Old tools are favourite subjects of mine too and this shot would have been irresistible for me as well. The problem for a photographer is how to deal with something like this. We love the subject but the display and lighting is bland, from a photographic perspective. The photographer can't do anything about the display and lighting but wants to record it.
A strategy might be to use this shot as the first of a series. Maybe add some more of close ups of some of the implements. Then you can start to be selective and use individual shapes, texture, colours that seem to the photographer to be of particular interest.
Another strategy could be to hover around and wait, hopefully, to get subjects of visual interest studying the display.
There are some nice pieces on that board.