As a woodworker, it seems tool accumulation is just par for the course. As time goes on, we constantly add tools to our collection. In some cases, we even add tools that we never use, but that’s a whole different issue. Inevitably, we eventually realize we don’t need two of something or perhaps we just upgrade to a new/better version of the same tool. The question is, what do you do with the old tool when that happens?
This poll was created by Tom Iovino of TomsWorkbench.com!
wife say….. you want that new one…. then sell one of your old ones.
Works for me.. I got lots of old ones.
I incorporate all unused tools to my dust collection system.
I have a nephew who loves to build things, but has no money for tools. I give him all my old tools, including broken ones. He will take the time to clean them up, fix them if nessesary, and use them. The unfixable stuff he takes apart and sells as parts or as scrap metal.
This is a very interesting question. Whenever I replace a tool , I usually try to exchange the old one for the new. If I cannot do this, I just post on craigslist. But if there is someone who would really use the tool, i would surely lend it to them.
I don’t have any unused tools. Just some that are used very infrequently.
I sell my old tools but I wish there was a way to send then to a depressed country. I taken a few knives and tools to places in South America but a bigger more effective method would be awesome. I think my unwanted tools would get a new life and have meaningful postitive impact.
brilliant! someone should definitely start a charity like that. I always think something along those line when I watch certain types of shows on the tube that involved less plastic and asphalt filled countries. What could be better in so many of those places than cutting tools?
If it is a tool or machine that I bought on my own, and later replace it, if it still has enough value for it to be worth my time to sell it, I will. The issue I have right now is I have a couple tools that were gifts from SWMBO that I now have bigger/better versions of. Not as easy to sell in that case.
Thats funny. As of this date 47% of us store our tools in spite of not using them anymore. Thats probably why we all say we need a larger shop. I definitely fall in to this category. I find it very difficult to part with “currently” unused tools for fear that when I do finally get rid of them I’ll probably need it! Can you say “pack-rat”
i believe in the adage “he who dies with the most tools wins”
When upgrading or replacing major floor standing or bench top power tools I would sell the old ones. When replacing a hand held power tools I would also sell the old ones, however, I do have three drills: an impact hammer, a standard 1/2 inch and a battery powered 18 volt. Each have there own uses. Hand tools on the other hand (ha ha) I always keep. The old ones become tools that I can do things with and don’t care if they get damaged. Often I re-purpose old files and screwdrivers. I have also tossed out cheep tools that I got at that Harbor place that were garbage anyway figuring I would save a buck.
I have done many of your choices. More often than not I save them for my girls. Both of my daughters are skilled woodworkers. They use my shop and tools. If I upgrade my tools, – bandsaw, scroll saw, etc, I hold on to the old one for when they have room for a shop. If they have no want or need then I will give it to some one that does. But family comes first.
Hum …. This is a good question. It really depends on the value of the tools. If I really need to sell this tool to buy the other one I would not hesitate to sell it. I would give to charity organizations the tools that I can easily replace. My heart goes to the charity organizations…
Repurpose my old tools a lot, turned my old mini BS into a disc sander, the old contractor TS into a thickness sander. Otherwise they get handed down, my son first friends second :D
I’ve been giving my tools to my son to start up his tool collection. He’s slowly getting the basics. The last thing I gave him was my combination square because I saved my money and got a Starrett!
If I replace a tool, it is usually because the original has become completely unserviceable and would be useless to anyone else. Occasionally though, I might be upgrading. For example, I have a small band saw that I’d like to replace with a larger, beefier model. When I am ready to do that, my plan is to list the old saw on Craigslist and at least get what I paid for it at the pawn shop. Anything more I get out of it will go toward other tools.
Very seldom do I replace a tool just because I want something newer, bigger or better. I’ve always been a “make do” kind of guy, and even resort to manufacturing my own turning tools on occasion (or get help from my brother the blacksmith). I find that shopmade tools often work better than the commercial versions.