I think maybe I've become a Socialist

[Rick Hubbard]

Two years ago my wife and I moved to Virginia from Maine. We purchased an almost new home and one of the “rules” was that no tools “that make noise or sawdust” were allowed in the garage. As a compromise that made it possible for me to continue woodworking, I was able to lease a shop not far (15 minutes) from home. I had left behind a spacious dedicated shop space in Maine and the one I leased was only about 1/3 the size (24x30) but somehow I managed to cram all of my equipment into it. Nevertheless the cramped quarters made working in it less than enjoyable. Finally, after paying rent for a few months but spending very little time there, I decided it was time to just give it all up. Thinking I would sell everything, I started looking at the prices people were asking for tools and equipment similar to what I had and concluded I would rather give it all away than accept what I would be able to sell it for.

As it turned out, that was a good strategy. I ran across a Makerspace start-up in the town where I live and after talking to the 2 founders I out-right contributed all my tools and equipment to them. As part of the deal I now have unlimited access to a very large (around 5,000 SF) facility where I not only can continue to use my tools and equipment, but also things like a CNC router, two 3D printers and a bunch of other cool things. The other great thing is that lots of other people will be able to benefit from the donation and maybe some new woodworkers will emerge once they are exposed to the craft.

The Makerspace people even paid for movers to transfer the equipment, the necessary ductwork necessary to install the DC and installation of 220 volt power.

Life is good!

[Scott Shepherd]

Got any money you want to give away? If so, put me down first on the list ;) I promise you can use the things I buy with it from time to time :D

[Brian Kent]

Sounds like you made something work for everyone.

[Jim Becker]

That was a very thoughtful and great way to make things work for you.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I am glad things worked out so well for you!

[Myk Rian]

A win-win all around.

[Rick Hubbard]

I mentioned this not for the sake of “self-promotion” but perhaps to plant some seeds for thought.
Maker Communities (with a variety of names) are popping up all over the country and I believe they are performing a very worthwhile undertaking.
A lot of them are running on extremely bare-bones budgets, so if there is one near you and you have some tool or piece of equipment that you don’t want/need (and can’t get a decent price for) contributing might be an option. . . . .

[Matt Day]

Very cool! I'm glad and surprised that a small town like Staunton has a space like that. Treat yourself to a milkshake at Wrights Dairy Rite for your generous donation!

[Rick Hubbard]

Very cool! I'm glad and surprised that a small town like Staunton has a space like that. Treat yourself to a milkshake at Wrights Dairy Rite for your generous donation!

Great idea, Matt. In fact, I'm going to print this out and show it to my wife so she knows why I've come home with chocolate on my breath!
BTW, I take you have been to this delightful gem of a town?
Here's the building:315631

[Bill McNiel]

Great decision. You have a sole to be admired my friend. I am proud of you!

[Moses Yoder]

I applaud your decision, and it may affect my future directly.

As a side note, you can work on Coleman lanterns in a small corner of your garage without making much noise and zero dust. I find it is handy to have something like that to go to once in a while just for an hour or so, when you don't feel like really starting something. They can be lit outside.

[Curt Harms]

I agree with Myk, one of those rare occasions when everybody wins. Good job!

[Frank Drew]

Rick, I'd put it that you've become a communitarian, and I wish there were more like you.

[William Adams]

Skipped reading this thread a number of times, but glad to've finally done so.

Hope it all works out well.

It pretty much sums up why I contribute to the Shapeoko wiki. I'd really like to see a meaningful long-term change for such, something along the lines of Heifer International. The Open Source Ecology folk seemed to be on that track, but no developments there for a while now.

[Bruce Page]

Guys, please leave the political comments out.

Thanks

[William Adams]

Another site which touches on such is Appropedia.

There are of course also tool lending libraries / groups.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Guys, please leave the political comments out.

Thanks

called that shot, eh Bruce? :p

[roger wiegand]

Guys, please leave the political comments out.

Thanks

Was this prophylactic, or did someone say something political? -- Just trying to understand the rules-- perhaps an offending post was edited out of existence before I read the thread?

[Jason Roehl]

Was this prophylactic, or did someone say something political? -- Just trying to understand the rules-- perhaps an offending post was edited out of existence before I read the thread?

That's probably the case, but the title of the thread does somewhat bait the topic...

[Rod Sheridan]

Good for you Rick, a win win situation, nice to see one in action.

Regards, Rod.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Was this prophylactic, or did someone say something political? -- Just trying to understand the rules-- perhaps an offending post was edited out of existence before I read the thread?

5 posts were deleted because they were political.

[Kent A Bathurst]

5 posts were deleted because they were political.

to be precise - 4 were political, and 1 was me telling them to stop b4 they got nuked......called the shot, but too late.


it really is not hard 2 figger political b4 u post..........

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

Very poor choice in thread title Rick. I've ignored this thread until now. VERY GOOD CHOICE in your decision to donate your tools and stop renting an inadequate space. Karma definitely found you a new space for your tools and a great new playground for you to tinker.

I think many of us have decisions to make on what happens to all of our tools when we reach a certain age or physical limitations. Many of us do not have family or friends that have the space, desire or ability to use our tools. Finding some sort of organization like you found is a fantastic idea.