If I were doing this I would start watching the estate sales.
Older mechanics are unfortunately passing away all the time. Their tools are often on the auction block. What they owned they bought many years ago and is suppior to most of what is available today. Auction prices for old tools often go very cheap.
Just as Pontiac said, estate sales, flea markets and auctions are a good source for quality older tools. It will be readily apparent if they have been well-cared for or abused.
As for nuts and bolts, for fifty-plus years, I’ve had a “Lucky Box: into which I toss every nut and bolt I remove from any project I’m doing, especially the trashed machinery headed for recycle. Over the years I’ve amassed several hundred pounds of miscellaneous fasteners. If I need a one-off nut or bolt, I’ll look there and see if I’m lucky that day. I usually am. Good luck.
TC
What you said is very true, tool brand(s) @ estate sales to look for Snap-on, Cornwall, Matco.
Why are these tool brand(s) better, just look at say any socket, you’ll see that the hole/size is centered, than look at say a Sear’s socket, and you will see it is off centered.
P.S. when using a open end / box wrench, to loosen a nut, ALWAY’S start with the Box end to loosen first, then switch to the open end.
If you start with the open end, and there is a lot of resistance, the open end will spread apart and slip off, if your lucky, you won’t curt your knuckles. Also when loosening a nut/bolt combination, ALWAYS loosen the nut if accessible, NOT THE HEAD OF THE BOLT, as shown on THE SHOW American Restorer. That is an example of how NOT TO DO IT.