Heirloom Tools

**DSEL74** · 6th May 2013, 12:36 PM

I was thinking today that I am going to make up a little plaque to go into my grandfathers tools chest he made in which a set of engineering tools he also made are kept.

It will read something along the lines of:
Made by "His Name", 1922-1984 Toolmaker
Grandfather of "My Name"
These tools are of high value & collectable, care is to be taken with their use & preservation.

I was going to do a similar thing with any other old tools I have that have been passed down to me and seem of some value.

The reason I am thinking to add the line grand father of.. is because he was my mother's father and obviously we have different surnames. So hopefully future generations will be able to trace back the link. Should I have some kids

before the swimmers dry up.

I have been hearing a lot of stories where the tools end up at the tip just days before someone in the know is able to advise the value.

My cousin was recently telling me about the oldman who used to live next door when he was a kid who used to ride to the mail box in rural Vic on an old Indian motorcycle with wicker basket sidecar. My cousin now in his 50's had kept in touch with the old man and regularly discussed the bike which the man always said you can have the bike when I die. About a week after the old fella's death my cousin heard the news and attended the funeral. Where he learned the entire contents of his shed along with the indian and several vintage cars had been sent to the tip. Horrific waste of history and not to mention collectable value.

My question to the forum is how many of your tools and there are some great user made tools and some expensive purchased high quality tools sitting in many of your workshops, will succeed you as heirlooms? Do you have children who will appreciate the value of the tools, or a family member?

**desert oak** · 6th May 2013, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by dsel74

where he learned the entire contents of his shed along with the indian and several vintage cars had been sent to the tip.

**DSEL74** · 6th May 2013, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by desert oak

Yep that was my reaction along with

**TermiMonster** · 6th May 2013, 07:40 PM

Do you mind if I ask, which tip? I might just be passing that way tomorrow and thought I might drop in for a browse.
TM

**LGS** · 6th May 2013, 08:25 PM

None,

I'll sell them all when I can't use them any more. They'll have served their purpose for me so someone else might as well have them.
Like me, they'll show serious signs of wear and use.

**ian** · 6th May 2013, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by LGS

None,

I'll sell them all when I can't use them any more. They'll have served their purpose for me so someone else might as well have them.
Like me, they'll show serious signs of wear and use.

you need to be alive, cognisant and communicative to do this -- and the person who might be acting on your behalf needs to know the "value" of what they are dealing with

far better to at least write a letter outlining what tools you have and how you'd like them disposed of

**LGS** · 7th May 2013, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by ian

you need to be alive, cognisant and communicative to do this -- and the person who might be acting on your behalf needs to know the "value" of what they are dealing with

far better to at least write a letter outlining what tools you have and how you'd like them disposed of

You're assuming that I will stop woodworking because of Dementia (or worse) and that I won't have a choice. I don't expect to be woodworking into my last years of life and will sell the tools while I am still with all my faculties. I may well give them to a person or persons who would make good use of them. Something like a Men's Shed or a student of woodwork. The value of the tools to me is the fact that I use them. At the end of the day, if everything is thrown out, "Such is Life"
But hopefully they'll go on to be used my someone else.

Regards,

Rob

**Ball Peen** · 7th May 2013, 07:31 AM

I'm with Rob, the value of my tools, to me, is a means to an end. I'll also be flogging hand tools, benches and machines before I go. If I smell a dealer trying to scoop everything for nothing, the price gets doubled. Last verse of "Diamond Joe"......"give my blankets to my buddies, give the fleas to Diamond Joe. "

**ian** · 7th May 2013, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by LGS

You're assuming that I will stop woodworking because of Dementia (or worse) and that I won't have a choice. I don't expect to be woodworking into my last years of life and will sell the tools while I am still with all my faculties. I may well give them to a person or persons who would make good use of them. Something like a Men's Shed or a student of woodwork. The value of the tools to me is the fact that I use them. At the end of the day, if everything is thrown out, "Such is Life"
But hopefully they'll go on to be used my someone else.

Regards,

Rob

Hi Rob

actually I was thinking the disposal could occur as a result of something like a car accident ...

and as to who might receive them, like you I'm thinking either a student of woodwork, an institution like the Sturt School, or a Men's shed.

The outcome I'm trying to avoid is my tools going to someone for whom their only value is what they will bring on ebay

**orraloon** · 7th May 2013, 10:48 AM

Something I will have to think about one day depressing as it is. I still hope to get a few years out of them yet. Still on the lookout for more just now.
Regards
John

**DSEL74** · 7th May 2013, 10:55 AM

Doesn't sound like to many people have anyone specific in mind or relatives that are like minded to inherit tools.

I find that interesting since I have often heard people say such and such a tool will last many lifetimes, so was a great purchase and is heirloom quality………Not much point if no one to carry it on.

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