Model A tool kits

glenn in camino

glenn in camino

Well-known member
I've been collecting Model A tools in hopes of selling complete tool sets for big bucks. Am I wasting time and money or are complete sets , including everything, really worth anything?
 
There has been a 1931 tool kit on eBay for $450 for over four months (not an auction - just buy it now) with no takers. I have found it fun and pretty easy to put together one for my 1929 tudor on my own. The only piece I am missing is the jack handle, but I refuse to pay $80 for a straight piece of metal with a 90 degree twist! It is on my list so the hunt goes on, and it is the hunt that's fun. I'll find one eventually.
 

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I suppose that some of the pricing has to do with the definition of 'complete tool set'. Does it contain a fully restored and correctly functioning Tire Pump ? Does it contain an original 'Owners Manual' ?, Does it have a tire iron with a square hole for brake adjustment ?

There are many variations and difinitions as to what constitutes a 'complete' tool set. With many of the tools now being made as reproductions (even a tire pump - of sorts) originality and 'conterfeit' also comes into play.

But there are always someone to buy just about anything. As has been said, you'll just have to 'test the waters' to see where the price point is for the successful selling of your product.
 
pgerhardt said:
There has been a 1931 tool kit on eBay for $450 for over four months (not an auction - just buy it now) with no takers. I have found it fun and pretty easy to put together one for my 1929 tudor on my own. The only piece I am missing is the jack handle, but I refuse to pay $80 for a straight piece of metal with a 90 degree twist! It is on my list so the hunt goes on, and it is the hunt that's fun. I'll find one eventually.
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Is that a picture of yours or the 1931 item on ebay?
 
pgerhardt, I was ready to make my own jack handle, as they seem to be quite rare, then I was at a swap meet as a guy was unloading his car. I spotted the jack handle for my jack and asked the price. He said $5, and made my day.
 
Tool sales for the A are strange, I saw a screw driver sell for 42.00 and another sell for 10.00. I just bought one at a tractor show for $1.00. I also saw a 1931 jack used from mar 31 until the end sell for 345.00.
 
Tool kit prices generally rise just before a National Meet when a Fine-Point guy is desperate! :D

Gary Johnson, Don Turley, and Don Hesse are the 3 that I think are biggest in offering restored 'A' Tools.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
And, don't forget the original instruction paper wrapped around the grease gun.
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No paper, but the grease gun is my favorite part of my kit. One day on my way home from work I passed a home with an estate sale sign. I pulled in and while most went in the house to see what they could pick up, I headed for the barn to look for old car stuff. I found the grease gun. Paid 25 cents! :D I am not concerned with points. I just wanted something else for the people to see who come by at a show.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
pgerhardt, I was ready to make my own jack handle, as they seem to be quite rare, then I was at a swap meet as a guy was unloading his car. I spotted the jack handle for my jack and asked the price. He said $5, and made my day.
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Now that's what I am talking about! :D
 
Tools are fun to hunt, and I seem to have them pile up in my barn until every now and then I'm forced to place an ad to cut the pile down. Some A tools seem to be very hard to find and they command hefty prices, but for the most part they show up eventually for a reasonable price.

As you might guess, I'm not going for any judging, but here are my tools along with my 29 Roadster. And YES, I know the jack is wrong but it works better than my stamped one...

Funny thing, I've been working on getting another ad out in the next few days so they can be delivered in time for Christmas - Good timing for the interest in tools...
 

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It is really just the coolest thing to go to a garage sale and find a few A tools in the old 25 cent tool pile,:) just letin ya know their was an A hear at some point
 
E-Bay listed tool kit is missing too many components to be worth $425.00.
Here is a photo of an unrestored early to mid 1928 kit that could probably sell for $450.00-500.00 around National Meet time.

Ray
 

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Tom Wesenberg said:
pgerhardt, I was ready to make my own jack handle, as they seem to be quite rare, then I was at a swap meet as a guy was unloading his car. I spotted the jack handle for my jack and asked the price. He said $5, and made my day.
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I just picked up a model A jack along with the correct handle on eBay for $45. Not as good as $5 at a flea market, but better than $80 for a twisted piece of metal! :)
 

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Arcieri said:
E-Bay listed tool kit is missing too many components to be worth $425.00.
Here is a photo of an unrestored early to mid 1928 kit that could probably sell for $450.00-500.00 around National Meet time.

Ray
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Your kit is spot on. Do you have the vast collection of all the various Model A kits?
The most common wrong items seen are ''Ford USA'' stamped which were mostly V8 era. Most Model A tools were not stamped Ford [ except in 1928] & if you think it is hard to get the correct ones, try looking for a complete Canadian kit.
 
Don Turley said:
The jack in that photo is not a correct Ford Model A jack. The seller describes it as a "Model A era" jack and a correct Model A jack handle. A reproduction of that jack handle is available for less than $35.
There is more involved in that jack handle than just "twisting a piece of metal." There is a slot near one end. The other end is tapered and has a concave tip to use as a tire iron. I expect that the original ones were made of a stronger grade of steel than the reproduction ones.
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I bid for the handle. Still half the dealer price for one.
 
I stumble onto many tools also. I have most of the kit for my deliver and Dad's coupe. I try to pick up what I can find at auctions etc.. Have about 20 extra spark plug wrenches and several extra cranks. Sold off 5 extra cranks in Sept. Also have 15 extra adjustable wrenches. May have to make trades to get the rest of the tools we are still missing. Rod
 
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