Ramblings
Sometimes Life's About Timing
Sometimes the best additions to a workshop arrive when you weren't looking for anything at all.
The thing about not having a project going on the house is that I find myself looking for little projects to tinker with over the winter. Such was the case last weekend when I went to The Tool Box just to browse like I usually do, and found out that life is indeed...all about timing. Let's get into it.
Browsing Without a Plan
There I was, an early Saturday morning visitor to The Tool Box and just finishing up browsing for about 10 minutes, and chatting with the old Coast Guard veterans running the place. Just as I was pulling out $2 to pay for a 50-cent knife sharpener, and a $1 multi-head screwdriver (something like this)...
...something caught my eye. Outside the store window, an SUV pulled up and a family of 3 popped out. In a wink, they opened the hatch of the SUV and started to pull out...wait for it...tool boxes!
The Booty (git yer mind outta the gutter!)
Without skipping a beat I told ol' popeye behind the counter that maybe I'd wait a couple minutes before checking out. In a flash, our hero family deposited two beautiful tool boxes and three large plastic totes, took their donation receipt and faxed away into memory. Anxious, but not wanting to be rude, I waited until they left before I and two pretenders swooped down on the fresh carion!
People talk about perfect timing, but I think everything is perfect in its moment; you just want to capture that. - Eddie Huang
While the others headed for the totes, I knealt beside those boxes.
The Waterloo Jackpot
The first box just had a few odds and ends, but the other a Waterloo, had a nice assortment of had tools.
A Toolbox With Some History
Such a sweet assortment, a Perfect Handle ball peen hammer, screwdrivers, sockets and so much more!
There was such a variety of tools, I knew instantly that I wanted the tool box - tools and all. Part of the attraction wasn't simply getting a bargain. Older hand tools have a personality that's hard to describe until you've used them. Many were built before manufacturers started shaving pennies off every casting and handle. They're often heavier, simpler, and surprisingly comfortable to use. Every scratch hints at another project, another garage, another homeowner who depended on them long before they found their way to 173. Even if every tool never gets used again, they'll still remind me that good tools deserve more than a trip to the landfill.
I offered told the old Coastie that the box and it's contents probably amounted to more than a $20 value but that was all the cash in hand - he said, "It's yours!"
What Was Inside?
So he figured out the price point including taxes so it would amount to that lonely Jackson in my pocket. That's how these guys are. I thanked him and told him that if there turned out to be anything of significant value I'd give pay up a bit next time I stopped by. He waved me off.
As soon as I got the toolbox home I took everything out and looked it over. Everything was in very good shape, and one thing I thought was really cool was the boxes that you've seen in the pictures above and below. These are the tops and bottoms of the old packaging for English Leather Cologne! So these boxes are actually of that old wood and are in really great shape!
And there were some tools that I didn't have including an adjustable wrench, which is now the largest adjustable branch that I have - so that was exciting.
Cleaning Up the New Additions
A few of the tools were bit grimy so I threw them in purple cleaner for a couple days.
Because these tools are in such good shape, it's not likely I'll have to do any restorations. That being the case, you'll likely only see them again in future posts as incidental to some random project here at 173.
And that's the story of how I picked up a very nice tool box and a bunch of random hand tools for $20. Hey, thanks for stopping by - see ya' next time!
What I appreciated most about this post was that you weren't chasing dollar signs. You weren't trying to figure out what everything was worth on an auction site. You saw a well-used Waterloo toolbox filled with honest working tools and immediately understood its real value. That's the mindset that separates collectors from flippers. The history matters as much as the hardware.The little details made the story memorable too. The English Leather boxes, the Perfect Handle hammer, the adjustable wrench that instantly became the biggest one in your shop, and even the conversation with the Coast Guard veteran behind the counter all gave the toolbox a personality. By the end, it wasn't just twenty dollars' worth of steel, it had become another chapter in the ongoing story of House 173, where old things continue finding useful new lives. - The Tool Collector
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes vintage hand tools worth buying instead of purchasing new ones?
Many older hand tools were manufactured during an era when durability mattered more than minimizing production costs. Forged steel construction, hardwood handles, and repairable designs mean many vintage tools still perform as well as—or better than—their modern counterparts. While they may show decades of use, a little cleaning and maintenance is often all that's needed to put them back into regular service.
How can you tell whether an old toolbox is worth purchasing?
Start by looking beyond the toolbox itself. The real value is often in the contents. Check for recognizable brands, complete socket sets, quality screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, specialty tools, and hammers with solid handles. Surface rust is usually not a deal-breaker, but cracked castings, severely mushroomed striking tools, or broken ratchets may require replacement. Even if only half the tools are useful, a reasonably priced toolbox can quickly pay for itself.
What is the history of Waterloo toolboxes?
Waterloo began in 1922 as the Waterloo Valve Spring Compressor Company in Waterloo, Ontario. Over the decades, the company expanded into manufacturing metal tool chests and cabinets that became staples in home workshops, garages, and professional trades. Their products earned a reputation for sturdy construction and practical design, and Waterloo eventually supplied storage products for retailers and tool companies including Craftsman, Lowe's, and Cornwell. Many older Waterloo toolboxes remain in service today because they were built to withstand decades of daily use.
Should old hand tools be restored or simply cleaned?
That depends on their condition. If a tool is structurally sound and only covered in dirt, grease, or light surface rust, a careful cleaning is often the best approach. Over-restoring can remove the honest wear and patina that tell the tool's story. Reserve full restorations for tools that are heavily rusted, seized, or no longer functional. For many collectors and DIYers, preserving character is just as important as making a tool look new.
Why do so many DIYers enjoy rescuing old tools?
For many people, it isn't just about saving money. Older tools often carry a sense of history and craftsmanship that's difficult to find today. Every worn handle and scratched wrench represents years of real work. Bringing those tools back into service keeps useful equipment out of landfills while honoring the generations of tradespeople and homeowners who relied on them. It's a practical hobby that combines history, restoration, and the satisfaction of giving well-made tools another chance to earn their keep.
Keywords
vintage toolbox, Waterloo toolbox, vintage hand tools, tool haul, used tools, thrift store tools, DIY workshop, antique tools, tool collecting, House 173