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2010 - Volume #34, Issue #1, Page #24

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"Hay Tool" Collecting Catches On

Dave Wilson is a hay tool hunter, whether on eBay or at flea markets, swap meets or antique shops. He will ship them half way across the country or make the trip himself if need be.
"The search is a big part of the fun when you are collecting anything," says Wilson. "Of course, with eBay, it's easy to travel the country."
Wilson's hunting has been successful. In less than 12 years, he has collected nearly 500 hay carriers. He also has more than 500 barn pulleys, not to mention hay forks, spears and grapple forks. It's the variations in style and design that get his attention.
"There are certain ones that I like," he says. "I keep getting new favorites, something about the design, something that is different. That's what attracts me."
Wilson started collecting hay tools in 1998 when he bought a set of old carriers from his brother. He reports paying from $10 to several hundred dollars for carriers, shipping them from as far west as Oregon and driving as far east as New York and Pennsylvania to pick some up.
"It's more fun to go look at something than to simply have it delivered," says Wilson. "Once in a while a good one comes around, and you can get pretty wound up about it. That's when collecting can get pretty expensive."
The annual national hay tools swap meet is a highlight of the year for collectors. Next year's meet is in Ashville, Ohio. People bring stuff to sell and also just to show.
"Everybody gets together and has some fun," says Wilson. "It gets bigger every year. There are more collectors than ever."
Collecting has changed, he adds. "In the past you could find a lot of good stuff in the scrap yards, but now they often worry about liability and won't let you in."
He suggests that people interested in collecting locate an older collector. He notes that many have spent a lifetime collecting.
Wilson notes that the recently formed National Hay Tool Collectors Association is a great source of information for collectors (ph 402 510-8845; haytoolcollector@yahoo.com).
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dave Wilson, Box 26, Van Meter, Iowa 50261 (ph 515 681-8559).

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"Hay Tool" Collecting Catches On AG WORLD 34-1-24 Dave Wilson is a hay tool hunter, whether on eBay or at flea markets, swap meets or antique shops. He will ship them half way across the country or make the trip himself if need be. "The search is a big part of the fun when you are collecting anything," says Wilson. "Of course, with eBay, it's easy to travel the country." Wilson's hunting has been successful. In less than 12 years, he has collected nearly 500 hay carriers. He also has more than 500 barn pulleys, not to mention hay forks, spears and grapple forks. It's the variations in style and design that get his attention. "There are certain ones that I like," he says. "I keep getting new favorites, something about the design, something that is different. That's what attracts me." Wilson started collecting hay tools in 1998 when he bought a set of old carriers from his brother. He reports paying from $10 to several hundred dollars for carriers, shipping them from as far west as Oregon and driving as far east as New York and Pennsylvania to pick some up. "It's more fun to go look at something than to simply have it delivered," says Wilson. "Once in a while a good one comes around, and you can get pretty wound up about it. That's when collecting can get pretty expensive." The annual national hay tools swap meet is a highlight of the year for collectors. Next year's meet is in Ashville, Ohio. People bring stuff to sell and also just to show. "Everybody gets together and has some fun," says Wilson. "It gets bigger every year. There are more collectors than ever." Collecting has changed, he adds. "In the past you could find a lot of good stuff in the scrap yards, but now they often worry about liability and won't let you in." He suggests that people interested in collecting locate an older collector. He notes that many have spent a lifetime collecting. Wilson notes that the recently formed National Hay Tool Collectors Association is a great source of information for collectors (ph 402 510-8845; haytoolcollector@yahoo.com). Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dave Wilson, Box 26, Van Meter, Iowa 50261 (ph 515 681-8559).

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