Lots of old tools going to waste.

[lennard]

I have decided to collect adjustable, pre World War 11, wrenches only.

Hunting for these tools I do come across a lot of other tools also. In the beginning I bought them also, but my budget will not allow to go on like this.

Here in South Africa, collecting old tools is not a popular hobby and most of the old tools will end up as scrap metal 

My question is then: is it a viable idea to get someone dealing in these tools to import them from here for reselling in countries where there is a market for them?

Most old tools here goes for 1 - 10 USA dollar here.

Would appreciate any responses.

Lennard

[Twertsy]

I have decided to collect adjustable, pre World War 11, wrenches only.

Hunting for these tools I do come across a lot of other tools also. In the beginning I bought them also, but my budget will not allow to go on like this.

Here in South Africa, collecting old tools is not a popular hobby and most of the old tools will end up as scrap metal 

My question is then: is it a viable idea to get someone dealing in these tools to import them from here for reselling in countries where there is a market for them?

Most old tools here goes for 1 - 10 USA dollar here.

Would appreciate any responses.

Lennard

Morning Lennard.  Personal opinion here, and probably not the most helpful but, I have to answer with the dreaded "it depends."

What brands are they?  How old are they?  What shape/condition are they in?  Is (cost + shipping + sales ops + shipping again + profit share-back) < sale price?

Personally, I believe to make that model work/profitable for someone, you'd have to be finding rare and desirable tools such as rare Plomb and Bonney stuff, CMan spinner rats, desirable SO, John Deere stuff, complete and desirable sets, etc.  How plentiful are these tools in SA?

[lennard]

Thanks for responding.

Researching old tools is a very time consuming job - especially when the tool is not marked!

I am very lucky and I have found some very rare tools! I do understand the cost implications of exporting tools, especially them being quite heavy in general!

Being a teacher (Afrikaans language) at a technical secondary school (motor mechanics, fitting and turning, electrical, civil and woodwork and metal work), maybe I can find a sponsor and do a permanent exhibit at the school.




Thanks for the reply.

Lennard

[lennard]

Some of the "special" ones:



Any comments....and feelings of envy will be appreciated!

Lennard

[john k]

In the second photo, the two ( ? ) marked tools are blacksmith tongs, bottom one looks modified for round stock.   The monkey wrench with twist handle is fairly common here in the US, have one or two of them.  Fox's patent, now that looks interesting.  My buying price runs from one to ten here, but too often they are marked much higher.   I will only go up for something that is rather unusual.   I don't think we'll live long enough to see all the varieties of adjustable wrenches.

[Lewill2]

Fox patent is from the UK. We had that on hear about a month ago.

[Lewill2]

Oops that was yours.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=16883.msg105257#msg105257

[lennard]

Fox patent is from the UK. We had that on hear about a month ago.

I enjoy this tool very much. I have send pictures of it everywhere and I do believe the tool is very rare - at this stage mine is the only one people have seen, although there will be others hidden somewhere. It is going to have it's own case with the patent pictures and describtion, printed on old looking paper, in it. It will hang next to my 100 years+ buffet.

To me collecting old stuff is not about what they are worth in terms of money - this is what I get out of it:

1. The knowing that there are stuff out there and most people don't know how "valuable" they are.
2. The relaxation unpacking crates and crates full of tools in pawn shops.
3. Researching the tools - my general knowledge is expanding with every new search! The shown Bentall spanner have lead me to this: http://www.itsaboutmaldon.co.uk/bentall/index.shtml
4. The showing of the tools.

I am not going to try and sell the extra tools for now - maybe in 9 years when I have retired.

......and for now, I will restrict myself to 100 USA dollar a month to spend on old tools

Will post some more interesting tools soon.

Lennard

[turnnut]

thanks for sharing, yes, that Fox wrench is interesting.

happy wrench/tool hunting.

Frank