Timeless Tools and Treasures

Tool shopping events are certainly limited in the winter up here, but we were invited to the home of a collector last weekend and acquired a few nice planes, saws and measuring tools. He is still working and using some of his hand tools, so would not let me buy all the ones I wanted. My favorite is this Birmingham No. 7 manufactured in CT 1899-91.

Also in this group is a rare No. 90, 60 1/2 and a 103. Not pictured: a nice clean Stanley No. 181 and a No. 75. The calipers and saws are yet to be photographed. At this point I must have three dozen assorted calipers and dividers from 3″ to 20″.  They are always popular at shows and useful for many trades and hobbies.

I’ve been enjoying that new series, “American Pickers” – it really captures the fun and challenges of finding treasures buried under piles of junk in dark barns and cellars. Everything they show is true – some people are grumpy and others are warm, friendly and sharing. Some people think they have valuable antiques and I have to tell them that the items are broken, missing pieces and commonly available in better condition. I advertise that I buy tools, so I get many interesting calls. Someone might say they have “hundreds of wood planes” that turn out to be mostly suitable for kindling. Others will forget that we have an appointment, or they have only a handful of items to show me after I have driven an hour to get there. Sometimes I have to take a whole garage full of stuff to get the “goodies,” but then I have items for my bargain boxes of $1 and $2 items at shows. My favorite items are some of the ones that are complete mysteries as to their purpose and history. Even with all my reference books, I can’t always determine the name of a tool. But, then it’s really fun to test my customers at antique shows – everyone like to show off what they know!