An interesting conundrum

Help a friend's wife/family

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I have been helping widows market the tools. Look for a listing of top notch hand tools here soon- LN, LV etc.

Re: An interesting conundrum

David Weaver

Tough call. If I fell over, my wife would have no interest in selling my tools and would probably just throw them out or try to find a junk service.

I think if there are tools you want and would use, have them and use them. If not, then it appeals to an instinct to get more, but what will it solve?

I'll have the same issue with my parents. It's not tools with them but some other things in large numbers, Similar value density. My wife would never let boxes upon boxes in the house so unless my sister takes a shine to selling it, it'll go for pennies on the dollar. My dad doesn't want to sell his stuff, he just "knows what it's worth " and by the time he'd sell it, he'll be too old to do it. In order to know what's actually valuable, I'd have to both learn about it and sell it. It's kind of a losing proposition.

Re: An interesting conundrum

1 Keith Newton

I’ve started asking for a tool, anything really, that I can add to my collection. Not that I need any more tools, but every time I reach into my drawer and see it, I’m reminded of my old friend, if only briefly, and I can always use a smile.

I even added a line in my recent, Last-Will to share something of mine in such a manner with any of my friends that ask.

Re: An interesting conundrum

Dick Coers

I had to clean out my Mom's home in 2017. Luckily, she was living on the farm up until then. I basically had a bonfire going for 5 weeks. I put a vinyl recliner on the fire that my Dad got in the early 60s. That thing sizzled and squeaked, and burnt like a barrel of kerosene. I had to keep backing up because of the heat! The process broke my heart many days. Especially depressing when Salvation Army refused their wedding bedroom furniture set.

Re: An interesting conundrum

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

I agree with Bill, help your friend by giving them assistance in selling their tools. If you really want a tool help them establish a price and then purchase it from them or if they decide to auction the tools, which would likely bring more money buy a tool at the auction.

Lee

That's in my future....

David Weaver

I haven't talked to my sister, but Have told my parents that I may arrive with three matches (one for each building). They're horrified.

once in a while, I pick on dad. "this oil can is worth $275" (which will be true for a particular one if I check on ebay). There will be a gaggle of others worth $15-$50 or whatever else, and then a bunch that would be in a volume auction box, which is where dad got most of his oil cans.

I ask him how many he's sold for that and whether or not he's going to start building some ebay feedback. Nothing.

"how much do you think they'll go for at yingling's (auction) in a box when you're gone? I hope twice as much as you gave for them"

Realistically, who is going to take the time to sell something like that. It's not like they're all worth that and if you don't know what they are, then how can you list them and hope they'll get exposure? (i don't - not all of the valuable ones are marked - half of them still have oil in them - one wonders if people want the original oil. We opened a can of extremely old singer oil a couple of years ago to find it just marginally thick, but still good for honing and only slightly off color..).

selling more than one or two items a week starts to take a lot of time and you notice it. By the time I croak, maybe the search engines will be so smart that they'll do the figuring for you, show you where they got their information to confirm a match and then make the listing.

(they do live in a township that allows open..

David Weaver

....burning and burning of most trash items, though. Where I live, it wouldn't be possible - closest you can get to that here is $50 per pickup load at the dump.

I think if two 55 gallon drums are orange hot, you could probably get a ton or more a day through them without anyone knowing what you were doing and coming to make sure you're not burning stuff with lead paint, etc.

Re: An interesting conundrum

Dick Coers

I've offered money many times to the one widow and she started getting frustrated that I wasn't just taking things. I've known them a bit over 45 years. They came to birthday parties here, we went there. So not just a guy I knew.

Re: An interesting conundrum

jergle

Your friend's widow might just be overwhelmed and wants you to take (at least that part) off her hands. If you don't want / need it, maybe the kindest thing would be to help her set up an estate auction. We did that after my dad passed away about 10 years ago. The auction house does most of the work of getting everything together, you just have to tell them what needs to go. Yes, they get a pretty good commission for doing that, but it does make the process easier on the family, and at least they're getting something in return. My dad was a "collector" of flea market finds, from old tools to tea pots. I was surprised that most things went for pretty good prices at auction. If it was a good friend, ask his wife for something to remember your friend by. Preferably something you can use, not just something to sit on a shelf. Offer to pay her for it, but when she declines, don't argue. She will feel better knowing you're remembering her husband. My 2 cents.

Any metal?

kneale brownson

We took several trailerloads to the metal junk yard. Ended up earning way more $$$$ than the hauling cost us. Special piles and pay for copper and batteries.