Tool dilemma, need advice

[Rewind97]

Tool dilemma, need advice (UPDATED 5-3-17)

Some of you might remember a few weeks ago I asked for prayer after losing a friend of mine. Before Jim's passing he had expressed to some of us at church about wanting to tear down an old shop in his back yard, said he'd have it cleaned out for us, so April 22nd was the scheduled date for the demolition. His wife and son decided to go ahead with the demolition of the shop, but Jim had not had an opportunity to clean it out (about a 12' x 24' building). I get there Saturday and his son says any tools you want you can have, I've got what I wanted. I go in and find all kinds of wood working tools, saws, sanders, planer, etc. The team consisted of myself and two other guys and his son. One of the guys doesn't want any of the tools. So it's up to me and my friend to figure out what to do with what's in there.

It was a very strange feeling as I took tools to the truck. I felt fortunate to be given these tools that my friend had used to build many great things with, but sad at the same time. I kept asking Jim's son if he was sure about giving his father's tools away. He said "What y'all don't take I'll have to put out to the street."

Now to the dilemma I'm in. Of his tools I was given a Craftsman 10" radial arm saw and a Craftsman 12" band saw. As much as I appreciate these tools and their value I really don't have room for them. I took them to keep them from being "put to the street". Would it be bad of me to sell these and use that money to buy something I could really use and have room for?

Thank y'all for listening and letting me air this out. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gmonkee]

Sell them for the family and pass the money back to offset funeral costs.

Get that warm fuzzy feeling back of doing what Jim would have done for them.

 

[eurovw]

It's a very personal decision. The money I received for anything I was not going to keep I would give to the widow and son. In fact, I would probably use that as an opportunity to 'pay' a little extra for the stuff I kept. Good luck with your decision.

 

[wmm2]

Some of you might remember a few weeks ago I asked for prayer after losing a friend of mine. Before Jim's passing he had expressed to some of us at church about wanting to tear down an old shop in his back yard, said he'd have it cleaned out for us, so April 22nd was the scheduled date for the demolition. His wife and son decided to go ahead with the demolition of the shop, but Jim had not had an opportunity to clean it out (about a 12' x 24' building). I get there Saturday and his son says any tools you want you can have, I've got what I wanted. I go in and find all kinds of wood working tools, saws, sanders, planer, etc. The team consisted of myself and two other guys and his son. One of the guys doesn't want any of the tools. So it's up to me and my friend to figure out what to do with what's in there.

It was a very strange feeling as I took tools to the truck. I felt fortunate to be given these tools that my friend had used to build many great things with, but sad at the same time. I kept asking Jim's son if he was sure about giving his father's tools away. He said "What y'all don't take I'll have to put out to the street."

Now to the dilemma I'm in. Of his tools I was given a Craftsman 10" radial arm saw and a Craftsman 12" band saw. As much as I appreciate these tools and their value I really don't have room for them. I took them to keep them from being "put to the street". Would it be bad of me to sell these and use that money to buy something I could really use and have room for?

Thank y'all for listening and letting me air this out. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Like you, I would feel strange about selling them and keeping the money. I'd suggest selling them and then telling the son what you did, and giving him part of the money. The other thought is give a percentage of the proceeds to the church you mentioned.

 

[rsanter]

Once they are yours they are yours
There was no conversation about don't sell them.
They would have gone to the street for zero anyway.
Whatnthe son should have done is sell them off and give mom the money or asked you to sell off anything you don't want.

Bob

 

[JRC3]

What do you think Jim would tell you to do?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Is that radial arm saw eligible for the recall? Might be a way to get a good price for it.

If you don't already have one, find room for the band saw.

 

[jakemac]

Sell them for the family and pass the money back to offset funeral costs.

Get that warm fuzzy feeling back of doing what Jim would have done for them.

^^^^ THIS ^^^^
If it qualifies, turn the RAS in to craftsman for the bounty, then sell the bandsaw and give the money to the wife to help with the bills.

 

[Rewind97]

Thanks for all of the good advice! I'll have to give this some thought.

 

[Al Borland]

It's a very personal decision. The money I received for anything I was not going to keep I would give to the widow and son. In fact, I would probably use that as an opportunity to 'pay' a little extra for the stuff I kept. Good luck with your decision.

Probably the route I would take for a friend's family.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Sell what you don't want or can't use and donate the proceeds to Jim's church in his name. If it is a significant amount of money, ask the church to form a named fund in honor of your friend and use it for a special purpose (building fund, kids stuff).

 

[turbowoodworker]

BTW, the son is no schmuck, as stated in an early post. He just lost his dad. We don't know why he doesn't want all the tools. Be nice.

 

[mlum6969]

sell it and give it back to them..

 

[RCsGarage]

If that were me and my buddy passed away I would sell what I didn't need and give the money back to his family.

Funerals and even memorials are very expensive...every bit would help his family.

 

[-Brent-]

If it doesn't sit right in your stomach, don't do it. There's nothing wrong with asking the son if he'd like you to sell the items you don't have room for. He may say, "do what you'd like, that things are covered financially," etc. He may say, "keep the money for yourself and get something Dad would like you to have." You don't know until you have the conversation and after that pit in the stomach issue will be resolved either way.

Not everyone is focused on the monetary. Sometimes they just want to "clean house."

 

[jd_1138]

My knee jerk reaction was to suggest that Jim's son should've gone through the stuff and deal with the knuckleheads on CL to sell it, but it might be hard for him to do. His dad used and loved those tools.

 

[amishman]

Which adds thought from the original question from the OP... as we get older... should we start cleaning house and selling off things so loved ones don't have to deal with it? Keep only a small manageable selection that is easy for loved ones to sell off later. Seems to make sense for us that don't have kids or family that can take care of that burden.

I would sell them items and offer some token to his church or family or find a way to give back your friend would have liked.

TJ

 

[skruft]

I agree. Sell what you do not want to keep and do something charitable with all or part, or buy other things, whichever you feel is best.

 

[Rewind97]

Thanks again for all the great words of wisdom......knew I could count on my friends here at the G.J. to help me out!!!

So, I've decided to keep the saws, and take it one step further. As I stated originally the plan is to tear down Jim's old shop building. When I went to pick up the saws I was looking at the building and noticed there was still some good wood that would be a shame to let go to waste. Then it hit me (no, not a 2x4) I've been toying with building a new work bench so why not use the wood from Jim's shop and Jim's tools to build a new work bench!!! I think this will be a great way to honor my friend!!!!!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Thanks again for all the great words of wisdom......knew I could count on my friends here at the G.J. to help me out!!!

So, I've decided to keep the saws, and take it one step further. As I stated originally the plan is to tear down Jim's old shop building. When I went to pick up the saws I was looking at the building and noticed there was still some good wood that would be a shame to let go to waste. Then it hit me (no, not a 2x4) I've been toying with building a new work bench so why not use the wood from Jim's shop and Jim's tools to build a new work bench!!! I think this will be a great way to honor my friend!!!!!

Great plan.
Maybe make some signs or other item for his wife and son.