Flickr Pool: The Mother Lode
By Audra Heaslip
TM reader Noel C. Hankamer recently posted pics* in the Flickr pool of his massive treasure trove of “old, rusty tools” — all purchased from a single local source. According to Noel’s photo captions, wrenches, saws, levels, planes, valve tools, coffee grinders, grease guns, screwdrivers, jacks, and a kerosene blowtorch were among the collection. We at Toolmonger offer you a hearty congratulations on this great find, sir!
And one last question: if other Toolmongers came across a similar diamond-mine-in-the-rough, what would you be most pleased to find in there? I’d personally go for anything related to musical instruments — horns, guitars, drum keys, etc. Let us know in comments!
*Thanks to Flickr user Noel C. Hankamer for use of the great cc-licensed photo!
March 29th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
I’m a knife guy myself. I would love to find a collection of old knives made during the late 1800s or early 1900s.
March 29th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
My great grandfather was a woodworker by trade. Last year I inherited all his tools…in a wooden tool chest that he custom built himself to hold all his tools. There’s got to be at least a hundred tools in it!
Right now, I barely have room to store the chest, let alone take out every single tool just to admire them!
If I ever find time, I’ll take them all out and take a picture of everything to upload. I recognize most of them and even remember using some of them as a child. Some, however I have no clue about.
March 29th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I’d be pleased to find any tools related to crosscut saws or axes.
March 29th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Old portable power tools always make my day, along with gas powered oddities, like a Homelite gas powered circular saw, or washing machine, Lister motors are fun to find too.
March 31st, 2010 at 9:11 am
If there is anybody in the SF Bay Area who is interested, there is a guy who is usually at the Bernal Heights Flea Market, in SF, on Sundays, who seems to have and endless supply of vintage tools…lots of specialty upholstery, jewelery and leatherworking stuff, among other things. Lots of regular tool vendors, too.
The Capitol Flea Market in San Jose is great for tools, too.
April 5th, 2010 at 9:42 am
The problem with fleamarket tools is how do know they are not stolen? Unfortunately that’s a pretty likely possibility, though I suppose less so for really old stuff.