Antique Rusty Cast Iron Tools - Many of Them... (w/pics)

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

I don't mean to disappoint the metal detecting folks, but I bought these out of a decrepit smokehouse from an old timer today for $25.00

People love these things for some reason. They like to hang them up in their lake cabins, workshops, and barns. I'm really not that into them but I need some items like this to put in my booth.

The old man said that to remove the rust I should soak them in a 50/50 mix of diesel and kerosene. Anyone ever heard of this method? It sounds dangerous.

I got some pipe wrenches, an old Stanley bubble level w/copper box, RR spikes, 2 meat grinders, old doorknobs and locks, pulleys, some kind of hand propelled grinder(?), clamps, files, a t-square, old bucket, tin snips, a vise, socket wrenches, and a bunch of other stuff. Some stuff I don't even know what the heck it does. Got a nice weather vane and two old wooden boxes as well...

If anyone sees anything I am overlooking please let me know. I don't really know a lot about this stuff other than people will buy it at the antique mall.

Y'all like pics around here so here ya' go...

 

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[clovis97]

You see the locking pliers under the Stanley square and the pipe wrenches?

That one could be worth $$$.

Take some time to look it up. Good chance that I'm wrong, but it is definitely worth researching.

 

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[clovis97]

It looks like someone owned a Ford at sometime.

Tell-tale signs:

1. Half moon wrench...for Ford starters, right? I had a Snap-On version one time that sold for $25.

2. The adjustable wrench that you have laid out with the pipe wrenches. If it is smooth jawed, it is and adjustable wrench. Does it have a Ford logo on it? These were issued with new cars in the tool kits, but were also sold in HUGE numbers by after-market companies. If it is an after-market, maybe worth $3.

3. See the high arched open end wrench with a closed end hex head on it? Look for a Ford logo on the highest part of the arch. I think it is a Ford wrench that came in the tool kit for a Model T. These are for removing the head...so it is a head wrench, I think. Google the numbers cast on the back near the open end side to see what it really fit. This wrench may only have a circle M on the back side, but I'm not sure if that is an after-market made by the same supplier to Ford, or if it was issued that way in Ford tool kits. I've seen similar examples that were tractor wrenches too, so don't be surprised if it comes up as an 8N or 9N wrench. Not worth much, but cool....$10 at the most?

 

[clovis97]

Check the ferell on the wood handled screw drivers and see if they are marked Stanley.

I wouldn't know exactly what the screw driver for a Stanley 45 or 55 looked like, but those can be worth $$$ if you can ever find one in decent shape that was originally issued with the 45 and 55 planes. I've seen them bring $100 on ebay when 45's and 55's were hot.

Of course, Stanly made millions of wood screwdrivers too, but just by chance...it should only take you a few minutes on ebay to research.

 

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

Thanks for all the valuable information Clovis! I sold the Stanley Cherry-Wood Level w/Copper Case today for $35.00

I will check the wrenches closer in the AM, but I haven't seen any marked 'Ford' as yet. I have seen a few of those before, but I don't think I have one in this batch.

When I went back the other day to get the soda bottles (another smokehouse thread) I got the brace for the bits. Has the wooden knob. I also got an oil-squirting can and one of those old canister blow-torch things with a wooden handle. Will post pics and update on the markings tomorrow.

 

[TURNMASTER]

I have never seen a hand crank bench grinder. That is a cool piece.
Other stuff there is cool level and weather vane. For me though the bench grinder.

Jeff

 

[clovis97]

Wow...you got $35 for a Stanley level? I am surprised. That copper case was super cool though...I would have bought it just for the case.

 

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

Wow...you got $35 for a Stanley level? I am surprised. That copper case was super cool though...I would have bought it just for the case.

Yeah, the guy was really buggin' out about it lol! He saw it and just had to have the thing. I think the box must have been purchased separately because there was about 2-3" of space w/the 18" level in it. It looked to be "hand made" but I could be wrong. I will have to post the brace and blowtorch pics tomorrow. They are still out on the porch in a box full of spiders.

 

[clovis97]

Thanks for all the valuable information Clovis! I sold the Stanley Cherry-Wood Level w/Copper Case today for $35.00

I will check the wrenches closer in the AM, but I haven't seen any marked 'Ford' as yet. I have seen a few of those before, but I don't think I have one in this batch.

When I went back the other day to get the soda bottles (another smokehouse thread) I got the brace for the bits. Has the wooden knob. I also got an oil-squirting can and one of those old canister blow-torch things with a wooden handle. Will post pics and update on the markings tomorrow.

Sometimes the Ford markings can be really faint. I just love old Ford wrenches...but I am addicted to tools!

Most of the old braces had a wooden knob on top. Most of them are marked somewhere on the steel arm. Those can sometimes drive a person crazy finding the marking, mainly due to rust. They are pretty common, and hard to sell for me at $4.

I wish more people understood the value of having a brace with bits. They are unbelievably handy if you are open to them. Most people think that if it isn't operated with electric, it isn't worth owning. It is a shame in my opinion.

I do think you should try to fire up the old blow torch. I'm too scared to try one!!!!

 

[clovis97]

Wow...you got $35 for a Stanley level? I am surprised. That copper case was super cool though...I would have bought it just for the case.

Yeah, the guy was really buggin' out about it lol! He saw it and just had to have the thing. I think the box must have been purchased separately because there was about 2-3" of space w/the 18" level in it. It looked to be "hand made" but I could be wrong. I will have to post the brace and blowtorch pics tomorrow. They are still out on the porch in a box full of spiders.

The case looked hand made to me too.

Some antique tool collectors just go nuts over that stuff. You can buy pristine antique tools, but where are you going to find a case like that one?

It wouldn't surprise me if he might not be able to resell it for even more money, but you are going to have to sell it at a tool meet, which is pretty specialized.

You did good at that price though.

 

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

The main reason I picked up the brace was so I could possibly (?) make it a large set complete w/all the bits. Or, should I peddle them separately? IDK...

 

[cyberborikua]

Nice tools for 25 bucks. To clean the corrosion out you may like to try Naval Jelly Rust Remover. Find it at your local hardware for a few bucks.

 

[clovis97]

The main reason I picked up the brace was so I could possibly (?) make it a large set complete w/all the bits. Or, should I peddle them separately? IDK...

I've been flea marketing for many years, and I'm afraid that the bits and brace are going to be a hard sell.

I price common braces at $4, and they sit for eons, unsold. Common bits sell for 50 cents to $1 each, and they don't sell well either.

It is hard to find braces and bits at antique tool shows because they don't sell unless they are rare and pristine. I do know that a full, complete, super nice set of bits can bring $$$ on ebay...or at least they used to...but you better have the original box or pouch.

Of course, this is just me and my market, and I am no expert.

Too bad that most people have no idea how fast and easy a brace and bit will cut a hole. Those things are the handiest tools in the world if you are of the mentality that tools have to be electric powered to be any good.

 

[cyberborikua]

I have a question. The 7 spike-looking tools on the left, what kind of a tool are those?

 

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

Those are RR spikes.

 

[cyberborikua]

Those are RR spikes.

Thanks. RR stands for railroad? Also, is it possible to establish the age range of those spikes?