Don't know what to do with expensive tools that were bought/gifted to me - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mattjd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 09:58:37 am
content: I'm real big into woodworking. Did it through highschool, and after. Never had my own stuff, always did it in my highschool shop. Past year I bought very basic stuff (the essential - couple planes, chisels, saws, mallets, measurement tools---no power tools) and others were gifted to me. I bought and was gifted quality tools (Narex, Veritas, Lee Valley, etc.) Its like $1500 worth of stuff. I had every intention of making a quality woodworking table, and spending some more dough on some good vices, etc (stuff for the table).However, between school and my self studies. I just don't have the time to do it. I feel like the tools are being wasted, and am contemplation selling it all. Thoughts? What would you do in this situation?

author: kridri
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 10:05:43 am
content: My advice, DON'T sell it!When you will have more time available you will regret it.It's normal to have periods with less time for the hobby's but eventually time will come.My 2 cents.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 10:18:05 am
content: I find that my hobbies go in cycles of a couple of years, I have some time off and concentrate on other hobbies, then drift back eventually. Stops me getting bored, and I am always surprised to find that when I come back to a hobby, my skill and knowledge has increased while I was away.

author: jeroen79
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 10:34:24 am
content: If you already know that you like woodworking but other things require your time at the moment then keep them.You would regret selling them once the other things clear up.It would be different if you had no history in woodworking at all but you were thinking of starting it... 'tomorrow'.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 10:43:03 am
content: My 2c, if they are classic good tools, put them away carefully - I really like spray on Lanolin (Inox's Lanox) , a fantastic preservative. I have tried some gun-oil but its too early to say how it's going to go.Robert

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 11:10:37 am
content: It's easy to become a hoarder, it starts small and grows. I've got thousands of dollars of mechanics tools, most of which I'll never use, but it's not easy to take the time to sell them on ebay. I say If you think you'll use them in the near future, put them in a box and keep them.

author: Koen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 01:40:47 pm
content: If it's quality tools, you'll keep and use them for life.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 03:34:58 pm
content: Woodworking is a great companion hobby for electronics. You can make your own custom project boxes for your builds.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 02:04:32 pm
content: When I come into stuff free or cheap, I ask myself, would I buy this exact thing today, for the profit that I could get by selling it? I figure that by keeping the thing, rather than taking the money, I am effectively buying it for that amount (no matter what I paid for it). Usually the answer is no, I wouldn't buy it. So it goes up onto craigslist, ebay, or the buy/sell forum here. I maintain a 'budget' which is funded by the net profit of such sales. When Idoactually need or want something, or some thing I've been watching for shows up on ebay, I usually have plenty in that budget to buy it. I also have plenty of actual space for the new gear, since I have learned to let go of those things that I don't/won't use. I love acquiring new gear, but I also have come to enjoy turning a profit from the occasional bargain.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 11:11:45 pm
content: Quote from: Mattjd on June 12, 2017, 09:58:37 amIf space to store them safely (meaning so that they will not deteriorate while put away) is not an issue, and you're not hurting for the $$ that selling them could bring, I would definitely hold on to them if I were in your shoes. You are pressed for time now, but that will probably not always be the case, and my guess is that if you sell the quality tools off then at some point in the future when you again have free time and want to revisit woodworking, you will be kicking yourself for getting rid of them.-Pat

author: lordvader88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:41:51 am
content: Another consideration is for the AFTERMATH of WW4, asteroid impact, etc, etc. Having nice tools of any type would be great. Worry about learning how to use them and all the secrets later

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 05:31:03 am
content: Quote from: Koen on June 12, 2017, 01:40:47 pm+14 decades ago I was a carpenter and still haveallmy tools. They don't get used much these days so the hardest bit is keeping them in good order. But when you need them for some project.....a larger/new bench, repairs of something to earn brownie points and general household maintenance they're always there.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 08:16:13 am
content: Quote from: DanielLee5 on July 16, 2017, 05:00:56 am@DanielLee -- do you get paid for this?Out of your 11 posts so far, all except for the two very first posts contain links to blogs or commercial web sites. I will report you to the admins for review.EDIT: Thanks to the moderators for swiftly taking care of this; it seems that this shill account and all its posts have been removed. I have edited the quote above to remove the external link there as well.