I recently bought a few tools from a garage sale – a type 11 no 8, type 16 no 6, and a type 15 no 3 for just $25. I wanted to give the seller more, but she wouldn't take it. This experience got me thinking about setting up a catalog of my tools. My goal is to make it easier for my family to sell them in case something happens to me and they don't want them. I plan to include a brief description of each tool without listing specific prices since those can fluctuate. Has anyone done something similar? I'd love some advice on how to set this up!
3 Answers
I think cataloging your tools is a wise move! Sure, the market can fluctuate, but having some prices will assist your family if they ever want to sell your collection as a whole. Plus, if they're valuable, maybe consider insuring them? Just keep your list safe from disasters, like in a fireproof safe!
That's a really smart idea! I remember when a fellow guild member passed, and his tools were everywhere. Thankfully, some of us helped his widow catalog everything. Keeping a detailed list can save your family a lot of hassle. I'd recommend putting some general price ranges too; even if they change, it's helpful to know what they could expect to get for them, especially if they want to sell the whole lot.
Great point! Having even a rough idea of prices could help them a lot.
I started a catalog for my molding planes to track their makers and ages. I don’t include prices since I figure I won’t be around when they’re sold. It’s nice to have everything documented anyway. Having a list really helps me keep track of what I have and what I might still be on the lookout for during garage sales!
That sounds like a fun project! I also love hitting garage sales to find hidden gems!
I definitely see the value in that! I might not need insurance for all tools, but the rarer ones could definitely benefit from it.