Members
Be Careful!
When buying old tools it is easy to be caught by the strength of emotions, the lack of knowledge, the inability to inspect and the desires of the dishonest.
When buying tools at Auction, whether internet or live, take every opportunity to inspect the tool you are wanting to buy.  Are there hidden cracks and are all the pieces there?  I have more than once bought an item off the auction block that I did not get a chance to inspect, only to be disappointed by what I found. On internet auctions, closely view the piece, if you have questions, E-mail the seller.  If what you received in the mail was not what you expected, send it back with a detailed note of why you were not satisfied.
I will update this column with timely advice on a regular basis, so check in from time to time,
The Old Tool Nut