Tools of the trade

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Cast iron planter plates on the back of William Kuntz's

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Where do you put a huge collection of tools? William Kuntz, Goodfield, Ill., improvised: he built a trailer for his collection of farm tools.

William's been collecting for 16 years. In that amount of time, the treasures start to pile up.

'I have around 900 antique wrenches, 160 antique jacks and 700 old cast iron planter plates,' he said.

The trailer he's built features doors that swing out to open. Collectibles are mounted on shelves inside, and another collection is displayed on the back end. It's custom-made for his collection.

'I started with an old mobile home running gear,' he said. 'I used lumber from an old house. The trailer display has doors that open. The display then is inside and out, plus items that are mounted on the trailer.'

He finished the trailer - a winter project - about six years ago.

'I've been showing for 16 years,' he said. 'After 10 years, I couldn't decide where to keep it all. Either I was going to build a trailer, or sell it all, so I built this trailer.'

At the River Valley Antique Association's Old Fashioned Threshing Show held this summer at Chillicothe, Ill., William's trailer display drew a crowd.

'What's this?' asked a man as he peered at a huge, wooden jack. It happened to be William's favorite wood buggy jack. His collection includes everything from heavy metal to lightweight pieces. Another prized piece was light green, with the words 'World's Best' stamped on.

A red jack is a unique addition to his collection, he explained.

'It has a thing on top that spins,' he said. 'It snaps off, and I found out it was an adjustable wrench.' That wrench - made in 1891 - was designed for removing bolts from a wheel's axle.

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