Tools to Be on the Lookout For

[lambo13]

All -

Awesome resource here.

I have a garage once more and can finally bring my '53 Chevy 3100 home from the storage unit.

As I looked through all of the threads on cool old tools, toolboxes and other garage equipment, thought occured to me.

My grandfather has 3 barns full of old tools and parts that he'd love for me to picking through. In the late '70s he retired and restored cars as a hobby, mostly European makes like Jaguar, MG, Austin Healey, etc.

My question is basically what brand names of tools should I keep an eye out for once I go, hopefully in the next month. They'd be mostly tools from the '50s, '60s and '70s, although he certainly may have older stuff.

I know Snap-on, Mac and Craftsman. But I don't know that my tool-sense is developed enough to recognize quality, older tools.

I intend to actually use them, so if there aren't any brands that I recognize offhand, would hand tools with just some surface rust be worth taking home? So long as they aren't pitted with rust they'd probably be fine right?

One specific question: other than Wilton, any other good vise brands that I should key in on?

Thanks in advance!

 

[48548]

Proto/Plomb would be a good one to keep...

 

[premierplayer]

Rule here is, you'll have to take at least 3 additional GJ members along with you for the pick. You'll need specialist for this event and you may have to fly them in and offer a premium wage or a minimum of 50% of the pick.
I'm available with minimal notice, just sayin'.......

If Gramp's will let ya', bring it all home, sort it out later.

Oh yeah, welcome to GJ

Craftsman, Bonney, Snap On, Channelock, Mac, Cornwell, Matco (not necessarily in that order)

 

[mrholeshot]

SK, Husky USA, Industro, Wizard, Blackhawk, Easco

 

[amolaver]

just be aware of whitworth sized stuff since it sounds like gramps likes the british stuff. while those tools probably have some value, unless you're planning on working on that era of british vehicles, they aren't useful.

some more info... https://www.britishfasteners.com/fo...-A-good-explanation-on-Whitworth-wrench-sizes and http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth_table.htm

ahm

 

[MalibuLX3]

The only thing I have to say is...take lots and lots of pictures and post them here!!

 

[north]

Bonney, New Britain, Wright, Powr-Kraft, Armstrong, Williams. Some of his tools may be Withworth though which may not be suitable for what you will do. Don't throw them away though. Keep us posted and we like loads of pictures.
premierplayer, bring your best camera.

 

[lambo13]

Awesome info guys. My mom is running advanced recon this week and will take some pics. Should give me an idea of what to expect, though I seem to recall being scared sh!tless of those barns as a little kid.

My mom went through high school driving various right-hand drive British classics and a Beetle with less-than-reliable brakes. I grew up longing to restore his last remaining car, a red '67 Austin Healey Sprite. Unfortunately someone beat me to it when he saw it under his barn from the road a few years back.

I'll bring a list from what you guys suggest and will keep my eyes peeled for them. Hoping 30 years in a barn in coastal VA haven't ruined everything though.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Ohio Auto]

Herbrand

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Don't keep any...Nope, I'll be right over and take all those old, dirty tools away......Welcome to the forum...Seriously, keep all of them..Be a tool *****, and you'll fit right in over here..

 

[rabidsquirrel]

SK, Husky USA, Industro, Wizard, Blackhawk, Easco

I'll happily take the Wizard stuff off his hands.

 

[turrican]

If I were to go through three barns worth of old tools and the like, I'd probably be able to whittle it down in size to...

oh, about...

three barns worth

 

[trainwreck]

Thank God that you've still got your grandfather around. An idea is to go through the tools with him. No doubt he'd have a pretty darn good idea about what was quality and what wasn't. (Or assuming it's all quality, an idea of what's at the higher end and what's at the lower end.) You'll probably get some stories out of it too. And if you come across a really oddball tool, you can ask him right then and there instead of wondering about it for years later.

Not sure who it was, but there's someone here at GJ that was stumped by a clamp for almost 20 years. He eventually found out that it was a canopy clamp for a vintage car. You could save yourself that grief. (But then, you might not have a funny story for GJ either.... )

Craftsman, Bonney, Snap On, Channelock, Mac, Cornwell, Matco

I've wondered about Bonney. Did it have such a following while they were actively producing tools? Or has this following sprung up since they've gone under, and are no longer (widely) available? Makes me wonder if I should start snapping up every KD tool I find new.

 

[Amitygravel]

Welcome to the GJ lambo13 ! Pictures for sure ! Sounds like its going to be overwhelming digging into your Gramps place. You will probably find stuff you had no idea he had. I call dibs on any Nortons , Triumphs or BSAs !

 

[supertooljunkie]

Vlchek, Sparta, Mustang, Challenger, Fleet, Pennens, Williams, New Britain, to name a few.

 

[rallenc]

Blue Point

 

[JASTECH]

I am sure you will have plenty of help from the members here. I am too far away to assist other then here. Anything you have dups of and care to sell I would be interested.

Thanks, JASTECH

P.S. Welcome to the digitel Man Cave!

 

[Bull]

Please take pictures for use to drool over. Leave out personal details so you don't have to worry about the security of your gramps' stuff.

I have a Blackhawk fetish. Any vintage Blackhawk stuff you see, if it's up for grabs, please keep me in mind.

 

[fordbroncodave]

anything snap on without the nose bleed price.

 

[slip knot]

KR Wilson stuff is like gold. There was an engine stand thread on here a while back and it has some nice pics. They also made some small specialty tools that are highly desirable to old flathead enthusiast.

 

[mkdive]

<----waiting for pictures. Im interested in the Plomb gear if you decide to sell any.... probably have to compete with 48548 & Bolster......(just a guess).

 

[woody 73]

Funny but last night on tv I was watching american pickers and they found some old rusty tools in a barn,but he just walked away....Don't you do that all tools have some value. If the tool does not look to be broken and it still works then take it for your collection.
On the other hand if it is broken or missing a lot of parts you might want to pass it by for now (broken parts are hard to find- just ask me) ,and some companies are no longer in business and you will not be able to get the broken tool fixed!

Hope this helps...

 

[willy3486]

The American picker guys disgust me. I have ran into these types of %&*^% before. From what I have seen they only know about bicycles,motorcycles and advertising. I have bought old stuff like they do for years. I don't buy as much as they do but I intend to use what I buy. From what I have seen they "pick" one or two items at their price. Then they try to double,triple or more. They also drive across country to do so. I dealt with guys like that after my dad died. My mom wanted me to get rid of some of his stuff. A couple of guys like this came over and got a few things. I didn't care if they made a buck but what got me they came over knocked everything then reposted what they got for ten times what they paid me. I sold the stuff at or less than value and these clowns did that. I expect that show to do in their business. Because if you see their show and they come around what will you do. Are you going to sale granpas old weezermatic 1931 bike for 100 bucks or are you going to ask thousands? A few things I have noticed about those two. They travel a long way and even then do not get the vehicle filled. Then they have to go to a lot of "specialists" to get an idea of what its worth. I am not impressed with them and would not deal with them. A good "picker" can buy a whole lot more at one place,pay more , and sell more. Some of the best ones I know buy a lot,sell with a small markup and have more to sell. I use to buy a lot years ago. I didn't have to travel over 50 miles to do so either. I could have got more and sold some but I never did. I just tried to get what I wanted. I have went out a couple of hours,go maybe 25 miles from home and brought home a truck full. I am waiting for the tall one to be asking "do you want paper or plastic" and the short stubby one to be saying " Do you want me to mop or just sweep" in the near future. They act like a couple of high school boys. I can prove it, just replace bike,sign,or other word to describe what they want with chick ,babe,booty,etc and it will sound like the same thing you hear around teens.

 

[jmh21586]

The American picker guys disgust me. I have ran into these types of %&*^% before. From what I have seen they only know about bicycles,motorcycles and advertising.

Can't be a know-it-all in all areas.
But, IMO, they're looking for what sells the easiest.

I have bought old stuff like they do for years. I don't buy as much as they do but I intend to use what I buy.

Your intentions are different then theirs.

From what I have seen they "pick" one or two items at their price. Then they try to double,triple or more.

So? Good for them. That's what it takes to make a living doing what they do.

I didn't care if they made a buck but what got me they came over knocked everything then reposted what they got for ten times what they paid me. I sold the stuff at or less than value and these clowns did that.

Who's the clown? Do you think making a buck or two will pay their bills?

I expect that show to do in their business. Because if you see their show and they come around what will you do. Are you going to sale granpas old weezermatic 1931 bike for 100 bucks or are you going to ask thousands?

Are you going to know where and how to sell it? Do you take into account the cost of selling it? And if you were going to sell it yourself why havent you? Most of the places they go the stuff is sitting outside rotting away. Nobody makes any money off of it that way. Including the owner.

A few things I have noticed about those two. They travel a long way and even then do not get the vehicle filled.

Do you think that every purchase they make is shown on the show? Do you think every place they go to is shown?

Then they have to go to a lot of "specialists" to get an idea of what its worth. I am not impressed with them and would not deal with them.

Then don't.

A good "picker" can buy a whole lot more at one place,pay more , and sell more. Some of the best ones I know buy a lot,sell with a small markup and have more to sell.

I think the deal is to make as much money as possible. Not to say you sold x amount of merchandise. Ya know... quality over quantity.

I use to buy a lot years ago. I didn't have to travel over 50 miles to do so either. I could have got more and sold some but I never did. I just tried to get what I wanted.

I don't get your point. They are in the business of buying and reselling.

I have went out a couple of hours,go maybe 25 miles from home and brought home a truck full.

Quality over quantity. In any event....so what??

I am waiting for the tall one to be asking "do you want paper or plastic" and the short stubby one to be saying " Do you want me to mop or just sweep" in the near future.

Based on what?? Their ratings are high. People are selling to them. SO based on what? You don't like it that they drive long distances?? You don't like it that they make money? What?

They act like a couple of high school boys. I can prove it, just replace bike,sign,or other word to describe what they want with chick ,babe,booty,etc and it will sound like the same thing you hear around teens.

What? So their not a couple stiffs is that what you're saying? Sounds like you're the life of the party.

 

[jmh21586]

What exactly do you think they're doing wrong?

 

[scott37300]

I can tell you from personal experience that if you can spend the day with your gramps out in the barn talking about the tools or even bringing them to him and talk about them you will bring home many stories and memories that will be way better than any tool you can grab out of the barns. Everytime you use one of the tools you will have a story to go with it.

I have some of my grandfather's old tools and I don't use many of them because I had already bought my own by the time they were handed down to me but I do go threw the tool boxes every now and then just to look at them and remember the stories that he told me that go with them.

Have fun and enjoy the experience! And like mentioned any pics you are willing to share would be much appreciated.

 

[mkdive]

@jmh21586 very well composed response.....I would have wrote about the same. I like the show myself.

Sounds like willy3486 might be having an bad day (pretty big rant just over a tv show).

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

Armstrong tools

 

[willy3486]

Can't be a know-it-all in all areas.
But, IMO, they're looking for what sells the easiest.





Your intentions are different then theirs.


So? Good for them. That's what it takes to make a living doing what they do.


Who's the clown? Do you think making a buck or two will pay their bills?
Are you going to know where and how to sell it? Do you take into account the cost of selling it? And if you were going to sell it yourself why havent you? Most of the places they go the stuff is sitting outside rotting away. Nobody makes any money off of it that way. Including the owner.



Do you think that every purchase they make is shown on the show? Do you think every place they go to is shown?



Then don't.




I think the deal is to make as much money as possible. Not to say you sold x amount of merchandise. Ya know... quality over quantity.




I don't get your point. They are in the business of buying and reselling.



Quality over quantity. In any event....so what??



Based on what?? Their ratings are high. People are selling to them. SO based on what? You don't like it that they drive long distances?? You don't like it that they make money? What?




What? So their not a couple stiffs is that what you're saying? Sounds like you're the life of the party.

Geez sound like you are one of them. Seriously what I don't like about them is I have run across people who do these very same tactics. No there is nothing wrong with making a buck by no means but I lost respect when they went to the old wwII vet and bought the sword from him. The old man to me acted like someone who had alzheimers. These people with that disease can be taken advantage of easily. When a person is like that they can be confused easily and taken advantage of. No I am not a medical professional but I have had to take care of my dad and FIL who had it. My FIL was about the same age and in WWII as the old man. So it touched a nerve with me. I have also known people who were pickers. And yes they try to buy low and sell higher I have used them to find stuff. But at what point do you go from being a businessman to a con man? There was a few things I remember being taught growing up,honesty,respect for your elders,working hard,etc. But today most people have forgotten that and are only into themselves and the fast buck. They can go ahead and take advantage of people if they want but I for one would prefer not to. But to me if you buy something from some elderly person who has issues or does not know what its worth and then make 500,1000,or more off something you paid less than 100 for,then you are taking advantage of them to me.So I know you see nothing wrong with it but I do. I guess I was raised different. If these guys on this show want to earn respect of people like myself what they need to do every now and then is to come back to an old guy and give him a little extra because they did better than they expected. Like they did the businessman who was fixing up the old park, they came back and gave him some extra. As far as the shows popularity I think its more of what you see than them. Many people remember old stuff like they find a have a interest in it. Like the antiques roadshow is a popular show. And no I am not having a bad day I just do not like to see people doing the way they do to the elderly.

 

[lambo13]

I see both arguments on the pickers debate. If a few of those guys showed up to my grandparents house, you better believe I wouldn't let them get further than the front door. And trust me, they'd have a field day there.

It isn't that I don't think they have a right to do what they do. They offer people money for stuff which often helps them out. Plus it puts those objects back in circulation rather than gathering dust in a basement and possibly becoming damaged beyond saving.

However, when you make it personal, it feels different. My grandpa lives alone now following my grandma's passing 3 years ago. His house is a Virginia State Landmark, built by Stonewall Jackson's aide immediately after the Civil War. The builder and his entire family are buried in a tiny cemetery right on the property.

I grew up going to the house as a kid and thinking it was the most amazing, magical, sometimes scary place in the entire world. The main house with its odd layout and scary basement. The three barns with the old tools, car parts, and even a few leftover cars (AH Sprite, a Peugeot, etc). The cool guest cottage built in the '40s with its tiny kitchen and spiral steps up to the loft living space.

My grandmother was a packrat and never threw anything out. She collected random stuff around the world while my grandpa was in the Army and then all over the Northern Neck after he retired.

A picker would be in hog heaven as every building on that property is filled with neat old stuff, but to allow one of them to go through that stuff and indiscriminately call stuff my grandma bought and cherished worthless, or buy valuable stuff to flip and make big money at my grandpa's expense who doesn't understand current values... well, that just feels really wrong.

Again, I understand what they do, why and how they do it, and there isn't anything inherently wrong with it, but when I stop and think about them doing it at my grandparent's house, it just feels wrong.

 

[eyeboltman]

Just take them all !!! I love tools !!!

 

[jmh21586]

Geez sound like you are one of them.

If by one of them you mean someone that enters into a mutually agreed upon price when buying something then yes...yes I am.
I also attend many auctions where I bought merchandise for pennies on the dollar of what it was worth. Didn't feel bad then either.

Seriously what I don't like about them is I have run across people who do these very same tactics.

What tactics?? Buy low, sell high?

No there is nothing wrong with making a buck by no means but I lost respect when they went to the old wwII vet and bought the sword from him. The old man to me acted like someone who had alzheimers.

Wasn't the sword laying in a dirty dusty shed? Wasn't the old man....really old? Sounds to me like an old man got some money out of something that probably wouldn't have brought him any money laying in his dirty shed. In any event, I doubt YOU can diagnos alzheimers by watching someone for a couple minutes on tv. But if you can, you're in the wrong line of work.

These people with that disease can be taken advantage of easily.

How was he taken advantage of?

They can go ahead and take advantage of people if they want but I for one would prefer not to.

Who specificaly have you seen the American Picker guys take advantage of?

I've remember on more than one occasion tha they gave the seller MORE than they wanted for something because the AP guys knew it was worth more. Again, your problems with these guys are baseless.

But to me if you buy something from some elderly person who has issues or does not know what its worth and then make 500,1000,or more off something you paid less than 100 for,then you are taking advantage of them to me.

I've watched every episode and I haven't seen the example you gave above. It hasnt happened. You're making things up.
Did you see the carnival episode where they bought some posters or something that they really didn't know the value of? Turns out the sold it for a **** load, then went back to the guy they bought the stuff from, and split the profit with him. Did you see those creeps do that?? How awefull huhh?

If these guys on this show want to earn respect of people like myself what they need to do every now and then is to come back to an old guy and give him a little extra because they did better than they expected.

If I remember right, they didn't even make any money on the WW11 sword that has your ******* in a wad. So what is your problem? I'm not sure that they really need your respect or the respect of people like you.

Like they did the businessman who was fixing up the old park, they came back and gave him some extra.

Ok so now you admit that they do the things that you think they shoud do. You're really all over the place aren't you?

And no I am not having a bad day I just do not like to see people doing the way they do to the elderly.

What have they done to the elderly?? Like I said, they didn't even make any money on the damned sword. The old man made out better with them than he could've with someone else that actually knew what it was worth and wanted to make money.

Geesh.

 

[jmh21586]

A picker would be in hog heaven as every building on that property is filled with neat old stuff, but to allow one of them to go through that stuff and indiscriminately call stuff my grandma bought and cherished worthless, or buy valuable stuff to flip and make big money at my grandpa's expense who doesn't understand current values... well, that just feels really wrong.
.

So you'd rather see the stuff sit there and rot? And not all things have a value beyond personal memory value.

Why don't you go over there and help your grandparents sell the stuff for "what it's worth" insted of letting it sit and rot away in old barns?

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Well done JMH21586!

I'd like to add; in Iowa, it's not the old-timers that are taken to the cleaners, it's the kids/grandkids... these old farmers are quite savvy and know what they have - that's why they have it... The kids/grandkids are the one's that have no idea what things may be worth and end up selling sht by the ton just to clean up the land and parce it out to developers or other farmers. These old-timers may look like they are indifferent and ill-informed but they usually are anything but... when you are 89 fkn years old, not much gets you excited and jumping up/down - try negotiating a few $100 on a partially dismantled ferguson-ford with these guys... NOT FUN.

 

[airdale]

O.K. let's not jump on the OP. He is planning to go and should be in for a blast. Obviously not all pickers have the same ethics, but I have watched most, not all, but most episodes of AP and have seen numerous times where they have paid more than the asking price because they didn't want to take advantage. There was also one where they found an old sign for Leyland's something or other. They bought the sign to give as a gift to Leyland, who is one old man they have picked from. Don't know if that is the same person you are referring to about the sword.

 

[2oolhound]

Getting back to the topic you'll find British tools marked BS, BSF and BSW and often just the W or whole word whitworth is there next to the actual size. Some popular English tool makers are:
Britool
Gordon
T/W Superslim
Merlin (Carrington)
Spearpoint
King **** (these will be the biggest tools

Of coarse back around WWII tool makers world wide made British tool sizes so you're likely to find Snap On, Gray, Hazet, Gredore and many other brands.

 

[gc11090]

Can I come? I will help you pick out the good stuff, and take the junk to dispose of it properly

 

[strelnik]

Lambo,

If you can talk to your grandfather about them, ask if he used certain brands of tools for certain car makes. That will help you a lot. Plus, take all the tools he offers, you may need them later or decide to sell some.

You might find that the British tools use either the Whitworth system or the Standard system, which are different, but in many cases there are equivalents except for certain taps and dies.

Obviously the American tools are well-known, I have most brands, but for work on foreign cars there are certain European brands that are well-known, kind of like Snap-On and Craftsman:

- Stahlwille is like Snap-On, especially price-wise (nose-bleed) overvvalued
- Hazet is like Craftsman
- Dowidat and Gedore are like Craftsman but less popular, so fewer were made Plus they never chrome their wrenches
- FACOM is like SK. In fact FACOM bought SK and FACOM makes the metrics, S-K makes the SAE-inch stuff
- Heyco and Matador were ok quality wrenches made for bicycle and car kits like for BMW, VW and MB. They are ok, but usually too small to do anything but minimum emergency work at the road-side.

Felo makes super quality screwdrivers, they ate like Klein Tools, which electricians swear by.

Hazet, Dowidat and Gedore also make some specialty wrenches for VW suspension so some VW guys like them.

Hazet made a decent spark-plug wrench when the other companies made one socket+bar that was so cheap it fell apart. Same with lug nut socket.

If you have questions, let me know. Advice is free. Just don't want to see you get screwed by anyone.

I pretty much have all the tools I need, but look for some special use ones, which come in handy when I work on friends' antique Euro cars.

Good luck!

 

[KTMGuy]

I agree with the others, just get it all.

And also, like someone said before...if possible, get your Grandfather to go with you and tell you some history on the stuff. To me thats one of the best parts is the history of a tool.

I have a couple of old tools that I found in a shutdown textile mill that I will never use, but keep them just because of the history of them. Maybe one day they'll have their own old (but restored) tool box as a home.

 

[airdale]

A possible outlet for unwanted tools, especially specialty tools, might be a small local museum. There are lots of small museums dedicated to a specific local industry. Donated tools could be tax deductible if it is a non-profit organization.