Do you have any worn out or old woodworking tools lying around the house? Do you plan on just throwing them in the trash can? You might want to reconsider. It might be a collectible or antique tool, which you can sell at auctions or even online.
Antique tools can be sold from a couple hundred bucks to thousands of dollars. The following are what collectors look for in some tools:
Planes
o Brazilian rosewood, beech, or birch used on the tote and knob
o Antique wood planes made by Stanley Company
o Victor block planes
o Metal surfaces made of brass and nickel embellished with exquisite details
o Name and town of the plane maker stamped on front of the plane
Saws
o Made by Disston
o Slip nut screws on the handles that are still intact
o Made by Simonds and Atkins
o Handles made from Apple or Breech (wood reserved for higher quality saws)
o Unique types of saws such as a keyhole saw
o Blades that are (ideally) rust free and straight
Hand Drills
o Made entirely out of wood with ivory used on the tips of the bit
o With hollow wooden handles for holding bits
o With precious metal or ivory inlays
o With the manufacturer stamp (this is for the drill to be dated)
o Long tools with a brace (auger or twisted bit)
Plump Bobs
o Crafted out of precious metals or inlaid with ivory or stones
o Crafted out of brass or other metals that have been worked with intricate designs
o Crafted out of exotic woods
Wrenches
o Adjustable wrenches that have wooden handles
o Have rare cutout designs on the handles
o Includes many wrench heads on one handle (precursor to the adjustable wrench)
Clamps
o Picture framing vises
o Vise clamps
o Jeweler clamps
o Blacksmith bench clamps
Rules
o Cruising sticks with a brass tab at one end
o Stanley’s zigzag rule that folds in 15 places
o Rules combined with other tools such as compasses, levels, or squares
Hammers
o With removable heads
o Made of various materials such as lead, copper, brass, and wood
o With different, unique heads that combine a separate tool on the other end
o Three-piece hammers with a removable handle for easy storage
Axes
o Broad Axes
o Cooper’s Axes
o Single and double bit felling axes
o Goose wing axes
o Mast axes
o Coach maker’s axes
Antique collectors are attracted 16th to 18th century tools.
Planes can be sold for $5,000 to $30,000. This depends on the year it was made and the manufacturer. Levels can be sold at auctions from around $2,000 to $18,000. A tool chest belonging to a known or prominent family can be sold for up to $14,000. Wrenches are sold at over $5,000.
The rarity and usability of the antique tools have an impact on the price. The rarer it is, the higher its value. Of course, the preservation of its look also adds to the price.
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