Vintage tool auction purchases

[dnroe]

Spent half my Saturday enjoying myself at a nice little estate auction that had some decent tools. I took my time going through everything beforehand and picked 4 lots that I was interested in. I had to wait through 2 hours of furniture before they got to the tools but It was worth it. I ended up getting 3 out of the 4 lots for what I was happy to pay. All total spent $150 and ended up with 1/2 & short 1/4 drive sk ratchets, 2 old snap on 3/8 ratchets, an old metal selector 1/2 craftsman, 1/4 & 3/8 snap on speed handle, 1/2 snap on & proto breaker, 1/4 & 3/8 old made in usa husky breakers, numerous proto extensions, a coffee can half full of older usa truck brand sockets, 1/4" snap on nut driver, and an old hand made aluminum machinist type toolbox packed full of vintage files, chisels, taps, screwouts and other various items.

For some reason everyone there was more interested in paying near retail for newer woodworking power tools and completely overlooked the good stuff. For me there isnt much that compares to the feeling of coming home with a load of old name brand tools for a good price. There is just something about having a project around the house and pulling out a 50 to 60 year old ratchet and having it work smoother than it did new. And the satisfaction of knowing that If I am blessed enough to be around for 50-60 more years myself that I can just about count on that same tool always being ready for whatever comes my way. When you can get that solid dependability and history from a tool for less than the price of a new craftsman, well that is just priceless in my book. My wife doesnt really understand that so I just thought I would share with some people that probably do.

 

[oldjacks]

For some reason everyone there was more interested in paying near retail for newer woodworking power tools and completely overlooked the good stuff.

I have only gone to one tool auction in my life. I was astounded at the prices some bidders paid for what I determined to be junk. One vise a common Taiwanese made so called industrial vise that was really beat up went for more than its retail price at a swapmeet.

I suppose that just points out that you don't have to be smart to spend money.

 

[eborcim]

let's see some pics

 

[dnroe]

Okay I will try to get some put up here.

 

[Packard V8]

For some reason everyone there was more interested in paying near retail for newer woodworking power tools and completely overlooked the good stuff.

That's the auction where you want to be - getting three out of four lots for your price.

Can't count the times where there were only a few lots in which I was interested. Of course, they came up last and there were ten guys there determined to take something home for their trouble.

jack vines

 

[dnroe]

Heres a few pics I took on my lunch break.

 

[str8axle55]

Looks like you did well.

 

[justanengineer]

I go to at least one auction every weekend and your experience is about the norm. People buy what they know, and most people dont know professional tools, so they spend a ton of money on junk and miss the good stuff. I have a small collection of Milwaukee power tools that I have spent < $20 per item on because of this phenomenon. At the last farm auction I was at I had an old guy ask me why I would want "no name corded junk" when for the same money I could have a smaller (lighter to him, weaker to me) Rigid cordless drill with dead batteries.

Just wait til you have start buying specialty machines/tools that few people can recognize. Then the prices really begin to drop.

 

[eborcim]

I like that box! You bought some nice tools. Thanks for posting the pics.