I spent a long weekend in Denver, and managed to get a little tool time in. I managed to hit a trifecta in one day. These all seem to be mentioned on the newer side of the forum, but only Charlie's here, so here is a teaser for future Denver bound travelers.
Started at the Mile High Flea Market, kinda in the NE boonies, I-76 & 88th Ave Henderson. This is a standing flea market, with hard booths for many vendors, and ocean going containers for others, and some who just show up with a trailer. Lots of tools, many NIB Dewalt and Milwaukee stuff, and the average 70-80s tools in the mix. Couple of tool vendors in hard booths had a nice selection of more vintage stuff, but generally knew what they had. Weren't the rock bottom prices we like, but were reasonable. Didn't see any must have woodworking stuff, lots of average planes and chisel. (Tools at top of picture). Small farmers market there too. Lots of typical flea junk too. Didn't see too many "garage sale vendors" there, but being a cold December morning could be a reason.
https://milehighfleamarket.com/en/
Charlie's 2nd Hand Store, 2227 Larimer, downtown near Coors Field, well documented here. The guy buys out estates, sorts it out, and has a great reputation. I saw some planes (average stuff), and there were more up high on display, not for sale. Guy said give me your wish list, and I will keep an eye out for them as new stuff comes in. "Planes come through all the time, lots in the bins out back.....". Barrels of saws, boxes of chisels. Great staff, from the owner on down, they chatted with my GF while she waited as I poked around. Wish I had planned better, and brought a flashlight, gloves and more time. (got the Bonney socket and Proto extension top right). He does sell on ebay by the same name. Said he recently sold a lot of Bonney stuff on ebay recently. Mikeske?
https://www.usedtoolsplus.com/
The last stop of the day was a reference from Charlie's, Surplus Tools & Commodities Inc 1411 W Alameda. Was told to look for the artillery out front to find the parking lot. Also tool veterans, been around for 72 years. Long enough to survive the flood of 1965, which took a bit of a toll on some inventory. This was another place I wish I could have spent more time. This place was a picker's joy. They had a bit of new hardware store stuff, and tons of surplus everything. Lots of NOS stuff, guessing 60s on much of it. Again, way more than I can mention, and was stupid enough not to take pictures. Ammo sized boxes of NOS wrenches, drill bits, dividers, etc, many still in Cosmoline or protective paper, or both. Rusty boxes of taps, giant Morse taper drills, some stuff sold by the each, others by the pound.
http://surplustoolsdenver.com/
Got out of all these places for under $50, and would have spent more if I wasn't worried about suitcase volume and time.
My haul is here
or with description
here.
The bag from the Surplus store was a heavy unused Sugar Bag, worked nice to keep the pointy ends away from the clothes etc. on the way home.
