Replies

1. 
   Ted W. | Apr 26, 2009 10:13pm | #1

   Not bad... I think you've got me beat but not by a lot. My latest garage sale find is an old stanley wooden body smoothing plane in really nice condition, which I got for $10. I've used it a few times and it takes a ribbon off most woods like slicing butter. But mostly it sits on the shelf for display, since I'm more a power tool kinda guy.

   What I like most about garage, yard, estate, etc... sales it the older tools you find are often much higher quality than the junk you find on the store shelves today, unless you're ready to do some big spending. My brother goat a practically new condition Versaplane for $135, and turn around and sold it on eBay for over $400. He offered it to me for what he paid, until I told him what it was worth. =)

   ~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
   Meet me at House & Builder!

2. 
   JTC1 | Apr 26, 2009 10:41pm | #2

   Not near as good, but I was happy.

   Have Makita 4-1/2" grinder.

   Using DeWalt flap sanding discs - locking the shaft and hand tightening by the edge of the disc.  I figured sooner or later, one of these discs is going to jam in place and I won't be able to remove it.

   The DeWalt discs have a hex shaped nut-like casting on the top which will accept a very thin wrench to tighten / loosen the disc.

   Went to local flea market armed with a disc, in seach of an open end wrench which I could grind down to suitable thickness.

   Instead, found the wrench which DeWalt packs with their grinders - no grinding needed, perfect fit - 50 cents. They were asking $1 but jumped at my offer.  Made my day - have wrench and no grinder time needed.

   Jim 

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
3. 
   dude | Apr 27, 2009 12:03pm | #3

   I find yard sales better

   On sat found 7 pkgs sand paper unopened ( 100 sheets per package ) $ 20

   8 boxes wood veneer edging ( oak,burch & walnut ) $ 15 , walnut alone was origionally $56

   2 used spraying masks with 3 new boxes of replacement cartridges $15

   got a beautiful porter cable commercial electric plane with cutter sharpener & spare blade in steel case for $ 20

   24" german vernier in origional wooden case for $ 20

   I love estate yard sales , it seems relatives rarely know the value of quality tools & cash is king of the hill but you need a truck on good days

   I drive 25 miles to the city core to be there by 730 am so i can get first shot & i hit about 10 places & get home before lunch on a good day

   every year there is a giant yard sale in a specific section of the city that encompasses several sq miles

   at this sale you can buy everything from soup to nuts cheap

   I have never walked the whole thing as its too big & even attracts people from over a 100 miles away looking for deals

   I am sitting at a computer work station i bough there for $ 60 that came with the origional bill of sale for $ 650  2 years old

   theres nothing like a deal

    

    

    

4. 
   ronbudgell | Apr 28, 2009 11:06pm | #4

   Best recent flea market find was an old Irwin combination square for 50 cents.

   I had been using a yellow Stanley I had paid almost $30 for. I hated it. Flimsy feeling, sticky slide action, almost square, but not quite, the 45 degree angle was worse. The level vial fell out - no big deal, it wasn't quite level anyway. The lock shaft would loosen by itself and drop the square in three pieces out of my tool pouch. (I made a resolution many years ago to never buy any kind of Stanley measuring tool. I don't know why I broke it.)

   I compared the Irwin to an $80 Starret that a friend has. I couldn't see light between the two either at 90 or at 45. The level vial reads as level and nearly as sensitive as my Stabila torpedo level. The rule slides smoothly and easily and only when I want it to. And now I have a reference square I can use to check all the others.

   Ron