Old Tool Swap Meet (Irvine, Ca) - 3/9

Not sure I will be able to make this one since it is a bit of a drive for me and I have limited time Saturday. I was told by Laura that they have plenty of dealers for this new location, but they are still building up customers. Hopefully that means it is a buyer’s market…

Maybe in the future they could get a Laguna rep to demo some of their tools…

-- Scott

I’ve only been to the Irvine location once and it was definitely alot less people than Culver City. I think part of it might be the location. There isn’t much traffic in that area. All industrial buildings. So if you didn’t know about the swapmeet there’s not much reason to pass by. Unlike Anderson plywood which is located in a large intersection. Hopefully they do a better job of getting the word out and turn out will be better this time.

Looks like my schedule has cleared up. I’m going to make the drive down tomorrow. I’m looking for a 4 1/2 smoother. Perhaps I will get lucky.

-- Scott

So how did you guys make out? I got caught a bad cold last night and couldn’t get out of bed :(

There was low dealer turnout. The usual dealers were there, but there were also several people selling beat up contractor tools, which is not my thing. I think the rain forecast scared some away, but it ended up being sunny and clear. I think they are also building dealer interest in this new venue.

One dealer had two old tool chests with a fair number of well used tools in each – but still worth a gander. He also had what looked like a Norris infill (adjuster-less model) that was pretty nice. I did not bother asking for a price.

I saw a couple of Stanley 4 1/2s for OK (not great) prices, but the knob on the one I considered had a big ole chunk missing, otherwise quite nice. There was also a Bedrock 604 1/2, in great shape for $195. I’d rather buy a Veritas LAS at that rate.

Another dealer had a very nice Marples CAST IRON plane, in a Stanley 6 size I believe, which I have never seen on this side of the Atlantic. Very well made, and striking with Marples red japanning, but the tote was clearly not original. In retrospect I should have asked him his price.

One thing I regret not buying was a mint condition, virtually new-in-box Millers Falls No. 7 Skew block plane. Asking price was $125. I would have offered him $100 if I stuck around any longer.

For me it was a bust. I would have like to see more “as found” planes instead of the rehabbed pricing. I spent a total of 2.5 hours driving, or $25 in gas. I spent $20 on three “consolation” items. A Stanley 65 marking gage, and Marples boxwood cutting gage, and an old wide gouge that is in some need of rehab.

Next month is Anderson Plywood. Usually the dealer turnout there is much much better.

-- Scott

That’s a bummer. They did a lot better at the Austin Hardwoods location and the rocker in orange. Too bad they had to move. Those places were more visible from the street.

I’m surprised they’re having another one at Anderson so soon. They just had one there last month. Did they give a exact date yet?

Sorry, my mistake. Next month is San Diego Rockler. May is Anderson Plywood.

The full schedule is posted at this site:

ToolSwapUSA

-- Scott