They definitely are. I went to a barn sale earlier this summer that my sister’s friend was having on behalf of her recently deceased father. It was the day before the public sale. His wood plane collection was jaw dropping, old mahogany, maple and steel versions. Molding, tongue and groove, you name it. All were $5 each. I bought everything and my trunk was literally full.
The first half of the ru-vid.comUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.
I like the "train your eye" angle. That's exactly what I think when I pretty quickly browse a flea market. After a while, you just see at first glance which vendors are worth checking out for tools.
Easily one of the best wood working channels. Rex turned me onto hand planes and chisels at a time I was looking at a Festool saw, and I have never looked back.
Hey Rex, i started woodworking about 2 years ago, mostly thanks to you and Paul sellers. I'm living in France and the market is quite different but I found out that my first tools needed to be cheap (1€ per saw or chisels and about 50€ per plane) but my opinion changed with practice. Old french tools are far from having the quality of the English one. The latest are hard to find at a reasonable price. But I find record ones worth an extra 15 euros if the price is still reasonable. After a little bit of practice, i invested in good brands like Kirschen for chisels, pax for saws, veritas and lie nielsen for planes. For 85 € I got a very nice Pax panel saw which would have cost me about 50€ for a vintage one. This is not worth the repeair effort and time nor the risk to find out the tool condition is beyond repair. For a few extra euros I got a veritas router plane instead of a record vintage one. I got most of my cheap tools out of the workshop, i keep them for outside, little care work. I'm gradually moving my stanley tools to record (or lie nielse/veritas if the vintage price is not acceptable). I also build Chris Schwartz anarchist toolchest and all my tools have to fit in it. So i'm not tempted to buy a tool and I don't need. Just to say that in France, it seems that flea market is good for beginners but when feeling comfortable, it's better to move to good brands for most tools. And at that time, it's better to have a few good tools than a lot of unreliable ones (some of my first chisels never stay charp long enough for cutting a mortise..)
The price of used tools going up means incentive for making new tools for these users. It will keep Veritas, Lie Neilsen, Grammercy, Crucible, Bad Axe and others in the game.
That’s a good point, and there are two other benefits of rising prices. First, people who find tools are more likely to sell them and less likely to throw them away; for example, a family cleaning out the garage of a deceased relative. Second, the people who already have a bunch of tools they don’t use are less likely to grow their horde. So if you’re new to woodworking, it sucks that the average price has gone up. But it’s better to have lots of $30 Stanleys on the market, rather than no $10 Stanleys on the market. At the end of the day, a complete woodworking kit is still very financially accessible.
I bought my first used tool recently, a Millers Falls 2A Hand Drill. The look and quality are superlative. New counterparts simply don't compare. The 2A.works very well. Now I'm looking for more tools in the used market.
I found a Starrett combination square. Very little rust so it cleaned up nicely. It is probably no more square than my 40 year old Craftsman, which is a good tool, but the Starrett is just a pleasure to use….
I love haunting antique and second hand stores looking for good old tools. Only thing better is used book stores for woodworking and boat building books. Have a great weekend Rex and thank you for all of the videos.
Found a Disston metal level at an antique near my place last year. Tag still on and hecka accurate , still has the leather case for transport. Well worth the 5$
I love antique stores for buying tools. Last year at a local antique market I got an old wooden jointer plane from Ohio Tool Co. that is about 30" long. What a beast!!! It was in almost perfect condition. Just had to sharpen it up and give the body a nice cleaning and refinishing. I think I paid about 30 bucks for it. What a deal! It's a beautiful plane all cleaned up. Perfect for display, and works amazing.
One big thing that's getting those prices up is being able to take a picture of an item and doing an image search. Thanks to that everyone can learn how much their things are going for.
@@davidgagnon2849 yes, exactly. On many sites items that are already sold can't be seen anymore, so they only see the items that are still for sale with the asking price. But to be honest I'm guilty of that as well.
That flea market is huge. I have been to rose bowl flea market in SoCal, and I saw 4 vendors with woodworking tools last time. I haven’t gone back there ever since and definitely not for $20 wary bird ticket.
I don't do a lot of hand woodworking with old hand tools, I am especially bad at planing. I loved your video because I do still hunt antiques, furniture or anything else I can use or repurpose. Thats what makes it so much fun.....the thrill of the hunt.
This is an insightful video. Your observation of prices jives with what I've seen in my similar years of woodworking. The shift in pricing and availability is spot on. When you gave the advice on learning the shape of the handplane to find tools, I felt like you were reading my mind. I sweep left and right and a good walking pace through a flea market hunting for shapes of interest.
I just paid £29 for a gorgeous Marples mortise gauge. Very dark rosewood or maybe ebony & brass. Its lovely in the hand. Cant wait to use it. Edit: spelling correction.
Hi Rex. The problem here in UK is that people know that Stanley tools earned a well deserved reputation for solid quality. What they don't get is that is was 'way back when'. So, tools made after that era of quality are being thought of as 'Stanley' only and not on their more modern lower quality. It means that even almost new second hand tools are often way over-valued by people selling them who don't know about that distinction. They will not budge on their prices (which suits me fine because I wouldn't buy them used anyway; I'd just go and buy them new...if I wanted them that much).
Recently made a haul at a flea market, I got a box of chisels for 15.00 dollars. I got 30 in all including 3 antiques and a Sorby lathe chisel. The tip I have is be around when they are packing up for the day, that's prime time for a deal.
One issue that doesn’t come up often is geography. I’m in north Texas and antique shop often, and hand tools are few and far between, and anything close to usable is overpriced. But I took a trip to Ohio a few years ago and they were everywhere. They just aren’t around down here like they are up there. Sometimes I wonder if a meet like this would be worth the trip.
Tools are like gold mining. You have to pan where the ore is. If what you're looking for was never where you're looking then you're just not going to find it.
For sure! If you ever travel through Kentucky, southeastern (where I'm at) isn't the best place, but the farther north I go, the better the tool picking and antique shops get. Tennessee and Ohio are always amazing places. Amish areas in Ohio hand planes are everywhere.
@@randallcombs7423 I liken used tools to mining. There's veins of ore. Some ground is richer than other ground is. But there are the odd anomalies too. You're still better off digging in the motherlode though.
Rex you are the best. Couldn't do a dovetail till I watched your podcast, I still can't but your video got me closer then anyone. Thanks for talking to us guys that are not on your level.
I'm in Scotland but have noticed for some years that US ebay prices seem to be more tilted at the collectable/ornamental market. UK prices are still decent. I've had Stanley #4s, 4 1/2, 78 & record #43 all complete from £12-24, a boxed #4 @28 and a record 71 router @72. So yeah 2 sides to ebay. I think you're wise targeting sellers that either sell or take it home. Outlets will track eBay
Nice to know there's still places to go and get fixable tools inexpensively. I did notice that there were two hidden costs though: 1) Rex's extensive skill at restoring tools - a beginner unfamiliar with metal or woodworking might well mess up a tool or two; and 2) Rex travelled to the sale and rented a hotel room. Despite its working class origins as a profession, woodworking as a hobby is going to have a significant start up cost and, for some people, and insurmountable space and/or noise cost. Some people may just not be able to afford these. In other words, woodworking as a hobby might not work for a lot of people working hourly jobs these days. America's glory days of a house for all with either a basement or garage are long gone. I sure do appreciate Rex and others' efforts to lower these barriers as much as possible.
We don’t have anything like that around here but it’s nice to know there are deals to be had for those out there who can be around these sorts of things. It looks like a real treat!
Being from Greece, it has always been super difficult to get good vintage tools. Seeing what is happening on ebay, I'm really glad I got to more or less a complete set of tools for myself before this 😐
I own a challenge plane too! You're the only other person I've ever seen own one. I saw a complete challenge plane about your size go for $1700 a few years ago
I have had most of my fill on old tools but I still always love going to antique shows. My last show I went to I was rather hot headed because my friend showed me up and went the day before without me, but that anger transferred into me finally trying to haggle with the vendors. I didn't get anything crazy rare, but I did find the courage to ask for some better prices on a nice Jade fountain pen and a nice Sabatier knife. The trill of the hunt is always worth the trip!
I just dug out my grandfathers old Stanley level to clean it up. I was just going to steel wool everything and apply some linseed oil, like I did with another non branded not quite as nice of one, but, just like the one you bought, there is a lot of brass with steel screws. I have decided instead to completely dissemble mine to do a proper cleaning. I can then clean and treat the wood more easily, and polish the brass parts. My Stanley level is almost exactly the same as yours, but nicer ;-) It has three bubble levels and the two in the center of the body are adjustable 🙂 BTW I got digging around in dark places in my 120+ year old house and 50+ year old shop, and found some more irons and a really fancy wooden rabbit plane. I found a bunch of chisels that I think are for this fancy very adjustable rabbit plane; soaking these in oil for now. Found another block plane that I cleaned and trued and sharpened today. I found this one iron that only has about a half inch of metal left for sharpening, and it is still sharp. Someone used that iron a long time I imagine. Here is a tip for you Rex. When you must strike cast iron to take something apart, use either a brass drift or brass hammer...bronze may be better. This will cut down on that cracking impact you get from steel on steel. Another tip. Brass looking wire wheels are sometimes not brass. Get the real brass wheels. Your tips are very useful Rex.
you've reminded me that I *really* wish there were a solid reference for how planes like the Moving Filister plane you show are put together and work. It's not woodworking, but in this day and age someone with a 3D printer can probably turn out most of a working example, lacking only an iron, if they use manufactured nuts and bolts to fasten the thing together. Then replace the plastic parts with good hardwood as skills improve. Honestly, this would be an interesting series
Hola! 🖐Oh man, what a joy to spend three days at a market like that. I agree with you, it's' the "thrill of the hunt" that makes it exciting. That feeling of finding a hidden treasure under a pile of "junk". What get's me going even more is that feeling of "missing" something if I don't do a thorough search when walking through an estate sale, garage sale, or flea market. Thanks for sharing your experience and your "finds" on this last visit. Take care and have a good one, Adios!👊
There was an estate sale here, two phases different weekends. The old boy was a real hoarder (or is that historic preservationist?). I went a few times, and paid normal good prices for a number of things, but the very last day, it was $1 per item (unless marked). I got a wooden jointer plane, a couple hollow/round planes, a Disston ripsaw and ship pattern saw, plus other things. The day before I picked up 2 Stanley #7s for $20 each as well. Also some good lumber for $8. Learn to fix up and sharpen good handsaws too.
Some great tips there. A restoration video on the plane would be awesome. I've just got a Stanley 78 so it'd be great to see it's ancestor up and running. 👍
I’m not far from you and this has been my experience as well. I don’t know if people are just collecting these tools because it’s en vogue or what, but when you can buy new tools at the same price, why bother?
Thanks Rex. I've been woodworking for 7 years now and really don't need much more. Just a few machines - the hand tools are done. I am 100% confident that if I gave myself an 18 month time horizon and $500, I could probably get all the tools I need to do woodworking. Going to shows and flea markets is the way to go. With $1,000 I could easily do it all. I've also found by joining a local woodworking club, I get emails all the time for free wood and inexpensive/free woodworking tools. Via this, I picked up for my dad a free Shopsmith will all of the major tools. I think it just needed some elbow grease and a new electrical outlet. I like shiny premium tools for sure. But, if this were a new hobby that I didn't know if I would like, spending less is a good way to go until you sort it out.
I'll definitely be checking the Hershey show out next year. I'm only about 40 miles away. Never thought about there being wood working tools at the meet.
Hey Rex. That skew plane is pretty cool. I have the fairly rare Stanley 289. I had to buy a 78 fence and depth stop to complete it, but as a bit of a newb, I’m having a really hard time adjusting the blade. I’ve also not found much of anything on RU-vid about this plane. I was wondering if I could send you mine, might make for a fun video about skew planes.
Hi Rex, I still use braces on a daily basis, we have a caravan without electricity, I also have battery drills and such but a brace dose not run out of power and with a screwdriver bit in can give you much more control over screws and removing them when they are rusted and a drill will not budge them or worse snap them. I am not bothered about you telling everyone my secrets but at car boot sales as you said all sorts of none power things can be found
Loved the video. I go to the Carlisle, PA show every year. It’s the week before Hershey. I always look for old tools at it and score good deals. As an example I bought a box of 5 Stanley planes for $5 bucks a couple of years ago.
It was a great surprise to bump into you at Hershey! I've already put that heavy wood mallet into use.
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Thanks for another Interesting video Rex, although the situation in the UK is subtly different, the trend is similar ! I bought most of my tools on eBay prior to Covid and got some decent deals although not the $1 dollar prices you see, they're considerably more expensive now, but still relatively good value unless you catch a bad-un ! I paid £12-£15 for my Stanley/Record no 4s in good condition back in 2020 and they're now mostly £20-£25 now ! As I tell my wife "they're an investment !" 😉😁 All woodworkers have a duty to buy more braces than the really need to stop them being made into "steampunk" desk lamps ! 😡🤬 Cheers, AndyC.
As look at my hand tools I can say that only a few have been not purchased at a flea market or some antique mall. I did recently buy ($15 USD + tax and shipping) a Stanley 12 inch brace that is in excellent condition. I agree that flea markets are the best place to find the hand tools one needs to start in the craft. Thanks for your practical approach.
Braces are still being made. They are slower than a cordless electric drills, BUT, they are almost inevitably cleaner boring (with good bits) if you know how to do the job. I picked up saws in an antique show Sacramento that were in really good shape. They were priced $5 each, but the seller wanted to get rid of them and actually did the negotiating for me and sold me both for 2.50 each. "Stanley" started to become a "prestige" name when the Bedrocks started to be in high demand. Then Christopher Schwartz mentioned the type 11 Baileys. I noticed prices that had been running 10 -20 dollars shoot up. But, I already have more tools that I need.
That's it. If I get the itch to do some woodworking I have enough to keep me happy now. If I see stuff while I'm out and about I might pick it up if it's a good deal and I'm in the mood. I never haggle either. It has to be the price I want it to be or I can't be bothered.
In my estate sale buying hobby, I’ve found consumables to be the best category to buy. Sandpaper, oils, files, fasteners, the sellers think it’s all trash and you can get piles for a few $
Nice to know there are still a few places where one can find vintage and antique hand tools for affordable prices. Collectors of hand tools have driven up the demand and the internet facilitates selling these , often at inflated prices. I occasionally find hand tools at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, or thrift stores, and you might get lucky at a garage sale. We don't have flea markets where I live.
Man, San Antonio is a desert when it comes to wood tools at flea markets. I got a Sargent transitional foreplane six months ago and that's the largest plane I've seen since. Mostly rusty no.3s and no.4s. Occasionally, I see some chisels. I got so envious looking at your footage.
Really depends on the population and production types in the era of hand tools. In PA where Rex is there is a lot more to be found than in places like Texas, Arizona and Florida which didn't have major population booms and did little comercial furniture production in the 18 and 19th centuries.
Thanks to some of your previous videos I have picked up some bargains. Live in the US but travel frequently to Ireland they have some great "boot" sales. BTW. I forget which video you mentioned it in but Kinmounth's Irish Country Furniture 1700-2000 (new edition!) could be the best book ever written.
Sometimes (like your Stanley story) there's a regional brand that everybody seems to value highly. Around Illinois the "Keen Kutter" name means a 50% markup, even if it's a re-brand from another company like Stanley. I had never heard of them before hitting up flea markets and antique stores.
Very interesting video! Garage sales are good too. I just bought an old wooden chest of tools and the guy threw in another metal tool box and it was full of tons of stuff for $20! Keep your eye out and you can get some good deals!
If you are looking for the metal glue brushes, keep an eye out for them in the dollar stores. My wife found the 3/4 in brushes 10 in a pack for $1 I got 50 brushes for $5 I use them all the time.
Nice video, Rex. You picked up some real gems! The thrill of the chase can be quite addictive, I personally try to stay away from "honey holes" like Hershey.
I do estate sales and flea markets. Seems the pricing follows Ebay pricing. Sellers go on Ebay, and find a restored or mint condition item, and then apply that pricing to a rusted up piece of junk. I usually try to educate them.
Nope. The street ain't ebay. People shopping on ebay are making money while they're shopping. They're at work goofing off. Plus you can rip sellers off on ebay. All you have to do is dispute the sale and you've gotten whatever for free. I won't buy or sell anything on ebay today. Place is a total scam.
There are some companies making new braces that double as ratchets! I love brace bits! I got most of a set for cheap, sharpened them (you can do that easy) and they make such a clean edged hole like a forstner bit, maybe better.
Our municipal tip - sorry, recycling centre - in the UK has a 'shop' which has a box of tools, mainly screwdrivers, but I have picked up a few useful bits.
I agree about having too many 1 dollar tools that I got from the flea market. Screaming deal but I don't have enough room to store them all and it's effecting the amount of work I actually use them for. I'm going to have to resell them and I'll do well but that takes time from being inside the shop.
Also, if you know what you're doing, look for parts to Frankenstein a tool. I picked up a Stanley 151 spokeshave body at a flea market. No blade, no chip breaker, but it had the adjustment screws. I paid $5. Then I bought a new Hock iron from woodcraft for $20, and stuck in a chip breaker I had from another tool lot, and now I have a great vintage-looking, but modern-performing spokeshave for $25 all-in.
I was recently able to score a Stanley 5 1/2, something I didn't yet have, at an estate sale for $15. It's a user, but I think I still did well. No cracks on tote or knob, and the sole appears to also be crackless. I usually never find those cracks until I'm cleaning up the plane.
In my area people have figured out that even the common tools are in demand. Besides a beautiful bevel gauge I lucked into, I’ve given up and have just bought new. Home Depot sells No 4 & 5 Stanleys on their website. I’m currently eyeing a brace, but new auger bits are still a challenge unless you go with the very expensive Wood Owls.
I have been going to flea markets for a while now. After months of going to the same flea market I found out that there was a vender going there at 6AM and buyer up everything and then putting it at his booth. After ditching that flea market and going to another flea market I found a jem, a 28 inch boys axe, no 71 Stanley no 4, Stanley no 5 and an Ohio 05. All of this cost me around 50 bucks.
Our experiences are so similar. I can spot plane from 50 ft and tell if it's not a Bailey from 40 ft. oh and I bought my first wooden level this weekend. A Stanley no. 0.
I've yet to come across a single used brace in my neck of the woods. I did find a very nice 1920s Spear and Jackson saw that I picked up for $15 though.
I wish we had such flea markets here in Poland. Unfortunately we don't (at least we're I'm at). Woodworking tool-wise I got my best cheap and good vintage tools on ebay from US and Japan(yes postage did cost more than the tools purchase prices, they are all well worth it). I had a lot more luck getting local made good quality vintage metalworking tools via local online ads. Also some general purpose household tools like saws, chisels, a brace and brace bits(usually German ones). It seems these days there are a lot of people that want to sell a broken brace bit online for 20 euro, but now and then deals are still possible to be found.
I honestly never checked flea markets and thrift stores for tools much, but in the past year or so I have looked for side tables that could be restored (or at least something I could learn the construction of) and old tools that are just as good (if not way better) than modern ones. There are definitely some places that sell almost unusable rusty tools, that once would have been incredible, are no longer functional and thus not worth the 30$+ price people have put on it, but then there are people that are either fair or don’t see much value and charge less than 20$ for an amazing condition tool that others would charge an arm and a leg for. You just have to find the right person I guess. I’ve found amazing old drills and self turning screwdrivers for a few dollars that are fascinatingly engineered and just aren’t seen anymore. It’s strange when a whole tool box filled with tools is for sale, it’s great for people starting out to start a tool collection/set, but also sad because you know another woodworker has ended their woodworking or passed away. At the closing of an old theatre I found a great shop vac with a ton of accessories all for 10$, even when I got a separate filter bucket it was under 30$ for the set up, I also found a tea cart with fold down side leaves (table extensions?), because it’s peeling veneer it was very cheap but still functions, I have no idea how to restore it but I’m going to learn a lot to do it right.
I can vouch - stopped at a garage sale last weekend, 1 Stanley Handyman N0. 4 - $1.00 and a Grants No. 4 Stanley clone - $1.00 The plan for the handyman is to tune it up and pay it forward to someone who wants to start and has a low budget .. The Grants, well, I've never heard of it and it looks like it might feel very nice - I will either keep it or pay it forward or - gasp - sell it!
I have around here somewhere a straight razor made by Challenge Razorworks out of Bridgeport, CT, sometime in the 1890s, nice little razor made out of what I'd guess to be German steel from the hardness of it. The internet tells me they became the Challenge Cutlery Corp in 1898 and lasted until 1928; I guess before all that they made hand planes!
Hey Rex, I did a quick google search on that Challenge hand plane and found one, just one. There wasn't a price on it and they wanted me to subscribe to get it, so I passed. The guy said it was very rare and that he'd never seen one before either. it was complete though.
Pretty nice findings, Rex! 😃 I need to start looking for tools again... But there's no money left right now. 😂 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
That's nice! I live in a city that rarely has these kind of shows and when it does it's usually very small at a mom and pop size parking lot and prices are expensive. We're talking about $45 for an old wooden mortise gauge. I've spent more than a grand to get my tools over the course of a year and I don't have the rare stuff you're talking about like a router plane.
I came to the same conclusion with the flea markets by me (in the midwest). Vendors don't just overprice stanley tools. They want eBay prices on all vintage woodworking tools. Rusty, ultra crappy, unbranded #4 planes with missing parts and they're asking $40-$50 each. If you try to haggle, they'll come down maybe $5. I've seen vendors with the same inventory of planes that they've had for 2 years now. However, there are still some vendors with good deals. You have to be very patient. It might take you a few months to find a couple tools. Don't get discouraged. The other alternative to flea markets: MWTCA meets. The vendors there are collectors who know what they have, so you won't find a pre-war stanley #4 for $5. BUT...many of the vendors don't ask ebay prices. You might pay $20-30 for a really solid stanley #4 or equivalent. The best part about MWTCA meets is that you're guaranteed to find a good selection of vintage spokeshaves, router planes, plough planes, etc. All the rare stuff that only shows up at a flea market once in a blue moon. You'll also see a ton of very rare, super interesting tools that you might only read about in magazines.
