How much? Two cabinets of tools sold by a local woodworker

[ChuckM]

who decided he has done enough woodworking:

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I see an edge trimming plane, some German planes, etc.  in the photo. If you were buying them (including the two cabinets), how much would you be willing to offer in US$ or CAD $?

The owner told me some of the machines and tools in his shop are well over 30, 40 years old. I have enough hand tools, so I'm buying some of his lumber, but not tools.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Unfortunately if they are sold as a single lot he'll be losing a huge amount as opposed to selling piecemeal.

 

[ChuckM]

That's true. The fellow woodworker just wanted to dispose of his tools. He prices his lumber at less than 50% of the retail prices, or at cost (when he bought it 15 to 20 years ago). I don't have the compass plane or Veritas edge trimming plane, and that would be something I might've asked about their prices if he hadn't sold the whole lot.

Anyone want to guess how much the lot was sold for?

 

[GoingMyWay]

$1500 USD?

 

[ChuckM]

The lucky fellow paid $600 Cdn, and walked away with his toy boxes.

 

[ChuckM]

I went to Henry's shop and picked up my lumber:

$220 Cdn for lumber (marked red)

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$30 CDn for Pony 3-way clamps, toggle clamps, vintage hand drill (two speed gear), file & Sears Craftsman vise (all made in USA):

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Free Porter Cable router and precision routing jigs for M&T and Miters.

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He still has a Delta band saw and a floor drill press left, and everything else from his 50 years of woodworking has gone. He started woodworking around the age of 40.

Google found this info. about the vise:https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/sears-craftsman-5025-tilting-1978564807

 

[Ron B]

I would much prefer the older tools-better steel, better made.  I asked the village blacksmith at the Vanderbilt's Biltmore estates in NC about the quality of anvils, and then he rattled off six names of quality anvils and said a good anvil has not been made since 1954.  He said at one time an anvil was a musical instrument played in a symphony, then proceeded to play "Wedding Bells" on the anvil, each section having a different "ping".  I can easily tell the difference in my Craftsman sockets from the 1970's from the later ones just by how much cleaner the old ones were broached.  Don't be afraid of old tools. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good finds for you!

Pretty sure the vise is actually made by Palmgren.

 

[Cheese]

Good finds for you!

Pretty sure the vise is actually made by Palmgren.

Yes it is...a real nice piece of equipment.

 

[RussellS]

The lucky fellow paid $600 Cdn, and walked away with his toy boxes.

About $450 USA dollars.  Not to offend or outrage anyone, but I don't see that much in the two tool chests I would want.  Or more correctly, don't already have.  And I don't see anything that is outstanding in the tool chests.  No rare, uncommon, antique, high dollar tools.  No junk, no.  But nothing really premium.  They are good tools.  But not premium.  Whatever that means.  Not antique.  Useful, yes.  But I would pass or offer a lowball bid on a few of the tools.  Because I already have chisels and planes and saws and drill bits and screw drivers.  I'd be happy to have more, but I'm not going to pay much for more average, functional, mundane tools.  To do what I can already do with what I already have.

 

[ChuckM]

I don't think you're offending anyone because you're speaking as someone like me who won't get too many additional tools from the collection. But for someone who is starting (into traditional woodworking), the opportunity of getting the compass plane, cabinet scraper, edge trimming plane, spokeshave, the 8 to 9 German planes, and the chisels in one go doesn't happen all too often.

 

[luvmytoolz]

In OZ sold piecemeal, the planes would probably go for $100-150 each easily, the German planes possibly more, so there's probably close to $2k just in the planes and spokeshaves, a couple hundred at least for all the drill/forstners, etc.

There's some blue handled chisels there that are very collectible here, people will pay good money for them and other good quality chisels, anywhere from $25-$100 each depending on condition and rarity.

 

[ChuckM]

I had never met the owner before, but he surely seemed happy to see his tools going to people who'll continue to care for them. Knowing from our conversation -- for the first time -- that I'm an active woodworker (rather than a collector), he was delighted to give me whatever leftovers that were still lying around. I suppose one day (in 15 years?) I'd follow his example of getting rid of my machines and tools, most of them are premium brands.

 

[squall_line]

Kudos to him for wanting the tools to be used and loved rather than hoarded or squirreled away for a rainy day fund.

I can only hope that I'm as generous about looking to promote my love of whatever hobby I'm into when it's time for me to pass.  This assumes that none of my progeny are into whatever I'm into and don't want to have those things instead.

 

[ChuckM]

Kudos to him for wanting the tools to be used and loved rather than hoarded or squirreled away for a rainy day fund.
Snip.

Many people say woodworkers are a unique kind of human beings. I saw a bunch of three-way clamps on the wall (shed), and he asked me if I knew what they were for. After hearing my answer (passing the test!), he said "you could have all of them (6) for $5, if you want." Then, he threw in that green made in USA clamp as I handed him the money. And the vintage hand drill. Then the Porter Cable router, then the jigs. All gratis. He has shown me how to surprise a woodworker one day when I dispose of my woodworking tools. [big grin]

 

[luvmytoolz]

Kudos to him for wanting the tools to be used and loved rather than hoarded or squirreled away for a rainy day fund.
Snip.

Many people say woodworkers are a unique kind of human beings. I saw a bunch of three-way clamps on the wall (shed), and he asked me if I knew what they were for. After hearing my answer (passing the test!), he said "you could have all of them (6) for $5, if you want." Then, he threw in that green made in USA clamp as I handed him the money. And the vintage hand drill. Then the Porter Cable router, then the jigs. All gratis. He has shown me how to surprise a woodworker one day when I dispose of my woodworking tools. [big grin]

So what's your view on mature age adoptions?

 

[RussellS]

Many people say woodworkers are a unique kind of human beings. I saw a bunch of three-way clamps on the wall (shed), and he asked me if I knew what they were for. After hearing my answer (passing the test!),

For gluing edges/perimeter on to boards/tables/countertops?  Did I pass or no?

 

[ChuckM]

So what's your view on mature age adoptions?

[big grin]

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
For gluing edges/perimeter on to boards/tables/countertops?  Did I pass or no?

Lucky that you weren't there as well, or Henry might've cut my share to half! (He actually still had a bandsaw and floor drill press plus a full-size workbench that he wanted to pass along, but I really don't have the need or room for them. I'm sure they could be had for a song, if anyone asks.)

These did get sold on the first or second day (I went on the third or fourth day):

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