Don’t Toss These Old Tools
Are you cleaning out your garage this summer? Wait a minute before you throw those old tools away. They may not look like much to the untrained eye, but they could be worth a lot of money. You see, there are a lot of avid tool collectors out there and they’re willing to pay big bucks for rare tools. Read on to find out what they’re looking for.
Stanley No. 1 Plane
This tiny hand plane might look like a toy, but collectors are obsessed with it. Stanley stopped making the No. 1 around 1943, and it’s incredibly hard to find in good shape. If you’ve got one in your toolbox or inherited from Grandpa, you might be sitting on a tool worth – wait for it - over a thousand bucks.
Goodell-Pratt Hand Drill
Before power drills took over, these beautiful hand-cranked drills did the job. Maybe you remember using them in shop class? Goodell-Pratt made some of the most collectible models in the early 1900s, and the craftsmanship won them a massive fandom.
Keen Kutter Axes
There was no axe like a Keen Kutter Axe. Craftspeople (and people who wanted to cut down a lot of trees) adored them. Restored models fetch big bucks now, especially if the original markings are still visible. Keep an eye out for them at garage sales!
Disston D-8 Hand Saw
Old Disston saws, especially the D-8 with the thumbhole grip, are collector gold. If the etching on the blade is still visible, it can fetch a surprisingly high price from tool fans – some go for over a hundred dollars on eBay.
Stanley No. 45 Combination Plane
These also go for over a hundred dollars online! The Stanley No. 45 came with a dozen cutters and endless attachments. It could do just about anything, and looked great doing it. If you have an intact one, you should definitely think about selling it.
Millers Falls Breast Drill
These old drills were made for serious work - think holes in metal or hardwood. They look like medieval torture devices to the untrained eye but are super collectible. You won’t get mega rich from selling one, but you could net a nice sum of around $60.
Coes Monkey Wrench
There’s a certain kind of beauty to monkey wrenches and tool collectors think so too. A Coes monkey wrench sells on eBay for around $50. People consider them a great addition to a vintage tool wall, or in some cases they even want to use them.
Brace and Bit Sets
Before electric drills, this was how holes got made. A full brace and bit set in a wooden box - especially one with decorative inlays or rare bits - is well worth putting on eBay. Some collectors buy them to use, others for display.
Plumb Hatchets and Axes
Vintage Plumb tools, especially hatchets and axes with clear stamp marks, are hot with collectors these days. These high quality tools were built to last for generations - and many have. You could be sitting on at least $60 if you have one.
North Bros Yankee Screwdrivers
Before electric screwdrivers, the Yankee was the go-to, and it’s considered that North Bros made the best ones. Collectors love the early models with nickel plating and wooden handles. And complete sets in the original box? Jackpot!
Miller's Patent Plow Planes
These Victorian-era planes look more like steampunk art than woodworking tools… so unsurprisingly, they’re seriously collectible. They’re so pretty they might even be of interest to those who don’t like tools! Put yours on eBay for around $200 and see if you have any takers.
Chaplin’s Patent Planes
These are another one that look like Victorian steampunk art, and they’re very popular. Collectors love the unique design and craftsmanship, and they especially love the ones with intact decals. Put yours on eBay for around $100 and someone is bound to snap it up.
Spoke Shaves
These were used in shaping chair legs and spindles. The average person will have no idea what one is, but serious tool collectors know, and they’re willing to pay a lot of money for them. They’re useful and they look nice on a shelf, too.
Tobacco Tins Filled With Bits or Blades
Believe it or not, collectors go wild for old tobacco tins filled with drill bits, scroll saw blades, or anything else of the sort. It’s the combo of the nostalgic packaging and useful contents that makes them so fun to collect. If you find one in Grandpa’s garage, make sure you hold on to it.
Stanley Bed Rock Planes
If you find a plane that says “Bed Rock” on the body, it’s probably worth a lot more than you think. Bed Rock planes were Stanley’s most prized makes – designed for serious woodworkers, not amateurs. Collectors snap them up now, so don’t forget to check yard sales and see if you can find one!
Pexto Drawknives
Pexto (short for Peck, Stow and Wilcox) made some of the finest drawknives around. These nifty curved-blade tools were used to shave wood down fast, especially for chair legs or tool handles. If you’ve got one of these, it could be worth a pretty penny.
Vintage Tool Chests
Lots of old tools are beautiful, but the chests they once came in are beautiful too. If you encounter an old wooden tool chest while cleaning out garages, hold onto it – people are going to need somewhere to put all those old tools they’re buying.
Stanley No. 113 Compass Plane
The Stanley No. 113 is one of the more unique collectible planes out there. It looks weird to many people, but it works like a charm. If you have one and the adjustment wheel and all the parts are intact, you might be holding a hidden gem.
Preston Router Planes
Preston made beautiful router planes in the early 1900s, often with fancy castings and polished finishes. They're both functional and very, very good to display. Collectors prize complete models with multiple cutters, especially if it comes in the original box.
Stanley No. 98 and 99 Side Rabbet Planes
These little side rabbet planes are totally collectible. They came in left- and right-hand versions (98 and 99) and if you have a matching pair in good condition, you could be sitting on an extra $200 or even more.
Starrett Calipers and Micrometers
Starrett tools were once the gold standard in measuring, and the early calipers and micrometers from the late 1800s and early 1900s are gold for those who love the Victorian era. Look for ones with nice engravings or patent stamps.
Shipwright’s Caulking Tools
These tools were used to seal wooden ships, so they’ve got some impressive nautical history behind them. Old mallets are especially popular because of how rugged they look. Maritime collectors love them, and are willing to pay a lot a money for something cool to go in their house.
Stanley No. 212 Scraper Plane
This little guy was made for fine work and is one of the rarer Stanley planes. It was only produced for a short time, so unsurprisingly it’s now a collector’s item. Its small size, single handle, and curved blade make it unique – and people love unique.
Blacksmith-Made Tongs and Hammers
Yep, people really love unique. Blacksmith-made tools are one-of-a-kind pieces with forge marks, hand-punched rivets, and sometimes the maker’s initials. If you come across old smithing tools at a flea market or farm sale, grab them, they’re worth a lot.
Stanley No. 55 Universal Plane
This monster of a tool came with over 50 cutters and looked more like a metal puzzle than a woodworking plane. It was designed to do nearly everything, and now the Stanley No. 55 is one of the most collectible planes around - especially if it’s complete.
Belknap Blue Grass Tools
Belknap’s Blue Grass line wasn’t just tough - it was beautiful. Hatchets, hammers, and screwdrivers from this brand are hot with collectors now, especially if the original paint or decals are still visible. They’re fun to display and built to last forever.
Millers Falls Hand Planes
While Stanley gets most of the spotlight, Millers Falls made some fantastic planes, too. Their hand planes were solidly built and sometimes featured rosewood knobs and totes. Collectors look for early models, so if you have one of those, hold onto it.
Stanley Odd Jobs Tool
This strange little multi-tool acted as a square, level, scribe, marking gauge, and more. It’s a favorite among collectors for its sheer cleverness, and furthermore it looks fantastic hung on the wall of a vintage-themed house.
Fray Brace Drills
These old brace drills with the Spofford chuck are highly collectible. They look really good on a vintage tool board, or they can even still be used for jobs. If you spot one with ornate wood or a visible patent stamp, grab it immediately. It’s a piece of tool history.
Folding Zig-Zag Rules
Before tape measures took over, these were the go-to measuring tools. They zigged and zagged shut and fitted neatly in your pocket. If you’ve got one and don’t want it anymore, try selling it on eBay – tool collectors love them.
Saw Sets
Saw sets were used to adjust the teeth on hand saws, and many vintage versions are little works of art. Saw sets from the Victorian era are still around and they’re particularly prized. Both tool collectors and steampunk fans love them!
Old Leatherworking Tools
Old leather punches, edge bevelers, and stitching awls are highly collectible, especially if they’re marked by famous makers like C.S. Osborne. The older the better in some cases – people aren’t going to use them, they’re going to display them.
Jeweler’s Screwdrivers
Tiny screwdrivers used by watchmakers and jewelers might not look like much, but some people love them and more importantly are willing to pay for them. The more complete and delicate the set, the better.
Antique Oil Cans
Those old metal oil cans with the long, flexible necks and domed bases aren’t just nostalgic - they’re collectible. People like to put them on their workshop wall and show them off, because despite their humble origin they’re pretty cool.
Lineman’s Pliers
Vintage lineman’s pliers are super hot with tool collectors these days. Look for pliers with unique features, patent stamps, or early logos. The older and more unusual the design, the better!
