Where do you find really nice stuff?

[flair woodworks]

I like Festool because their products are innovative and well-designed.

I also appreciate these qualities outside of the shop too, so I'm always interested at looking at other fine products. Things like this stapler carried by Lee Valley.

But where do you find them? Are there any such products that you like?

 

[woodguy7]

Thats a nice stapler

 

[Wuffles]

I'll send you a redacted copy of my Wife's credit card statement if you like.

 

[tony_sheehan]

El casco stapler. Made, I think, in Spain. Not cheap

 

[Kev]

That stapler looks like something you would have seen in a telegraph office [big grin]

 

[flair woodworks]

I think this hole punch is beautiful, as well.

 

[teocaf]

I like Festool because their products are innovative and well-designed.

I also appreciate these qualities outside of the shop too, so I'm always interested at looking at other fine products. Things like this stapler carried by Lee Valley.

But where do you find them? Are there any such products that you like?

I was also taken by the form factor of that El Casco stapler and ordered it from Lee Valley.  Once I received it, I was disappointed and returned it right away.  The pictures don't convey just how small the thing is--a bit like a toy.  It holds relatively few staples, it does not have rubber pads like their other model, the knurled knobs are kinda sharp to the touch and when you grab it to use it the bottom flops down which is annoying.  Just goes to show that a cool picture does not tell these type of things --sometimes you have to handle the thing.  Given all those nagging features, if I came across a vintage version of that very same stapler, I would definitely grab it, because the older versions have a more substantial spring and back uprights, smoother finish on the knobs and on that receiver disc and it came in cooler colors, in my opinion, than that garish gold and black.
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But getting to your actual question, I will contribute this item that I've had and used for quite a few years now:  the Propello desk fan by black & blum.  It's very quiet, works very well and it has a unique angle adjust feature. Plus it has this cool retro look coupled with modern materials like the molded rubber blades that stop when you stick your hand in.  I got it from England when it first came out, but since then I've seen that it has become available in the US as well.

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[WastedP]

I bought an Asko dishwasher because of it's incredibly well thought out design.  Every time I load it, for three years now, I am taken by how sensible the layout is inside.  Utility was a priority over "value engineering."

From a purely sculptural standpoint, I really like the Northern Telecom 3554 phone.  I bought one at a yard sale years ago for a buck, and finally polished it up and installed it down on our workbench last summer.  It's a glossy tribute to over-building, with a handset heavy enough to use as a weapon, and a classy ring that sounds more like a polite request than the robotic intrusion that modern phones bleat.

 

[bertv]

Great fan. I have one too : )). Nice webshop with great products: manufactum.de Lots of classic things.

 

[sancho57]

I got to local charity shops and pick up old tools. I can get various old wooden mounding planes with the hippies named stamped on it for about £12.  The are probably about 40 to 50 years old.  I also have been buying old beer steins and tankards for about the same price.

I recently bought a old back saw. I didn't think much of it went on the net and some guy is collecting them in the states. I paid £15 for a stein made in Delft Holland.

 

[rmwarren]

[member=9555]Chris Wong[/member] this is a fun thread, thanks for starting it.

I habitually acquire stuff that just feels nice to handle and have around. Old Machinist tools, fly fishing reels, handmade knives, odd pieces of flotsam on the beach...

The standby eBay can still yield up some finds from time to time. A family friend in his 70's was going on about old navy pea coats, so one night late I was haunting the auctions and found a 50's vintage new-condition navy coat in his size in the final 20 minutes of the auction. Grabbed it with a snipe for around $80 and surprised him, when it arrived it was truly new, no odor, no signs of ever being worn. Needless to say he was thrilled and now considers that internets-thing to be magic.

Here's one of my favorites things for fondling, an old D. L. Robichaud I got from a friend who had a fly shop, then he got the case made for me by Arne Mason. It is just too pretty to actually fish with but I enjoy looking at it from time to time.

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For new stuff readily available check out the Garrett Wade catalog, they have beautiful brass lamps and other nice things, albeit at prices that seem inflated much of the time. I recently gave in and bought their Japanese hand ax and hatchet after lusting for them for many years. I am also partial to hand made axes, had a Gransfors Bruks that was ruined by water, it's on my list to replace.

RMW

 

[Wuffles]

Now we're onto antiquing I'm in. Old typewriters, sewing machines, cameras and anything like that clutters up my gaff.

I generally hang around car boot sales and a house clearance auction house in Wells.

I'll take some photos when I'm back home after the weekend if anyone is interested.

 

[flair woodworks]

Here's one of my favorites things for fondling, an old D. L. Robichaud I got from a friend who had a fly shop, then he got the case made for me by Arne Mason. It is just too pretty to actually fish with but I enjoy looking at it from time to time.

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That is exquisite.  Thanks for the pictures.

 

[greg mann]

I bought an Asko dishwasher because of it's incredibly well thought out design.  Every time I load it, for three years now, I am taken by how sensible the layout is inside.  Utility was a priority over "value engineering."

From a purely sculptural standpoint, I really like the Northern Telecom 3554 phone.  I bought one at a yard sale years ago for a buck, and finally polished it up and installed it down on our workbench last summer.  It's a glossy tribute to over-building, [size=12pt]with a handset heavy enough to use as a weapon[/size], and a classy ring that sounds more like a polite request than the robotic intrusion that modern phones bleat.

I'm here to testify, as I have a scar on my temple from my first wife to prove it! [embarassed]