ken werner
Member
- Messages
- 3,377
- Location
- Central NY State
so this was the ad:
http://utica.craigslist.org/tld/3286217106.html
I've known of this mythical place for a few years, but never went until today. It's about 80 minutes away. Went with my friend David, who is getting pretty well into wwing. The outside of the place looked like a tool version of a car junkyard, with stuff piled all over. Once we went inside, it was mind boggling with stuff piled upon stuff, floor to ceiling, with barely a narrow path between more stuff.
The first items I asked about were priced silly high. 6x48" sanding belts for $4.89 each. I put them back. But David could use a LA block plane, and we found a black Stanley 60 1/2 for $12. OK, this is getting better.
By the time we were done, I found new old stock files, some still wrapped in packaging that looked like it was from a military supplier from WWII. Some rat tail files, including a rasp that looked like it might be hand cut. 2 Spofford Fray braces - 8" and 14", 2 Yankee 2100 braces - 8" and 10", a couple of Russell Jennings bits, and a couple of odd sockets I needed [S-K and Proto, no junk]. A beautiful Starrett round leg divider. A few more small items. All vintage USA made tools. They had all sorts of planes, which I restrained myself from [other than spotting the 60 1/2 for David] including a nice 45, with no irons. I didn't even ask about its price, I was afraid it would've jumped into David's truck. Cluttered doesn't come close to describing the place. The owner was pleasant enough, and was pretty on target with his pricing, but more than fair, and willing to negotiate - way better than the auction site. If you're ever within a couple of hours of Cobleskill, NY, it's worth a visit. And when the place is closed, if you call, they may open up for you. No heat in the winter though.
I'm coming down with a cold, and haven't taken any pics....yet.
http://utica.craigslist.org/tld/3286217106.html
I've known of this mythical place for a few years, but never went until today. It's about 80 minutes away. Went with my friend David, who is getting pretty well into wwing. The outside of the place looked like a tool version of a car junkyard, with stuff piled all over. Once we went inside, it was mind boggling with stuff piled upon stuff, floor to ceiling, with barely a narrow path between more stuff.
The first items I asked about were priced silly high. 6x48" sanding belts for $4.89 each. I put them back. But David could use a LA block plane, and we found a black Stanley 60 1/2 for $12. OK, this is getting better.
By the time we were done, I found new old stock files, some still wrapped in packaging that looked like it was from a military supplier from WWII. Some rat tail files, including a rasp that looked like it might be hand cut. 2 Spofford Fray braces - 8" and 14", 2 Yankee 2100 braces - 8" and 10", a couple of Russell Jennings bits, and a couple of odd sockets I needed [S-K and Proto, no junk]. A beautiful Starrett round leg divider. A few more small items. All vintage USA made tools. They had all sorts of planes, which I restrained myself from [other than spotting the 60 1/2 for David] including a nice 45, with no irons. I didn't even ask about its price, I was afraid it would've jumped into David's truck. Cluttered doesn't come close to describing the place. The owner was pleasant enough, and was pretty on target with his pricing, but more than fair, and willing to negotiate - way better than the auction site. If you're ever within a couple of hours of Cobleskill, NY, it's worth a visit. And when the place is closed, if you call, they may open up for you. No heat in the winter though.
I'm coming down with a cold, and haven't taken any pics....yet.