Winter tool hunting

[john k]

In the past couple of weeks things have been looking up when finding old tools.  I finally located the Habitat for Humanity store, it was hidden behind another warehouse.   After looking over some choice 1970s furniture I located the tool cabinet.   A few overpriced things, like  a Stanley plane for $65, and spotted a little jewelers saw hiding under a box.  Took ten minutes to attract the attention of a volunteer and pulled out a couple of little things to look at but the little saw went home with me for $5.  Hit a couple of junk shops aka antique stores, just as the owner was putting up a huge board of tools.   He had bought the whole collection of an elderly gentleman.   From the prices I could tell he didn't know tools too well.  The fifteen flat monkey wrenches, like in the Ford tool kits, are labeled pipe wrenches.   I spied a tiny nickel plated oiler,  and a pocket tool holder, both are early 19th century vintage.   I went back in a few days to find the rest of the tools now on display.  I was tempted by a tiny brass hammer, but found a 3lb. blacksmith hammer with good handle to add to my pile.  I had to dig to relocate the half inch speed wrench, but was still there.   This is in brushed chrome,  1950s?, in very faint letters, Owatonna tool Co.  The stamp has been partly ground off, ala the treatment given tools by the big companies.  What is so unusual about this is the drive square is hinged like a breaker bar.    I am debating picking up the hollow auger, for wheel work.   He moved the Stanley 45 plane with full set of bits to the glass case and has $125 marked on it.  No box either.  The Trimo monkey wrenches look good but not for $39.00.  I did pick up another tool on the cheap, my primary consideration,  a Camillus hobo knife, with the fold out spoon.   Could not pass it up for $5.   There are blacksmith tongs at $15, hand made you know, right below the Champion tools stamp.  Some NOS Billings and Williams machine wrenches, and even a post drill.  Sure would have been nice to see this collection when it was all together.   So it has been a good winter for hunting.  Pictures?  Sure thing, as soon as I figure out the Windows 8 in the new puter.

[EVILDR235]

All in all looks like you got some good stuff. I hit our Habitat store everyday and sometimes twice. Yesterday my best find was a 1947 dated Snap-On 1/2 inch drive 13/16 deep socket for 50 cents. That is rare to find good sockets at ours. I think the employees get the best stuff. I did pick up a bunch of Wards Powr Kraft wrenches on Monday that for the most part unused. Some stuff they do over price. I also got a bunch of Craftsman metric sockets the other day there. Everyday is hit and miss on tools. The best place around here is our Sunday flea market for tools. I always fill my tote sack there. I live in the Pacific Northwest and tools we got, money not so much.

EvilDr235

[oldgoaly]

I just don't get to excited about the small stuff, guess it's to nice & warm next to my epa stove!!!
did get this on the other side of the river, looks like it was in the great flood of '93
Slowly getting apart & clean, also put the base on rollers so it can be moved around.

[EVILDR235]

I have big stuff also including 4 Craftsman / King Seely table saws. several old drill presses and about a bakers dozen of vises. 17 small old gas engines. Several band saws and scroll saws. I like old machines and motors like Briggs and Stratton, Clinton, Tecumseh and several others brands. Mechanics tools and a few wood working tools. Also a mix of old and modern firearms. Don't do old cars or trucks anymore due my health.

EvilDr235

[Yadda]

In the past couple of weeks things have been looking up when finding old tools.  I finally located the Habitat for Humanity store, it was hidden behind another warehouse.   After looking over some choice 1970s furniture I located the tool cabinet.   A few overpriced things, like  a Stanley plane for $65, and spotted a little jewelers saw hiding under a box.  Took ten minutes to attract the attention of a volunteer and pulled out a couple of little things to look at but the little saw went home with me for $5.  Hit a couple of junk shops aka antique stores, just as the owner was putting up a huge board of tools.   He had bought the whole collection of an elderly gentleman.   From the prices I could tell he didn't know tools too well.  The fifteen flat monkey wrenches, like in the Ford tool kits, are labeled pipe wrenches.   I spied a tiny nickel plated oiler,  and a pocket tool holder, both are early 19th century vintage.   I went back in a few days to find the rest of the tools now on display.  I was tempted by a tiny brass hammer, but found a 3lb. blacksmith hammer with good handle to add to my pile.  I had to dig to relocate the half inch speed wrench, but was still there.   This is in brushed chrome,  1950s?, in very faint letters, Owatonna tool Co.  The stamp has been partly ground off, ala the treatment given tools by the big companies.  What is so unusual about this is the drive square is hinged like a breaker bar.    I am debating picking up the hollow auger, for wheel work.   He moved the Stanley 45 plane with full set of bits to the glass case and has $125 marked on it.  No box either.  The Trimo monkey wrenches look good but not for $39.00.  I did pick up another tool on the cheap, my primary consideration,  a Camillus hobo knife, with the fold out spoon.   Could not pass it up for $5.   There are blacksmith tongs at $15, hand made you know, right below the Champion tools stamp.  Some NOS Billings and Williams machine wrenches, and even a post drill.  Sure would have been nice to see this collection when it was all together.   So it has been a good winter for hunting.  Pictures?  Sure thing, as soon as I figure out the Windows 8 in the new puter.

I'm sure you checked, but just in case look the Trimos over carefully.  Occasionally there is an emergency wrench version in the lot.  Even without the screwdriver cover those emergency wrenches are pricey.

[john k]

Anymore the small stuff appeals to me.  These tiny oil cans, oilers, even pocket oilers, don't take up much room, and are a snap to clean.  On the other hand, have 3 old farm tractors that always need work.  An old Pontiac in the garage I wrench on pretty often.  A Ford truck waiting for me, and about 5 more 4 wheeled projects.   Have a drill press and grinders that run off electricity, table saw, and lathes,  wood and metal.  Have 8 or so hand crank grinders, and one with pedals.  There are two full size hand crank drill presses, and about 8 boxes full of old tools.   Darn this stuff is getting heavy to move around.   I didn't mention my blacksmith shop, 2 anvils, forge, and hammer table with vise.  Vises?   A good bakers dozen as well, 5 or 6 are leg vises, two of them are the moderate size six inch models.  Never had all the vises out to look at at one time, so am not real sure.     Then here is the Little Giant trip hammer, but its a baby at 25lbs.  Have a thing for old firearms, and a few old military items, as I was once an old military guy.  Don't buy knives anymore as I make my own there.    Have also acquired a watch-repairmans bench, and a few of the tools but am sure I'll never get to enjoy them.  Did I mention cameras?   But one thing I am sure of, I am not addicted to collecting like some guys.  Trimos, really?   Ok, will be back to look on Friday.  Nothing like starting another hobby, eh?

[bonneyman]

Anymore the small stuff appeals to me.  These tiny oil cans, oilers, even pocket oilers, don't take up much room, and are a snap to clean.  On the other hand, have 3 old farm tractors that always need work.  An old Pontiac in the garage I wrench on pretty often.  A Ford truck waiting for me, and about 5 more 4 wheeled projects.   Have a drill press and grinders that run off electricity, table saw, and lathes,  wood and metal.  Have 8 or so hand crank grinders, and one with pedals.  There are two full size hand crank drill presses, and about 8 boxes full of old tools.   Darn this stuff is getting heavy to move around.   I didn't mention my blacksmith shop, 2 anvils, forge, and hammer table with vise.  Vises?   A good bakers dozen as well, 5 or 6 are leg vises, two of them are the moderate size six inch models.  Never had all the vises out to look at at one time, so am not real sure.     Then here is the Little Giant trip hammer, but its a baby at 25lbs.  Have a thing for old firearms, and a few old military items, as I was once an old military guy.  Don't buy knives anymore as I make my own there.    Have also acquired a watch-repairmans bench, and a few of the tools but am sure I'll never get to enjoy them.  Did I mention cameras?   But one thing I am sure of, I am not addicted to collecting like some guys.  Trimos, really?   Ok, will be back to look on Friday.  Nothing like starting another hobby, eh?

Funny how old machines seem to "like" being worked on. 
I had an M1 Garand once. Korean era. Needed cash so I sold it. Been kicking myself since.

[Yadda]

Here's a link to a earlier string on the Trimo Emergency Wrench.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=4912.0

[Nolatoolguy]

Anymore the small stuff appeals to me.  These tiny oil cans, oilers, even pocket oilers, don't take up much room, and are a snap to clean.  On the other hand, have 3 old farm tractors that always need work.  An old Pontiac in the garage I wrench on pretty often.  A Ford truck waiting for me, and about 5 more 4 wheeled projects.   Have a drill press and grinders that run off electricity, table saw, and lathes,  wood and metal.  Have 8 or so hand crank grinders, and one with pedals.  There are two full size hand crank drill presses, and about 8 boxes full of old tools.   Darn this stuff is getting heavy to move around.   I didn't mention my blacksmith shop, 2 anvils, forge, and hammer table with vise.  Vises?   A good bakers dozen as well, 5 or 6 are leg vises, two of them are the moderate size six inch models.  Never had all the vises out to look at at one time, so am not real sure.     Then here is the Little Giant trip hammer, but its a baby at 25lbs.  Have a thing for old firearms, and a few old military items, as I was once an old military guy.  Don't buy knives anymore as I make my own there.    Have also acquired a watch-repairmans bench, and a few of the tools but am sure I'll never get to enjoy them.  Did I mention cameras?   But one thing I am sure of, I am not addicted to collecting like some guys.  Trimos, really?   Ok, will be back to look on Friday.  Nothing like starting another hobby, eh?

Man John we need pictures, of the old stuff. I know this isn't encourging but I've used windows 8 an I can't stand it. Hopefully you will get use to it soon an enjoy it.