It's a long story

[Papaw]

Since I am known locally as a tool freak, I often get asked for ID on a tool. Sometimes it is easy. often it is not. Sometimes I bring the tool here to get ID.
Last week in the old style hardware store here in town one of the guys told me another guy had a strange tool and I should go see it. Turned out it was a fellow nearby that I have known all my life and he has a small shop just down the street from me. He often sells stuff off a trailer in his lot, but it is usually garage sale stuff only.
I stopped in today to ask about the tool he had and he dug around in his pockets until he found it. It is one of these-

I told him it is a pin vise or jeweler's vise for holding things. Discussion lead to value, so I went home and did some digging. Anywhere from $15 to $60 on Ebay depending on quality.
One is offered at $89 or so, but it has a handle that appears to be original.



Offered on Ebay by seller  theyellowgarage   Ebay link- http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-tool-small-jeweler-hand-vise-clamp-ornate-good-working-condi-wide-mouth/221390342233?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.RVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20644%26meid%3D5676304258389888098%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D9209%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D111299584042

The one the guy down the street has is marked with a Rooster logo and the letters LHJ .

After all our discussion, the guy hands me a box full of tools that he wants me to look at and buy from him or sell for him. These will need sorting and some cleanup to see what might be worth the effort.

[turnnut]

Hi Pawpaw,  the handle that comes out, is it pointed like an awl ?

I was thinking that it might be used in leather work, just a guess without
seeing it all.

[Papaw]

The one with the handle is on Ebay, but from the picture, it does look like it is pointed.
As a matter of fact, I think there was one in the box, but the owner kept it for some reason.

[rusty]

If the hole punch in the box is by Osborne or as good it's worth $20 all by itself, and the handle on the screwdriver above it is beautiefull :)

[wvtools]

I have sold a few like the one in the top picture.  I usually get 20-30 for those at flea markets/antique shows.

[Papaw]

If the hole punch in the box is by Osborne

There are two in there. One is marked  Lasayre (Or L A SAYRE )Co.  Newark NJ  and is 3/4".
The other has no markings and appears to be 5/8".

[scottg]

This hand vise is cuter than most.
 Personally I think trying to tie it to a single trade is like trying to tie down a hammer to one trade. Jeweler cobbler tinsmith clockmaker toolmaker to say the least
   Hand vise, general purpose.

  I agree on the price too. Ask 30, haggle down to 20.

Personally I would pay 10 in a heartbeat. At 20 I would have to think, but I just might buy it. At a firm 30 I would walk.

 If anyone can get 20 dollars apiece for arc punches I would like to sell a few?? The only time I ever paid close to that was my Dasco set, and it has about 10 of them. I got it for 15.
      yours Scott
 

[Papaw]

Digging out some of the contents- There are still a bunch of small items, mostly taps and other chaff.
Cleaning will have to wait till later this week.
I did find two remarkable screwdrivers- One old wood handled and one insulated. Marked INSULATED  and I see another mark on the side that I can't decipher yet.

[Papaw]

The screwdrivers-

[johnsironsanctuary]

If the little wood screwdriver says Stanley on the ferrule, I need one for my Stanley 45.

[Papaw]

Doesn't seem to have any markings. I don't want to get too aggressive cleaning it.
OAL is 5 1/4", Wood is 3", shaft is 2", and the tip is 1/4".
Looks like this one on Rose Tools.
http://www.shop.roseantiquetools.net/85aa-Flathead-screwdriver-85aa.htm

[rusty]

>Lasayre (Or L A SAYRE )Co.  Newark NJ 

From the 1880's to apparently the mid 1930's, last index entry I can find is 1934.

They made general hardware , hand tools, kitchen gadgets etc..

> If anyone can get 20 dollars apiece for arc punches

As they say...location location location

Up here they are few and far between, and the ones I come across are usually cracked, broken, or chipped past the point they can be sharpened :(

$20 may be much, but I have paid $10 for the last big one I needed (inch I think), smaller ones are cheaper, but more often worn out past repair...

It has been years since I saw a complete set...

[scottg]

So, whats his deal with you on this stuff?
 If he thinks you should clean it and sell it and give him 1/2 the money?
Pass it.
 
 Cleaned and sold I am seeing maybe 10-20 bucks at best. Old files are worthless. Old tinsnips are not far behind.  Only a couple/3 of the drill bits would sell for a dollar apiece. Wooden handles are cool but hardly have any value. Old chisels only have value in mint condition or fully restored and but that is not fast to do.
 The strap wrench is cool but the strap is shot.
 
So cleaning for at least 2-3 hours and then selling for however long that takes,
 for 1/2 of 20 dollars? Has you working for about 2 dollars an hour, if that.

 I sometimes work cheap, but geeeeeze!
     yours Scott

[Papaw]

I'm positive he doesn't expect much out of them, and I won't spend a lot of time on them.
Agreed the files and taps are not worth anything. Some of the handles will be useful to me.
In a few days or a week or so, I'll take him some $$ and he'll be happy.

[keykeeper]

I like that strap wrench, I assume the strap is cotton web material. Would be handy to fit a new strap and have for turning out valves on my old Coleman lanterns (I'm thinking clamps the valve in a vise, and turning the tank with the wrench).