Auctions, pays to look in every box

[coolford]

I always go to auction about an hour early, if nothing is there I can go to another, but otherwise I have time to look closely at all the tools.  Recently I noticed this box and opened it to look at the sockets.  They were a complete set of 8-point 3/8 drive Snap-on sockets in like new condition.  Time went on and I wanted to leave, so I handed the box to the guy I call the "lifter" and told him I would start at five dollars.  The auctioneer asked what do we have and the lifter said "a little box of sockets and I have a five dollar bid".  The Auctioneer started his spiel and nobody else bid, so I got them for $5.00.  Hold your breath if you check the Snap-on price on these.

[Papaw]

Great score and a great habit. I hate to wait until the auctioneer starts.

[Northwoods]

Coolford, I did the same thing a couple of Saturdays ago and bought the biggest Winchester DOE wrench for $3.
Nobody else knew what I had.

[p_toad]

Shoot, i'd have given them at least $5.50..   

[DeadNutz]

No auctions like that around here. I would of gone $20 on those no problem.

[Northwoods]

Shoot, i'd have given them at least $5.50..   

That's funny.  When I pointed out the wrench on the trailer, the "Lifter" asked if I wanted it for $5.  I said, "We'll see."
Tool collectors, I was told by an antique shop owner, are notoriously cheap.  I had to agree with him.

[Papaw]

Tool collectors, I was told by an antique shop owner, are notoriously cheap.  I had to agree with him.

And antique shop owners are often unaware of reality when it comes to tools. Too many times I have seen a rusty old monkey wrench that they want high $$ for because "It is old!"

[Northwoods]

Tool collectors, I was told by an antique shop owner, are notoriously cheap.  I had to agree with him.

And antique shop owners are often unaware of reality when it comes to tools. Too many times I have seen a rusty old monkey wrench that they want high $$ for because "It is old!"

I agree completely.
 I was at a flea market outside an antique shop last weekend.  Near the front door, a guy had the ubiquitous Ford spark plug head bolt wrench for sale at $2.  Inside, I found three more, priced at $8, $10, and $24.
I mentioned it to the guy at the outside booth.  He thought he should raise his price. But his was the only one priced reasonably.

[fatfillup]

Yep, it always pays to go to an auction early to check out the box lots.  Often expensive odd ball tools will be buried in with junk and can be had for cheap because no one knows what they are. 

Well done on the 8 points, they actually sell decently for me as I have a lot of farmers and equipment mechanics that buy from me.

Tues, I attended an auction and saw some 3/8's impacts in a blue tray holder.  Looked and there was 11 sockets, all truck brand, little rusty and unmatched.  Got the box for $10.  Cleaned them up last night, 4 Snappy's, 2 Mac's and rest Matco.  One of the Snappy's completed a set for me so that was worth the $10 by itself.  Hopefully on of the Matco's will do the same, haven't checked yet.

[bonneyman]

No one has said it so far, Coolford, so I'll say it: You suck. lol

[Muddy]

Very nice! Those larger sizes are a bit harder to come by.

[p_toad]

I will say that when i can't find the 8 point i need that i have been able to use a "spline" socket on square stuff and they have worked well.   Still, with a set that nice...   

[mikeswrenches]

Your standard 12 pt. sockets will fit square headed nuts and bolts just fine. I recently had to remove the thin square head bolt from the swivel base on a large Prentiss vise and my 1 3/16 socket was a perfect fit.

Mike

[Bill Houghton]

Your standard 12 pt. sockets will fit square headed nuts and bolts just fine. I recently had to remove the thin square head bolt from the swivel base on a large Prentiss vise and my 1 3/16 socket was a perfect fit.

Mike

In my experience, you just have to ignore the size marking and try sockets until you find a fit.  The corner-to-corner dimension on a square nut will differ from the same measurement on a hex nut.  Also, I found that a metric socket will sometimes fit a fractional (inch measure) square nut better than an SAE socket.  Still, it's not much grip; eight point (or four point) are superior for a square nut.