What to do with vintage set?

[Tim_NC]

Hello Everyone,

First "Nice Site"!
I need some advise on what to do with a vintage Snap-on collection I just bought for an investment. I would really like it to go to an avid collector and not someone who's just going to resell. The tools range from 1935 to 1960, most being early to mid 50's. It was packed into a nice KR-61 "SupperChest" with a KR-1 tray. This box is sitting on a KRH-300 Rolla-Bench. My dilemma is should I keep this set together or offer it to collectors seperatly. I would really like to sell it as a set to someone that would keep it together, it is an awesome set of tools. The idea of making a list of all it's contents scares me! 200 or more items! I'm not sure if this is the forum I should be posting this on as I am looking for advise at this point? I would welcome any thoughts on what I should do!

Thanks,
Tim

[skipskip]

Try to see the difference between "investment" and sentiment.

If you are seeing this as an investment, you will get maximum return by selling the individual wrench sets on ebay, and the box locally.

If you want it go to a museum that's a different story.

Remember once you sell it, it isn't yours anymore, so the next person may do with it what they chose.

So do your research and determine exactly how much return you need to make, and sell it accordingly.

Skip

[Tim_NC]

Thank you Skip, sounds like good advise. I really do not want to invest all the time it would take to sell pc by pc on Ebay, I have a day job. So I guess if I could find a local person interested in all, that may be my best bet. And yes what they do with it is up to them. It sounds like either way I will have to make a list of all the contents of this collection. I'm not looking to get rich but I know this collection has value. I'll get busy putting together a list and will post it here before making any Ebay sales and see if anybody on this site is interested in any of it. I only have a couple of pictures right now, Not very good pictures at that.
Thanks,
Tim

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[skipskip]

you dont need to list EACH WRENCH indivdualy

Group them in sets as they might have come from Snap-on

combination wrenches together or S wrenches together, etc

I'd love to give those boxes a home.

Can I assume the Tim NC indicates you are on the eastern seaboard?

Skip

[Frank Murch]

I think if you want to maximize the money out of a set, you can list them individually. The problem with that is there are certain sizes that are always used - they will sell first, then it takes time and multiple listings to sell the others. Splitting up a set means a lot of small sales over a long time - it is a hassle.

As for an investment, I think all of these tools would be worth a lot more in a good economy. The rarer tools sell on good and bad days, but the more common tools seem to sell for less now. If you wanted more out of them - wait a year or two.

When you do advertize them - pictures, a good description and patience gets the highest price.

If you clean them up over time, repaint the box and roll it into the garage - you could use this set for years. Sell the Craftsman or Proto and keep the Snap on. They will be worth more later and you need a set of tools. You cannot do better than these!!

[Tim_NC]

Yes Skip, I am in Western North Carolina.

I want to say that before I purchased this set of tools that I was not a Snap-On collector, but as I go through them and start to clean them up I’m not sure I will be able to sell them! To hold a 55 year old pair of needle nose pliers (96) that still work as good as the day they were made is phenomenal! I’m starting to think that I may sell all the things I do not have a use for and keep the stuff I can use myself. This collection came with a lot of stuff some of witch I would never use, not all Snap-On. The previous owner was a antique car restorer (Cord, Auburn, Desoto), He passed about fifteen years ago and the set has been undisturbed and collecting dust. I’m not sure how I happened to be standing at the right place at the right time to get this set. What really caught my eye were the boxes, they are awesome! I took the KR-61 apart and cleaned it up the other day and this thing is so well built! 60 years old and works like a new one! Now I want a KR-431 for the KRH-300!

So Thanks Frank you are absolutely right! I should be the one that uses these tools! I can always sell them in the future if the need arises. (Money in the bank) Here are a few pictures of some things that I will be selling I just do not have a use for them. As I go through this set I will post the more interesting finds for all to see.
THANKS!!!!

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[skipskip]

Phew!! we talked you down from the ledge!!

Keep them, and enjoy them, they will be your friends for years!!

Skip