Advice needed

Re: Advice needed

ThomD

>It's up to you. These aren't the Dead Sea scrolls. If you feel you lack the experience to use these tools without damaging them, then you will want to proceed carefully. That applies to new tools also. All tool use imposes some wear so using the tools will affect their value to a collector, at least short term. I know I would feel a sense of connection working with tools that had always been in the family. One can't buy that, but then it isn't really what woodworking is about either. Give yourself some time, if you need it, to determine what course sits best with you.

As far as monetary values are concerned there are some of us who work with new tools that cost more than some valuable antique tools, and that is fine. Others might feel something wrong about using an ancient tool if it had a monetary value greater than a substitute new tool. Something offensive, or wasteful about it. I feel, increasingly, whether it is relative to the time/opportunity cost of woodwork; The environmental costs of wood; Family costs, etc...; The costs are high. It's fine to have this kind of commitment, but one should understand the cost to fully understand the activity. So don't feel bad about using valuable tools, your time is valuable too, as are many of the other inputs involved. Often magazine present this kind of activity, as a way to save a little money by doing it yourself, but over the longer haul it is actually how one spends a large chunk of one's life. So don't undervalue the commitment involved.

Re: Advice needed

Steve Kubien

>Hi Ken,

While have great sentimental attachment to some of my Dad's tools, I know he would want to see them used rather than polished and put on a shelf. None of his tools were collector-type stuff and he realized that tools were meant to be used (surely, that's what the maker of them was thinking). With that in mind, I think the best thing to do is use them, unless your agreement with the man goes against it (or it really creeps out SWMBO).

Insuring them? Sounds like most of what you've got is pretty common stuff so I wouldn't worry about it. Take some good pictures of everything and include them in your home insurance and be done with it.

Preserving and caring for them... Remove the rust, sharpen the irons and put them to work. Don't know how to do those things? Look to the left of the screen and search under the Articles and Reviews section. Lots of good stuff there for rust removal, repairing broken wood, etc. Need sharpening info? Ask. Lots of people here will be more than glad to point out the basics and beyond. Leonard Lee's on sharpening is a great way to learn.

As for selling them... I wouldn't do that unless you needed to put food on the table and there was no other way. Too much family history to be given up lightly.

Have fun. Looks like you've got the basis of a very functional tool kit. Make something GFIL would be proud of.

Steve Kubien

Some answers...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>1. Do you do woodworking? If so, Heck I'd learn to use them.

2. Yes insure them as part of your home oweners insurance (as stated in another thread). For costs of replacements I'd consult ebay's completed items search. That 45 is worth around $250.00 depending on condition.

3. Clean them up and give them a good waxing. An archive search here and the article section has all the info you'll ever want.

4. Well it's not a question so...

Good luck, I'd clean them up and play with them myself.

Re: Advice needed

Jim in Burlington On

>If you really want to know exactly what the tools are worth post pics there's alot of experts that will help you out.

Re: Advice needed

Ken Romines

>Thanks guys! I really appreciate the "words of wisdom." I have really enjoyed this site. Even though my wife thinks it has cost a small fortune.

Yes, I have actually a lot of wood working experience. But most of it is home building or powertool centered. I looking forward to using more handtools in the near future.

Thanks again.

Ken

go Lady Raiders

Re: Advice needed

Dick Schafer

>Couldn't agree more with what's alread been said.

Clean them up and put them to use.