Let me start first by apologizing for asking this here if it is not the right place. (please delete if need be - feelings won't be hurt, I'll make a copy) But with all the internet researching I have been trying to do, I get a lot of this site coming up and I thought I would give it a try. I will do my best to keep this as short as possible and hopefully not sound too incompetent in doing so. Ready or not…...Here goes…
The history:
Several years ago I inherited through family several old wood and/or metal working equipment and tools-belt/disc sanders, jointers, planer, shaper, bandsaws, drill presses, scrollsaws, bench grinders, electric motors, power tools, hand tools, vise grips, anvils, drill bits, files, taps & dies, logging and wood type hand saws, axes, axe heads, unused/new axe and saw type handles, old hand augers, log turners, chain saws etc. Also, if you were looking for an old nut, bolt, washer, screw or some strange looking little thingy, I probably have that too. But the archaeological dig into 5 gallon buckets and a multitude of jars may seem daunting to most, me included. Hopefully you get the idea of what I'm up against.
The history of these items I am not 100% on, other than about the original owner who they came from. This person was a machinist, who I do know recieved some type of patent credits? for things he made (got certificates an attaboy and about $25, but who he worked for actually holds the patents) He also had 2 adjoining home shops, one was for metal, the other for woodworking. He made a lot of things himself from wood, iron, steel, aluminum (homes, furniture, car/truck/tractor parts etc.) If they couldn't make or repair it easily, then they bought it. From what I remember about the shop setups when I saw them in the 70s through the 80s, I am pretty sure everything I received was mostly for the wood types of use, I remember a big metal lathe thing I use to see him working with metal on and I know I don't have that, I was told it was hauled off to a junkyard just to get rid of because noone there knew how to use it. I believe the home shops were originally set up in the 50s to early 60s.
The condition now is one of my main concerns. When they were in use I know these items were treated very well, I remember how the tools/equipment he used, when he was done, would be meticulously cleaned/oiled/sharpened etc. and put in it's own special place and noone was allowed to touch them after they were cleaned until the next use. I don't believe any of the remaining offspring/relatives ever had anything to do with it. My guess as to the last time he was capable of using these might be as late as the early 90s but if so not much by then. So they have sat uncared for before I received them, and since I've had them they have mostly been sitting in an old airy (no chinking) log home and it's root cellar because we didn't have anywhere else to put them to give them any type of shelter. So they have been collecting dirt, dust, rust etc. in the jars, boxes, buckets, and toolboxes that they were all apparently tossed in when they were given to me.
The Question/s:
I was offered some money from someone that said they just wanted it all for scrap, but I passed since they weren't in the way at the time just sitting in there, and have noticed some mysterious disappearances since, one being the huge anvil that was being eyed. (a lock now added to door) And, not knowing any better at the time, quite a few saws that were 'just junk so just going to paint them' But I'm now in the slow process of purging these items because the building is going to be dismantled soon. (I also may have slight PackRat/Hoarder tendencies-please don't tell anyone, it's a secret) Anyway, I didn't know much of anything about this stuff so I began researching to find out what some are called and used for. (a very long process when you have absolutely no clue, but learning something new every day without knowing how long it will be retained) In doing so I have noticed not much interest/value in complete machines, but more often in parts from them. I'm guessing they already have them and are wanting some original parts for theirs. Being new to this, and to see if anyone might be interested, I just sold a few smaller items on ebay, (shaper cutters, collars, plumb bobs, starrett parallels, saw tooth setters, berylyco non-sparking tools etc.) I'm really not wanting to do the craigslist thing. (scarey stories) So the question is really mostly about the larger pieces I guess… if I would be better off just to sell them in pieces, part them out? (not sure of the terminology for doing that) Some of the brands are: Craftsman Delta Rockwell DeWalt Porter-Cable. (there are about 12 or more of them) The smaller things I was thinking ebay and/or maybe a yard sale. What do you think the best route to go would be?
Addional Note:
Not looking to make a fortune, but also don't want to get screwed, I've got a bucket of those. I would prefer these things being put to good use and I just don't believe that all this stuff is just "junk" as I was told, I think a lot is usable/salvagable or maybe even collectible to some. I don't plan on trying to clean them, other than maybe wiping/brushing off as best as I can because, I'm just guessing here, spraying them off with a hose or scrubbing them in the dishwater with a brillo won't be such a wise choice, apparently oil and grease are a good thing for some of them. I think the actual cleaning would be better left to someone that knows how to do it correctly.
So, I'm open to any opinions anyone may have for me on this. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!
The history:
Several years ago I inherited through family several old wood and/or metal working equipment and tools-belt/disc sanders, jointers, planer, shaper, bandsaws, drill presses, scrollsaws, bench grinders, electric motors, power tools, hand tools, vise grips, anvils, drill bits, files, taps & dies, logging and wood type hand saws, axes, axe heads, unused/new axe and saw type handles, old hand augers, log turners, chain saws etc. Also, if you were looking for an old nut, bolt, washer, screw or some strange looking little thingy, I probably have that too. But the archaeological dig into 5 gallon buckets and a multitude of jars may seem daunting to most, me included. Hopefully you get the idea of what I'm up against.
The history of these items I am not 100% on, other than about the original owner who they came from. This person was a machinist, who I do know recieved some type of patent credits? for things he made (got certificates an attaboy and about $25, but who he worked for actually holds the patents) He also had 2 adjoining home shops, one was for metal, the other for woodworking. He made a lot of things himself from wood, iron, steel, aluminum (homes, furniture, car/truck/tractor parts etc.) If they couldn't make or repair it easily, then they bought it. From what I remember about the shop setups when I saw them in the 70s through the 80s, I am pretty sure everything I received was mostly for the wood types of use, I remember a big metal lathe thing I use to see him working with metal on and I know I don't have that, I was told it was hauled off to a junkyard just to get rid of because noone there knew how to use it. I believe the home shops were originally set up in the 50s to early 60s.
The condition now is one of my main concerns. When they were in use I know these items were treated very well, I remember how the tools/equipment he used, when he was done, would be meticulously cleaned/oiled/sharpened etc. and put in it's own special place and noone was allowed to touch them after they were cleaned until the next use. I don't believe any of the remaining offspring/relatives ever had anything to do with it. My guess as to the last time he was capable of using these might be as late as the early 90s but if so not much by then. So they have sat uncared for before I received them, and since I've had them they have mostly been sitting in an old airy (no chinking) log home and it's root cellar because we didn't have anywhere else to put them to give them any type of shelter. So they have been collecting dirt, dust, rust etc. in the jars, boxes, buckets, and toolboxes that they were all apparently tossed in when they were given to me.
The Question/s:
I was offered some money from someone that said they just wanted it all for scrap, but I passed since they weren't in the way at the time just sitting in there, and have noticed some mysterious disappearances since, one being the huge anvil that was being eyed. (a lock now added to door) And, not knowing any better at the time, quite a few saws that were 'just junk so just going to paint them' But I'm now in the slow process of purging these items because the building is going to be dismantled soon. (I also may have slight PackRat/Hoarder tendencies-please don't tell anyone, it's a secret) Anyway, I didn't know much of anything about this stuff so I began researching to find out what some are called and used for. (a very long process when you have absolutely no clue, but learning something new every day without knowing how long it will be retained) In doing so I have noticed not much interest/value in complete machines, but more often in parts from them. I'm guessing they already have them and are wanting some original parts for theirs. Being new to this, and to see if anyone might be interested, I just sold a few smaller items on ebay, (shaper cutters, collars, plumb bobs, starrett parallels, saw tooth setters, berylyco non-sparking tools etc.) I'm really not wanting to do the craigslist thing. (scarey stories) So the question is really mostly about the larger pieces I guess… if I would be better off just to sell them in pieces, part them out? (not sure of the terminology for doing that) Some of the brands are: Craftsman Delta Rockwell DeWalt Porter-Cable. (there are about 12 or more of them) The smaller things I was thinking ebay and/or maybe a yard sale. What do you think the best route to go would be?
Addional Note:
Not looking to make a fortune, but also don't want to get screwed, I've got a bucket of those. I would prefer these things being put to good use and I just don't believe that all this stuff is just "junk" as I was told, I think a lot is usable/salvagable or maybe even collectible to some. I don't plan on trying to clean them, other than maybe wiping/brushing off as best as I can because, I'm just guessing here, spraying them off with a hose or scrubbing them in the dishwater with a brillo won't be such a wise choice, apparently oil and grease are a good thing for some of them. I think the actual cleaning would be better left to someone that knows how to do it correctly.
So, I'm open to any opinions anyone may have for me on this. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!