Tool Hunting In Boston/South Shore?

[Andrew Gibson]

So my Fiance and I are heading up to Boston here in a week or so and I want to do a little rust hunting while I am there. Does anyone have any advise on good places to look. Specific Flea markets, antique stores, second hand shops...

I don't have a specific list but a few bench planes, egg beaters, chisels are on my list of tools to find.

I have yet to hit any good tool finds here in Tampa, It seems Like when everyone retired and moved down, no one brought the old tool chest that was in the attic.

[James Taglienti]

I was just in Mass in July. We went to the Brimfield fair. Lots of good finds. They have another fair in september but it's going on this week.

Route 6A through Cape Cod has dozens of antique shops. I have had decent success there. I'm also pretty sure there is a tool dealer in New Hampshire.

Honestly I go to Boston every year to visit my mother and I have yet to strike the mother lode. It is a very old area however, and depending on how much time you've got, you can probably find some stuff at a few antique stores. They also have decent auctions.

Next year I plan on googling some antique stores and such and calling them to see if they've got any tools.

[Steve Branam]

How long a drive are you willing to take? Lancaster flea market off Rt. 2 just over an hour west sometimes has some stuff, and I can give you the number of a guy who usually has a nice selection (I think I still have his card...). Patrick Leach is in Ashby, another half hour west. Then just north of Nashua NH (maybe an hour from Boston up Rt. 3) there's a bunch of antique stores, hit and miss on their tools.

[Steve Kirincich]

If you are in the area next Friday or Saturday, there is an antique tool auction and tailgate sale in Nashua, NH

http://www.mjdtools.com/auction/auction.htm

Steve

[Andrew Gibson]

If you are in the area next Friday or Saturday, there is an antique tool auction and tailgate sale in Nashua, NH

http://www.mjdtools.com/auction/auction.htm

Steve

Steve that looks great, I just don't think I will be able to make it. For some reason my fiance and her mother what to go wedding dress shopping... maybe my father in law or brother in law will be interested in going. Maybe I will steal a car and go.

[Steve Branam]

You should point out to them that antique tools would make very nice presents for the maids-of-honor! Then I'm sure they'll want to go.

[Dave Anderson NH]

About 1.25 hours north of Boston in NH at the junction of Rte 125 and New Boston Road is the New Boston Tool Room run by Phil Whitby a well know antique tool dealer. Officially it is in Kingston NH. I have purchased from Phil over the years and while there are no bargains in the sense of really low prices, what he has is fairly priced and more importantly in good condition and with the period correct parts. No Frankenplane junk at his place, nor will there be any attmpt to either pressure you or deceive you in any way. If you plan to go, look up his simple website and call before going since his hours and days of operation are irregular. My biggest problem with him is that he is only 15 minutes from my house and I avoid the place since it is really easy for it to become a plague on my wallet.

[Andrew Gibson]

Steve, you read my mind, however I may have convinced them that a trip to NH is in order on Saturday...
and Dave if the new Boston tool room is open I think that being just up the road from the auction could be a stop as well. It all depends if I can convince the need to make this day trip...
I think I have to be back by 4 for an engagement party however... maybe gifts will replenish my wallet for a trip to the flea market on Sunday. I think there are a couple aunts that will be up for the Flea market, as long as the trip to the connecticut casinos doesn't happen.

[Dave Anderson NH]

I forgot about the LFOD auction in Nashua. Phil won't be open as he is usually out in the parking lot for the tailgate session both on Friday and Saturday. Note that most of the more reasonably priced user grade tools go on auction Friday. Saturday is when the collector grade and the more expensive stuff goes on the block. There are exceptions, but this is a pretty good general rule for all Donelley auctions whether they be in NH, Indianapolis, or Bath NY.

[Andrew Gibson]

I forgot about the LFOD auction in Nashua. Phil won't be open as he is usually out in the parking lot for the tailgate session both on Friday and Saturday. Note that most of the more reasonably priced user grade tools go on auction Friday. Saturday is when the collector grade and the more expensive stuff goes on the block. There are exceptions, but this is a pretty good general rule for all Donelley auctions whether they be in NH, Indianapolis, or Bath NY.

Good to know dave. I would love to make the auction friday, but i know that is not going to happen. I hope to make is saturday see some cool stuff and hopefully find a couple of decent buys in the tailgate sale.