Looking for advice

[gdanj]

Dear Woodworkers,
In my retirement years here in WNC I've managed to acquire a number of power equipment items and accessories in my workshop. Although my years are many, I'm not quite ready to meet the Lord in heaven yet.
I am however, looking to the future when my family will have to dispose of my home and furnishings, etc. including my shop/equipment. So, I'm seeking some wise counsel. Here's the options I've considered.

• Dole items out individually to family members (not knowing if they have the time/space)
• Leave for a buyer of my house
• Sell all the equipment lock-stock-barrel.

I'd appreciate your advice.
Dan J.

 

[Mike Davis]

We offer a little known service where a few well known volunteers will list, research, value, and facilitate sales of your tools through the site here.

 

[JimD]

I think Mike's suggestion is a good one. You might also want to consider donating them to a worthy organization. I volunteer at my church, for instance, and we regularly get donated tools from people who can't use them any more. I also try to make a yearly trip to work on a church under construction with Builders for Christ. They have a tractor trailer or two full of construction tools. They thus have limited space but might be able to use some items and would be glad to have them as long as they didn't already have too many of a given item. Some schools have started having high school classes in construction. Might be worthwhile to contact them to see if they would be interested.

I will probably leave it to my kids to decide with similar suggestions. But I am not ready to stop making sawdust yet.

 

[Rob in NC]

Interesting to think about. While I am not even yet retired, I have thought about my 'toys' and where they may go. Wife and I do not have kids. I have no family that I would care to give anything to. I've always had the vision of giving much of it away if I ever were to get a terminal diagnosis, or when I'm too old to play. Maybe I'll find someone worthy and last minute leave them everything I own, I don't know...but don't want it just going to the state.

If sale of the equipment may help out your family, I would stick it out here and develop a rapport with folks and as Mr. Davis mentioned, there are those who would facilitate the sale. Alternately, if you are simply not using some of your equipment or don't think you will, then be proactive with selling before someone else has to deal with it. It's sad to think about selling stuff that you've used, the way I look at it is that it's passing it on to one who would enjoy it and that could be your final bit of enjoyment of the tool. Good luck in whatever you decide and kudos for thinking about it proactively.

 

[creasman]

You may want to consider donation of all or some of the tools. The Living Tools is one way to do this. The program was started by Aspen Golann after she received a collection of tools from a retiring woodworker. A set of tools is paired with an aspiring woodworker who is beginning their career. It's a way to keep the tools together and in skilled hands. The new owner is then required to pass them along once they retire from the craft, hence the name "The Living Tools."

 

[Tom from Clayton]

I am also many in years and not quite too old to play but rapidly approaching. I enjoy being in the shop doing little things and dodads and will continue as long as possible. I admit to having a tv in my shop and sometimes just sit and watch a show. My sons won't be woodworkers (check my avatar - IYKYK) but I have left instructions for the things they should keep. The rest will be handled at an estate sale.