Any one colect rare old tools?

any one here get nerdy about collecting old tools?

Ive been trying to put together a full set of British standard/whitworth size Snap On/blue point tools. mostly 50's-60's vintage. for those unfamiliar, there for working on pre 70's British vehicles. markings refer to the bolt diameter rather than the distance across the flats . usually marked with bs or w

any one have any usefull, cool, rare, interesting old tools?

 

My next door neighbor has a whole toolbox full of BS tools..What is even funnier, is that he can't change his own oil..He has no business working on cars... let alone, Brittish ones.. Jason

 

btw- heres why I need them.

 

I collect lots of old tools. I got my grandfathers tools. He was born in 1899
It seems that every time I buy several truck loads of Model A parts, I get more old tools.One guy saw the Model T on my front porch and gave me a Model T engine and a box of Model T tools, some patented in 1922.

One of these days I will figure out how to display them..

 

I have a whole box full of vintage tools plus lots more hanging on peg board.

 

Here's an old set I picked up at a yard sale last summer for $6.Missing 1 socket.Strangest looking ratchet I've seen in awhile.You just flip it over to reverse direction.

 

You could start by taking a picture and posting it here?

 

I'm sure most tool guys know about this, but for those who don't, here's how to tell how old your snap on tools are, just match up the date code on your tool with the chart (the symbol should be near the part number if memory serves me correctly)

 

Grandpa was a farmer and kept all kinds of scrap metal. 25 years ago, there was a funny looking screw/crank device with 3 arms. It looked really old and special purpose so I took it home.
Kinda recently I learned that it is a rim expander for a Model T. I'm glad I kept it all these years.

 

I have quite a few plomb brand tools made in So. Cal. Always looking for more.

 

Six and a half tons of old blacksmithing tools, I know the weight because I just loaded them into a shipping container.

 

I have a few, more big stuff than small, here's one. I'll post a couple more up later. Mark. By the way...yes, it's set up and used everyday.

 

nice scoot

 

Not so many hand tools but I love unusual tools.





I thought this was cool piece. The channel under this tool tray was made to slide onto the radiator cap on the top of the old radiators of the day keeping your tools handy when working on the engine.

My everyday Craftsman 10 drawer might qualify for some of you as an antique. To me it's just proud moment in my memory bank.

 

"bought a set of "Model T" sockets at a swap meet a few years ago. They had a ratchet similar to yours but the sockets themselves were all 6 point and made from swedged/extruded tubing insted of forged from the solid like moderen ones. They been used but it was obvious they weren't capable of much torque. The brand name is Mossberg-the shotgun maker.

 

Sure wish you were closer to Indy-I'd make you a hell of a deal on an old Lodge & Shipley lathe of about the same era as your drill press.

 

I have this chart. I checked my 3/8" drive Snap-On Ferrit Set, in the flat metal case, that used to be my dad's. Yep, the ratchet and several other pieces are dated 1940.

One of my buddies, that specializes in Snap-On tools, says it's the oldest dated coded set he's ever seen. Unfortunately it's not complete, but the speed handle, sliding T-Handle, extensions and several sockets are correct. He gets pissed 'cause I use them all the time like a set of 5 year old Sears stuff. The ratchet handle is the best feeling one of the 7 or 8 that I have to choose from. The worst feeling one is a Sears.

I also have a neat old Blue-Point 1/2"-9/!6"open end wrench that has the quick action end, similar to what Sears sells today. I need to take a pic of it and post it here.

 

I bought all my tools new, but they're antiques now.

 

I volunteer twice a year at the local scrap metal drive. There are alway a few older guys throwing 5 gallon buckets of old tools into the metal bin. If I'm busy helping someone else, the other volunteers save things for me. Tools, signs, old bikes, car parts, hubcaps and on and on.... I almost feel guilty sometimes, but "NOT"

 

I've got a nice collection of flathead tools going. I'll post a picture later.

 

That drill press is pretty cool.

Looks like a Rube Goldberg type deal now.

 

I got a few

 

Anyone have a source for old Craftsman tools? I have a set of box-ends I bought in 1953 when I was 12 yrs old...the pentroof box is long gone and I'm missing one wrench...the 1/2-9/16" is getting kinda thin ,not bad for a 54 year old set of wrenches.. looking for a collector that specializes in Craftsman....or a "HAMB" type forum for old hand tools...
Stan

 

Stan:

In the NJ/PA area, there is a guy who makes the rounds at all the swap meets. That is all he sells is old tools. Not sure if you got something like that in your area.

 

Cool drill press Oliburner! A hydraulic shop that I deal with alot has one just like it.....along with a few old mills and lathes....

I don't "collect" old tools......but I have a few old Snap-On, Plomb, P&H and Craftsmen tools that I USE.........

 

Very early ratchet set, leather case, dated 1908,Will B. Lane,Chicago ,ILL manufacturer. Cant remember where i got it ,had it for many years.

 

I have an oak board covered with motorcycle tools. HD, Indian, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Pierce, Thor, etc. I think there's maybe 20-30 different tools on it. I have some tools my Grandad owned, he was born in 1883 and was a carpenter most of his life. Somewhere I have a picture of him driving a car that has a tiller instead of a steering wheel, and I have the motoring hat he wore in that photo.
BobW

 

I use mostly Plomb (my favorite, but I never seem to find all the sizes) and old, 1960's back to neolithic, Snap On...I just ran into the sort of direct handle on the past that makes the hairs on my neck suddenly stand up as I find myself looking right into the Great Depression...
I was taking apart a Model A carb, and remembered that I had somewhere one of the now-rare 13/32" deep sockets needed to get the gas adjuster out without damage...I went rooting through the Snap On 9/32 drive socket stuff that is mostly WWII vintage. I found the box with the 13/32, then noticed that the whole set was ODD deep sockets...one extra long with narrow tip, one shorter than normal deep...I started looking closer. Hmmm...one to fit every jet on the Zenith, including the crazy long idle jet. Deeper and deeper...every socket in the box did something to that 1930 carb. I rubbed a little--all were dated '30 or '31! I suddenly realized...the person who first bought that little tin box and filled it with odd sockets was working on a nearly new Model A...and I was poking at the same old bones with his tools 75 years later.
Some old tools come REAL close to speking, when you stop to listen!

 

"I've got tools to fix fuckin tools" Tim Allen

 

"I've got tools to fix fuckin tools" Me too also. I've got the little Plomb dealer box full of ratchet repair bits...