I went to "the Big One" in Memphis this past weekend. If I was looking for
cell phone cases, peanut brittle, or scented candles I'd have hit the
jackpot, but as it was, nothing in the way of "old" tools, i.e. Disston
saws, Stanley planes, etc. etc. Their website advertises 1,000 vendors,
"antiques", and deals galore. .. (And I don't consider the "deals" like beat
up 18V DeWalt cordless drills for $189.)
I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1 WW
"tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
everyone has easy access to it, except me:
(see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
Ebay?,...
---
Cheers!
I bought my first large tool at a grand opening sale. The jet regional sales
support guy was there and was very personable and knowledgeable. I was
showing some hesitation about buying a new tool. He encouraged me to check
the classified ads and local "greensheet" to see how many good used
stationary tools I could find. He told me I just wouldn't find many. I
think he was right.
Perhaps most good stuff is sold word of mouth from one enthusiast to
another. I think I'm joining the pattern set by many others before me.
Wait for the grand openings, the woodworking shows and the special sales.
About 10% off is typical on stationary tools.
Bob
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
> Ebay?,...
I agree it must vary on location. I'm in the Memphis, TN area, and have
been to many many yard sales (2-3 nearly every Saturday for 2 years) like I
said w/o luck. I'm glad to some of you are getting "finds", I guess I am
getting there too late!
S/OT: I've been wanting to buy a nice treadmill with automatic incline, etc.
all this time w/o success as well. My sister-in-law came across (and
bought) one I had priced at ~$500 for $30.00 Yes, that's thirty bucks. She
is 4 states away however.
--
Cheers!
"dave in Fairfax" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It depends a lot on what part of the country you're in. The stuff is
> out there and the ease of finding it varies. In the Mid-Atlantic and NE
> you can get hurt stubling over the buys. I've got a few places inside 1
> 1/2 hr drive from me that might as well be old tool hardware stores. I
> fill my trunk when I drive from Va to NY. If you are looking for
> handtools, flea markets and antiwues malls are definitley the places to
> go. I don't even bother looking at estate sales. The companies that
> run them take a look at Walter's book, decide that whatever they have is
> mint and then add 25% for their take. Yesterday I got a Greenlee skew
> for $11 and a norris style smoother #4 for $22. I saw a bunch of
> overpriced stuff and left it there. Where are you?
>
> Dave in Fairfax
> --
> reply-to doesn't work
> use:
> daveldr at att dot net
> American Association of Woodturners
> http://www.woodturner.org
> Capital Area Woodturners
> http://www.capwoodturners.org/
Mon, Feb 23, 2004, 9:51am (EST-1) [email protected] (Duke)
laments:
<snip> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like
there is just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out
there and everyone has easy access to it, except me: <snip>
You didn't know? Word has been left at every flea market in the
free world, hide the tools when they see you coming.
Does 5 (five) Disston saws, for $15, count? I didn't keep them,
swapped them off later. I'm not hugely into hand tools, no space for a
decent bench, but pick up one or two once in awhile, when I run across
them. Could get a lot more, if I was interested. You been making your
sacrifices to the Woodworking Gods? Probably not. They get irritated
when that happens. Just sent them along to me, I handle their
administrative work.
JOAT
Georges Clemenceau supposedly said, "War is too important a matter to be
left to the military". If this is so, it is then obvious that peace is
too precious to be left to politicians.
Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 28 Feb 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKEVOCALS/
Duke wrote:
> I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
> absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
> either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1 WW
> "tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
>
> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
> just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
> everyone has easy access to it, except me:
>
> (see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
> Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
It depends a lot on what part of the country you're in. The stuff is
out there and the ease of finding it varies. In the Mid-Atlantic and NE
you can get hurt stubling over the buys. I've got a few places inside 1
1/2 hr drive from me that might as well be old tool hardware stores. I
fill my trunk when I drive from Va to NY. If you are looking for
handtools, flea markets and antiwues malls are definitley the places to
go. I don't even bother looking at estate sales. The companies that
run them take a look at Walter's book, decide that whatever they have is
mint and then add 25% for their take. Yesterday I got a Greenlee skew
for $11 and a norris style smoother #4 for $22. I saw a bunch of
overpriced stuff and left it there. Where are you?
Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
> Ebay?,...
>
> ---
> Cheers!
All I can say is if you don't enjoy the hunt, you will find it very
frustrating, unless you go to tool-specific sales. I go to garage
sales, fleas, and the occasional auction, and the "hits" can be found
at all three, but are in the 15-20% range, depending on what you are
looking for. Actually, I have been very successful at garage sales,
virtually all my user planes are from garage sales, inclusive of
bench planes ## 3,4,5,6,7, plus ##78, 45, 79, 80, 220, 110, 9 1/2, a
few dunlops and sargents are in there too. I've gotten some
spokeshaves, chisels, mortising chisels, turning tools and the like.
My two vises, polishing head, grinder, brace and set of boxed Irwin
bits are all products of about 5 years of spending 2 hours each
saturday morning. I never pay more than $15 for a bench plane, and
after a while it gets hard not to buy another #4 or 5, or my fifth 9
1/2 block plane, especially when they give them away. I must have
half a dozen #5s, maybe 8 #4s, Disston crosscut and rip saws, tenon
saws, I even have 3 stanley saw sets and 3 saw vices. I tell you, its
a sickness; I'm gonna have to get an ebay account one of these days
and sell some of them off, so I have some room to start buying again.
Keep at it, there's gold in them there hills. Mutt
"Bob Davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Mutt, thanks for the candid description. You've aptly described a key
> difference in the argument of buying used tools at bargain prices. Some
> people (like me) are just out to buy the tools needed at the best
> price/quality/availability balance. Others pursue "the hunt" as a second
> avocation and get as much thrill out of finding a steal as actually using
> the tool. Good price far outweighs time for some people. Neither is better
> than the other. I travel 50-100% of the time. I'll pay extra to get what I
> want, when I want it if it saves my time to actually use the stuff I buy.
>
> Bob
>
Bingo. The "hunt" also gets me out of bed at 6:30 on saturday
mornings when I would otherwise sleep until 9:30, and my bride likes
the idea that I power walk through the fleas scanning all the aisles.
Its them old hunter-gatherer genes buried deep in my DNA I guess. I
tend to upgrade, i.e., my first line "user" #3 changed 4 times, so
eventually I end up with Sweetheart era bench planes in cherry
condition. Still looking for a 92, 93 and 94, the collectors pick
them up quick, but if I may brag, I did get a Stanley #1 (cracked
mouth, tote, alas but all original) from the bottom of a kid's tool
box at one of them baby clothes and toy yard sales in Indian Trail,
NC, and paid $1 for it. I was not sure it was what I thought it was
until I got back into my truck and rubbed off the grime. That was my
only big "bargain." regards.Mutt.
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> SNIP
> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
> just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
> everyone has easy access to it, except me:
And ME! There is an antique show in Central FL a couple times a year
that can be productive but mostly "valuable" block planes (missing
parts) for $50 or transitional Stanley stuff. The regular flea
markets in my neck of the swamp are similar to what you experienced.
Rob
>
I think that old tool dealers only sell at certain flea markets where
there is a critical mass of old tool customers as well as other
dealers to socialize and trade with. They don't want to pay for booth
space if most of the customers are looking for scented candles, Donnie
& Marie records, etc. There is supposed to be a major old tool flea
market and auction in New Hampshire every year, but I don't know what
it is called.
There is some more info on finding old tools here:
http://homepage.mac.com/galoot_9/hunt_tools.html
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I went to "the Big One" in Memphis this past weekend. If I was looking for
> cell phone cases, peanut brittle, or scented candles I'd have hit the
> jackpot, but as it was, nothing in the way of "old" tools, i.e. Disston
> saws, Stanley planes, etc. etc. Their website advertises 1,000 vendors,
> "antiques", and deals galore. .. (And I don't consider the "deals" like beat
> up 18V DeWalt cordless drills for $189.)
>
> I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
> absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
> either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1 WW
> "tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
>
> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
> just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
> everyone has easy access to it, except me:
>
> (see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
> Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
>
> Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
> Ebay?,...
>
> ---
> Cheers!
[email protected] (J T) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Mon, Feb 23, 2004, 9:51am (EST-1) [email protected] (Duke)
> laments:
> <snip> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like
> there is just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out
> there and everyone has easy access to it, except me: <snip>
>
> You didn't know? Word has been left at every flea market in the
> free world, hide the tools when they see you coming.
>
> Does 5 (five) Disston saws, for $15, count? I didn't keep them,
> swapped them off later. I'm not hugely into hand tools, no space for a
> decent bench, but pick up one or two once in awhile, when I run across
> them. Could get a lot more, if I was interested. You been making your
> sacrifices to the Woodworking Gods? Probably not. They get irritated
> when that happens. Just sent them along to me, I handle their
> administrative work.
>
>
> JOAT
> Georges Clemenceau supposedly said, "War is too important a matter to be
> left to the military". If this is so, it is then obvious that peace is
> too precious to be left to politicians.
>
> Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
> Web Page Update 28 Feb 2004.
> Some tunes I like.
> http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKEVOCALS/
Does a shopsmith 10ER for $35 sound good? How about a 14 Delta for
$80? Had to clean them up real good, but it was alot of fun to do it.
Got to know the machines real well that way. Or a Delta 6 inch Jointer
for $200.
Like one of the post's said, don't expect anything and you wont be
dissapointed. When you do find something good, its a great surprise.
Treat it as a day out with the wife...look for things for her, pretty
soon, she'll be looking for things for you. Got a 5hp snowblower for
$200. Take it as a chance to see the other subdivisions in your
area..sometimes you meet some nice folks. Sometimes the price they'll
give it to you, will be much less than the price marked on it, if you
convince them you're going to use it. I think every man who sells his
father's stuff knowing he can't use it, wants to see it used by
someone who will.
I've found that the garage sales that you least expect to have
anything are the ones that have a tool or something for you. I do
stay away from the ones that have all baby stuff on the driveway
tho...can't stand them.
Al Morgan
Duke:
Who knows when these good stuff comes up? I know
that there are antique tool flea markets, just check
in Google or other search engine for a listing of
societies that might be close to you.
In my local flea, I got a Stanley plane
and some other things fairly cheaply but no
"$5" bargin that turned out to be worth $1000 either.
I haven't been back in more then a year, but I watch
the garage sales listings in my area for the weekend and
caught two woodworkers who were getting rid of their
shops and got some good bargins there. Does your local
paper list them? Mine does.
EBay has probably become the easiest way of looking
for this on a consistent basis.
Good luck!
MJ Wallace
On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 09:51:05 -0600, "Duke"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I went to "the Big One" in Memphis this past weekend. If I was looking for
>cell phone cases, peanut brittle, or scented candles I'd have hit the
>jackpot, but as it was, nothing in the way of "old" tools, i.e. Disston
>saws, Stanley planes, etc. etc. Their website advertises 1,000 vendors,
>"antiques", and deals galore. .. (And I don't consider the "deals" like beat
>up 18V DeWalt cordless drills for $189.)
>
>I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
>absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
>either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1 WW
>"tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
>
>When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
>just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
>everyone has easy access to it, except me:
>
>(see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
>Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
>
>Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
>Ebay?,...
>
>---
>Cheers!
>
I've been to the Sweetwater flea market (east TN) a couple times.
They have a tool section, but most of it is junk. Not bad for cheap
drill bits, sanding cylinders, weird wrenches, screws, nails, and
other odds and ends. Our sales tax of nearly 10% often makes it less
expensive to order online--you save gasoline and time. Never had I
found power tools of any quality or value.
http://www.owwm.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl
"Bob Davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
> I'm missing something, pat. I knew about the site but I thought it was =
a
> historical site to get information on tools. I don't see anything for =
sale
> on it.
>=20
> Bob
>=20
> "Pat Barber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > You boys need to hang out at http://www.owwm.com/
> >
> > There are MANY deals but you gotta be serious....
> >
> > Bob Davis wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Perhaps most good stuff is sold word of mouth from one enthusiast =
to
> > > another. I think I'm joining the pattern set by many others =
before me.
> > > Wait for the grand openings, the woodworking shows and the special
> sales.
> > > About 10% off is typical on stationary tools.
> > >
> > > Bob
> >
>=20
>
Mutt wrote:
>
> All I can say is if you don't enjoy the hunt, you will find it very
> frustrating, unless you go to tool-specific sales.
Yes, it's called The Hunt.
To make an analogy, If all grocery stores closed most people wouldn't know how
to feed themselves.
The most successful hunters are those who enjoy the game.
If all you hunt is big game, or one type of creature, you'll miss out on the
enjoyment of scoring a squirrel.
--
Mark
N.E. Ohio
Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens, A.K.A.
Mark Twain)
When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the suspense.
(Gaz, r.moto)
I'm missing something, pat. I knew about the site but I thought it was a
historical site to get information on tools. I don't see anything for sale
on it.
Bob
"Pat Barber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You boys need to hang out at http://www.owwm.com/
>
> There are MANY deals but you gotta be serious....
>
> Bob Davis wrote:
>
>
> > Perhaps most good stuff is sold word of mouth from one enthusiast to
> > another. I think I'm joining the pattern set by many others before me.
> > Wait for the grand openings, the woodworking shows and the special
sales.
> > About 10% off is typical on stationary tools.
> >
> > Bob
>
Well, now that I've been pointed to the link and had a recommendation, I
went for a look. Uh, let's just say its not my style of used power tools. I
don't have much use for a 1930 vintage Rockwell or a 36" saw of any brand
name. :-)
Bob
"Pat Barber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> There are almost daily posting on "where" tools might
> be found. It requires a great deal of patience in the
> old/used tool business to find the real nuggets. Many
> people are after the same goods. The OWWM has many
> auctions that are reported almost weekly. This requires
> at least scanning several hundred messages a week to
> keep up...
>
> The major interest on http://www.owwm.com is looking
> for "old power tools"..."the bigger the better".
>
>
>
>
>
> Bob Davis wrote:
>
> > I'm missing something, pat. I knew about the site but I thought it was a
> > historical site to get information on tools. I don't see anything for
sale
> > on it.
> >
>
You boys need to hang out at http://www.owwm.com/
There are MANY deals but you gotta be serious....
Bob Davis wrote:
> Perhaps most good stuff is sold word of mouth from one enthusiast to
> another. I think I'm joining the pattern set by many others before me.
> Wait for the grand openings, the woodworking shows and the special sales.
> About 10% off is typical on stationary tools.
>
> Bob
There are almost daily posting on "where" tools might
be found. It requires a great deal of patience in the
old/used tool business to find the real nuggets. Many
people are after the same goods. The OWWM has many
auctions that are reported almost weekly. This requires
at least scanning several hundred messages a week to
keep up...
The major interest on http://www.owwm.com is looking
for "old power tools"..."the bigger the better".
Bob Davis wrote:
> I'm missing something, pat. I knew about the site but I thought it was a
> historical site to get information on tools. I don't see anything for sale
> on it.
>
I have had rather good luck myself,
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&th=83db8cbff4920c87&seekm=3EFEFE50.9050807%40earthlink.net#link41
Tony D.
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to "the Big One" in Memphis this past weekend. If I was looking
for
> cell phone cases, peanut brittle, or scented candles I'd have hit the
> jackpot, but as it was, nothing in the way of "old" tools, i.e. Disston
> saws, Stanley planes, etc. etc. Their website advertises 1,000 vendors,
> "antiques", and deals galore. .. (And I don't consider the "deals" like
beat
> up 18V DeWalt cordless drills for $189.)
>
> I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
> absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
> either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1
WW
> "tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
>
> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
> just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
> everyone has easy access to it, except me:
>
> (see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
> Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
>
> Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
> Ebay?,...
>
> ---
> Cheers!
>
>
Here is a fellows web page,
http://www.madrona.bizhosting.com/photo5.html
"Anthony Diodati" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have had rather good luck myself,
>
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&th=83db8cbff4920c87&seekm=3EFEFE50.9050807%40earthlink.net#link41
> Tony D.
>
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I agree it must vary on location. I'm in the Memphis, TN area, and have
> been to many many yard sales (2-3 nearly every Saturday for 2 years) like
I
> said w/o luck. I'm glad to some of you are getting "finds", I guess I am
> getting there too late!
>
> S/OT: I've been wanting to buy a nice treadmill with automatic incline,
etc.
> all this time w/o success as well. My sister-in-law came across (and
> bought) one I had priced at ~$500 for $30.00 Yes, that's thirty bucks.
She
> is 4 states away however.
>
> --
> Cheers!
>
I hear ya. My swmbo is a quilter who wanted such a machine. I scored treadle
machine with oak cabinet (OWWM)..... I talked him down from 100 to 65. The
cabinet finish was rpetty well trashed on top, but the shellac finish was
not that tough to repair.
Fully functional, all accessories except it needed a belt (a new leather one
was found for <$5).
On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 20:17:42 GMT, "Bob Davis"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm missing something, pat. I knew about the site but I thought it was a
>historical site to get information on tools. I don't see anything for sale
>on it.
>
>Bob
>
Once at the site, go to "Features" then "classified ads"
>"Pat Barber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> You boys need to hang out at http://www.owwm.com/
>>
>> There are MANY deals but you gotta be serious....
>>
>> Bob Davis wrote:
>>
>>
>> > Perhaps most good stuff is sold word of mouth from one enthusiast to
>> > another. I think I'm joining the pattern set by many others before me.
>> > Wait for the grand openings, the woodworking shows and the special
>sales.
>> > About 10% off is typical on stationary tools.
>> >
>> > Bob
>>
>
Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
If you need it now you won't find it. I picked up a starrett 2 head
(protractor, center finder and 12 in rule) for $30, square head was not
marked. Stanley #98 twin beam marker $25. Look in order to upgrade not need
now.
"Duke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to "the Big One" in Memphis this past weekend. If I was looking
for
> cell phone cases, peanut brittle, or scented candles I'd have hit the
> jackpot, but as it was, nothing in the way of "old" tools, i.e. Disston
> saws, Stanley planes, etc. etc. Their website advertises 1,000 vendors,
> "antiques", and deals galore. .. (And I don't consider the "deals" like
beat
> up 18V DeWalt cordless drills for $189.)
>
> I've been to this 4 or 5 times, and similar ones in nearby towns with
> absolutely no success. I rarely find anything worthwhile at yard sales
> either. ( I would guess that out of 50 I have been to, I may have seen 1
WW
> "tool" that may or may not have been worth buying.)
>
> When I read magazine articles or stuff on the rec it seems like there is
> just a plethora of old stuff (saws, planes, chisels...) out there and
> everyone has easy access to it, except me:
>
> (see http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1065
> Check out all those tools...is this for real? )
>
> Am I better off just buying from a dealer that specializes in this stuff,
> Ebay?,...
>
> ---
> Cheers!
>
>
Duke wrote:
"Does anyone really find anything at flea markets?"
Yes. Fleas. Old women with three teeth. Homosexual men with three teeth.
Scrawny dogs. Peanut brittle.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
Mutt, thanks for the candid description. You've aptly described a key
difference in the argument of buying used tools at bargain prices. Some
people (like me) are just out to buy the tools needed at the best
price/quality/availability balance. Others pursue "the hunt" as a second
avocation and get as much thrill out of finding a steal as actually using
the tool. Good price far outweighs time for some people. Neither is better
than the other. I travel 50-100% of the time. I'll pay extra to get what I
want, when I want it if it saves my time to actually use the stuff I buy.
Bob
"Mutt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> All I can say is if you don't enjoy the hunt, you will find it very
> frustrating, unless you go to tool-specific sales.
> saws, I even have 3 stanley saw sets and 3 saw vices. I tell you, its
> a sickness; I'm gonna have to get an ebay account one of these days
> and sell some of them off, so I have some room to start buying again.