These Old-School Tools Are a Collector's Dream
Believe it or not, but the simple, garden-variety tools your father and his father kept in their toolboxes may have more value than you’d expect, beyond their simple functions. In fact, some collectors will pay absurd amounts of money to get their hands on some of these vintage tools.
Stanley No. 1 Smooth Plane - ~$1,500–$3,000
Though it’s only 5 1/2 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide, this tiny little hard plane still fetches a big price at auction. It’s known for its lack of a lateral adjustment lever and was designed for use in tight, confined spaces.
Stanley No. 444 Dovetail Plane - ~$2,000–$4,000
Designed specifically to cut sliding dovetail joints, this ultra-rare dovetail plane was made in limited numbers and is a highly sought-after collectible amongst woodworkers. A full set can easily fetch you up to $4,000, assuming it’s in good condition.
Norris A1 (Infill Smoothing Plane) - ~$1,000
Norris is one of the most renowned toolmakers in the world, and their name alone is enough to attract most collectors. This A1 infill smoothing plane was made from high-quality wood (such as rosewood), and particularly well-maintained examples can net you the easiest $1,000 of your life.
Norris No. 5 Infill Plane - ~$250
With high-quality construction and buttery-smooth cutting capabilities, the No. 5 Infill Plane from Norris was their most popular unhandled infill smoother at the time. Well-maintained examples normally fetch at least $250 alone due to their incredible functionality.
Stanley Miller Patent Plane No. 42 Type 1 - ~$20,000
In production from 1871 to 1892, to say that this gunmetal plane is old would be a bit of an understatement. They’re exceedingly rare, but still perfectly usable through skilled craftsmanship. A solid, well-maintained example can easily fetch $20,000 at auction.
Leonard Bailey Vertical Post Plane - ~$7,000
According to industry folklore, Leonard Bailey initially worked for Stanley but set up his own shop after the two had a falling out. He was the first to revolutionise the modern bench plane, and this particular tool is a rare example of a true Stanley competitor.
Stanley No. 71 Router Plane - ~$250
This fine router plane is well-known for its versatility (something many other tools lack). Its intended function was to create grooves, dadoes, and rabbets (as well as smooth surfaces), but it can also be fitted with a depth stop and fence for enhanced precision.
Davis Level & Tool Co. Inclinometer Level - ~$265+
The Davis Level & Tool Co. Inclinometer Level has an incredibly ostentatious name to match its incredibly ostentatious design. Featuring finely-carved, ornate details and patterns, this is one measuring tool that really measures up - (sorry) - to its reputation.
Davis Level (Decorative Rare Models) - ~$2,300
Besides our last entry, Davis wasn’t one to skimp on their designs, in general. Sure, a level is exceptionally basic in function, but does that mean it needs to be plain in design? The answer is no, according to Davis, and some of their rare, more decorative models can easily fetch north of $2,000 at auction.
Early Brass/ivory Folding Rulers (Stanley, Lufkin) - ~$300–$700
We’re lumping these two companies together here because, just like levels, rulers don’t exactly lend themselves to excess functionality. What they can do, however, is look absolutely terrific with the right design and materials, with some examples fetching at least $700 alone.
Edward Preston & Sons Marking Gauge - ~$1,000
Edward Preston & Sons was first established almost exactly two centuries ago, in 1825. They were known for the high-quality construction and designs of their tools, including marking gauges, which demonstrated an effective balance between functionality and superb form.
Stanley Try Square - ~$100+
Try squares are an important component of the craftsman’s tool-kit, and who better to manufacture them than the one and only Stanley? While the company still manufactures try squares today, older ones carry more weight to them, and thus fetch higher prices.
Early Wrenches (Coes, Hayes Patented Models) - ~$200-$500
The humble wrench is probably still the most important and versatile tool in the average toolbox. But we’re not talking about your typical dollar-store wrenches here - we’re talking old school, Coes and Hayes models, mostly, and these babies can easily fetch $500 alone - and even more when sold as part of a full set.
Winchester‑branded Hand Tools - ~ Variable
You’re probably familiar with Winchester, the firearm manufacturer, and not Winchester the hand tool producer. What if we told you that they’re one and the same? Like Yamaha with their bikes and guitars, Winchester is clearly more versatile than they’re typically given credit for, although you can - technically - still use their hand tools to commit homicide.
Goodell‑Pratt Eggbeater Drill - ~$800
These days, we’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to drills. Gone are the days when you had to use a hand crank just to make a single hole, but for those who still yearn for the past (for some reason), Goodell-Pratt eggbeater drills tend to go for at least $500 apiece, and up to $800 if they’re in perfect condition.
Millers Falls No. 74 Miter Saw - ~$499
Miter saws are fairly common nowadays and are important for making precise, angled cuts in a variety of materials, but they’re a fairly recent innovation. The Millers Fall No. 74 was one of the earliest examples of how effective a miter saw could be, with particularly well-maintained models able to fetch around $499, at least.
Millers Falls Brace & Bit - ~$100–$500
Produced by the Millers Falls company, these antique hand tools were especially popular in woodworking circles. They were a regular fixture in many professional and hobbyist tool kits, and now typically fetch at least $100 at auction (which doesn’t sound like much, but come on: it’s a tool, not a Mustang).
Stanley No. 151 Spokeshave - ~ Variable
Speaking of woodworkers, another common tool was the Stanley No. 151 Spokeshave, used specifically for chair making, or otherwise working with wood grain. Its ease of use and versatility were both appreciated, and they’re now highly sought after by collectors.
Witherby Drawknife - ~ $65+
This American-made drawknife is particularly admired and sought after by “patriotic” collectors. It’s not exactly a unique piece of history, but with many examples still being perfectly usable, they’re still in demand.
Stanley Combination Planes - ~ Variable
With mix-and-match cutters that give them supreme versatility and function, Stanley combination planes are highly sought after, particularly in complete sets. When it comes to price, the older the better.
Stanley Bedrock Planes - ~$100–$400
Sturdily built and made with the finest materials (what more did you expect from Stanley), these old bedrock planes (like the No. 65) make for some quaint little collectibles, particularly the earlier Bailey versions, which go for around $250.
Specialty Layout Tools - ~$100–$400
From marking gauges to mortise markers, specialty layout tools are niche and not easily categorized. Any brand will do, so long as it’s old, and especially those models that feature ivory inlays.
Victorian-Era Screwdrivers - ~$50–$200
The humble screwdriver sits alongside the wrench in terms of ubiquity, but there was a time when their designs weren’t so hard-set. Victorian-era screwdrivers were especially creative in terms of their craftsmanship, with some selling for as high as $200 alone.
Starrett Micrometer/Caliper Sets - ~ Variable
In terms of machinist and metalworking tools, the brand often matters a lot more than the specific model. Starrett is one such brand that has a way of attracting some of the highest bidders.
Brown & Sharpe Tools - ~ Variable
Sitting right alongside Starrett is Brown & Sharpe, historic American tool manufacturers whose measuring tools are often in high demand in collector circles.
Lufkin Precision Tools - ~ Variable
Lufkin is another old brand dating back to 1869. Nowadays, they’re almost exclusively known for their precision measuring tools, with vintage models being especially sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Vintage Machinist Toolboxes - ~ Variable
What’s a set of tools without a box to put them in? Indeed, toolboxes are essential for any craftsman, be they a hobbyist or professional. Older models and brands (like those made by Kennedy and Gerstner) easily fetch high prices at auction, particularly hardwood chests with original drawers.
Blacksmith Anvils - ~$750–$1,500
With the age of the sword long since passed, the demand for traditional blacksmiths is rather low. That hasn’t in any way diminished the demand for their tools, however, especially old-fashioned anvils like those made by Peter Wright.
Blacksmith Blower - ~ Variable
Speaking of blacksmithing tools, blowers are also usually in high demand. Though devoid of function nowadays, they’re still highly prized due to their historical significance.
Foot‑powered Treadle Lathe - ~ Variable
We’re now truly in bizarre territory, with these last few entries having almost no use in a modern workshop. Still, these old treadle lathes can command a high price, especially if they’re in working condition.
Cast‑iron Planer - ~ Variable
Cast-iron planers were heavy-duty woodworking tools that don’t see a whole lot of use nowadays; however, that hasn’t stopped collectors from coveting these antique beauties.
Vintage Grain Thresher (and Other Antique Farm Equipment) - ~$2,000
Agricultural equipment has come a long way in the last few centuries, with many machines now being almost fully automated. Older models, however, are still sought after for their historical significance.
Early Hand-Pumped Fire Engine - ~$10,000
Yes, you read that right. While you may be familiar with fire engines as big trucks, their earliest examples date all the way back to the 17th century. These rare, antiquated examples now fetch over $10,000 at auction.
Salesman’s Sample Plows - ~ $5,000
Carried by 19th-century salesmen, these miniature plows were essentially tiny replicas of the real deal. More impressively, however, is that they still held much of the functionality of their originals, despite their smaller size.
Antique Plumb Bobs - ~ $200
Plumb bobs (otherwise known as plumb lines) are ridiculously simple in function, essentially being used as a vertical reference line. That did, however, allow many old manufacturers to really let loose with their actual designs, giving many plumb bobs an ornate essence that many collectors will pay dearly for.
