Thinning the herd - your take?

[Rob Luter]

Puttering in the shop last night I was struck by the hand tool specimens in my working collection that rarely if ever do any work. Last year I purged all my duplicates and a few other odds and ends trying to simplify my life. Who really needs 15 block planes and a dozen saws anyway? (I know it's not about need :rolleyes:) There's still a long way to go.

So I'm thinking about doing a deeper dive into minimalist woodworking and divesting myself of everything but the very basics. I'd end up with what Tom Lie-Nielsen calls "core tools".
I need to continue to simplify my life. Any Creekers out there gone through a downsizing like this? Any regrets?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Bill Houghton]

There's a book, "The Minimalist Woodworker." I haven't read it, but it might have some ideas. My library has it; yours might, too (if not, there's always interlibrary loan).

I have thought to myself, at times, that it would be fun to develop as minimal a kit as I could imagine - no backsaw, just a short panel saw, for instance - and make a piece of furniture.

[William Fretwell]

Rob I know exactly how you feel, with me it’s not just cabinet making but cooking.
I had an involuntary downsize during a move when my storage unit was broken into and my bench and most of my tools stolen. They even took the table saw but forgot the motor! It took ages to replace the stuff and it makes you very selective about what you buy. The bigggest problem is going to the tool box even today for ‘that’ chisel or set square and it’s not there. So when you downsize put the stuff away out of sight for a year and see if you miss something.
Overall though it makes you happier just to have the essentials, you look after them, you can find them, life is simple!

[Nicholas Lawrence]

when you downsize put the stuff away out of sight for a year and see if you miss something

I agree with this.

[Rob Luter]

So when you downsize put the stuff away out of sight for a year and see if you miss something.

I sort of did this. I have items that have hung on hooks or sat in drawers for a year or more. I got them “just in case” I might need them. It turns out I probably didn’t.

[Jim Koepke]

So when you downsize put the stuff away out of sight for a year and see if you miss something.

This doesn't work well for me. Some of my tools have set unused for a year. Then all of a sudden they are the center of a project or two. Then just as quickly they set waiting.

There are a lot of extras of many tools in my kit. That is my preference. Then when it come to things like molding planes or blades for combination planes or drill bits there are many sizes that are seldom used.

Don't get me started on chisels and gouges.

jtk

[ken hatch]

I'm lucky to live in the desert, my tools take little ongoing maintenance. The biggest problem is finding storage space. Because of space problems I'm down sizing, nothing drastic but selling or at least trying to sell off some of the never used tools. Some progress was made this past weekend at the local Woodcraft boot sale and I expect more will be made during the Spring tool sale.

BTW, it looks like I will trade a wooden plow plane for a draw knife, kinda a one out one in thing and that's ok.

Good luck on shedding tools, it is not an easy thing to do.

ken

[Clark Magnuson]

I have hoarded tools from garage sales. Every chisel, screwdriver, and wrench I bought for years.
They are mostly in drawers.

I used the Lee Valley modern woodworking bench plans to build a bench in 1984.
It has a bottom shelf I added.
A few tools are on that shelf.
Almost everything I do is with the tools on the bottom shelf, not from drawers across the shop.

[Andrew Seemann]

Thinning the herd? I've just barely been able to stop adding to the herd (at least not as often). Hopefully I have a few more decades before I need to start thinning, voluntarily or not.

I guess if I had pick what to keep as a minimum to not get irritated while woodworking , it would probably be:



Two sets of chisels (one set of A2 for beating on and one set of carbon steel for sharpness) some specialty chisels like a parer and maybe a mortice, and a few plastic handled beater chisels, wood mallet
a couple 9 1/2 block planes, one #3 smoother, two #4 smoothers, a jack plane, a #78 rabbet plane, maybe a #6 and #7, card scrapers
a pair of 6" try squares, a 12" combo square, bevel square, a Starrett 414 12" rule, a 24" rule, 24" framing square, some dividers and calipers, ice pick, awl, layout knife, and a bradawl, 16' Stanley tape measure
Gent's saw or dovetail saw, coping saw, crosscut panel saw, rip saw
Some other assorted tools I can't think of off the top of my head.


I didn't include things like hammers, screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, nail sets, drills, yankee screwdriver, etc as they aren't necessarily woodworking specific.

[Chuck Nickerson]

I've been thinning the herd for the past 11 months. When I needed to evacuate in the face of a wildfire the time it took to pack my hobbyist shop was ridiculous.
I don't need a working set of planes in single-iron woodies, double-iron woodies, transitionals, bevel-down metal, and bevel-up metal; but I had them.
I also didn't need two each of all six sweeps of Fray braces. I'm down to one of each.

Take some time. You can care about price, who gets them, or both. Just think it through.

[Bob Glenn]

A benefit that I am realizing, thanks to CS, is that the fewer tools you have, the easier it is to keep them sharp and in good working condition. I prefer to pick up an oft used tool that I know is sharp and am familiar with its idiosycracies. Too many tools and they start to own you, not the other way around.

[Charles Guest]

Puttering in the shop last night I was struck by the hand tool specimens in my working collection that rarely if ever do any work. Last year I purged all my duplicates and a few other odds and ends trying to simplify my life. Who really needs 15 block planes and a dozen saws anyway? (I know it's not about need :rolleyes:) There's still a long way to go.

So I'm thinking about doing a deeper dive into minimalist woodworking and divesting myself of everything but the very basics. I'd end up with what Tom Lie-Nielsen calls "core tools".
I need to continue to simplify my life. Any Creekers out there gone through a downsizing like this? Any regrets?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Do it, and be brutal. You won't be sorry.

[Oskar Sedell]

I agree fully. My shop is small, and I don´t have many doublets, or tools in general. Still I´m trying to sort out saws that don´t get used (mostly because I found other saws that work better), hammers, axes, anything that I don´t really need.

Exceptions are chisels in rare widths (don´t take much space, but awesome to have the right size once in a year or so), planes that I made (couple of doublet smoothers and one-hand planes) and knifes. I enjoy making them and the sloyd knife is maybe my most used tool. Again, I don´t have 3 or more 1/2´´chisels, nor do I buy more block planes when I already have one.

[Jim Koepke]

Another way to look at spare tools that do not take up too much space or time in care is as a savings account. It usually isn't difficult to sell a few tools via various avenues. Buy low and wait.

jtk

[Tom Bender]

Here's how I trim my inventory of clothes (my wife likes to shop and I haven't outgrown anything in decades). It may not work for tools but it could.

All my tee shirts are hung together, clean ones get hung on the left and I take the next one from the right, with the caveat that I can skip one or two to get to a reasonable color. When one gets passed over a few times it gets thrown off the island. Dress shirts, socks etc get the same scrutiny.

Could you do this with planes, screwdrivers, chisels? Maybe.

[Derek Cohen]

I think that for some - especially when starting out - the chase of old tools is more fun than building stuff. Restoring tools is a hobby interest all of its own. For myself, I have always enjoyed experimenting with and getting to master new tools. They accumulate, and then it dawns on you that they are taking up needed space or your interest in the extras is no longer there.

I periodically thin the herd. I have very few tools that go unused. I do not have duplicates of the same tool. On the other hand, I have several block planes (because I like these little buggers), different sizes of shoulder planes, and a few (but different) smoothers. I do have two sets of tools: one metal and one wooden, because this is fun. Still, I only keep out those tools I am currently using, and the remainder are behind doors.

Over the past few months I sold off a bunch of little-used tools. I no longer had a need for a Stanley #45 (replaced by a Veritas Combo). I sold my scraper planes (including a Stanley #112) because I have not used them in years, and could not see a need for them in the future. Away went a few block planes, such as vintage Stanleys #65 and #18, because they are large and I prefer small planes. I sold a restored and prized, but unused, Millers Falls 74C with original 28" mitre saw. It is Huge .. too big for sawing mouldings. I kept a dinky MF #115. There was a lot more that went. Together, this paid for a replacement lathe for my Jet Mini (also sold), which I have used for spindle turning over the past 10 years. Now I am a happy owner of a new Nova Saturn DVR (with extension bed and cast iron legs - heavy mother!).

Thinning or rationalising?

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mike Allen1010]

Thanks for an interesting thread. OK, I'm persuaded by the comments here that by any rational standard I "probably" have way too many tools, certainly absolutely true with regard to saws.


In my defense, my theory is it's useful to have a duplicate of the absolutely most frequently used edge tools - so when one gets dull you can go to the backup without sharpening. For me these are: Jack plane, smooth plane, shoulder plane and mortise/dovetailed sized chisels – oh maybe also card scrapers….


Also in my defense, with regard to handsaw's, it's "clearly evident" everyone needs at least one saw ideally suited for the intended task. For example, gotta have range of cross cuts:


* 5 PPI (fenceposts and that patio cover your brother-in-law is always nagging you to build)


* 7 PPI (breaking down >4/4 and thicker stock when you get home from the lumber yard)


* 8 PPI, of course gotta have the "standard".


* 9 PPI for the kiln dried, SAS stock you know you love to buy from that swanky lumberyard.


* Finally of course we need a range of 10 – 12 PPI for finished crosscuts because this is where the "rubber really meets the road" when it comes to final dimensioning of furniture components. Now that I think about it, you probably need these finish crosscutter's in a range of sizes from 26" to 18" lengths - you know – one for the truck, small one to use on the workbench when you're too lazy to move the stock to the saw bench, oh yeah- what about when you're on a ladder trimming out molding for some kind of built-in/crown molding – gotta have small handy panel saw for that!


Well I guess that about covers the hand saws anyone needs Wait a minute I forgot Rip saws - clearly you need different saws for different stock thickness – 1/2", 4/4, 8/4 – obviously that 28" D-8 thumbhole 4 PPI ripsaw isn't appropriate for all of these?


The same can be said for joinery saws; of course you need the .015" plate 20 something PPI, rip filed dovetail saw for that fine work (yeah, those thin drawer parts can be kinda delicate), but what about cutting the tails on the 12/4 through legs of that Reubo style workbench you're planning to build? Gotta have a bigger saw for that – right?


Now that I stop and consider above conclusions; clearly these examples of ripping 1/2" half-thick drawer parts and 12/4 bench legs are obviously the extremes of the needed saw range. Any "practical" hand tool woodworker knows bulk of the dovetails and tennons you saw are going to be somewhere in between, so it's only reasonable to expect you "want", no "need" a range of rip filed back saws for these jobs.


I guess all that remains is bow saws for cutting curves. Probably have to include coping saw, fret saw etc. – (never know what I want want to try that marquetry), and oh yeah a flush cutting saw for trimming all those pegged M&T joints.


Whoooo, sorry for the long description – thanks for letting me get that off my chest!


Wait a minute, all these saws are set up for kiln dried North American hardwoods – oh no, what happens if I want to do all the same types of sawing in wet, soft woods?


Oh my goodness, that obviously means I need another complete set of all the saws for damp soft woods, with more set and deeper sloped gullets, to have any chance of building those outdoor planter boxes and lawn furniture that have been on my to do list forever!


OMG – now I understand! This is how one slides inexorably down the slippery slope of pathological hand tool addiction.


Welcome to the group – "Hi my name is Mike and I have a bad handsaw addiction"


Cheers, Mike

[ken hatch]

Thanks for an interesting thread. OK, I'm persuaded by the comments here that by any rational standard I "probably" have way too many tools, certainly absolutely true with regard to saws.


In my defense, my theory is it's useful to have a duplicate of the absolutely most frequently used edge tools - so when one gets dull you can go to the backup without sharpening. For me these are: Jack plane, smooth plane, shoulder plane and mortise/dovetailed sized chisels – oh maybe also card scrapers….


Also in my defense, with regard to handsaw's, it's "clearly evident" everyone needs at least one saw ideally suited for the intended task. For example, gotta have range of cross cuts:


* 5 PPI (fenceposts and that patio cover your brother-in-law is always nagging you to build)


* 7 PPI (breaking down >4/4 and thicker stock when you get home from the lumber yard)


* 8 PPI, of course gotta have the "standard".


* 9 PPI for the kiln dried, SAS stock you know you love to buy from that swanky lumberyard.


* Finally of course we need a range of 10 – 12 PPI for finished crosscuts because this is where the "rubber really meets the road" when it comes to final dimensioning of furniture components. Now that I think about it, you probably need these finish crosscutter's in a range of sizes from 26" to 18" lengths - you know – one for the truck, small one to use on the workbench when you're too lazy to move the stock to the saw bench, oh yeah- what about when you're on a ladder trimming out molding for some kind of built-in/crown molding – gotta have small handy panel saw for that!


Well I guess that about covers the hand saws anyone needs Wait a minute I forgot Rip saws - clearly you need different saws for different stock thickness – 1/2", 4/4, 8/4 – obviously that 28" D-8 thumbhole 4 PPI ripsaw isn't appropriate for all of these?


The same can be said for joinery saws; of course you need the .015" plate 20 something PPI, rip filed dovetail saw for that fine work (yeah, those thin drawer parts can be kinda delicate), but what about cutting the tails on the 12/4 through legs of that Reubo style workbench you're planning to build? Gotta have a bigger saw for that – right?


Now that I stop and consider above conclusions; clearly these examples of ripping 1/2" half-thick drawer parts and 12/4 bench legs are obviously the extremes of the needed saw range. Any "practical" hand tool woodworker knows bulk of the dovetails and tennons you saw are going to be somewhere in between, so it's only reasonable to expect you "want", no "need" a range of rip filed back saws for these jobs.


I guess all that remains is bow saws for cutting curves. Probably have to include coping saw, fret saw etc. – (never know what I want want to try that marquetry), and oh yeah a flush cutting saw for trimming all those pegged M&T joints.


Whoooo, sorry for the long description – thanks for letting me get that off my chest!


Wait a minute, all these saws are set up for kiln dried North American hardwoods – oh no, what happens if I want to do all the same types of sawing in wet, soft woods?


Oh my goodness, that obviously means I need another complete set of all the saws for damp soft woods, with more set and deeper sloped gullets, to have any chance of building those outdoor planter boxes and lawn furniture that have been on my to do list forever!


OMG – now I understand! This is how one slides inexorably down the slippery slope of pathological hand tool addiction.


Welcome to the group – "Hi my name is Mike and I have a bad handsaw addiction"


Cheers, Mike

Mike,

you talking about me?

LMAO,

ken

[Andrew Seemann]

Thanks for an interesting thread. OK, I'm persuaded by the comments here that by any rational standard I "probably" have way too many tools, certainly absolutely true with regard to saws.


In my defense, my theory is it's useful to have a duplicate of the absolutely most frequently used edge tools - so when one gets dull you can go to the backup without sharpening. For me these are: Jack plane, smooth plane, shoulder plane and mortise/dovetailed sized chisels – oh maybe also card scrapers….


Also in my defense, with regard to handsaw's, it's "clearly evident" everyone needs at least one saw ideally suited for the intended task. For example, gotta have range of cross cuts:


Cheers, Mike

I'm that way about smoothing planes. I have two #3s, (at least) five #4s and two #4 1/2s. I like being able to just reach for another plane when one gets dull rather than stopping to sharpen, and I like to have a couple different mouth sets readily available.

Same with block planes. I like having a plane dedicated to chamfering, one for slight adjustments, one for regular block plane use, one for my mobile tool box, and one for lending out, and a few others on hand because they are handy.

And card scrapers, two good ones on hand, and a cheap one for glue and cleaning off the benchtop. And some curves, naturally.

And chisels. One A2 set for beating into hardwoods, one carbon steel set for softwoods and light paring, one set of beaters for suspect woods, a set for my mobile tool box, and a couple other sets because they are handy.

And random orbit sanders. One that always has coarse grit (labeled "1" in black marker on the top) and one with fine grit (labeled with "2" on the top).

And bandsaws, one with a quarter inch fine tooth blade for cutting curves, and one with a 1" skip tooth and tall throat for resewing. And I'm watching craigslist for one to convert to metal cutting.

And then there is hammers. And drill bit sets. And saw blades. And glues. And cans of stain. And cans of finish.

Ya know, I think I am starting to see a pattern here. . . . . .

[Derek Cohen]

Andrew, you are not helping :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tom Bender]

Do not take up golf, any of you. Or fishing or motorcycling or especially antique cars!

[Frederick Skelly]

And chisels. One A2 set for beating into hardwoods, one carbon steel set for softwoods and light paring, one set of beaters for suspect woods, a set for my mobile tool box, and a couple other sets because they are handy.

Oooooooooooh!!! Six months ago, I convinced myself I didnt need a second set of chisels. But I hadn't thought of rationalizing it as a different set for hardwood vs softwood..... And Christmas is coming.

Must. Resist. Temptation.

[Frederick Skelly]

Do not take up golf, any of you. Or fishing or motorcycling or especially antique cars!

I have deliberately stayed away from bicycling for just the reason you are implying. :)

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

I have deliberately stayed away from bicycling for just the reason you are implying. :)

You know, it's kinda funny. I've been bike racing for about 13 years now and when I started out I would dream about the go-fast bits and spent a fair bit of coin along the way. But the better I got the less I cared about my equipment and I lost the desire to look for more/better stuff - I just focused on my racing / training. Don't get me wrong, I have good gear, but I don't have multiple race wheelsets or multiple race bikes (i train and race on the same bike) and I run the same helmet/shoes/bike computer/groupset etc until they are actually worn out. I've won a few state and national age group titles and lots of races. I'm a much better cyclist than I am a woodworker. But I spend a lot more time and money on woodworking tools. It seems to me that many professional or long-time serious woodworkers end up with a functional set of tools and whilst they love their tools they don't spend a lot of time thinking about them or collecting them; they concentrate on the outcome and have the tools they need to achieve it - just like me with cycling. I think I buy a lot of tools because I haven't achieved what I want to with woodworking yet and think that I need more tools to get there. No real point, just an observation.

Cheers, Dom

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

Just to add to that though - I also have friends who are great cyclists but spend a fortune on new bikes / equipment and just love the tech/bling - so maybe it's just completely personal. So perhaps the point is - do whatever makes you happy / brings you fulfillment. because that's what it's all about at the end of the day :).

Cheers, Dom

[Frederick Skelly]

You know, it's kinda funny. I've been bike racing for about 13 years now and when I started out I would dream about the go-fast bits and spent a fair bit of coin along the way. But the better I got the less I cared about my equipment and I lost the desire to look for more/better stuff - I just focused on my racing / training. Don't get me wrong, I have good gear, but I don't have multiple race wheelsets or multiple race bikes (i train and race on the same bike) and I run the same helmet/shoes/bike computer/groupset etc until they are actually worn out. I've won a few state and national age group titles and lots of races. I'm a much better cyclist than I am a woodworker. But I spend a lot more time and money on woodworking tools. It seems to me that many professional or long-time serious woodworkers end up with a functional set of tools and whilst they love their tools they don't spend a lot of time thinking about them or collecting them; they concentrate on the outcome and have the tools they need to achieve it - just like me with cycling. I think I buy a lot of tools because I haven't achieved what I want to with woodworking yet and think that I need more tools to get there. No real point, just an observation.

Cheers, Dom

That makes sense to me Dom. I think you're right. It's sort of a variant on the idea that "tools don't make the craftsman".

Fred

[James Pallas]

I own lots of tools. There are tools for all different trades from concrete, masonry, plumbing, electrical and woodworking. I’m lucky that I have a SIL to pass tools to who uses them. When I wear out a tool I replace it. When I buy a new or different tool I keep the old one until I’m sure I’m satisfied that the new “improved” tool will do the job. I’m now at the stage where there are jobs that I can no longer handle. So I pass the tools along. The rest i will keep until they are pulled from my cold, you know the rest.
Jim

[Alan Schwabacher]

Invite someone to your shop, and teach that person to do something. Usually, they will find some tool (frequently a plane) to be fun to use and useful. If you have extras, you can give them the tool they've been using. That is a pleasure you'll miss if you have a minimal toolkit.

[Mike Allen1010]

Andrew, you are not helping :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

Damn it Derek, that was good bourbon you just made me snort out my nose!:)
Cheers, Mike

[Patrick Walsh]

Andrew has this thing wired.

So,some said something about thinking you need this or thinking you need that when you start out. To a degree I agree. I also used to be a pro cyclist, I was a high level ameture for many more years Than pro but that’s another story. Point is I liked my kit. I think you are the type that likes “stuff” or the type that “stuff” does little for them.

Ok back to thinning the herd. So I like my tools, I like chisels, I like plains, I like saws, combo squares, machinist squares, marking knives bevel gauges, measuring apparatus. Sharpening this sharpening that. I also like my machines, no I loooooove my machines, I’d rather have the option to setup a machine and leave it than chase my tail trying to get a machine setup exactly again to reproduce a part when I screw it up somehow some way before I done with my project. Really I just like a excuse to “NEED” another tool to feed the deep broken hole I have inside I fill with stuff.

In all seriousness the longer I work wood two things happen. I learn how to actually use my tools. Second in doing so I learn there is like a million ways using a million different tools to achieve virtually the same task and that all the tools are not really needed but wanted. Well at least on my part that is. You can get most anything done with a couple saw, a few chisels and couple hand planes.

With all that said I like having options. I like my LN socket chisels when I need to really smack on something, I like to have Kiyohisa perfectly sharp and ready to go at all times for more delicate work. I then like to have the appropriate paring chisel sharp and ready at all times even though 90% of the time a socket chisels will also do the job. I like leaving my shaper setup hence I could be happy with five easily. Digital readout on everything helps much of this with machines but not all of it unless everything is tricked out with electronics and then for the price of that once machine I could have like thirty sweet used ones.

Someone said it above do what makes you happy. I often sell tolls to buy tools. I sell the ones I don’t use to buy the ones I think and hope I will use. It’s a viscous, fun and highly rewarding addictive cycle. As of late most all my festool stuff has gone. I use festool stuff to instal cabinetry for work purposes all the time but in my personal work I just don’t have much need for it. Pretty much down to a router a couple drills and a the kapex. The kapex will go when I get my new slider into the shop.

[Simon MacGowen]

My strategy is to get rid of something after or before getting something new. All tools are toys to me and I like new toys. I have a small shop, and selling or giving away the old toys is partly born out of neccessity and partly out of self control.

Admit it: you keep some of your surplus tools because you can't let go of them, not out of needs.

Since most of my toys are premium brands and quality, they fetch good prices when I part with them, a reason why you should buy the best you can afford.

Thinning the herd is not something I do because I never own a (deep) herd. Only tools that I use constantly or will use are found in my shop. Proud not to be a hoarder.

By the way, I am not a minimalist anything. That term is just a label used to sell books. Keep and use as many tools that you enjoy and that you can afford. You won't be a better woodworker just because you are a minimalist.

Simon

[Rob Luter]

Follow up.......

Four months on and all is well. I had my second purge as planned and reduced the breadth of my kit some more. No withdrawal symptoms yet. I did make a couple acquisitions with the proceeds that have proven to be useful (a Titemark and a couple Boggs Shaves) but the net count is still way down. Bench plane count is down by half, as is block plane count. Backsaw count went from 7 to 3 with one still on the market. Eggbeaters went from 5 to 2. Auger sets went from 3 to 1. I've worked on a couple projects and never found myself wanting when it came to the appropriate tool. There seems to be something to a minimalist approach. I'm finding that many tools are much more versatile than I gave them credit for.

Next time I'll shed some hammers, saw vises, a couple more planes, a brace or two, maybe another eggbeater. It depends on what I really use over the next few months.

My ultimate goal is to be able to store my whole kit in a wall hanging cabinet. When it comes time to move, I'll pull it off the wall and hang it in the new shop.

[ken hatch]

Follow up.......

Four months on and all is well. I had my second purge as planned and reduced the breadth of my kit some more. No withdrawal symptoms yet. I did make a couple acquisitions with the proceeds that have proven to be useful (a Titemark and a couple Boggs Shaves) but the net count is still way down. Bench plane count is down by half, as is block plane count. Backsaw count went from 7 to 3 with one still on the market. Eggbeaters went from 5 to 2. Auger sets went from 3 to 1. I've worked on a couple projects and never found myself wanting when it came to the appropriate tool. There seems to be something to a minimalist approach. I'm finding that many tools are much more versatile than I gave them credit for.

Next time I'll shed some hammers, saw vises, a couple more planes, a brace or two, maybe another eggbeater. It depends on what I really use over the next few months.

My ultimate goal is to be able to store my whole kit in a wall hanging cabinet. When it comes time to move, I'll pull it off the wall and hang it in the new shop.

Rob,

Good on you. I keep trying and fail every time. It always comes down to, "Get rid of my almost complete set of type 9 Stanley planes? I can't do that." Apply to whatever tool is in my hand at decision time:o.

ken

[Jim Koepke]

Rob,

Good on you. I keep trying and fail every time. It always comes down to, "Get rid of my almost complete set of type 9 Stanley planes? I can't do that." Apply to whatever tool is in my hand at decision time:o.

ken

How about getting rid of all the planes that aren't type 9?

One of my fears in selling off old planes is some of them are not in great condition. One of them has the tote screw held in with threads cut in to JB Weld.

Though the #8 that was recently assembled works amazingly well, it has a repaired tote, a patina of oxidation from the sides to the sole and a couple of chips at the bottom edge of the lever cap. Not a pretty plane. It does take wonderfully thin shavings.

404859

For the record, a jointer plane is not usually judged by how thin of a shaving it can take, but if the sole is out of flat, it will have a hard time taking a thin shaving.

jtk

[ken hatch]

How about getting rid of all the planes that aren't type 9?

One of my fears in selling off old planes is some of them are not in great condition. One of them has the tote screw held in with threads cut in to JB Weld.

Though the #8 that was recently assembled works amazingly well, it has a repaired tote, a patina of oxidation from the sides to the sole and a couple of chips at the bottom edge of the lever cap. Not a pretty plane. It does take wonderfully thin shavings.

404859

For the record, a jointer plane is not usually judged by how thin of a shaving it can take, but if the sole is out of flat, it will have a hard time taking a thin shaving.

jtk

Jim,

That's too logical and for the most part hoarding tools ain't logical :p.

ken

[Bill Houghton]

One of my fears in selling off old planes is some of them are not in great condition. One of them has the tote screw held in with threads cut in to JB Weld.
If a plane's not of sufficient quality for you to sell, you can always see if the Habitat for Humanity in your area runs a ReStore and donate it. I'm always careful to attach a note if there are known but not highly visible flaws, detailing them.

[Jim Koepke]

If a plane's not of sufficient quality for you to sell, you can always see if the Habitat for Humanity in your area runs a ReStore and donate it. I'm always careful to attach a note if there are known but not highly visible flaws, detailing them.

One of my planes has a repair using JB Weld, a note is written with a sharpie on the face of the frog for future reference.

Most of my bench planes are are somewhat ugly but good users.

jtk

[Rob Luter]

Rob,

Good on you. I keep trying and fail every time. It always comes down to, "Get rid of my almost complete set of type 9 Stanley planes? I can't do that." Apply to whatever tool is in my hand at decision time:o.

ken

I hear you. I was one shy of a Sweetheart era set of bench and block planes. Something about that logo on the blade....

I just had a heart to heart with myself as to what I really wanted to do, accumulate tools that made me happy but didn't get used or use a core set of tools to accumulate skills that will make me happy. I chose the latter.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Here's the thing, many of us are no longer spring chickens. Many of us have tools we bought brand new and some given to us by our dad. So, when perusing "that auction site" and I see many tools I bought new (or inherited), described as "vintage" or as"valuable antique", I just can't part with that tool when it is now so valuable and rare!

Who'd have thunk them plum colored Stanleys would one day be called rare!

[Rob Luter]

Here's the thing, many of us are no longer spring chickens. Many of us have tools we bought brand new and some given to us by our dad. So, when perusing "that auction site" and I see many tools I bought new (or inherited), described as "vintage" or as"valuable antique", I just can't part with that tool when it is now so valuable and rare! Who'd have thunk them plum colored Stanleys would one day be called rare!

All my vintage stuff I bought later in life. I remember Dad having a couple planes when I was a kid but have no idea what happened to them. The spring chicken thing is ringing true with me. Part of my desire to thin things out was a discussion with my Daughter about family heirlooms and such. She and her husband (who's father is also a woodworker) live a semi minimalist lifestyle. They have no desire to accumulate a house full of "stuff" and she really has no emotional attachment to the things I've collected and hold dear (Guitars, Stickley Furniture, Woodworking Tools, Antique Arts and Crafts Pottery). She basically told us to sell it for what it was worth when we could, because if she had to sell it at an estate sale after our deaths it was going cheap just to get it gone. I appreciated her honesty. Dead or not, I don't want to be the guy behind the $100 Les Paul or $50 Stickley Morris Chair urban legend.

[ken hatch]

All my vintage stuff I bought later in life. I remember Dad having a couple planes when I was a kid but have no idea what happened to them. The spring chicken thing is ringing true with me. Part of my desire to thin things out was a discussion with my Daughter about family heirlooms and such. She and her husband (who's father is also a woodworker) live a semi minimalist lifestyle. They have no desire to accumulate a house full of "stuff" and she really has no emotional attachment to the things I've collected and hold dear (Guitars, Stickley Furniture, Woodworking Tools, Antique Arts and Crafts Pottery). She basically told us to sell it for what it was worth when we could, because if she had to sell it at an estate sale after our deaths it was going cheap just to get it gone. I appreciated her honesty. Dead or not, I don't want to be the guy behind the $100 Les Paul or $50 Stickley Morris Chair urban legend.

Rob,

I'm lucky to have a friend of many years (I hired him when he was 22 years old and he flew as my FO for many years before going to the airlines) who is in reality a much better craftsman than I am to pass my tools to. I know he will care for them and use them as he did during the times I was working out of country and with out a shop. When he goes who knows what will happen because he and his wife have no kids. But whatever I will be long gone by then.

I have one other advantage, living in the desert Southwest tools do not rust. There is little maintenance required, If I still lived in Houston, TX or McMinnville, OR, or even Salt Lake City, UT my tool inventory would be a tenth of what it is now. I guess what I'm trying to say is other than storage room there is little cost to having a kinda large collection of hand tools and even though I make noises about culling the herd and make sporadic attempts to if I'm honest it ain't going to happen in this life.

BTW, good on you for doing it.

ken

[John K Jordan]

.. She basically told us to sell it for what it was worth when we could, because if she had to sell it at an estate sale after our deaths it was going cheap just to get it gone.... Dead or not, I don't want to be the guy behind the $100 Les Paul or $50 Stickley Morris Chair urban legend.

One option is to put a sticker on things like that with the approximate value so she can decide if "cheap" is $100 or $10000.

Another option is to specify in a memorandum attached to your will specifying where specified things will go, for example my extensive turning wood collection will go to a local club.

I think too many tools in the shop depends on what you do. For example I don't often use some in my little machine, welding, or electronics shops but when the tractor breaks down or the horse fence charger needs fixin' I usually have what it takes to do it now. I also have many tools for wood working/turning that I don't use often but students and shop visitors do. If I didn't have plenty of space I'd certainly keep less.

JKJ

[Richard Jones]

I like 'stuff' as much as the next guy/gal. That said, if I take an honest look at what I have, it's too much. Too many guns, guitars, knives, tools, etc. I'm going through my shop now to try and weed out what I don't need. Any regrets I may have will be (hopefully) overshadowed by knowing that maybe whoever that has whatever is actually using it.

I applaud you, sir, for your downsizing machismo, and hope that I can do the same.

As an aside, my wife happened to look in the gun safe one day and asked me what all of it was worth. She said that she would probably sell it all for $2,000, to which I responded, 'honey, the safe cost that much. Just call Eddie (a friend that I would walk off the pier for) and have him sell it off for you.' I guess that's the downside to not revealing the true price of things........

[john zulu]

I have the notion to use the least tools for the job. I will buy or acquire tools which I need when the time comes like the Jack Rabbet plane.
As for hand tools. I generally have one each like my hand planes. That said..... When it comes to knives, I have multiple of them. Each one with it's own grind and function.

[Patrick McCarthy]

Rob, it is all about what makes you feel comfortable in whatever stage you are in now. Sure, we could all do more with less. Sure, there may be some validity to the concept that we may have some shiny-object-hoarding-tendencies or, restated, have more than we need. BUT i doubt having too many tools is hampering us from actually doing more work with wood. Life is a journey and sometimes we might overindulge a bit, but if it is filling a need at the time, then that is not necessarily bad.

If you think thinning the herd will make you feel better, then that is the thing to do. If your motivation is to maximize the monetary return, and think you will roll over in your grave if the kids don’t value those things the same as you, then focus on that. Objects don’t have feelings - or so i am told - but if someone acquires from your estate one of your cherished possessions for a song, and it goes to a happy/thrilled/loving home, i am not so sure that is a “bad” thing.

Just some thoughts from a fellow traveler; ya gotta do what is best for you at this stage of the journey. Tomorrow will be here soon enough, but no guarantee we will be here to see it. Hence, don’t worry too much about what you cant control. Best, Patrick (who knows very little)

[Jim Koepke]

Rob, it is all about what makes you feel comfortable in whatever stage you are in now. Sure, we could all do more with less. Sure, there may be some validity to the concept that we may have some shiny-object-hoarding-tendencies or, restated, have more than we need. BUT i doubt having too many tools is hampering us from actually doing more work with wood. Life is a journey and sometimes we might overindulge a bit, but if it is filling a need at the time, then that is not necessarily bad.

If you think thinning the herd will make you feel better, then that is the thing to do. If your motivation is to maximize the monetary return, and think you will roll over in your grave if the kids don’t value those things the same as you, then focus on that. Objects don’t have feelings - or so i am told - but if someone acquires from your estate one of your cherished possessions for a song, and it goes to a happy/thrilled/loving home, i am not so sure that is a “bad” thing.

Just some thoughts from a fellow traveler; ya gotta do what is best for you at this stage of the journey. Tomorrow will be here soon enough, but no guarantee we will be here to see it. Hence, don’t worry too much about what you cant control. Best, Patrick (who knows very little)

Amen Patrick.

What is done with my time is mostly my own choice. Owning more tools than are needed for any specific task has never impeded me in doing anything.

Many of my cherished possessions have been purchased for a song at an estate sale. My main hope for my tools is they will continue to be used after my time with them is done.

jtk

[Tony Zaffuto]

We all have vices. Mine happen to be collectables: old tools, firearms, American Civil War artifacts, books and my family.