Looks like this has been going for over a year, didn't look through all the post, but most are catalogs for sale on Ebay,

Any links to old  tools for reference use?  or is this only buy & sell catalogs.

I remember a link to old PLVMB tools catalogs that was very infomative.

Many members have posted links to catalog downloads. Most use LG as a middleman, that way the catalogs are posted in a central location. There hasn't been any uploads for awhile, but some members have an upload list, they just haven't remembered.

What are you looking for?

Look at the Rose Antique Tools site.  She has a bunch of catalogs on there that you can download.

http://www.roseantiquetools.com/

Catalogs available are on the left side.

Mike

The Catalog Forum is intended for posting links to catalogs, PDFs of catalogs, requests for info about or from catalogs, etc.

It's not useless to me

Thank you for the info, will checkout some links to learn more about some of the tools I have, the history, age, if it is rare, a collectable, or just an old "dime-a-dozen" tool

Quote from: FrankLee on September 07, 2012, 08:41:24 AM
IMHO, I think all the ebay heads-up made this catagory useless. If anyone wants to buy a catalog, I'm pretty sure they know to look on ebay.

Perhaps it would helpful to sticky the threads with real info.

It's not useless to me either. If I can help someone I will.

Looking on ebay is not the same as finding on ebay.

It may be that what we need is a Reference Forum*, someplace to stick links to catalogs, the ever abused table of IndustryStandardWrench sizes, , known logos etc etc. Perhaps moderated to discourage folks fromn drifting off yacking about other things that should be yacked about in general discussion.

Part of the trouble is that forums are not websites, and as such, they are kinda hard to keep organized as a place to keep general reference information, stuff gets buried under all the posts that follow....

The stickies only help a little, you can only make so many stickies before it gets silly and you can't find the threads under all the stickies....

(Trying to think of solutions that don't involve making even more work for papaw ;P)
2c

*Library?

Sounds like a good plan, have a "Reference Site" with links to various sources of Help, references, Patents, blogs, Forums, etc.
like PLOMB, Stanley, Craftman, Millers Falls, Record, Vintage Tools, The old tool Shed, Popular Mechanics, etc.:
http://www.roseantiquetools.com/, http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/index.html,  http://www.oldtools.com/index.html,  etc. 

How about a sub forum under the catalog forum for "heads up"?  I don't think the ebay listings are useless, I often follow them to see what's there.  Sometimes  I am disappointed that it isn't actually the catalog.    The links to the other catalog sites could also be grouped (another sub?).  Just my rambling thoughts.  Agree with Rusty-  library for actual catalogs.  If we do a good job of self discipline, hopefully, it won't be more work for our Leader.

Trying to assimilate all the suggestions and figure out what we want and need. With the way the membership of Tool Talk handles itself, changes won't make more work for me.
I could make two forums- one for reference and one for "heads up" posts like Ebay listings.
I'll have to do some figuring to see what to do.

I see several sides to this.  Firstly, I appreciate what Eddie does with posting the "heads-up" around tool catalogs.  I was astounded from day #1 here that he could/would track these daily.  When I say I appreciate it, I mean to say is that I find it helpful on occasion in identifying catalogs I've otherwise missed.  It also helps serve as a "double reminder" when one is important to me.  That said - I'm not in favor of their posting in current form.  Here's why:

IMO - "useless" is a little strong, but I tend to agree Frank has a point.  I would say it's more like walking into a well funded library, and every piece of reference material is laying on the floor, and any person is free to walk in without announcing his/her self and take it (without record).   I find it difficult to surface catalog references within the current construct.  The volume of postings in this category is often high.  The scope of postings seems to be that of one man's view.

It is also my belief that most serious tool collectors have their "eyes out" sufficiently for "what matter's most".  That is to say - business channels that are as common as Ebay, craigslist, kijji, etc. are regularly monitored by them for their prime targets.  These sites all have tools to assist you.  I understand oversight's happen and search tools lack robustness.  I understand there are exceptions where other's help.  I've had things brought to my attention I would not had seen otherwise (was done to me here two days ago in a post) - but at what cost to the membership?  I can see a better argument for a posting if it were some obscure local advert. no one else is likely to see otherwise, and their is likely interest among the group. 

Agreed that "looking for" and "finding" on Ebay are very different.  I like to think there is still some competitive advantage to creative thinking, working hard, being focused, and striving to be the best at what you do.  It's not that I don't appreciate being "made aware".  However, IMHO it is my responsibility, and enjoyment, to find and source as creatively as possible.  I like to think my unique methods provide me with a bit of an advantage over the next buyer.  When these "heads-up" postings are made, I feel that advantage is somewhat ripped away.  If the awareness were made available a little less publicly it would be much more helpful.  I'd also suggest these, and other, "heads-up" postings serve to drive auction bidding - good or bad - to your benefit or detriment - like it or no.

I would like to see "heads-up" go away as we know it, and the membership rely on PM to advise other members on items they believe are of importance to them.  If the "heads-up" (including catalogs on ebay) are to remain I would prefer to have ALL of them in their own category/bucket - exclusively - with reference content (links to catalogs, etc.) elsewhere.

My friendly 2c

I'm with Oily,

Put the actual downloadable or viewable catalogs in a separate place.  I'm sure we all have some downloaded or scanned catalogs that we could upload to a forum? for everyone's benefit.  Also, it needs to be somewhere free.  I refuse to pay some site for the ability to download a catalog that was uploaded to them for free.  Papaw has an H.D. Smith catalog that I would like to have but it is on a site that wants to charge you to download it.  I can buy the reprint from Roger Smith or Martin Donnelly cheaper than joining that outfit.

Mike

Quote from: mikeswrenches on September 09, 2012, 12:20:24 PM
Papaw has an H.D. Smith catalog that I would like to have but it is on a site that wants to charge you to download it.

I wonder if that has changed?

I can't recall exactly where I got that catalogue from Papaw (before I bought my own hard copy at Lee Valley), but I certainly didn't pay for it.

As always, I would be happy to add new catalogues at the central mediafire site and I can provide links to individual catalogues or a link to a page where all currently uploaded are available.

Admittedly, one would have to search for the individual threads at present to find such links...

I made the PDF on Scribd. Didn't know you have to pay to download. I'll see if I can fix that.