Ontario Tools of the trade show

[Dan Dubeau]

Anyone else go? https://ontarioantiquetools.com/

I usually don't find much, I'm not a tool collector, but it's nice to wander, browse and haggle. I did pick up a couple things today that I've been wanting, like a couple cheap abusable F wrenches for twisting/blacksmithing, and a few other things I didn't know I wanted/deal fillers. The 2 big taps were the ice breaker, and the deals of the day for me. $10 each, and I doubt they've ever been used. The drilling S&F, and tap mechanical calculators are just cool to me, and will join the rest of them on my desk at work.

My only goal was to hopefully pick up some blacksmith tools, and not come home with any projects. I'm not counting having to now make a big tap wrench as a project..... so goal met. The surface gauge (a Moore and wright) is nicer than my user at work, and the new apprentice doesn't have one, so I'll keep this, and gift him mine. Oh, and only $100 left my wallet today including the $10 entry, not great, but not bad.

 

[Engmaxx]

Ha ha. Most of that came from the first booth on the left of the entrance: I think the best booth in the whole show for machining related items. I contemplated those taps until realized my SB 9C lathe has a 1.5 - 8 thread, I was no longer interested; price was excellent though. I was thoroughly disappointed in the show but it was a chance to get out of the house. Hit Gagnon sports in Oshawa after that for more time killing at their anniversary sale...bought 4 lures and go figure they weren't on sale. Felt like a bag of balls when it was all over.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Yep, I've always bought something from him over the years, and always has reasonable prices on decent usable machinist tools. Usually the first one I head to, then wander around checking out a few others, before digging deep through all the boxes, for the cheap stuff . Don't want to spend my money all at once

The one kick to myself was the big die nuts. $5 a piece, but I didn't want to buy multiples or what I already had at home, so I didn't buy any. Turns out I could have filled out a couple missing ones. Oh well. A searchable DB on my phone of all my tools would have been handy, my memory isn't that good, and only getting worse.

It's not the greatest show from a machinist standpoint, but it's still worth the $10 to rummage aroundfor stuff I never knew I needed. Never know what you'll find. Usually go with my Dad and Fil, maybe a kid or two, but flew solo this time. Was kinda nice.

I almost didn't even make it. Forgot all about it, and was working away out in the garage when the notification went off on my phone. Then went inside to tell the wife I was heading out, just as there was a racket coming from the woodstove pipe. 10 minutes later I had that all apart and freed the bird that fell down inside, and THEN I could go to the tool show. About 40-45 mins late.

 

[Tom O]

And you didn’t ask for his phone number.

 

[kstrauss]

I've gone to the Tools of the Trades show since before it moved to Kahn's Auction Barn (30 years ago?). For machinist stuff this was the worst version that I can recall. There seemed to be a considerably larger crowd this year than other recent shows.

Yes, the guy and spouse on the left side usually has some interesting stuff. Good prices on both medium (10-32 spiral point) and large new taps. I bought a good condition 8-inch Kurt style vise from him a few years ago.

The only thing that I bought this year was a very well made thread gauge with every pitch from 4 to 72tpi.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

I think I've only been going on/off for 5,6-7 years now?. Only at the current venue. Machinist stuff (that I want) has always been hit or miss, but if you want Stanley hand planes.....

I'm a "thrifter" (as the kids call it now, I call it just being cheap/poor), yard sale, auction hound, and it's just nice to browse a selection of more focused stuff/tools instead of hoping I find something interesting at my usual haunts. Although I did find a Fowler depth indicator (with all the rods) at the re-store on Thursday for $10. Those finds are few and far between.

 

[Susquatch]

I'm a "thrifter" (as the kids call it now, I call it just being cheap/poor), yard sale, auction hound, and it's just nice to browse a selection of more focused stuff/tools instead of hoping I find something interesting at my usual haunts. Although I did find a Fowler depth indicator (with all the rods) at the re-store on Thursday for $10. Those finds are few and far between.

What a great word - "Thrifter".

That's me to a T.

I love real garage sales. Not Tupperware parties.

I used to love auctions too. Not so much anymore since internet bidding came along.

I've also been called a Ditch Diver, a Dumpster Demon, a Sale Snake, a Kijiji Keener, and a Marketplace Mongrel. So I REALLY LOVE the moniker "THRIFTER". Yup, that's me too!

 

[Dan Dubeau]

That's what it's called now, but I thought it was just normal growing up poor lol. If I wanted something, I wasn't getting it new. No way I could afford to live the lifestyle I have now on new full retail prices. Not to mention the quality of new goods now is usually complete crap with a few exceptions. More money for less quality, no thanks.

It used to be frowned, and looked down upon, but now that the word "thrifter" is used, it's cool again.