Thread: Sydney Tool Hunt

Depends on where in Sydney you are, but Trash & Treasure on Camden Valley Way at Horningsea Park/Prestons, on Sunday, has some stuff.

Around the City and Inner West:

There are markets in Glebe Point Road at Glebe, about a kilometre from Parramatta Road, public transport accessible. Also a number of 'Antique' shops/galleries on Parramatta Road for a few kilometres west of Glebe Point Road. No guarantee of anything useful at any of them, The Glebe Pt. Rd markets are more in the line of a Trash & Treasure with people bringing their junk to sell and a few regular vendors.

The Bower in the Community Centre, Addison Road, Newtown is a fairly well know rummaging spot, I have no idea if the blokes running it have any knowledge of what they are selling. Also Public transport accessible.

There are markets in Balmain in the grounds of the old church, Darling & Curtis St, Balmain. Haven't been there for many years but there was the occasional stand with old tools (before I knew what to look for). There was an Old Wares shop on a corner opposite which had old wooden planes etc but the owner was pretty ancient and I have no idea if it is still there. Public transport accessible.

Notice my emphasis on Public Transport - i.e. busses. Parking near all these markets is horrendous, you will spend nearly as long looking for a spot and then walking to the markets as you will spend actually in the markets.

Paddington Markets in Oxford St Paddington is mainly permanent stall holders with clothing or 'crafty' decorator items, very little if any second hand goods.

Don't think you'll find anything at the rocks. Been there a few times and have never seen any tools (and for that matter barely anything second hand).

Undoubtedly too far but there are a few old-wares shops down in Milton and I've seen a fair few planes (and indeed a Stanley no. 5) and other tools go through there.

I would also warn against the Balmain markets, I used to live just down the road until a couple of years ago, small market, slim pickings unless you are after a funky velvet dress and hat...
Maybe the Fairfield markets - big markets, haven't been there for a decade, but they did have tools.

Google market Sydney 3rd Saturday or third Sunday

You might like to try if you have access to a vehicle as they are in the burbs:
1. Sat - Flemington Market sat morning early. Big trash and treasure area in bottom floor of carpark. If you see lots of fruit and veg your in the wrong bit. Three tool sellers. Jimmy (last guy or first guy middle row depending on which end you enter from) usually has hand planes.

2. Sun- north Rocks rotary market in the school for deaf and blind children. Usually someone selling tools however is the haunt of many collectors from the traditional tools group.
3. Sun - Blacktown drive in market. Sometimes a plane or three sometimes not. This is my local so if I have gotten up late I will go there.
4. Sun -Trash and treasure prestons- been mentioned before. Jimmy from Flemington is here as well.

Others
Sunday- I have not not found much of value at Bankstown markets at the paceway.
Sat - You could try Riverwood there use to be a gent there. But very small and out of the way.
Both - Roselle Markets

Here is a link you can try http://www.you.com.au/market-sydney.html

i have never seen anything much at Bondi market ( just bored husbands being dragged about by wives)

Thanks everyone for the tips.

I'm in North Ryde but I have a vehicle and there is a train station just down the road so I will have a good chance to hunt down both options.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I managed to get out and about today for a good look and while I didn't have much luck with the hand plane I did find a pair of dividers to keep me happy.

The markets here are quite good. Next time I am over for the weekend I will have to do a bit more planning in advance.