Where to Find Antique Tools

Antique tools are a fun and easy way to get into collecting antiques, especially if you happen to be experienced in using them. But how can you start collecting antique tools without fear of being ripped off or paying too much for an addition to your collection? Read on to find hints and references for the antique tool collector!

The first and most obvious place to start looking for antique tools is your own house or neighborhood. Many times people store tools in their garage or garden shed without realizing how old they may actually be. My husband, for example, discovered his grandfather's level deep in his parents' basement, in excellent condition. While not every tool can be found locally you would be best to start with the weekend garage sales and expand your search out from there to save both time and money. Flea markets are also an excellent starting point to search for antique tools - there's a large one near my home at the Perryopolis Flea Market in Fayette County, Pennsylvania which has tables of antique tools each and every weekend for sale!

But don't go out there without doing your research on antique tools! Websites can provide you with virtual catalogs or you can invest in a paper version that will help you decide what antique tools you want to collect and what the going prices are for such thing. One excellent site to start would be www.finetools.com - here you can find a virtual listing of what tools existed at what time and the current market pricing of these antique tools.

There are also auction houses that can make your life easier if you can't travel from place to place to collect antique tools. The most famous of these is eBay, of course, but other auction houses exist such as www.mjdtools.com - from here you can get an idea of what antique tools are in demand and at what cost - a must for the serious collector who doesn't want to end up paying too much for an antique tool!

As with all collectibles, antique tools can also be mislabeled or even counterfeited. It's always best to do your research first before putting in a bid at an auction site or putting money down at a flea market or garage sale for an antique tool that may or may not be what it seems. Even if it's a personal item there's a chance that time has dulled the memories of the people involved and facts may have changed or been forgotten when it comes to an antique tool sitting in the garage for decades. Do your research and be prepared for the possibility that your antique tool may not necessarily be as old as you think it is nor as valuable as you thought.

Collecting and finding antique tools can be a fun and entertaining hobby for anyone seeking to start a fresh and different collection. Hopefully these tips will help you find the antique tools that you've been searching for or open your eyes to new and different avenues for you to start looking! From flea markets to garage sales to online auction houses, antique tools are out there and looking for a special place in your collection!