Special Report on the Price of Vintage Tools

[@joeyoungs8426]

They definitely are. I went to a barn sale earlier this summer that my sister’s friend was having on behalf of her recently deceased father. It was the day before the public sale. His wood plane collection was jaw dropping, old mahogany, maple and steel versions. Molding, tongue and groove, you name it. All were $5 each. I bought everything and my trunk was literally full.

[@mikkoknelimarkka2068]

Nice, sound like heaven!

[@lmeharg2010]

The first half of the kzbin.infoUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.

[@goodwyrd10]

I own a challenge plane too! You're the only other person I've ever seen own one. I saw a complete challenge plane about your size go for $1700 a few years ago

[@trackie1957]

I found a Starrett combination square. Very little rust so it cleaned up nicely. It is probably no more square than my 40 year old Craftsman, which is a good tool, but the Starrett is just a pleasure to use….

[@timarmstrong2338]

I don't do a lot of hand woodworking with old hand tools, I am especially bad at planing. I loved your video because I do still hunt antiques, furniture or anything else I can use or repurpose. Thats what makes it so much fun.....the thrill of the hunt.

[@TheBeeFactory]

I love antique stores for buying tools. Last year at a local antique market I got an old wooden jointer plane from Ohio Tool Co. that is about 30" long. What a beast!!! It was in almost perfect condition. Just had to sharpen it up and give the body a nice cleaning and refinishing. I think I paid about 30 bucks for it. What a deal! It's a beautiful plane all cleaned up. Perfect for display, and works amazing.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

That flea market is huge. I have been to rose bowl flea market in SoCal, and I saw 4 vendors with woodworking tools last time. I haven’t gone back there ever since and definitely not for $20 wary bird ticket.

[@Cigokar]

Found a Disston metal level at an antique near my place last year. Tag still on and hecka accurate , still has the leather case for transport. Well worth the 5$

[@chriscluver1940]

Sometimes (like your Stanley story) there's a regional brand that everybody seems to value highly. Around Illinois the "Keen Kutter" name means a 50% markup, even if it's a re-brand from another company like Stanley. I had never heard of them before hitting up flea markets and antique stores.

[@stuartwoodcock9780]

Down here in the wet South East in Australia in the Riverina we have Baldo's of Ganmain. The number of cheap woodworking tools is amazing.

[@richardsinger01]

I just paid £29 for a gorgeous Marples mortise gauge. Very dark rosewood or maybe ebony & brass. Its lovely in the hand. Cant wait to use it. Edit: spelling correction.

[@QuacGiaNgoVietCongHoa]

In fact brace is not only for drilling but also for multi purpose like tapping or driving screw.

[@thomashverring9484]

Great video! I really wish there were flea markets like that anywhere I know of, but maybe some day ...

[@peterdowning2525]

One issue that doesn’t come up often is geography. I’m in north Texas and antique shop often, and hand tools are few and far between, and anything close to usable is overpriced. But I took a trip to Ohio a few years ago and they were everywhere. They just aren’t around down here like they are up there. Sometimes I wonder if a meet like this would be worth the trip.

[@1pcfred]

Tools are like gold mining. You have to pan where the ore is. If what you're looking for was never where you're looking then you're just not going to find it.

[@randallcombs7423]

For sure! If you ever travel through Kentucky, southeastern (where I'm at) isn't the best place, but the farther north I go, the better the tool picking and antique shops get. Tennessee and Ohio are always amazing places. Amish areas in Ohio hand planes are everywhere.

[@1pcfred]

@@randallcombs7423 I liken used tools to mining. There's veins of ore. Some ground is richer than other ground is. But there are the odd anomalies too. You're still better off digging in the motherlode though.

[@Swishersweetcigarilo]

I agree about having too many 1 dollar tools that I got from the flea market. Screaming deal but I don't have enough room to store them all and it's effecting the amount of work I actually use them for. I'm going to have to resell them and I'll do well but that takes time from being inside the shop.

[@Johnson_2022]

There is an inverse effect from Stanley being seen as more of a high tire brand in public perception. It means other perfectly good or traditionally better brands are valued less so sellers sell them for a cheaper price (online and offline). For example, I recently got a vintage wooden jack plain in really good condition for about £16. While searching for it I had to go through tones of Stanley plains in really poor condition (missing parts, more rust than iron and etc) £50 - £80.

[@dbatki]

Man, San Antonio is a desert when it comes to wood tools at flea markets. I got a Sargent transitional foreplane six months ago and that's the largest plane I've seen since. Mostly rusty no.3s and no.4s. Occasionally, I see some chisels. I got so envious looking at your footage.

[@drew2dee2]

houston is the same, maybe its a texas thing

[@mongocrock]

Really depends on the population and production types in the era of hand tools. In PA where Rex is there is a lot more to be found than in places like Texas, Arizona and Florida which didn't have major population booms and did little comercial furniture production in the 18 and 19th centuries.

[@nobuckle40]

As look at my hand tools I can say that only a few have been not purchased at a flea market or some antique mall. I did recently buy ($15 USD + tax and shipping) a Stanley 12 inch brace that is in excellent condition. I agree that flea markets are the best place to find the hand tools one needs to start in the craft. Thanks for your practical approach.

[@13thworker45]

Thank you for sharing.

[@norm5785]

All good information, absolutely correct, thank you for sharing, stay safe happy and healthy, from Henrico County Virginia

[@Incandescentiron]

Sweet level! Great find!

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@joeleonetti8976]

Thanks Rex. I've been woodworking for 7 years now and really don't need much more. Just a few machines - the hand tools are done. I am 100% confident that if I gave myself an 18 month time horizon and $500, I could probably get all the tools I need to do woodworking. Going to shows and flea markets is the way to go. With $1,000 I could easily do it all. I've also found by joining a local woodworking club, I get emails all the time for free wood and inexpensive/free woodworking tools. Via this, I picked up for my dad a free Shopsmith will all of the major tools. I think it just needed some elbow grease and a new electrical outlet. I like shiny premium tools for sure. But, if this were a new hobby that I didn't know if I would like, spending less is a good way to go until you sort it out.

[@eidrag]

this, for all new hobbies. Buy cheap quality tools, try to see what you actually one, and explore from there

[@vjosullivan]

Me, too. Almost there. Just a few more tools... Almost there. Just a few more tools... Almost there. Just a few more tools... 🤣

[@joeleonetti8976]

@@vjosullivan Yea, I know that feeling as well.

[@benlaird7878]

I got a Stanley Bedrock 606 for $30 Aud at a car swap meet a few weeks ago

[@HouseholdDog]

Best time to buy is in the rain.

[@ianbruce6515]

They've been going up for years--ever since the damn collectors got involved! For wooden boat builders here in Maine, it is annoying. It used to be that you could get good quality hand tools--of better quality than what is made now--for a decent price! A hundred year old Stanley plane is much better than the majority of new ones--with the exception of the 'boutique' tools that only retired surgeons and other wealthy hobbyists can afford. I have noticed that antique markets and flea markets are the best bet. The sellers don't know what to ask--they either are convinced that all old tools are expensive collectibles--or they think that they are worthless. Probably, other parts of the country with fewer budding craftsmen have better prices. One of my best chisels was a 'Better Homes And Garden's magazine chisel--made in Germany just after WWW2 when Germany was rebuilding it's industry!

[@glennspringthorpe6227]

Rex, I love you & i want to have your babies. Your uploads are funny informative & bang on with detail. Ebay is now, a big shop, zilcho bargains overall. The best bargain i did get, in hindsight, is my Record No. 08SS Jointer plane in its original blue pasteboard box complete with yellow labels on the ends. This was in 2007 & I paid £91 for it. It is almost immaculate & even has the original nickel plating intact on the lever cap. A few years, ago a guy on ebay offered me £60 just for the box, of course i turned him down. My plane has since been valued at £380. The world has gone mad, thankfully. Big huggs, you have the best attitude & chemistry of anyone doing woodwork on here. Xxx

[@lukabinks1388]

Great vid rex :)

[@nicholasfarley5967]

You can still easily get a Stanley no 4 for 20 quid in the UK on eBay. A 5 1/2 for 30.

[@1pcfred]

A Stanley No. 4 is only worth $5 in mint condition. I've paid as little as a dollar for one in mint condition.

[@nicholasfarley5967]

@@1pcfred the world's a bigger place than the US! Sure even in the UK you could scour car boot sales and get a bargain but we are talking about buying from sellers who only deal in tools and know what they have. You can easily buy a tool that you could use daily for decades for the cost 4 beers. That's good value and the price has been stable for at least 5 years. So yeah, a no 4 is easily worth 20 quid! In fact it's a bargain.

[@1pcfred]

@@nicholasfarley5967 where I'm at a No. 4 is worth a fiver at best. Without even really trying I have four 4s myself. The last one I bought was absolutely mint and I paid a dollar for it. That's why I bought it. It wasn't like I needed it. But it is in perfect condition. It's a kidney bean pumpkin plane but it runs good. I do like keyholes better. But beans don't really bother me.

[@obdacz]

Yeah, but the sellers usually refuse to ship to continental Europe or charge exorbitant prices for doing so :( I used to live in the UK for many years and bought a lot of stuff on EBay. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent option here in central Europe. People tend to use local equivalents of Craigslist, which do not work for me (prices not so good and you have to be more cautious). And no flea markets, estate sales or car boot sales :(

[@1pcfred]

@@obdacz the secondary market is definitely regional. Some places it is viable and many locations it is not. So if you're one of those places where it's not good then going on tool buying junkets is not unreasonable. You just have to plan on spending a fair amount and really stocking up. There are people that will buy shipping containers of tools.

[@arnoldkotlyarevsky383]

I live in CO. How do I find a flea market or similar in my area?? I would love to waste a few days looking through old tools.

[@HermannKerr]

I really like in person auctions which the Covid Pandemic sadly killed. My favourite auction house has gone online and the auctioneer says he is never going back. Before this change I made a real killer deal when the auctioneer was calling for $65 dollars on a box of planes. I had looked at them and I had for the purpose the same planes I had at home, though there were some better crafted ones and one of those planes was in my collection. I couldn't let it go for that price so I raise my bidding card and won the lot. So I kept the best planes and put the replacements and duplicates up on Craig's list. I got a bite from a fellow who restores old planes and resells them and he accepted my price and and he asked "do you have any other planes for sale?". I had picked up a box at a barn sale quite a few years back for this sweet little pocket plane (one of my all time favourites) and in that box was a Jack plane with a corrugated base for planing green wood with pitch content but it had a broken frog. I wasn't going to throw it away so I stuffed it away. When I pulled the plane out and showed it to him, I could tell that he was really excited and he was trying to stay calm and he said "how much to you want for it?" and I just gave it to him. My good turn for the day and I got rid of a piece of clutter.

[@Ackbarfangirl]

Yeah I’m off in person fairs and what not. Everyone’s just sick and hacking up their third lungs all the time it’s a bit off putting tbh lol. Glad I don’t have a huge need for a ton more planes prices are toooo high online

[@sbcinema]

Some of my tools are well over a hundred years old, the quality is simply superior. Here in Germany you can often find real treasures for next to nothing

[@ikust007]

At the AA…?;)

[@ericcarabetta1161]

Are all these just for display? They're all rusty and old there's no way they are still sharp and usable.

[@azurplex]

"Stanley" name vintage tools a re waaaay overpriced. Doesn't matter if they're rusted all the way back to iron ore. Unfortunate.

[@HdtvTh]

If you don't live in the US or UK there's no reason to bother with stanley planes period, they are not that great anyway, just get one of those semi premium planes which you don't need to flatten or wooden planes which are easy to flatten and all countries have old wooden planes. Also 0 reason to bother with backsaws or western hands saws for the prices, when frame saw blades are 10$ and japanese saws even resharpenable ones are below 50$. Honestly frames saws are bigger, faster, and thinner kerf on top of that, and japanese saws are probably better for fine work or the same but cheaper.

[@1pcfred]

Some Stanley planes are pretty great.

[@HdtvTh]

@@1pcfred They are not over 100$ sort of great, at that price i'd rather just buy a 50$ iron and make the plane myself, which will most definitively be better.

[@1pcfred]

@@HdtvTh the planes that cost a lot are rare collectibles. They're not the tools anyone needs to work with.

[@HdtvTh]

Outside the US and UK stanley is not very popular to non existent and the only place to buy is ebay and shipping alone can go up to 50$. I know it most come as a shock that the vast majority of the world considers metal planes a gimmick and doesn't care at all about stanley, but it is what it is.

[@1pcfred]

@@HdtvTh metal planes are no gimmick. I have wooden planes and they're OK. For fine work metal is where it's at.

[@N1gel]

Your so WRONG. STANLEY was a manufacturer of superìor / high / sought-after prestigue professional Quality wood crafting tools back in the mid 1950s to my memory / knowledge. Stanley hasnt suddenly become collectable, Stanley has always been cherished by people that have an affinity to good tools.

[@TomBuskey]

The price of used tools going up means incentive for making new tools for these users. It will keep Veritas, Lie Neilsen, Grammercy, Crucible, Bad Axe and others in the game.

[@ericsachs2157]

That’s a good point, and there are two other benefits of rising prices. First, people who find tools are more likely to sell them and less likely to throw them away; for example, a family cleaning out the garage of a deceased relative. Second, the people who already have a bunch of tools they don’t use are less likely to grow their horde. So if you’re new to woodworking, it sucks that the average price has gone up. But it’s better to have lots of $30 Stanleys on the market, rather than no $10 Stanleys on the market. At the end of the day, a complete woodworking kit is still very financially accessible.

[@christ9359]

@@ericsachs2157 now do gasoline during a natural disaster 😉

[@patrickmullane30]

Absolutely my first thought!❤

[@egbluesuede1220]

I also love the hunt, but additionally, I love meeting people who appreciate vintage tools.

[@ArniesTech]

Yep, the thrill of the chase is just as satisfying :)

[@alyssa2242]

What you say is good info for people in the US, but places like giant shows and markets that you get your deals don't exist in most places and anything you can find is just old junk, nothing of quality or "vintage". The amount of people on Reddit and other forums who just say buy used, go to estate sales, or just get a used one, when asking about saving money with tools is frustrating, as if they think I can just make elderly woodworkers die at will. Most places simply don't have the sort of population demographic to have thousands of vintage tools just hanging around to be sold at scrap price by uninformed family, plus basically anything of value is easily identified and marked up to stupid prices because we have the Internet now.

[@pierrea6371]

Hey Rex, i started woodworking about 2 years ago, mostly thanks to you and Paul sellers. I'm living in France and the market is quite different but I found out that my first tools needed to be cheap (1€ per saw or chisels and about 50€ per plane) but my opinion changed with practice. Old french tools are far from having the quality of the English one. The latest are hard to find at a reasonable price. But I find record ones worth an extra 15 euros if the price is still reasonable. After a little bit of practice, i invested in good brands like Kirschen for chisels, pax for saws, veritas and lie nielsen for planes. For 85 € I got a very nice Pax panel saw which would have cost me about 50€ for a vintage one. This is not worth the repeair effort and time nor the risk to find out the tool condition is beyond repair. For a few extra euros I got a veritas router plane instead of a record vintage one. I got most of my cheap tools out of the workshop, i keep them for outside, little care work. I'm gradually moving my stanley tools to record (or lie nielse/veritas if the vintage price is not acceptable). I also build Chris Schwartz anarchist toolchest and all my tools have to fit in it. So i'm not tempted to buy a tool and I don't need. Just to say that in France, it seems that flea market is good for beginners but when feeling comfortable, it's better to move to good brands for most tools. And at that time, it's better to have a few good tools than a lot of unreliable ones (some of my first chisels never stay charp long enough for cutting a mortise..)

[@zafarsyed6437]

Hey Rex! That was great! I am however really impressed that you broke your vow and actually bought an old level!

[@Jishop]

I know this man, im the random kid that everybody called my name when you asked who wanted to build or break things

[@ArniesTech]

Luckily, here in Germany 🇩🇪 we have a really healthy flea market culture. Next time I will look out for vintage hand tools 💪🙏

[@kallewirsch4187]

Yeah, but its hard to find good tools on these markets. My guess is that most antique tools got melted into weapons during world war 2.

[@ArniesTech]

@@kallewirsch4187 Probably. However, I consider post war tools like from the 60s 70s 80s and 90s vintage as well. :)

[@schm4704]

I like the "train your eye" angle. That's exactly what I think when I pretty quickly browse a flea market. After a while, you just see at first glance which vendors are worth checking out for tools.

[@markluxton3402]

I just dug out my grandfathers old Stanley level to clean it up. I was just going to steel wool everything and apply some linseed oil, like I did with another non branded not quite as nice of one, but, just like the one you bought, there is a lot of brass with steel screws. I have decided instead to completely dissemble mine to do a proper cleaning. I can then clean and treat the wood more easily, and polish the brass parts. My Stanley level is almost exactly the same as yours, but nicer ;-) It has three bubble levels and the two in the center of the body are adjustable 🙂 BTW I got digging around in dark places in my 120+ year old house and 50+ year old shop, and found some more irons and a really fancy wooden rabbit plane. I found a bunch of chisels that I think are for this fancy very adjustable rabbit plane; soaking these in oil for now. Found another block plane that I cleaned and trued and sharpened today. I found this one iron that only has about a half inch of metal left for sharpening, and it is still sharp. Someone used that iron a long time I imagine. Here is a tip for you Rex. When you must strike cast iron to take something apart, use either a brass drift or brass hammer...bronze may be better. This will cut down on that cracking impact you get from steel on steel. Another tip. Brass looking wire wheels are sometimes not brass. Get the real brass wheels. Your tips are very useful Rex.

[@rpower1401]

Good video but was torture to me watching it. Where I am the availability of vintage tools is very limited. No big tool sales within 1000km, local antique shops are a rip off and most don't have a good selection of tools. Only source regularly is the random web listing on the local classifieds which are descended upon by many a buyer and frequently requires a long drive to get to them.

[@thethirdman225]

Damned collectors... I was lucky but we don't have anywhere near the variety of outlets and markets you have in the United States. And your prices are much more reasonable than ours.

[@leeroyholloway4277]

TV shows like Pickers and Antiques Roadshow have everyone thinking that their junk is worth it's weight in gold.

[@alvagoldbook2]

Hey Rex. That skew plane is pretty cool. I have the fairly rare Stanley 289. I had to buy a 78 fence and depth stop to complete it, but as a bit of a newb, I’m having a really hard time adjusting the blade. I’ve also not found much of anything on KZbin about this plane. I was wondering if I could send you mine, might make for a fun video about skew planes.

[@nurinuri2665]

Help this guy out my man

[@johngreen1776]

The old made in the USA tools are far superior to these new Chinese tools. The Chinese tools are fine for a person who uses tools occasionally, but for daily use, they are subpar.

[@GeorgeLowrey]

I bought my first used tool recently, a Millers Falls 2A Hand Drill. The look and quality are superlative. New counterparts simply don't compare. The 2A.works very well. Now I'm looking for more tools in the used market.

[@charlesmckinley29]

A lot of people don’t know the Miller Falls name so sell them for les than Stanley. Miller Falls made some excellent tools.

[@malcolmsmith5903]

I'm in Scotland but have noticed for some years that US ebay prices seem to be more tilted at the collectable/ornamental market. UK prices are still decent. I've had Stanley #4s, 4 1/2, 78 & record #43 all complete from £12-24, a boxed #4 @28 and a record 71 router @72. So yeah 2 sides to ebay. I think you're wise targeting sellers that either sell or take it home. Outlets will track eBay

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

Hi Rex. The problem here in UK is that people know that Stanley tools earned a well deserved reputation for solid quality. What they don't get is that is was 'way back when'. So, tools made after that era of quality are being thought of as 'Stanley' only and not on their more modern lower quality. It means that even almost new second hand tools are often way over-valued by people selling them who don't know about that distinction. They will not budge on their prices (which suits me fine because I wouldn't buy them used anyway; I'd just go and buy them new...if I wanted them that much).

[@alyssa2242]

In Australia anything that is old is marked as "vintage" even though it's literal junk and listed for 10x more than anyone should ever pay for it.

[@АлександрМакрушин-и3в]

Man, You BEST woodworker on KZbin ever!)

[@asdfdfggfd]

Easily one of the best wood working channels. Rex turned me onto hand planes and chisels at a time I was looking at a Festool saw, and I have never looked back.

[@danwittmayer6539]

That Challenge Hand Plane is so beautiful from a sculptural standpoint!

Thanks for another Interesting video Rex, although the situation in the UK is subtly different, the trend is similar ! I bought most of my tools on eBay prior to Covid and got some decent deals although not the $1 dollar prices you see, they're considerably more expensive now, but still relatively good value unless you catch a bad-un ! I paid £12-£15 for my Stanley/Record no 4s in good condition back in 2020 and they're now mostly £20-£25 now ! As I tell my wife "they're an investment !" 😉😁 All woodworkers have a duty to buy more braces than the really need to stop them being made into "steampunk" desk lamps ! 😡🤬 Cheers, AndyC.

[@concddad]

Nice to know there's still places to go and get fixable tools inexpensively. I did notice that there were two hidden costs though: 1) Rex's extensive skill at restoring tools - a beginner unfamiliar with metal or woodworking might well mess up a tool or two; and 2) Rex travelled to the sale and rented a hotel room. Despite its working class origins as a profession, woodworking as a hobby is going to have a significant start up cost and, for some people, and insurmountable space and/or noise cost. Some people may just not be able to afford these. In other words, woodworking as a hobby might not work for a lot of people working hourly jobs these days. America's glory days of a house for all with either a basement or garage are long gone. I sure do appreciate Rex and others' efforts to lower these barriers as much as possible.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

I love haunting antique and second hand stores looking for good old tools. Only thing better is used book stores for woodworking and boat building books. Have a great weekend Rex and thank you for all of the videos.

[@charlesmckinley29]

Half-Price Books is a dangerous place.😎

[@Dimythios]

Scalpers FROM Generation FAIL. SHORT TERM MINDSET. SHORT TERM PROFITS.

[@thatguythatdoesstuff5899]

One big thing that's getting those prices up is being able to take a picture of an item and doing an image search. Thanks to that everyone can learn how much their things are going for.

[@davidgagnon2849]

Sadly, most people use the ASKING price, not the SOLD price.

[@thatguythatdoesstuff5899]

@@davidgagnon2849 yes, exactly. On many sites items that are already sold can't be seen anymore, so they only see the items that are still for sale with the asking price. But to be honest I'm guilty of that as well.

[@DrCRAZYde]

Uff, sometimes i think i live in the wrong contry. I live in Germany and i buy my router plane (Stanley) from eBay (in england) for 320 british pound. (~ 370 €) but never used, completed in a box.

[@Oldtimeytools]

That $1 box of chisels had a 720 stanley! It’s basically the original Lie Nielsen! Awesome video

[@rogerbradbury9713]

Not woodworking tools, but when I needed Whitworth spanners and sockets for working on a 1950s motorcycle I'd just bought, I went to a tractor club's autojumble (I'm in England) and came home with over 30 spanners; I'd spent £30. With spanners, sockets and the like, when looking for good quality tools I just look to see if it has a maker's name on it. But if it just says "drop forged" on the handle or states what it's made of, it's rubbish.

[@scottmartin7717]

My flea market brace buying checklist, most important to least: Mechanically sound (all 3 ratchet positions work - two of them click, Jaws are present and work) Rosewood or some other fine, exotic hardwood Nickle-plating, or chrome Decent brand, stanley or Miller's falls Not saying I agree with it but a Stanley sweetheart marking gauge in good condition will go all day on eBay for 10 bucks or more I just got a Stanley decal level! Someone drilled a hanging hole through the big decal though :(

[@edwardtagg]

Bit scummy for try and ask 5 dollars on a transitional plane. At 10 bucks, hes giving it to you already. Have some humility.

[@azurplex]

18:10 Whoa, I'd buy that. It's definitely unique looking. Like a metal 'wooden' plane, a transitional design. Is the iron right side up? Some are bevel up designs. It's got a much better tote, that'll never split.

[@gregmislick1117]

I can vouch - stopped at a garage sale last weekend, 1 Stanley Handyman N0. 4 - $1.00 and a Grants No. 4 Stanley clone - $1.00 The plan for the handyman is to tune it up and pay it forward to someone who wants to start and has a low budget .. The Grants, well, I've never heard of it and it looks like it might feel very nice - I will either keep it or pay it forward or - gasp - sell it!

[@dirtfloor_woodshop]

Recently made a haul at a flea market, I got a box of chisels for 15.00 dollars. I got 30 in all including 3 antiques and a Sorby lathe chisel. The tip I have is be around when they are packing up for the day, that's prime time for a deal.

[@charlesmckinley29]

Be careful of lathe tools they can create a vortex that can quickly empty your wallet!

[@ramingr]

Being from Greece, it has always been super difficult to get good vintage tools. Seeing what is happening on ebay, I'm really glad I got to more or less a complete set of tools for myself before this 😐

[@nicmasterdude]

Ramin!!! Glad to see you are well! Missed you on the forum!

[@ramingr]

@@nicmasterdude Thanks so much, Nic! I've missed you people too and hope you're all well :)

[@ominguti6345]

I wish we had such flea markets here in Poland. Unfortunately we don't (at least we're I'm at). Woodworking tool-wise I got my best cheap and good vintage tools on ebay from US and Japan(yes postage did cost more than the tools purchase prices, they are all well worth it). I had a lot more luck getting local made good quality vintage metalworking tools via local online ads. Also some general purpose household tools like saws, chisels, a brace and brace bits(usually German ones). It seems these days there are a lot of people that want to sell a broken brace bit online for 20 euro, but now and then deals are still possible to be found.

[@jasonhaymanonthedrawingboard]

I recently pick up a traditional fret saw. I was surprised to pick it up cheep. Just to give you an idea what the Brits are getting theses thing? I payed somewhere between £15-30. Ive wanted one for 10-15 years so one came along? I got it! It great when you get tools cheep!

[@B_COOPER]

Oh my god the sight of a plane touching asphalt is like walking the dog and he starts shitting at the “perfect lawn” neighbors and you realize you didn’t bring doggie bags

[@earthsciteach]

I'll definitely be checking the Hershey show out next year. I'm only about 40 miles away. Never thought about there being wood working tools at the meet.

[@christianpatton142]

Is a lot of nostalgia around Stanley stuff. TBH I've never had a bad Stanley product so Stanley's enduring popularity makes a lot of sense to me.

[@78779]

Most vintage tools aren’t worth buying to use seriously. Planes that are often warped. Chisels bent and butchered. Saws rusty. Why bother. Not worth your time unless they’re close to free.

[@CleaveMountaineering]

There was an estate sale here, two phases different weekends. The old boy was a real hoarder (or is that historic preservationist?). I went a few times, and paid normal good prices for a number of things, but the very last day, it was $1 per item (unless marked). I got a wooden jointer plane, a couple hollow/round planes, a Disston ripsaw and ship pattern saw, plus other things. The day before I picked up 2 Stanley #7s for $20 each as well. Also some good lumber for $8. Learn to fix up and sharpen good handsaws too.

[@kestutisbagusauskas8323]

$20, Rex? Give you $10, that´s a 50% return! You can´t complain about that!

[@warwickmudge4114]

Mate I'm an Aussie and I've been chasing old tools since I was really young and your dead right old chisels great steel,much better than most modern ones, once you get away from the bullshit 'antique ' stalls and don't mind a bit of re- sharpening and cleaning old tools are the way too go, now stop giving away all my secrets! Old diston saws are a great buy,and yeah the dealers are ruining over here too people think just because it's old it's 'collectable '

[@davidguenther8170]

The flea market dealers 'round these parts have always priced vintage tools at high prices. Everyone of those deals you got, would have been five times higher where I am.

[@ianbruce6515]

The Stanley tool thing is nuts. Stanley used to make good tools--but for decades they have been making utter crap--untill really recently, when they are starting to turn that around.

[@Oldtimeytools]

Don’t just pick a 1 brace! I have 1 brace for each auger 😂 I never ever remove the auger, always at hand

[@heru-deshet359]

I can get them at a few of my honey holes where they don't know the real value of vintage tools.I've built up my collection this way.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty nice findings, Rex! 😃 I need to start looking for tools again... But there's no money left right now. 😂 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@1pcfred]

No money is the best way to get old tools.

[@calumhunter815]

I have half a dozen old wooden planes - happy to forward a photo if you have friend that may be interested. [Inc. grooving and rebate.]

[@thomasrichards9219]

picked up a stanley No 7c for FIFTEEN bucks at an estate sale...yes there are good deals still out there.

[@monsterman51]

You obviously do not live here in Texas. Most of the old woodworking tools are rare and most people are asking a pretty penny for most of them. Only upon a rare occasion are they cheap.

[@emm_arr]

Yeah. I picked up a Stanley No.5 for a mere £15 recently. So pleased.

[@JakePlisskin12]

My conscience will not let me rip off some old lady. I always have to be honest and up front about how much something is actually worth before i get away with a killer deal

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

I have been going to flea markets for a while now. After months of going to the same flea market I found out that there was a vender going there at 6AM and buyer up everything and then putting it at his booth. After ditching that flea market and going to another flea market I found a jem, a 28 inch boys axe, no 71 Stanley no 4, Stanley no 5 and an Ohio 05. All of this cost me around 50 bucks.

[@TheSuburbanGarageWorkshop]

It was a great surprise to bump into you at Hershey! I've already put that heavy wood mallet into use.

[@marklazaroff7213]

Given that you are in northeast Ohio, how about a report on the Colonial Homestead in Millersburg? I assume that you have been there.

[@alandesgrange9703]

I do estate sales and flea markets. Seems the pricing follows Ebay pricing. Sellers go on Ebay, and find a restored or mint condition item, and then apply that pricing to a rusted up piece of junk. I usually try to educate them.

[@1pcfred]

Nope. The street ain't ebay. People shopping on ebay are making money while they're shopping. They're at work goofing off. Plus you can rip sellers off on ebay. All you have to do is dispute the sale and you've gotten whatever for free. I won't buy or sell anything on ebay today. Place is a total scam.

[@alandesgrange9703]

@@1pcfred I do some selling and have never had a problem. Must be woodworking people have integrity.

[@evan12697]

“THATTS A STANLEY I KNOW WHAT I GOT” - car show boomer

[@pjbloodfist7198]

I just searched it up on ebay and Stanley marking gouges are about 10 dollars

[@kennyginn1577]

Hey Rex, I did a quick google search on that Challenge hand plane and found one, just one. There wasn't a price on it and they wanted me to subscribe to get it, so I passed. The guy said it was very rare and that he'd never seen one before either. it was complete though.

[@David-fv7zg]

You were in Hershey? Jeez, should have dropped in for lunch.

[@davidandrews5215]

Cool and in the state of Pa my backyard well at least a 3 hour drive . If you ever get the chance come to Hazen flea market .