Car Boot Bargains

[boxedin]

Yesterday I went to the local car boot sale, it was pouring it down so they were packing up after an hour. Don't know what you think but I thought there were some hand tools there that looked reasonable value but most required work to get them back into service ball pein hammers, chisels etc.

I picked up this Black and Decker Workmate from the 70's, its dual height, got the original birch tops, alumium H and pressed steel frame. it looks a bit like a Workmate Deluxe but there are no markings to confirm. The bottom rubber feet are missing and it has rust on it but with a bit of a clean up and grease it should be ok. Cost £5.

I got some of that there frenetic marine birch ply to make an add on top for it for £4,

Also got an eclipse no 66 multi purpose saw for £2 useful on the allotment although the blades are hard to come by now. Spear and Jackson do them think they are about £12.
AW Tools of sheffield do a modern version with 3 different blades at a reasonable price
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AW-Tools-Mul ... SwsTxXkgGP

[Dave54]

Nice workmate!

[dewaltdisney]

That is the same as my one I bought for £10 second hand. I think in many respects a they are better than the later models, I have one of these too, but the blue one is what I always use first.

DWD

[big-all]

i have that exact workmate but have replaced one off the frames with a wooden one as the screws have snapped and i am not equipped for stud removal and as its only a spare not too bothered

[Dave54]

Mine's the all steel one bought in the early 80s. Chipboard tops long ago deceased and replaced with oak.
Otherwise it's still going strong after a lot of work including 3 house restorations.
I ground an old spade bit down to get the right size for the peg holes when I replaced the top.

[kellys_eye]

Nice work, mate...... and the workmate is nice too

People do tend to forget that some of the older stuff is very much more serviceable and useful than the modern equivalents - I'd have a workmate over the plastic crap they produce any day of the week.

My problem is that there simply aren't any boot sales where I live. Miss them a lot......

[boxedin]

I can't figure out exactly what model it is its obviously a 70's job as its all aluminium castings on handles and bench top would have preferred adjustable feet on the extended legs but that looks like a welding job. Steel needs some rust treatment if I keep it in the allotment shed. Getting decent metal paint is a bugger theres some here but its pricey

https://www.paragonpaints.co.uk/

Ron Hickman the inventor also co designed the Lotus Elan, Elan Plus 2 and Europa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Hickman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9j5Pg5p3tU

[wine~o]

They just don't make them like that anymore.

[Rorschach]

My dad has an old one like that, very well made. I have a range of workmates, old and new. The old ones are definitely better but that being said I do like my new workmate deluxe with the tilting table. The new tops are bamboo plywood and really great quality. Best of all it didn't cost me anything

[boxedin]

Yes Rorschach the 825 is clever, with the multi position top for a wider gap, tilting front jaws , it even closes by turning just the one handle, and its got tool storage holes in the foot rest which is useful for screwdrivers and chisels . The top has got useful legible markings like mitre angles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkoxtMDYNHY

I inherited my Dads old 301 which now needs new tops as they were chipboard and the damp on the allotment even when kept in the shed has done for them, so I have some more robust 2" thick timber to replace them and the steel needs treating properly for rust. I also picked up another 301 from Tescos for £7.50 a couple of years back they are bamboo which is certainly better than the chipboard ones.

[Rorschach]

Yes Rorschach the 825 is clever, with the multi position top for a wider gap, tilting front jaws , it even closes by turning just the one handle, and its got tool storage holes in the foot rest which is useful for screwdrivers and chisels . The top has got useful legible markings like mitre angles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkoxtMDYNHY

I inherited my Dads old 301 which now needs new tops as they were chipboard and the damp on the allotment even when kept in the shed has done for them, so I have some more robust 2" thick timber to replace them and the steel needs treating properly for rust. I also picked up another 301 from Tescos for £7.50 a couple of years back they are bamboo which is certainly better than the chipboard ones.

Yeah it's really not a bad bit of kit, though I wouldn't pay full price for one.

I have a vintage 301, paint is a bit flakey but the ply top is in excellent condition. I also bought two of the new 301's from tesco like you, they are a bit flimsy in the legs but the tops are excellent. I use them as trestles for setting up a portable large workbench, work great.

[boxedin]

Record Eggbeater (800x414).jpg (167.26 KiB) Viewed 3509 times

Todays Buys
A Record Eggbeater Drill NO422 in good condition £3

Bevel gauge (800x506).jpg (190.65 KiB) Viewed 3509 times

A brass bevel guage only marking F Bingham £2

stanley 51 and gauges (800x401).jpg (154.48 KiB) Viewed 3509 times

A Stanley 51 spokeshave, a bevel metal handled made in Sheffield, and a wooden marking guage £2 for all 3

The first two are ok to use but the last lot will need some attention.

[boxedin]

Cleaned up now, Wooden marking gauge, sanded and now works fine with a sharp point, marked Fuluse, the brand name of Cooper and Sons Ltd Sheffield from 1940-1950's I guess.
Stanley 51 sharpened up ok and not much pitting at all on blade or chipbreaker,
Bevelled guage needs a new blade as its badly pitted but handle is unusual can't find an example to establish brand.

[Dave54]

Some nice tools there. Marking gauge is older, (and nicer IMHO) because it has the wooden screw. Later ones are plastic, which do at least not snap quite as easily if you drop them. I've seen that type of cast slide bevel at car boots in the past, but I don't know anything about them.
Nice spokeshave!

[boxedin]

Hello Dave54 the marking gauge might be a little earlier as 1937 as that is when Fuluse brand was created .

Today I faffed around as usual and missed a few things so I ended up with
Sandvik (Sweden) Pruning saw and 2 spare blades for £1.50 for the allotment
Starrett and Moore and Wright Micrometers £1 each
A nice old large screwdriver £1