Blog
The Online home of fine old tools. Quality pre loved vintage handools | Planes |Chisels |Hammers, Estwing| axes |dial gauges| Stanley tools| Record| Starrett| Leather Tools | Jewellers Tools |Engineer machine tools | Spanners | Pliers| We love a good find at the Tool Exchange; We strive for excellence in customer service. All our tools are packed with care and attention to detail, So they arrive at your door as soon as possible in great condtion. We also love a great photograph of the tool, so you can see excatly what you are buying online.Wether you want pristine in a display case or a weekend project we've got you covered if you have any further questions about a particular tool feel free to call Chris.
A friendly, practical guide to assembling a starter set of pre-loved planes, chisels, hammers, measuring tools and spanners — what vintage items make sense to buy now and which categories are safer to wait on.
A friendly, practical comparison of what to expect when sourcing vintage hand tools from overseas versus within Australia or New Zealand — covering delivery time, damage risk, returns, and total landed cost so you can decide where to buy.
Practical strategies for tracking down rare or discontinued vintage tools from Australia, including how to search by brand and model, set up regular checks and alerts, evaluate listings, and when to ask a specialist dealer to keep an eye out for you.
A friendly, practical guide to how The Tool Exchange Australia prepares heavy planes, delicate gauges, books and small parts for travel across Australia, NZ, the US and UK — and what to check when your parcel arrives.
A practical guide to deciding whether to buy a vintage tool to use hard in the shed or to admire in a cabinet, with concrete checks for planes, chisels and gauges and tips for matching condition to purpose and budget.
A friendly, practical guide to the vintage tool brands you’re likely to find online (Stanley, Record, Estwing, Starrett and others), what to look for in each, and how to pick the right brand and condition for your projects when shopping with The Tool Exchange Australia.
Practical, non‑technical advice for choosing safe, well‑priced vintage tools and books as gifts, how to read listings, and how to work with a specialist seller to find something the recipient will actually use.
Practical guidance on why vintage tool and woodworking manuals matter, where to find out‑of‑print volumes (including useful tips for buyers in Australia), what to check in used copies, and how to keep them useful in the workshop.
Practical checks for calipers, dial gauges and squares so you can decide whether a vintage measuring tool is fit for precision work and what to look for when buying a Starrett‑type tool.
A practical guide to picking the right vintage plane—smoothers, jacks, jointers and specialty tools like circular planes—and simple tuning steps to get them working reliably for everyday use.
A practical guide to how The Tool Exchange prepares, packs and ships planes, chisels, gauges and books—what to expect for delivery within Australia and to New Zealand, the US and the UK, plus tips on tracking and insurance.
Practical guidance for tool buyers on what to look for in online photos—how to judge rust, pitting, cracks, replaced parts and patina—so you can tell whether a tool is ready to use, best for display, or worth a restoration project.
Discover how The Tool Exchange Australia clearly describes the condition of vintage tools, from 'near new' to 'project piece,' ensuring you know exactly what to expect with detailed photos and descriptions.
Discover why choosing a vintage plane, chisel, axe, or measuring tool can be a smarter investment than buying new, and learn how to identify quality pre-loved tools for your workshop in Australia and New Zealand.
Discover how to confidently shop for vintage hand tools like planes, chisels, and hammers online in Australia, focusing on what to look for in descriptions, photos, and condition.