Because of the traveling and writing I do, I end up with tools I do not want or need. It makes me a little nuts.
Some of this is people who give me excess tools and say: “Find a needy student who could use this.” Others are tools that I purchase to write reviews, or because I need a tool while on the road, or to help someone out of a jam.
Many of these tools I’ll be giving away to students at my Hand Tool Immersion class at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking in 2015. But some of these tools are too specialized or exotic to put in the hands of a newbie.
And so I’m going to sell them off here on the blog starting tomorrow. I’ll post the mechanism for purchasing the tools tomorrow. Please do not e-mail me asking for a list of tools I’ll be selling (I don’t have time for that) or special treatment (that will only annoy me). Prices will be more than fair.
In the meantime, think about any excess tools that you own that could be doing good work in the hands of another woodworker. Whenever I visit tool collectors who have racks of user-grade tools, all I can think of is the unused potential gathering dust before me. To be sure, rare and oddball stuff is better off in a collection. But garden-variety bench planes should be on a bench somewhere (in my opinion).
If you want to purge your tools, consider selling them on one of the swap-n-sell areas on the woodworking discussion forums. Or there’s always eBay.
Once you pare your tools down to a good, basic set, you will find that taking care of your tools is easier because you have fewer. You will have a little extra money for wood, glue and finishing supplies. And the tools you sold will have a new home where they are used and appreciated.
— Christopher Schwarz
Any sense for when tomorrow?
When I feel up to it!
That would have been my answer
I feel the same way about books.
I bet there are thousands of books on woodworking we all have amongst us that we’ll probably never read again.
Amen!
Pretty sure Marilyn has had some success just listing them on her blog. Yeah, Marilyn?
I also hate to see tools on the wall just for people to look at. but I have been looking for tools as cheap as I can for soon I will start teaching traditional woodworking and need to a very basic set for students to work with. I have found the toughest thing to find is back saws to fix up.
Rachael, you might consider building a backsaw from a kit instead of rehabbing an antique. You can get a kit for around $50 (punched saw plate,slotted back, and saw nuts). I’ve restored a couple of old saws and by the time you clean the rust off, fix the teeth and shapen them, and repair the handle I expect it’s pretty even in terms of time and money.
http://imgur.com/0I0G8y6 I think this guy has some tool purging to do.
OMG that is a few to many. just saying
Something disturbing seeing one man feel the necessity of owning that many of anything.
OTOH — at least he kept ’em free from rot, the fireplace, or bolted to the wall in “theme” restaurants. 😉
And, as the poster below observed, they are now back in circulation — after being “archived” for a while.
–GG
That is the late Eugene Landon, who passed away a couple of years ago. Many if not all of his tools were sold and are back in circulation.
I totally agree I’m purging my tools and giving them to an excellent project , help the heroes are building a workshop in Catterick , England for ex armed forces to use for rehabilitation of all ex forces personel to use woodwork to ease the mental fatigue suffered by all our men and women who have served our country so proudly
I’ve got eight bandsaws.
Wow.
craigslist addiction… find’em in barns and renovate them.
Any nice clean saws ready for the painting of bucolic scenes?
As I call to order this week’s meeting of Tool Buyer’s Anonymous, I would like everyone to welcome back an old member who has been off the wagon again. Can everyone please say “Hello Chris” with me?
Hello Chris!
HA! I’d wager I have fewer tools than most. By a longshot.
I’m mid-purge even as we speak; I’m pulling a full Anarchist and selling most of my power tools and using the proceeds to fund a complete hand tool kit. Looking forward to the symmetry of seeing the Mirka Ceros go out the door to fund the Lie-Nielsen smoother coming in! 😀
I did a purge a few years ago, and didn’t miss any of the things sold. I feel they are now in the hands of someone who will use them.
As I get older and realize I am the only one in my home who will use woodworking tools, I feel compelled to share with those who would like to start up the craft.
And, you are completely right Chris. The tools I have now are given more care and space then they used to have.
Good post.
You realize this means I’ll need to stay away from your F blog for a while, right?
MF.
Sigh…
God forbid we annoy you “(that will only annoy me).”
I don’t think God forbids that.
Can I have a special treatment?
Well said.
‘I have a bad feeling about this.’