Some months ago, I picked up an old Stanley wooden torpedo level at a
flea market for $3.00. Was just one of those things I couldn't say no
to. It was dinged and dirty. Looked like someone had spilled solvent
on part of one end.

Boy.... did it sure clean up nice! I polished up the wood and got
most all of the dents out. Some finish-sanding really made a big
difference, and a quick coat of rub-on satin polyurethane made it look
real spiffy. Wood looks like black walnut to me. (anyone know for
sure?) It agrees spot-on with an aluminum level I have.

Before that, I picked up a pair of old Stanley planes at a garage sale
for $12. Seemed disgustingly cheap to me for perfectly good planes
with not a spot of rust on them.

I gather that most folks don't like or don't know how to use the old
tools? They really seem to sit unnoticed at flea markets and garage
sales I've been to.

Anyone else here like to use the old-style tools? Anyone here make a
point of rebuilding/restoring them??