How to Buy or Sell — Tools

A few tools hung on the wall as sculptural decorations are often seen in the decorating magazines and websites. Old tools can be sold to any friend or antiques dealer. There are also many serious tool collectors who specialize in one type of tool, such as wrenches or planes, or who have large general collections. If you have a toolbox filled with old hand tools, it would pay to try to find the dealers who specialize in tools or to contact the members of a tool-collecting club. There are some auction houses that have special tool sales a few times a year listed in our Resource Directory. If you have only one item, it is probably best to sell it locally. Many old-looking tools have minimal value, but some special tools are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.