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Vintage Tools and Equipment

[email protected]

New member
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
2
Location
New Jersey
Hi, My name is Elaine and I am reaching out to the community to sell my father's vintage tools. He recently went into a nursing home memory care for Alzheimer's. My father was a truck/auto mechanic by trade and a collector of tools and anything mechanical he could get his hands on to fix. I am cleaning out the house ready to sell and need to part with all of his equipment, machinery and tools. I saw a post discussing a vintage truck jack manufactured by RV Manufacturing Corporation that was located in Lockport, NY. He has that jack and it is heavy duty and in working condition. There are other vintage things like a large air compressor, drill press, radial arm saw, etc.
My question is what is the best way to get this information out to people who still may be interested in vintage tools and equipment?
 

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Will561

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
52
Location
Hypoluxo, FL
Sorry to hear. Welcome. Great jack. I'm sure you will have no troubles liquidating your fathers tools. Too far for me. Best of Luck!!!
 

Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,821
Location
Sussex, England
Elaine - I'm sure you will have no problems either!

Just a thought before you sell though - unless a guy collects something really valuable, tools are probably the most valuable and most personal things he can own! Selling them will be akin to selling your Dad's life's work, which is something some women don't understand!

Accept that it will probably be heartbreaking for your Dad to see this stuff go, so if you can keep any of it, do so! Machines are different, and you can easily sell these on Craigslist or suchlike, but retain hand tools if you can. Under no circumstances sell 'em cheap, just to get rid of 'em! Your Dad will have paid good money for that stuff and you owe it to him to get good money back. If you don't know what something is worth, research it.

If time is tight, it may be better, and get you more money in the long run, to put the stuff into store now and sell it for it's true value over time, rather than sell it fast and cheap!

Finally, do you have, or are you likely to have, any male heirs? If so, this stuff will probably be invaluable to them, and probably irreplacable! I suspect your Dad would much rather it was passed down then sold on too!

Just something to think about.

All the best
 
Last edited:

Rileysan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 11, 2015
Messages
4,298
Location
Milwaukie, Oregon
Elaine - I'm sure you will have no problems either!

Just a thought before you sell though - unless a guy collects something really valuable, tools are probably the most valuable and most personal things he can own! Selling them will be akin to selling your Dad's life's work, which is something some women don't understand!

Accept that it will probably be heartbreaking for your Dad to see this stuff go, so if you can keep any of it, do so! Machines are different, and you can easily sell these on Craigslist or suchlike, but retain hand tools if you can. Under no circumstances sell 'em cheap, just to get rid of 'em! Your Dad will have paid good money for that stuff and you owe it to him to get good money back. If you don't know what something is worth, research it.

If time is tight, it may be better, and get you more money in the long run, to put the stuff into store now and sell it for it's true value over time, rather than sell it fast and cheap!

Finally, do you have, or are you likely to have, any male heirs? If so, this stuff will probably be invaluable to them, and probably irreplacable! I suspect your Dad would much rather it was passed down then sold on too!

Just something to think about.

All the best

Very well said!
 
OP
E

[email protected]

New member
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
2
Location
New Jersey
Thank you, gentlemen, for your thoughts and sentiments about my dad's tools. They were his treasures but unfortunately, he is so far gone in the Alzheimer stage that he is not
aware of anything. I have so many memories of him lovingly working with his playground of tools and machines. I am pressed for time to remove all contents from the house as we have to sell it since we moved my mother into a condo. I like your idea of moving the tools to storage until I can further research their value. The rest I really need to get rid of. Since the truck jack was vintage, I would love to see it go to someone who really appreciates a jack that is no longer made.
As far as heirs go, the younger generation has no use for most of these tools. They are into computer technology and electronics and would rather pay to have someone else do repairs. So sad....
Elaine
 

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,953
Location
Tacoma, Washington
Elaine said:
As far as heirs go, the younger generation has no use for most of these tools.

So? If you're goal is to generate some cash out of the collection, piece it out on Ebay. If it's good stuff, collectors will pay handsomely for it.
A young man this evening unloaded a batch of his grandfather's tools on Ebay and did pretty well:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...nail_too&_sop=10&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

(Still puzzled as to why the Wright 2400 ratchet and the little Craftsman 1/4" set went so cheap, but I think he made out okay.)
 

bluebolt

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
5,441
Location
Benton LA
So? If you're goal is to generate some cash out of the collection, piece it out on Ebay. If it's good stuff, collectors will pay handsomely for it.
A young man this evening unloaded a batch of his grandfather's tools on Ebay and did pretty well:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...nail_too&_sop=10&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

(Still puzzled as to why the Wright 2400 ratchet and the little Craftsman 1/4" set went so cheap, but I think he made out okay.)

Wow that is some nice stuff. I bet he made over 10 grand. Lots of work but worth it.
 

BlueBomber

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
3,201
Location
Outside Boston, MA
Elaine - I'm sure you will have no problems either!

Just a thought before you sell though - unless a guy collects something really valuable, tools are probably the most valuable and most personal things he can own! Selling them will be akin to selling your Dad's life's work, which is something some women don't understand!

Accept that it will probably be heartbreaking for your Dad to see this stuff go, so if you can keep any of it, do so! Machines are different, and you can easily sell these on Craigslist or suchlike, but retain hand tools if you can. Under no circumstances sell 'em cheap, just to get rid of 'em! Your Dad will have paid good money for that stuff and you owe it to him to get good money back. If you don't know what something is worth, research it.

If time is tight, it may be better, and get you more money in the long run, to put the stuff into store now and sell it for it's true value over time, rather than sell it fast and cheap!

Finally, do you have, or are you likely to have, any male heirs? If so, this stuff will probably be invaluable to them, and probably irreplacable! I suspect your Dad would much rather it was passed down then sold on too!

Just something to think about.

All the best
All decent advice, except for the part where you assume only males would have an interest in having tools. I'll give you that men are more likely to have tools, but don't rule out an entire gender.

Elaine: it may be possible to get decent money for some of your dad's tools, but the tradeoff will be your time. Another factor is how many of the tools are desireable brands. Just about anything Snap-on will easily sell for good money. Cheap Chinese tools, not at all. Vintage USA-made tools can be collectable, but you have to find the collector who wants it. Ebay's a great platform for that, but again it takes time to research, describe, photograph and post each tool. Some vintage stuff, while pretty cool, just plain won't bring enough money to be worth the handling time. For those, you might consider a yard/estate sale.

I'm not discouraging you from following Dave455's advice. Just knowing that you care enough about his tool collection to ask for our thoughts makes you a great daughter in my eyes!

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

CARNAC

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
70
Location
Corpus Christi, TX
Super sorry about your father. Alzheimer's is such a thief.

I concur with BlueBomber and Dave. I ended up with a bunch of tools and the snapon stuff will sell for good money on ebay but a lot of the other stuff (even the OTC pullers) that I thought would bring decent money, haven't.

I recently had a friend die who had a collection of vintage autos. Our club reached out to her with a 'trusted' agent to advise her on pricing and sale options (ebay/CL/others). I'm not volunteering and I would be a very poor choice concerning tools (military gear I would be ok but not very good on tools) but maybe some of the old timers could assist in this. Just a thought.
 

dngrmse

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
637
Location
Northern NJ
Hi Elaine, any of the guys here will tell you that a garage sale that advertises a large amount of vintage tools will get a pretty large crowd even in the winter. As for researching prices, some of the items you may not even think are valuable could bring some pretty good money, and other items that you may think are valuable may not be worth much. Ebay sold listings is a good indicator. Good luck! And let us know if you do hold a sale, you might be local to me!
 

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,602
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Shortly after Elaine posted this thread, I contacted her via PM and eventually email, offering my advice, which was essentially to hold a well-advertised Estate Sale right at her father’s house, and then perhaps list some things on CL for whatever was remaining after that. It was good to see other well-meaning GJ members offer similar advice.

Yesterday I met her and her husband at the premises. I helped them identify some machines and tools, and also gave them some rough, general assessments. Her father was old school, with a pit and a creeper and some cabinets in the garage, and a small, well-organized and well-kept hobby shop in the basement. The basement has outside access, double doors, short set of concrete steps, Bilco.

It is not my intent to turn this into a Classified Ad, first of all, because this is not the place for it, and secondly, because I have no involvement in selling. But I told Elaine that if I followed up on her post here with a report of my visit it might attract people to the Estate Sale, which will probably not happen until after the holidays, and, if she wanted to welcome it, individual appointments before the sale. I was thinking especially of GJ members who may be in the Central and North Jersey area, Northeast PA, or even lower NY state. Anyone interested in anything should contact Elaine. Do not use PM. She found it too difficult and daunting to navigate. Email her directly and provide your own email address.

South Bend Model A 9” x 36” Tool Shop Cabinet-Top Precision Lathe SN 344ZN (Location: garage)

20161215_111152_zpsxqmgjlzj.jpg


20161215_110950_zpscrgnwkzh.jpg


20161215_110938_zpsx1wex5ga.jpg


20161215_111056_zpsu0sln51h.jpg


20161215_111103_zpsj9djdq3r.jpg


20161215_111116_zpsvu2qxgoj.jpg


20161215_111009_zpskp5x0b0t.jpg


20161215_110956_zpsiuvoxtvg.jpg


Atlas Model TV48 SN 059612 Lathe with a 4-foot bed and 10-inch swing. I noticed but forgot to identify and itemize the attachments underneath the lathe, but it possibly comes with additional chucks, rests, taper etc. (Location: basement)

20161215_122810_zps5rctc6rd.jpg


20161215_122849_zpsln8fxlml.jpg


Tank mounted compressor (not marked as far as I could see, possibly a Quincy) with a Century motor. (Location: garage)

20161215_111245_zpsldyhxh7u.jpg


20161215_110809_zps2ag8n6ty.jpg


20161215_110818_zpskzbcbaz3.jpg


20161215_110850_zpsrf0fww7l.jpg


Orbit (made in Taiwan) Model OR-1412 Drill Press, 5 speed, 1/2-inch, early Jet type. (Location: basement)

20161215_122724_zpsrc7iphpw.jpg


20161215_122708_zpscqcprj3h.jpg


CRAFTSMAN 10” 2.5HP Radial Arm Saw (Location: basement)

20161215_122733_zps12q5yoav.jpg


Other items (I didn’t have time and/or just forgot to take photos of):
- A modern compressor and some spare small motors
- Two (2) jig saws
- Complete Russell-Jennings auger bit set in a blue vinyl roll-up, also marked Russell-Jennings
- A couple of vintage pneumatic hand tools and hoses
- A few electric handheld buffers/polishers with attachments
- Sets and loose 1920’s era hex drive sockets, pressed steel ratchets, extensions, etc (Duro, Walden)
- Very small number and loose mixed-brand assortment of wrenches (DOEs, DBEs, and Combos), screwdrivers, hammers (claw, ball pein), no Snap-On, Plomb, no holy grails, etc, I saw some Indestro, =CRAFTSMAN= VV, Barcalo-made DROP FORGED, SK, but again, this is a very small, onesy-twosy lot
- A couple RIDGID pipe cutters, medium to large capacity
- A vintage circuit tester in a wooden case with a leather handle (sorry I didn’t note the brand)
- Vintage wooden slat creeper with black vinyl headrest and caster wheels (brand is not legible)
- Floor-to-ceiling steel parts shelves and framework with plastic bins all filled with hardware
- Very large homemade workbench with side cabinets and top shelves

As you guys know, it’s often more important to know what is NOT there as it is what is there, so note that there are no complete wrench sets of any kind, no complete or even incomplete modern socket sets, and no mechanics toolboxes, top boxes, cabinets, stacks, etc.

Also, the 7-ton Ringueberg & Van De Mark floor jack has been sold.

Maybe the mods will get me for this. I dunno. I hope not.
 
Last edited:
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notlob

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2013
Messages
1,384
Location
norcal
Very nicely done, Lugnutz. Kudos to you for your generosity in helping a person in need.

I lost my father this summer to Alzheimer's. "The long goodbye" is devastating to family; I'm sure Elaine was greatly relieved by your sage advice and assistance.
 

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,602
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Thanks, guys. Full admission, before I am nominated for sainthood under false pretenses, I did come home with a couple milk crates full of goodies! :D (It may be a little golden, but I am a picker at heart!) A couple dozen stacking parts bins, painted OD green! Some drive tools and attachments. A few old trigger oilers and a 2 quart measure with a bottom dispenser and a flexible nozzle. And a few catalogs. All vintage.

As in all shops, there were a few homemade tools. For a sense of this oldtimer's outlook and handiwork with a gas welder, check out this SK 40161 1/2-inch drive extension! :wtf: :) My guess is he had some fastener on some machine that he couldn't turn with a wrench or a straight extension due to an obstruction. Or he was just experimenting. Either way, I had to have it if only for the novelty and maybe keep his spirit alive a little!

20161216_053424_zpsukmqmv2y.jpg


20161216_053444_zpspuppl4tv.jpg


20161216_053454_zpsqvupgrhz.jpg


20161216_053509_zpsitb2eyew.jpg
 

Cypherian

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
1,197
Location
Delaware
Shortly after Elaine posted this thread, I contacted her via PM and eventually email, offering my advice, which was essentially to hold a well-advertised Estate Sale right at her father’s house, and then perhaps list some things on CL for whatever was remaining after that. It was good to see other well-meaning GJ members offer similar advice.

Yesterday I met her and her husband at the premises. I helped them identify some machines and tools, and also gave them some rough, general assessments. Her father was old school, with a pit and a creeper and some cabinets in the garage, and a small, well-organized and well-kept hobby shop in the basement. The basement has outside access, double doors, short set of concrete steps, Bilco.

It is not my intent to turn this into a Classified Ad, first of all, because this is not the place for it, and secondly, because I have no involvement in selling. But I told Elaine that if I followed up on her post here with a report of my visit it might attract people to the Estate Sale, which will probably not happen until after the holidays, and, if she wanted to welcome it, individual appointments before the sale. I was thinking especially of GJ members who may be in the Central and North Jersey area, Northeast PA, or even lower NY state. Anyone interested in anything should contact Elaine. Do not use PM. She found it too difficult and daunting to navigate. Email her directly and provide your own email address.

South Bend Model A 9” x 36” Tool Shop Cabinet-Top Precision Lathe SN 344ZN (Location: garage)

20161215_111152_zpsxqmgjlzj.jpg


20161215_110950_zpscrgnwkzh.jpg


20161215_110938_zpsx1wex5ga.jpg


20161215_111056_zpsu0sln51h.jpg


20161215_111103_zpsj9djdq3r.jpg


20161215_111116_zpsvu2qxgoj.jpg


20161215_111009_zpskp5x0b0t.jpg


20161215_110956_zpsiuvoxtvg.jpg


Atlas Model TV48 SN 059612 Lathe with a 4-foot bed and 10-inch swing. I noticed but forgot to identify and itemize the attachments underneath the lathe, but it possibly comes with additional chucks, rests, taper etc. (Location: basement)

20161215_122810_zps5rctc6rd.jpg


20161215_122849_zpsln8fxlml.jpg


Tank mounted compressor (not marked as far as I could see, possibly a Quincy) with a Century motor. (Location: garage)

20161215_111245_zpsldyhxh7u.jpg


20161215_110809_zps2ag8n6ty.jpg


20161215_110818_zpskzbcbaz3.jpg


20161215_110850_zpsrf0fww7l.jpg


Orbit (made in Taiwan) Model OR-1412 Drill Press, 5 speed, 1/2-inch, early Jet type. (Location: basement)

20161215_122724_zpsrc7iphpw.jpg


20161215_122708_zpscqcprj3h.jpg


CRAFTSMAN 10” 2.5HP Radial Arm Saw (Location: basement)

20161215_122733_zps12q5yoav.jpg


Other items (I didn’t have time and/or just forgot to take photos of):
- A modern compressor and some spare small motors
- Two (2) jig saws
- Complete Russell-Jennings auger bit set in a blue vinyl roll-up, also marked Russell-Jennings
- A couple of vintage pneumatic hand tools and hoses
- A few electric handheld buffers/polishers with attachments
- Sets and loose 1920’s era hex drive sockets, pressed steel ratchets, extensions, etc (Duro, Walden)
- Very small number and loose mixed-brand assortment of wrenches (DOEs, DBEs, and Combos), screwdrivers, hammers (claw, ball pein), no Snap-On, Plomb, no holy grails, etc, I saw some Indestro, =CRAFTSMAN= VV, Barcalo-made DROP FORGED, SK, but again, this is a very small, onesy-twosy lot
- A couple RIDGID pipe cutters, medium to large capacity
- A vintage circuit tester in a wooden case with a leather handle (sorry I didn’t note the brand)
- Vintage wooden slat creeper with black vinyl headrest and caster wheels (brand is not legible)
- Floor-to-ceiling steel parts shelves and framework with plastic bins all filled with hardware
- Very large homemade workbench with side cabinets and top shelves

As you guys know, it’s often more important to know what is NOT there as it is what is there, so note that there are no complete wrench sets of any kind, no complete or even incomplete modern socket sets, and no mechanics toolboxes, top boxes, cabinets, stacks, etc.

Also, the 7-ton Ringueberg & Van De Mark floor jack has been sold.

Maybe the mods will get me for this. I dunno. I hope not.

Good job Lug Nice to see all were willing to help out. I was considering offering to help her out if she was not to far north of me .

Cypher
 
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