In case you didn’t catch the post last week of my newest vintage Craftsman find, I enjoy collecting vintage tools. When it comes to collecting tools or anything else, I don’t do so because I think they’re valuable or might someday be valuable. I collect things that I like, things that I enjoy owning.
I’m somewhat of a nostalgic person, so when it comes to vintage tools, I like to imagine what kind of work the previous owner/owners did with them. I wonder things like: what did they fix with the tool?; where did they purchased it?; did they take pride in it?; were they hesitant to loan it out?; did they have a monthly tool budget?; things like that. To me, it all comes back to the nostalgic feeling of watching my dad work with his tools.
So that brings me to my question – do YOU collect vintage tools? C’mon, this is not the time to be shy!
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Adam
I love vintage tools! There is something neat about getting a 100 year old tool, that you know was used by a craftsman back in the day, that is still functional.
I just picked up some old wood chisels and hand planes from the 1920s this past weekend. All they need is a little elbow grease to remove some rust and a resharpening and they’ll perform as good as new. As cliche as it sounds I believe they really don’t make tools like they used to.
PutnamEco
Does it count if the tools you own turn vintage?
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Re;
There is something neat about getting a 100 year old tool.
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Is that vintage or antique? In most of the collectors communities I’m familiar with vintage (or classic in the case of cars where vintage would be for cars produced between1919 to 1925 before mass production took place ) is defined as at least 25 years old, antique is anthying 75 years or older.
Yes, I do have a bunch of old(vintage) tools. Some from my grandfather, some of my fathers, and some from my youth.
Chris R.
I don’t collect vintage tools, but I do have what I beleive is an old 1941 Dunlap Drillpress, still works and runs smoothly, might be missing parts though.
What exactly does one do with old tools that aren’t valuable to most people but mean something to those that like vintage tools?
If vintage is >25 years then I also have a 1978 RAS that my father used to build their house, and I’ve used to build garage storage and a shop-bench. a pity these machines aren’t widely available anymore, that thing is wonderful!!
Chris R.
since I’ve been looking around for more info on this proll press here is something you might enjoy: http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id116.html
Stuart
Chris, thanks for the reminder. We’ve talked about Rose Antique Tools before – they’re a great resource!
fred
I don’t specifically collect vintage or antique tools – but have some just the same:
Walker Turner 40’s vintage 1100 drill press
Oliver straight line rip saw
Oster (yeah like the blender) pipe threading machines
Dewalt 16 inch RAS
Several PC sanders, routers and saws – bearing the Rockwell nameplate
Old Thor and Skil drills – when Skil was a full-line supplier
Old Yankee push drills and screwdrivers and bit braces – and RJ auger bits
Some 1920-40’s vintage Stanley Planes
Some old Atkins and Disston hand saws
Several vintage railroad and riggers jacks
– all of this still used – probably more if I looked over the shop floors.
Then there is the stuff – vintage and new – that we’d probably be better off scrapping – but keep in the shop basement as reminders of times past
carey powell
looking for rockwell compactool table saw model34-200 thanks
Anita Ward
I know it has been almost 5 years, but do still want a rockwell compactool table saw model 34-200? We have one that was recently used. What will give us for it?
carey powell
yes still would like to buy a Rockwell 34-200 saw. any pictures would be great . Thank you
carey powell
Yes Anita Ward I’d be interested
carey powell
send me some pictures thank you Anita
Michael
Isn’t that the Direct Drive model ?
carey powell
Hi Michael yes it is direct drive I believe the saw was made around 1964 but that’s a guess . Do you have any pics of the saw . Thank you for contacting me. Carey Powell
Michael
I don’t think i have any pics at the momment , the saw is currently on the job site chewing through 1600 bf of plank flooring. The one i have is a 1957 fully functional , the only thing missing is the blade guard .I can send you pics and video of it in action. On Monday.
Frank Murch
Collecting tools is a bit of an obsession
It takes time. Finding interesting tools starts out fast, but as you collect more and more, the common “finds” get put away and a deeper search for the rare and unusual starts. I have been collecting for years and I have had a number of tools pop up after looking for them for years.
It is interesting to learn about the history.
Annie
I got into vintage tool collecting about two years ago. I’m a big fan of the Steampunk genre and as such I kept a lookout for old tools and items I could use as decor to match that genre. It started with a two foot, rusty old wrench I found at a garage sale for ten bucks, after that I went to every yard sale, flea market and website I could to find these old tools. Rust just gave them character for me, and made them match the decor better. It’s still a small selection but I love it and I’m always looking for more.
Ken
Where is a good place to sell vintage power hand tools? I have a couple of 1960’s(?) tools that I want to sell, but would like sell to someone that wants and appreciates the old stuff.
Ronald Carlson
I have a Craftsman 11mm 3/8 shallow 12 Point with 44309 and Inverted Letter “G” , and a 12mm 3/8 shallow 6 Point with 43544 and Inverted “G” . Is the Inverted ” G ” a different series , a bit of History would be Helpfull if you are still active as a collector.
Peter Skaar
I found a Thor circular saw 6inch model 1a. S/n 183009.It has a green box with Thor on front and has manuals and tool.Need to know what year it is from. Is it collectable.Thanks.
Renee
Came across an old pair of craftsman Sears Roebuck and Company vintage hair clippers in my grandmothers belongings. Hand operated like scissors. Very strange. Any one know the story behind these?
carey powell
Wanting to buy Rockwell Compactool saw model 34-200 or possibly a Craftsman model 113.221620 8 inch direct drive bench top table saw. Thank you
Shawn
I’ve got myself an absolutely mint 1993 Dewalt D945K-04 cordless drill, in a tin box with all the packaging, instructions still in plastic and the tool never touched! This has to be the creme de la creme of all collectors finds, it is honestly as if it was bought from the store yesterday! I wish I could add a picture to show this thing off!
Ken Mielke
Need some advice. I have a old Kett Saw, Model KS-1AM. I imagine it was purchased in the 1950s or early 60s. I have the original box, instructions, 9 circular blades and wrenches/allen wrenches to use with this product. It works well and is in good shape. I inherited it – I don’t have a use for it and want to find it a good home.
Thanks.
Michael
I have a Makita 7 1/4 circular saw that does not seem to exist nor can i find any information online about it , Model # 5007nlkx , the saw is in new in the case , never opened it is not in the now common clam shell case , but a vertical plastic case like a file box . If it helps the saw came with a 25 foot Makita tape like the saw it also has never been been outside the plastic case , and i believe the saw is over 20 years old . I do not want to break the seal on the case….. though my curiousity is dangerously high.
Karen Rustman
I have several vintage power drills – some are Black and Decker – they all have metal casing and are at least 25 years old. Please can anyone advise as to that to do with them – any interest? Thank you
John Bell
I have a 300watt percussion drill with a 3/8″ chuck, made for Rawlplug company. It had extensive use in the late 60s – early 70s, but has been sitting under the bench ever since. Having a clear out – if nobody wants it, it will go for scrap.
Larry Samuel
I have a pair of cast iron Craftsman work bench legs. They are about 60-70# each and have Craftsman molded into the framework. It has arms for a back board and cross members for a shelf on the bottom. It also has wheels. I can not find any kind of info on these anywhere,what I would love to know is when and maybe where and by whom these were made. Thanks in advance for any info I can get from you folks.
Have a great day ! Larry