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Vintage Tool Brands

PDub88

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Sep 27, 2015
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Which vintage tool brands are good to look out for at flea markets and garage sales and such? I normally look for Plomb, Proto (Professional and Regular), Bonney, Wright, Williams, Snap On, Mac, Gedore, etc. I also came across a few wrenches I had never seen before such as Toyota Motor, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and some odd japan branded tools, in which I can't remember the names. Anyhow, are these decent tools to look for?:beer:
 
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slip knot

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I always look at the Williams stuff. Also look for KR Wilson tooling. Herbrand and a few others too.

Any of the older US made tooling is worth owning.
 

woody 73

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These posts are moving way too fast...

Do not worry about a name in this case we will make up a name of Wang Ho.

If you found Wang Ho and it was from 1-49 years old it is collectible.
If you find Wang Ho is 50 to 99 years old it is vintage.
If Wang Ho is 100 years or older it is antique.

If Wang Ho is dead you are in trouble (just seeing if you are sleeping still).:rocker:

Since it is 2017 then look for 1967 as your starting date.
 

Empty Pockets

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I always look for Indestro & Duro Chrome. Good tools in their day.

I have an Indestro Select socket set that came to me in my dad's estate. Everything works as good as new
 
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PDub88

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Thanks for the replies! I will definitely start looking up markings on older tools to find out the era in which they came. Any in particular that are more valuable than others?
 

ssdave

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I've quit dragging home anything but Proto and Snap-on, as that's what I prefer. Sometimes I have to bring home others because they're in a box with a piece of Proto or SO that I want. Getting rid of all the others has become more of a burden than it's worth!

In general, just bring home anything that you can use. If you can't use it, why would you bring it home? Brand probably matters much less than the quality level. You can usually determine that pretty well by looking at the forging and finish quality. After you use what you bring home for awhile, you'll probably develop a marked preference for certain brands or configurations of tools. That will focus you more as you look for more.

Or are you looking for advice on what you can flip and get rich with? In that case, I'd not bother, you'll do much better buying collectibles such as Pyrex dishes, small ceramic figurines, etc. The profit is much greater and they're easier to sell.
 

woody 73

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If you are looking to make a killing forget it...

Vintage is more about buy what you like, buy what turns you on, not buy what you can flip for a fast buck.

What is valuable to you might not mean much to other people. Case in point some guys go ape **** over vises, me I just think some are nice but I do not get excited over a heavy hunk of metal; in other words buy what makes you excited.
 

Stuart in MN

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I also came across a few wrenches I had never seen before such as Toyota Motor, Kawasaki, Yamaha

Those are typically tools that were included in a tool kit provided with the vehicle (whether it was a motorcycle or a car or truck). They are serviceable but probably not particularly high quality. Depending on the particular tool and its age, there may be value to someone restoring one of those vehicles, but that market is going to be pretty limited.
 
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PDub88

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I'm just gonna start buying everything that has a name on it, just for good measure ;)
 
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