the point of not remembering all of them
- set $$ limits on just how much you're willing to spend and keep it cheap (excepting the occasional ones that are truly rare that you REALLY want).
- avoid doubling up unless the second is in better shape to replace the first, that then goes into a sell/trade pile.

As far as my story, I first started obsess... er, "collecting" ratchets several decades ago when I found a New Britain ratchet identical to my first Craftsman (bought in a mixed boxlot at one the first auctions I ever went to) then a None Better as well - got to wondering who else Craftsman made ratchets for... Yeah, silly thought way back then - that Craftsman was a manufacturer - but got that corrected real quick after finding more brands that were the same as a few other New Britain stamped models. Thought I was setting some reasonable limits - only the 3 primary square drive sizes, only with reversing shifter/lever/dial, only stamped USA, only forged beam/head, etc. Fast forward to pushing 900 ratchets today - 140 brands, 91% are standard length for the drive sizes, only 6% are from the Big Four truck brands combined (Snap-On, Mac, Matco, & Cornwell), and mostly kept them pretty cheap (which is why only 6% from the Big Four).

I've thought off and on about collecting adjustables as well, but I've got plenty of ratchets waiting to be cleaned up and fresh lubed....

 

[natas2000]

Some thoughts in no particular order:
- set limits/parameters like only collect a particular size or few sizes, only made in USA (or British, or European, etc), only one or a specific few designs (there are a lot of "adjustable" wrenches in many different shapes/designs). Also consider what you might NOT want to chase, like obscure/minor changes in stamp font, etc.
- consider how you're gonna store/display them. Thrown in random tool boxes gets old when you want to check if you have a particular brand/size/etc as the collection grows
- keep a spreadsheet to track what you have, for once you reach the point of not remembering all of them
- set $$ limits on just how much you're willing to spend and keep it cheap (excepting the occasional ones that are truly rare that you REALLY want).
- avoid doubling up unless the second is in better shape to replace the first, that then goes into a sell/trade pile.

As far as my story, I first started obsess... er, "collecting" ratchets several decades ago when I found a New Britain ratchet identical to my first Craftsman (bought in a mixed boxlot at one the first auctions I ever went to) then a None Better as well - got to wondering who else Craftsman made ratchets for... Yeah, silly thought way back then - that Craftsman was a manufacturer - but got that corrected real quick after finding more brands that were the same as a few other New Britain stamped models. Thought I was setting some reasonable limits - only the 3 primary square drive sizes, only with reversing shifter/lever/dial, only stamped USA, only forged beam/head, etc. Fast forward to pushing 900 ratchets today - 140 brands, 91% are standard length for the drive sizes, only 6% are from the Big Four truck brands combined (Snap-On, Mac, Matco, & Cornwell), and mostly kept them pretty cheap (which is why only 6% from the Big Four).

I've thought off and on about collecting adjustables as well, but I've got plenty of ratchets waiting to be cleaned up and fresh lubed....

I started to ramp my collecting last month and I came up with many of the same ideas/rules as you, mainly I didn't do a good job at all. I mainly went on ebay and I don't think that was a very good idea. Ebay is tough and there is tricks they play and then you get the item and its rusty. It showed its rusty in the pictures and I just ignored it, and now I have to do something about that.
Ebay costs too much.
I need to find a place that sell old tools like screwdrivers without high shipping fees.
Swap meets in SoCal look to have some used Craftsman which I have and mostly used tool truck stuff. Snap on matco or Mac.

 

[RoninB4]

Most of the tool and die stuff (the majority of what he left) I have no idea about.

-Hope you keep a thin film of oil on everything. Throw a few camphor blocks in the lower drawers (or all of them) but don't let the blocks contact precision metal surfaces. The camphor blocks are cheap. That's what I used for decades.

 

[Machinehead]

-Hope you keep a thin film of oil on everything. Throw a few camphor blocks in the lower drawers (or all of them) but don't let the blocks contact precision metal surfaces. The camphor blocks are cheap. That's what I used for decades.

oil or polish?? Which is better? I have 3n1 oil and might have wax. Camphor? Doesn't that make a very strong odor? not saying it doesn't work.

 

[crguy]

I started to ramp my collecting last month and I came up with many of the same ideas/rules as you, mainly I didn't do a good job at all. I mainly went on ebay and I don't think that was a very good idea. Ebay is tough and there is tricks they play and then you get the item and its rusty. It showed its rusty in the pictures and I just ignored it, and now I have to do something about that.
Ebay costs too much.
I need to find a place that sell old tools like screwdrivers without high shipping fees.
Swap meets in SoCal look to have some used Craftsman which I have and mostly used tool truck stuff. Snap on matco or Mac.

Ebay is actually one of the easiest ways to buy scarce collectibles, and has excellent buyer protection. Plenty of things show up on Ebay that you would never find in a lifetime of looking locally, etc. If you're just looking for low value stuff like screwdrivers, etc. there's plenty of that at every swap meet & estate sale. Keep in mind, you don't build much value collecting things like that.

 

[RoninB4]

oil or polish??

-Polish? Not sure what you mean by that. If you meant taking each piece and doing a mechanical polishing that's not required, although any oxidizing/rusting patches or spots should attended to before putting the object in storage. What's important is a film that acts as a vapor barrier against condensation/water that starts the rust process.

Which is better? I have 3n1 oil and might have wax.

-I haven't used a wax but that doesn't mean it's not effective. As a former tool and die/mold maker I have a lot of objects (both purchased and made by me) with precision surfaces and ANY oxidation would affect the accuracy. I always used a thin film of oil because it was easily applied and easily removed when needed. Oil IMO also spreads and covers a surface easier/better than a wax that you have to massage into the surface, especially if you have multi-faceted details on the object. Oil on a small acid brush goes in/on surfaces quickly. As for what type of oil? I always had a variety of oils (spindle oil, way oil, etc.) so I used whatever was at hand. Even used motor oil is better than no oil at all.

Camphor?

-Yes, camphor was used by many older toolmakers for decades. Hermann Schmidt (look them up) used to ship his expensive tooling with a small camphor block in the wood storage box. I always got it from Walgreens as small square wrapped in cellophane for $1 a square. It would last for anywhere from 6 months to a year, gradually just disappearing inside the wrapper. It was cheap enough to keep it in multiple drawers and the top well. I also kept one in the lower drawer so the fumes would circulate up to fill the entire tool chest.

Doesn't that make a very strong odor?

-I never found the odor objectionable, kinda like it. I'd cut some slits in the wrapper with a razor to allow the fumes to circulate in a controlled manner so it would last longer. Do avoid allowing it to contact precision surfaces, contact causes corrosion IIRC. Camphor blocks are available on E-vil Bay, Amazon, and probably some local drug stores.

not saying it doesn't work.

-It most certainly does work. There are other desiccants that may work better but for low cost, availability, and ease of use I find the oil and camphor method worked well for many of us over the span of our career.

 

[username2]

I'm sure most of us who are visiting this vintage forum are collectors to a certain degree. I've just started collecting vintage tools and would appreciate some advice so I don't just collect old junk.

When you started, did you collect a certain brand of tool? Type of tool?

That's a good question. I don't really have a rule, although my 'collection' is a tiny fraction of some of these guys.

My general take is that if it's cheap and falls into my 'good' list, then I'll probably liberate it. It's an inexpensive hobby.

Never look on eBay anymore. Too much $$$ and I don't need it that much.

The last couple of days were a $5 Milwaukee hole shooter, a great big old Mayhew tap wrench for a buck, a Proto Whitworth socket for a quarter plus a Snap-on for the same, a cool old SK tombstone hand box for $3. Into the hoard they go.

Basically, it's been sockets, wrenches (no screwdrivers, they're all garbage so far), occasional pliers, hand boxes. Gotta ease up on the hand boxes, I've got probably 15-20 of the things. Brands? Truck brands of course. Proto. Williams. Filling out a Craftsman socket set. Indestro sometimes. I leave a lot of interesting old brands for someone else. I never run into full sets of anything. Ratchets are rare, although I have gotten a couple of old Snap-ons lately for $1 and $0 respectively.

Oh, and of course, there's the Rule of Plomb. You must buy all Plomb tools.

 

[username2]

...side note...it's highly tempting sometimes to become one of those tool board people. Cool industrial art there and filling one up would scratch any OCD itch.

 

[Machinehead]

-Polish? Not sure what you mean by that. If you meant taking each piece and doing a mechanical polishing that's not required, although any oxidizing/rusting patches or spots should attended to before putting the object in storage. What's important is a film that acts as a vapor barrier against condensation/water that starts the rust process.

-I haven't used a wax but that doesn't mean it's not effective. As a former tool and die/mold maker I have a lot of objects (both purchased and made by me) with precision surfaces and ANY oxidation would affect the accuracy. I always used a thin film of oil because it was easily applied and easily removed when needed. Oil IMO also spreads and covers a surface easier/better than a wax that you have to massage into the surface, especially if you have multi-faceted details on the object. Oil on a small acid brush goes in/on surfaces quickly. As for what type of oil? I always had a variety of oils (spindle oil, way oil, etc.) so I used whatever was at hand. Even used motor oil is better than no oil at all.

-Yes, camphor was used by many older toolmakers for decades. Hermann Schmidt (look them up) used to ship his expensive tooling with a small camphor block in the wood storage box. I always got it from Walgreens as small square wrapped in cellophane for $1 a square. It would last for anywhere from 6 months to a year, gradually just disappearing inside the wrapper. It was cheap enough to keep it in multiple drawers and the top well. I also kept one in the lower drawer so the fumes would circulate up to fill the entire tool chest.

-I never found the odor objectionable, kinda like it. I'd cut some slits in the wrapper with a razor to allow the fumes to circulate in a controlled manner so it would last longer. Do avoid allowing it to contact precision surfaces, contact causes corrosion IIRC. Camphor blocks are available on E-vil Bay, Amazon, and probably some local drug stores.

-It most certainly does work. There are other desiccants that may work better but for low cost, availability, and ease of use I find the oil and camphor method worked well for many of us over the span of our career.

Yeah I said polish so what, I just watched like 20 videos of guys polishing screwdrivers, it affects you. I meant wax. I saw different Youtubers mainly using carnauba wax. Ive also seen people use 3n1 and heard it recommended for many years. Ive also seen many older machined items that seemed to be coated in mineral oil. Like old well made tools that were new. Like some lock tools and certain finishes on locks back in the day were coated in mineral oil. I have no clue if that works either? I also will pick up some camphor to try out, couldn't hurt. Thank you.

 

[RoninB4]

Yeah I said polish so what, I just watched like 20 videos of guys polishing screwdrivers, it affects you.

-I thought you were referring to precision ground surfaces, that's what I originally was replying to. A polished surface may have less chance for corrosion to settle in but it seems a lot of trouble to go to for hand held tools like screwdrivers. If that's your thing it's ok by me.

I meant wax. I saw different Youtubers mainly using carnauba wax.

-Carnauba wax? Long lasting wax but more difficult to work with than other waxes. It was used during the 70's by the auto aficionados but using it, instead of other auto waxes, was described as a labor of love. Maybe it's formulated differently now. I suppose it would be ok to use it on something I intended to put away but I sure wouldn't want it on something I used whether hand held or not. For long term storage I'd opt for cosmoline, it served the military quite well for decades.

Ive also seen people use 3n1 and heard it recommended for many years.

-A very refined and filtered oil, great for sewing machines and small mechanisms. Seems a waste if you're just trying to create a vapor barrier for anti-corrosion. It greatly depends upon the application too. 3n1 was often recommended for sewing machines but it would gum up a dial indicator. I thought we were just talking about vapor barriers, no one lube is good for everything.

Ive also seen many older machined items that seemed to be coated in mineral oil. Like old well made tools that were new. Like some lock tools and certain finishes on locks back in the day were coated in mineral oil.

-I suppose they just used what was readily available for the least expense that worked. BLO has been used for decades by woodworkers and perhaps the makers of woodworking machines just stayed with what they were familiar with. I have no way of knowing why something was chosen over another unless I speculate/guess.

I have no clue if that works either?

-Mineral oil would probably work as a vapor barrier. I'm not qualified to comment on film strength, viscosity, or shear stability. It's all about application and service duty. I'm certainly not knocking your choices either. What started out as my reply to an inherited set of items from a tool and die maker seems to have morphed into a discussion about polishing/preserving hand tools and machinery that won't be in regular duty. I presumed by your board name that we were on the same page, perhaps that was my mistake.

I also will pick up some camphor to try out, couldn't hurt.

-Works fine for an enclosed tool chest, outdoor atmosphere circulation not very much.

Thank you.

-Sure thing, hope it helped someone.

-My apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread, I'll go sit down now.

 

[four.cycle]

think about the future and to be very honest with yourself.

^ Quoted for truth.
Before I joined here, I was "collecting" lawnmowers.
Suddenly one day I had an epiphany of sorts and realized "I don't have the physical space for this!"
So I got rid of all of them a few years ago.
Then I thought it would be a great idea to "collect" tools. Not sure exactly what I was thinking. Now I'm tripping over them - boxes of tools in every room in the house.
So now I'm trying to get rid of them, and it is a painfully slow process.
YMMV

I'm one of the guys here who has collected himself out of space.

You too, huh?

I wonder if "TOP" (stamped near the hang hole) means anything?

most likely:
Top Kogyo / Top Kogyo Co., Ltd., 2190-5 Tsukanome, Sanjo City, Niigata, Japan 955-0055 / https://www.toptools.co.jp/ / http://alloy-artifacts.org/japanese-tool-makers.html#top / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/top-kogyo-co-ltd-makers-of-top-tools.510514/ /

 

[Chipm]

I don't collect a particular type or brand tool, like only screwdrivers or only Craftsman; I just like to have everything I may need. Sometimes okd USA stuff, usually new stuff, whatever fits.

However, now that I have been influenced by this thread, I think it would be cool to start an all USA Craftsman mechanics tools set.

Where do you guys find schedules for swap meets or flea markets? A lot of guys on here make it sound like buying mint USA vintage yabberdabbers for $2 is just as convenient and easy as walking into Harbor Freight. I would have no idea where to find a swap meet. eBay is my main source at the moment, but is expensive.

 

[SkyPuncher]

Collecting yourself outta space.... been there! Years ago, collected Mopars, cars, parts cars, parts etc... Ran out of space. Sold most. Then motorcycles, you can fit more in the same space! Had over 100. Then started selling them off. Then tools.... you get the picture. Now the way prices are, I wish I still had the Mopars!

 

[Shiftless]

When it comes down to it, I guess I just like the process of taking a rusty, neglected piece of steel and bringing it back into functional condition and preserving for the future. Right, wrong, whatever... I'm just having fun.

Good motivation. I agree 100%

 

[Fretters]

Just collect whatever makes you happy. I have a mix of old & new. I like to know I've tools for tasks I have in mind, & tasks which may possibly arise. It's like any hobby or pastime. The only person it needs to please is you, hence you're the only person who can decide what you collect. Over time, your preferences may change. Simply roll with it & enjoy it.

 

[PowderKeg]

Where do you guys find schedules for swap meets or flea markets? A lot of guys on here make it sound like buying mint USA vintage yabberdabbers for $2 is just as convenient and easy as walking into Harbor Freight. I would have no idea where to find a swap meet. eBay is my main source at the moment, but is expensive.

Start Googling your general area/state/adjacent states for swap meets & flea markets, some are weekly, others monthly, others a few times or just once a year. Some areas don't have anything like that - Little Rock is a dead zone for me. Antique/peddler malls are often all over the place and sometimes have a vendor or few with tools. Many annual threshing/tractor/antique machinery shows will have swap/sell areas, car/truck shows too. Auctions & estate sales also. All depends on how much time & gas money you want to invest - fleabay may not look quite as expensive considering that. But then a big part of "collecting" is the challenge of the hunt and stumbling on something you didn't expect. That and I enjoy all the goings-on at the tractor shows I hit, not just the swap areas. And finding mint USA stuff has never been easy or convenient for me, but scoring an unanticipated item after a long but failed search for something else can yield just as much satisfaction.