Tool hunting in Seattle question

Good Luck

David Miller from Iowa

>I'm from Iowa, which makes Ernie Miller and I neighbors compared to most posters (although he still owes me a beer for interrupting my September vacation with a crazy cell call). Isn�t Seattle over there past Denver? Wasn�t Stanley out of business before the indigenous people of Washington were displaced? Where exactly is the Canadian border out there?

Seriously, I get to Seattle on business a couple times a year and have never found a decent tool there (although Pike�s market is a trip). Anyone?

Seattle tool spots

Ryan Selberg in Salt Lake City

>There is a nice tool store in Seattle, near the University district, called Hardwicks. They have both new and used tools, and a lot of close packed isles to peruse. I have been in there only once (during a visit to my son, who lives in Seattle), but I would like to make a return visit to spend more time browsing. They also have sections with housewares, electrical, etc., plus some used furniture (remember it is near the University). They have a website at: eHardwicks.com.

Enjoy your visit, and bring an umbrella!

Ryan

Re: Seattle tool spots

eric

>Thanks - I'll definitely check it out.

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Jerry Nicholson

>Be sure to check out Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on the waterfront down the hill from the Pike Street Market. No tools but lots of weird stuff. It's been 20 years or so since I was there but I doubt that it has changed. If you care anything about airplanes, be sure to go to the air museum on the west side of King County Airport, across from Boeing Plant II. Part of the museum is the original Boeing plant with lots of old airplanes and engines.

Jerry

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question *LINK*

Mark Harrison -- in Sydney, Australia

>They also have a power tool shop (running flat belts) in the red barn that is period appropriate.

No matter what you do, make sure that if you're in the Seattle region you visit the Boeing museum. It is truly great.

Of interest, I notice from their website that they have taken over the Champlin Fighter Museum that was in Phoenix AZ and that they are moving the collection up to Seattle. I've also seen that collection in AZ. Also worth a visit.


http://www.museumofflight.org/

Re: Good Luck

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Geez I respond to one automatic e-mail and now I have to buy the beer? Ok I'll buy the first pitcher but after that all bets are off. How about KC in feburary at the tool show?

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Aaron Cunningham - Bothell, WA

>If you're going to be there a month you can drive around a bit... :) I'm an antique store guy just because they are easy to find.

I've had my best luck down I-5 a few hours at the Antique stores/malls in Kalama (http://www.cityofkalama.com/). The big Red Building off the freeway is a bit spendy. There's a guy with some good stuff in the back left. Best places in Kalama are the last two malls on the north end of town. On the left, try the top floor, I found some really good stuff here at decent prices. In the right hand mall there were a couple of guys with stuff.

The other direction, North on I-5 is Bellingham (http://www.bellingham.org/). Downtown on the water there are a number of antique malls/stores. I only got to visit one when I was there (got a 5" hand grinder), but there were 4 or 5 others within a few blocks. The place I stopped is right by Dyson, Baidarka & Co. on 435 West Holly St.

Don't forget about Snohomish (http://www.ci.snohomish.wa.us/), in the Snohomish Valley, Northwest of Seattle a bit. Main Street has more antique stores than you can believe. They also have a big antique mall. There's a good place in the mall, near all of the glassware, 3rd floor I think. All very well restored. I snagged a pretty type 12 #71 with rosewood handles at a reasonable price, all parts present. Just across the street, next door to a furniture place as I recall, was another guy with a really good selection of refurbs. Down at the end/beginning of Main was Black Cat Antiques. Good selection, but a bit 'collector' in price. Oh, yeah there's a great place about halfway up Main that had some good wooden planes the last time I was in.

Hope this might be of some help.

Aaron

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Matt Williams Marysville, WA

>If you are interested in figured wood at decent prices let meknow. I have several wood contacts. Very little as far as tools besides hardwicks and the standard pawn shops or antique stores.

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Bob Smalser, Seabeck, WA

>When you come in the summer, Bremerton on the other side of the ditch has a Sunday morning flea market at the Drive In Theater on Route # across from the airport.

With 3 major naval shipyards and another 3 major private yards close by, there are occasionally a number of tools.

Thank you

eric

>

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Dave Caudill

>Eric when is it you are going to be in the area? If it cooincides with one of the Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors meetings you could come along as a guest. Also I can put you on to several guys you could visit and talk tools and maybe doing some buying. There are a lot of folks out here in the tool club who have incredible collections and lots of user stuff up for grabs. Let me know your itinerary and maybe we could hook up. A month is a pretty good stretch of time and there are a lot of good things to see.

Dave

Rust Hunting

Doug Reynolds in Seattle

>Eric: Trust me, there are no good rust hunting places in the greater Seattle area. As someone mentioned earlier, by the time Seattle was inhabited, the industrial revolution was well underway and everyone was using electrons. All the antique shops I have visited want much more than e-bay for busted parts-missing stuff. Dave's right, the Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors is your best chance followed by flea narkets where folks try to unload grandpa's stuff. If you go to Hardwicks, bring a flashlight, patience and maybe some kneepads. Aisles are so narrow you cannot see anything unless you bring your own light and get on your hands and knees to see in the displays. The place has tons of charming character though.

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

eric

>That would be great! I'll be in Seattle from 11/22 to 12/23.

Re: Tool hunting in Seattle question

Dave Caudill

>Like Doug said antique shops are pretty sparse as far as tools go. And there are a lot of guys who are retired that hit them regularly so its hard to beat them to anything. I'll also look for any auctions or estate sales. Sometimes those are okay. Unfortunately December is the one month we don't have a meeting but there are several guys from the club who are always open for business. If time allows I could probably accompany you to some of these sights for some tool chasing. I have a couple favorites I like to visit and maybe they'll show us their collections.

We actually have our last meeting of the year this weekend in Portland. I'll ask around as far as anyone opening up for guests. Lets talk off sight sometime and I'll give you my numbers and all so we can talk and maybe work out some time to get out. I could show you what I have but it pales compared to most of these guys.

Dave