The Tool Basement

[toolguynj]

Allow me to introduce myself to the forum. My name is Jim and I am the owner of The Tool Basement in Hopatcong, N.J. I have always been huge DIY’er and lover of tools, which ultimately led me to starting this business to fill a niche in the retail market for quality used tools at affordable prices.

We carry everything from antique to nearly new tools, from small hand tools to large machines and everything in between. We also deal in antiques, cool collectibles and eclectic décor including breweriana, neon signs and pinball machines. We are out buying 3-4 times a week so our inventory changes daily.

See PowerDubs post on the vintage Snap-On tool chests he got from us:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211650

Going forward, I will be sharing with the forum interesting and different items we acquire in addition to great finds that I add to my own ever growing collection.

Check us out on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/TheToolBasement

Check out our new ebay store that so far only has a fraction of our inventory listed:

http://stores.ebay.com/tools-and-treasures

The Tool Basement
808 Rt. 15 South
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey 07849
(973) 663-9111
[email protected]

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very cool! Looks like a place I would spend a lot of time at

 

[metalhead212121]

I recently came across you guys while browsing CL.... Im about 45 min. away from you guys. Sooner or later I'll stop by.

 

[Thedrewdude]

I actually just bought the 24" Schick pipe wrench from you! I love the history behind the wrench and I look forward to using it. Wish I was closer to New Jersey so I could visit your store!

 

[bullnerd]

I recently came across you guys while browsing CL.... Im about 45 min. away from you guys. Sooner or later I'll stop by.

Same here, its part of another store correct? but I forget the name?

I saw something I liked and the price was pretty good.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Road trip!

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I've stopped in there periodically as I pass through the area. We missed all the events this summer at the Sussex Fairgrounds and the Tool Basement is on the way back to Rt 80 via Rt 31 from Sussex Fairgrounds.

I purchased some Klein pliers there at one stop and wavered on a Indestro Select 3/8 socket set another visit. I thought I would be passing through the area the following weekend but haven't been by in months.

I'm personally NOT happy that the NJ tool hounds are becoming aware of this place, but he's got to make a living and I'm not buying enough to keep him afloat.

Good luck and hope to see you soon.

Cheers

Jim

 

[metalhead212121]

you know guys.... us NJ guys never did have that GJ meet up that was once discussed. Perhaps we could all meet up there one day and then go get food after?? Just a thought.

 

[devoncoolman]

Sounds cool might have to mossy my way over there one if these weekends

 

[kulpjeeper]

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kulpjeeper]

I've stopped in there periodically as I pass through the area. We missed all the events this summer at the Sussex Fairgrounds and the Tool Basement is on the way back to Rt 80 via Rt 31 from Sussex Fairgrounds.

I purchased some Klein pliers there at one stop and wavered on a Indestro Select 3/8 socket set another visit. I thought I would be passing through the area the following weekend but haven't been by in months.

I'm personally NOT happy that the NJ tool hounds are becoming aware of this place, but he's got to make a living and I'm not buying enough to keep him afloat.

Good luck and hope to see you soon.

Cheers

Jim

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Hopatcong, N.J.????? You mean the home of "The Thirsty Moose?"

 

[toolguynj]

Thanks for all the great comments guys...

Thedrewdude - Great doing business with you - keep us in mind for your future needs

bullnerd - we also have an antique store at the same location - Country Cottage Antiques - check that out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CountryCottageAntiques

Jim No Garage - thanks for your support - stop in again, we'll be sure to take good care of you

Metalhead212121 - GJ meetup - sounds awesome - if the weather is good we can have a BBQ right there at the store if enough are interested

TAMPAGT07 - Unfortunately no longer - The Moose went under about a year or 2 ago - I loved that place - a new BBQ place is there now.

Watch the forum for my new Cool Tool Of The Day Posts...

 

[Mike007]

we also have an antique store at the same location - Country Cottage Antiques

Hmmmmm...."Hey honey, I want to take you antiquing in Hopatcong......."

"What a strange coincidence, theres a tool place right next door! Weird right?....."

 

[NY_treeguy]

Saw your place last time we went out to Swartswood but alas, closed. I'll need to make a road trip, but heck, its only an hour, unless I take the Jeep...

 

[devoncoolman]

Gj meet up sounds cool.

 

[Lawson4450]

About 45 min from me hhhhhmmmmmm

 

[toolguynj]

Saw your place last time we went out to Swartswood but alas, closed. I'll need to make a road trip, but heck, its only an hour, unless I take the Jeep...

CLOSED!!! Let me know when you're coming... I Live there... we'll hook you up next time...

 

[Outlawmws]

Saw your place last time we went out to Swartswood but alas, closed. I'll need to make a road trip, but heck, its only an hour, unless I take the Jeep...

Oh god, this reminds me... Not a Jeep Story, but it could be...

(This was originally told to me about a guy going cross country on a Honda 90, but I’ll tweak it...)

It was a dark and stormy night. (Not really but it gets that way…)

I was driving the old Jeep van PU heading home from a long trip. I shouldn't have taken it, because its so slow, and he engine is decrepit, but I needed it at the other end,. It’s at it’s worst on the open highway,,, well I guess freeways are worse…

I was dog tired after working all weekend and was trying to get home, but knew I would need to spend one more night either sleeping in the rig, or in a sleazy motel. The weather was getting worse and that sleazy hotel was actually sounding good.

I passed a sign that said the next real town (one with a motel presumably) was 50 miles away. I was making 50 MPH, so I decided to go for it. Hot food a soft bed… in just one hour!

Soon after the wind picks up and it starts raining. The wind is a strong head wind, and this thing is a billboard on wheels and it slows me to 40 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 40 miles away… still an hour to go. The wind gets even stronger and the rain heavier and it slows me to 30 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 30 miles away… still an hour to go. The road starts to climb an incline and the wind shows no respite, and it slows me to 20 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 20 miles away… still an hour to go. Now I’m climbing a pass, and it’s raining even harder, and it slows me to 10 MPH!

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 10 miles away… still an hour to go… I pulled over...

 

[NY_treeguy]

Oh god, this reminds me... Not a Jeep Story, but it could be...

(This was originally told to me about a guy going cross country on a Honda 90, but I’ll tweak it...)

It was a dark and stormy night. (Not really but it gets that way…)

I was driving the old Jeep van PU heading home from a long trip. I shouldn't have taken it, because its so slow, and he engine is decrepit, but I needed it at the other end,. It’s at it’s worst on the open highway,,, well I guess freeways are worse…

I was dog tired after working all weekend and was trying to get home, but knew I would need to spend one more night either sleeping in the rig, or in a sleazy motel. The weather was getting worse and that sleazy hotel was actually sounding good.

I passed a sign that said the next real town (one with a motel presumably) was 50 miles away. I was making 50 MPH, so I decided to go for it. Hot food a soft bed… in just one hour!

Soon after the wind picks up and it starts raining. The wind is a strong head wind, and this thing is a billboard on wheels and it slows me to 40 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 40 miles away… still an hour to go. The wind gets even stronger and the rain heavier and it slows me to 30 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 30 miles away… still an hour to go. The road starts to climb an incline and the wind shows no respite, and it slows me to 20 MPH.

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 20 miles away… still an hour to go. Now I’m climbing a pass, and it’s raining even harder, and it slows me to 10 MPH!

Ten minutes later I pass another sign that says the town is 10 miles away… still an hour to go… I pulled over...

Hey man, its not that bad. Rock steady at 48-50 mph all day long. I can manage 58 down hill, out of gear with a tail wind.

Really the drone of the engine is worse than the speed, or lack there of.

 

[PowerDubs]

Hi Jim,

I was going to make a post about 'The Tool basement' but I see you beat me to it.

Guys- this place definitely kicks ***. I've been there twice now and bought 10 items already.

There is a ton of cool stuff, the prices are not unreasonable and the owners aren't dickheads. They will take the time to talk to you about all the stuff. Very friendly. Go ahead and dig around. Turn things on, try stuff out. Play some pinball.

It is a great place. They may have a hard time finding enough cool stuff to keep the shelves stocked at this rate. Stuff can and does sell at any moment. I bought the Snap On tool boxes before they even had a chance to clean them up,..they had just got them in. I had went there to buy a Craftsman tool box set that I had saw online..but it was sold when I got there. Stuff is priced to move inventory.

They are about 50-60 minutes from me, so too far to just casually stop in constantly to see what is new. I suggest they try to take a picture of everything new each day and post a picture. Could be here, or Facebook (but I prefer here as I don't use Facebook).. no need for any descriptions. If any of us see something of interest, we'll ask. If I see anything I like, I can have you hold it until I can drive up again.

Taking a picture of everything new may sound like too much work.. but unless someone passes the store every day on the way home from work..

 

[gearheadglen]

what are you store hours, I will have to come check the place out

 

[toolguynj]

Thanks for the idea on photo previewing the new items - I may not be able to do it every day but I'll come up with something for everyone here.

Store Hours:

Mon - 10AM - 5PM
Tues - Closed (I open the store if I am there working on stuff)
Wed - Closed (I open the store if I am there working on stuff)
Thurs - 10AM - 5PM
Fri - 10AM - 5PM
Sat - 10AM - 6PM
Sun - 10AM - 6PM

 

[jakemac]

Rather than pictures, one of the used tool places I go to puts up a new YouTube video each week. He goes through his store and points out new items and gives prices.

 

[bullnerd]

Country cottage ,thats it.

 

[PowerDubs]

If you download and use the TapaTalk app from your phone to post on the forum, you can take a picture and post it directly from the app. Takes all of 10 seconds.

 

[mickeyone]

no more thirsty moose its now a texas barbeque place.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Welcome Aboard =30 exits away