Old tools that once lived in basements and barns are now quietly selling for hundreds on eBay, especially when they are rare, well preserved, and tied to respected makers. If you know what to look for, everything from compact planes to heavy vises can outperform trendy collectibles and even rival the prices of vintage holiday decor that already commands strong bids on resale sites. Here are 11 antique tools that routinely attract serious money and deserve a second look before you toss them in the donation box.

1) Stanley No. 1 Sweetheart Plane

The Stanley No. 1 Sweetheart Plane is one of the smallest bench planes ever produced, and that compact size is exactly what pushes prices into the hundreds. Collectors track it as a standout example in lists of antique woodworking tools worth big bucks, where early 20th century Stanley models with the heart-shaped logo are singled out for their scarcity. On eBay, clean examples with intact japanning and legible “Sweetheart” marks can climb far beyond the price of larger, more common planes.

For you as a seller, the stakes are simple: misidentifying a No. 1 as a toy or novelty could mean leaving several hundred dollars on the table. Look for the short sole, narrow iron, and that distinctive sweetheart logo on the lever cap. Even if the plane shows honest shop wear, collectors value originality over shine, so resist the urge to over-polish or replace parts before listing.

2) Disston D-8 Handsaw

The Disston D-8 Handsaw is another star from the same roster of 20 valuable woodworking tools, prized for its high quality steel and graceful skew-back profile. Late 1800s and early 1900s D-8s with a full-length blade and carved apple or rosewood handle routinely attract collectors who restore period furniture or traditional timber framing. The saw’s etch, if still visible on the blade, can significantly boost value because it confirms authenticity and era.

On eBay, you will see sharp, straight D-8s with clear medallions and minimal pitting sell for far more than modern hardware-store saws. The broader trend is that serious woodworkers are willing to pay for tools that can still perform, not just hang on a wall. If you find a D-8 at a flea market, check the handle for cracks and the blade for kinks before you assume it is only worth scrap prices.

3) Millers Falls No. 2 Eggbeater Drill

The Millers Falls No. 2 Eggbeater Drill appears in photo-driven rundowns of valuable antique tools because its brass gears and compact frame make it both functional and display-worthy. Collectors look for 1920s versions with a three-jaw chuck, crisp red or black paint on the drive wheel, and a hardwood side handle that has not been replaced. When those details line up, the drill can sell for over 200 dollars, especially if the gears still turn smoothly under light pressure.

For buyers and sellers, the No. 2 shows how hand-powered tools have become status pieces in hand-tool woodworking circles. A well-preserved eggbeater drill lets you market to both decorators and craftspeople, which is why bidding can escalate quickly. Before listing, test the chuck, photograph the brass gear cluster closely, and highlight any original finish that sets your drill apart from later, cheaper imitations.

4) Vintage Stanley Level

A Vintage Stanley Level, especially a wooden-bodied spirit level with brass end caps and vials, is exactly the kind of home improvement tool that garage sale guides flag as a sleeper hit. In roundups of valuable tools to hunt at yard sales, these levels are cited as items that can exceed 300 dollars on eBay when the wood is sound and the brass hardware is intact. Early examples often feature inlaid vials and stamped model numbers that help confirm age.

From a resale perspective, the key is condition and originality. Collectors prefer levels that still have readable logos and unbroken glass, even if the bubble is slightly off. If you spot one leaning in a corner for a few dollars, you are looking at a potential triple-digit flip. Clean it gently, document any markings, and emphasize its role in early 20th century construction when you write the listing.

5) Keen Kutter Auger Bit Set

The Keen Kutter Auger Bit Set, often described as early 1900s ship augers in an original wooden box, fits squarely into advice on how to make 1,000 pounds by selling old tools and gadgets online. Guides on turning old tools into Christmas cash highlight boxed sets like these as capable of reaching about 200 pounds per set when the bits are complete and clearly marked. The shipbuilding heritage and recognizable Keen Kutter branding give these augers a built-in story that buyers respond to.

For you, the implication is that a dusty wooden case under a workbench might be a serious earner rather than scrap metal. Count the bits, check for matching sizes, and photograph the box lid if it still carries the Keen Kutter logo. Because buyers often want sets for both use and display, emphasizing the original packaging can be just as important as the steel itself.

6) Union No. 6 Brace

The Union No. 6 Brace is another standout from curated lists of old tools worth big bucks, where ratcheting bit braces from the 1890s are singled out for their durability. Collectors look for smooth ratchet action, a solid chuck, and turned wooden handles that still spin freely. When those mechanical details are intact, a No. 6 can fetch hundreds from hand-tool enthusiasts who prefer vintage braces over modern cordless drills for fine work.

In the broader market, the Union No. 6 shows how precision engineering keeps value long after a tool’s original era. If you are evaluating one for resale, test the ratchet in both directions and note any play in the head. Clear photos of the stamped “Union” name and model number will reassure buyers that they are getting a genuine 19th century brace, not a later knockoff.

7) Starrett Combination Square

The Starrett Combination Square, particularly early 1900s versions with a hardened steel blade and cast head, appears in photo collections of rare antique tools because it bridges woodworking and machinist precision. Collectors and metalworkers alike seek out squares with crisp graduations, intact spirit vials, and original scribers. When those features line up, rare configurations can sell for 400 dollars or more, especially if the blade length and head style match sought-after catalog listings.

For sellers, the stakes are higher than they might seem for a simple measuring tool. A Starrett square that looks ordinary to a casual observer can be a key reference tool for restoration work, which is why serious buyers scrutinize every detail. Clean the blade carefully without sanding off the markings, confirm that the head locks firmly, and highlight any patent dates or model numbers in your description.

8) Irwin Record Vise

The Irwin Record Vise, a heavy cast-iron bench vise from the mid 1900s, is a textbook example of a garage sale sleeper that can be worth hundreds online. Lists of high-value home improvement items point to vises like this as undervalued because they are bulky and often caked in paint, which hides their true potential. Once cleaned, a Record vise with straight jaws and a smooth screw mechanism can command strong bids from woodworkers and metalworkers setting up traditional benches.

From your perspective, the key is not to be scared off by rust or grime. Check that the jaws open and close without binding and that the mounting lugs are not cracked. Because shipping is a factor, photograph the vise from multiple angles so buyers can judge condition before committing to a heavy parcel. A vise that looks like scrap at a yard sale can become a centerpiece in a workshop and a solid earner in your eBay account.

9) Fowler Scraper

The Fowler Scraper, an adjustable cabinet scraper from the 1920s, fits neatly into guidance on using old tools and gadgets to build a 1,000 pound holiday fund. In advice on selling forgotten gadgets on eBay, tools like this are highlighted as ideal flip candidates because they are small, collectible, and still useful. A Fowler scraper with its original adjuster and blade can appeal to both furniture restorers and collectors of niche edge tools.

For sellers, the opportunity lies in recognizing that not every valuable tool is large or obviously complex. Cabinet scrapers are often tossed into mixed tool boxes, where they can be bought cheaply in lots. Once you identify the Fowler name and confirm the adjuster works, you can list it individually with clear photos of the logo and mechanism, turning a low-cost find into a focused, higher-margin sale.

10) Atwood Spoke Shave

The Atwood Spoke Shave, a specialized woodworking shave from the 1880s with adjustable irons, rounds out the roster of woodworking tools that bring big money. Collectors and chairmakers look for early shaves with intact adjustment screws, full-length irons, and gracefully curved handles. When those elements are present, Atwood shaves can routinely sell for 250 dollars or more to hobbyists who prefer traditional edge tools for shaping chair legs and spindles.

In the broader antique tool market, the Atwood illustrates how niche tools can outperform more familiar items. If you find one, resist the temptation to grind the blade aggressively or repaint the body, since originality is a major value driver. Instead, document any maker’s marks, measure the sole length, and emphasize its 19th century origins in your listing so buyers understand exactly what they are bidding on.

11) Lufkin Tape Measure

The Lufkin Tape Measure, especially brass-cased retractable models from the 1910s, is featured in visual rundowns of valuable antique tools because it combines compact design with surprising resale value. Collectors seek out tapes with intact enamel faces, smooth retraction, and clearly stamped Lufkin branding. When those details align, certain examples have been documented reaching 500 dollars on eBay, far outpacing modern plastic tapes that cost only a few pounds new.

For you, the lesson is that even small measuring tools can be serious money-makers if they are early, mechanical, and visually appealing. Check that the tape pulls out fully without kinks and that the case has not been heavily polished, which can erase patina that collectors like. In a resale landscape where even vintage holiday decorations are commanding high prices on platforms highlighted by Halloween decor guides, a rare Lufkin tape measure shows how everyday objects can quietly become high-value collectibles.