Sounds like an excellent excursion! Loving the idea of a permanent flea
market, Who knew Denver had such old tool resources!
Thanks for the report back.
Michael-pondering the next layover in Denver with new eyes.
On Tue, Dec 10, 2019 at 11:48 AM Kirk Eppler via Ba-galoots <
ba-galoots@l...> wrote:
> Gathered Galoots
>
> I just spent a long weekend in Denver (they get into the Christmas spirit
> much more than SF), and managed to get a little tool time in. This trip
> was poorly executed on my part, so we got off to a bit of a hectic start.
> Still managed to hit a trifecta in one day. None of these seemed to be
> mentioned in the archives, so here is a teaser for future Denver bound
> travelers.
>
> Started at the Mile High Flea Market, kinda in the NW boonies, I-76 & 88th
> Ave Henderson. This is a standing flea market, with hard booths for many
> vendors, and ocean going containers for others, and some who just show up
> with a trailer. Lots of tools, many NIB Dewalt and Milwaukee stuff, and
> the average 70-80s tools in the mix. Couple of tool vendors in hard booths
> had a nice selection of stuff, but knew what they had. Weren't the rock
> bottom prices we like, but were reasonable. Didn't see any must have WW
> stuff, lots of average planes and chisel. (Tools at top of picture). Small
> farmers market there too. Lots of typical flea junk too.
> https://milehighfleamarket.com/en/
>
> As I previously noted, I've been spending time on Garage Journal, and they
> had raved about a place called Charlie's 2nd Hand Store, 2227 Larimer,
> downtown near Coors Field. Been there since 1928, tons of old tools.
> Mostly mechanic's type stuff, some well organized (wrenches by brand,
> socket stuff by size for extensions, or spark plug sockets together), some
> I had no idea how it was organized. But lots of stuff. Two
> storefronts wide, and a basement under one half. The guy buys out estates,
> sorts it out, and has a great reputation. Kim saw some planes (average),
> and there were more up high on display, not for sale. Guy said give me
> your wish list, and I will keep an eye out for them as new stuff comes in.
> "Planes come through all the time, lots in the bins out back.....".
> Barrels of saws, boxes of chisels. Great staff, from the owner on down,
> they chatted with Kim while she waited as I poked around. Wish I had
> planned better, and brought a flashlight, gloves and more time. (socket
> and extension top right). He does sell on ebay by the same name.
> https://www.usedtoolsplus.com/
>
> The last stop of the day was a reference from Charlie's, Surplus Tools &
> Commodities Inc 1411 W Alameda. Was told to look for the artillery out
> front to find the parking lot. Showed up to see 4 cops out front, lights
> flashing. Drove around the block, parked far away, and walked up,
> expecting to not get in. Some guy pulling a trailer full of trash concrete
> had broken one or more axles on this trailer, had 2 flat tires, etc. Way
> overloaded, but not important. Also tool veterans, been around for 72
> years. Long enough to survive the flood of 1965, which took a bit of a
> toll on some inventory. This was another place I wish I could have spent
> more time.
>
> This place was a pickers joy. They had a bit of new hardware store stuff,
> and tons of surplus everything. Lots of NOS stuff. Again, way more than I
> can mention, and was stupid enough not to take pictures. Artillery sized
> boxes of NOS wrenches, drill bits, dividers, etc, many still in Cosmoline
> or protective paper, or both. Rusty boxes of taps, giant Morse taper
> drills, some stuff sold by the each, others by the pound.
> http://surplustoolsdenver.com/
>
> Got out of all these places for under $50, and would have spent more if I
> wasn't worried about suitcase volume and time. Was well under weight,
> including all the hard cider I bought, but that's a story for another day.
>
> I was originally bummed about missing the postponed December FleaBag run.
> Didn't miss out on acquisitions, but did miss the company.
>
> The haul is here
> https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Woodworking-Tools/i-JVcWvRV
>
> The bag from the Surplus store was a heavy unused Sugar Bag, worked nice
> to keep the pointy ends away from the clothes etc. on the way home.
>
> --
> Kirk Eppler in Half Moon Bay, CA, recovering from a late flight home, and
> now off to a meeting.
>
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--
Michael
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