Disposing of tools after you are gone.

Dick2

Well-known Member
I have already stated that after I am gone, I want my tools to go to my grand-nephew in ND. Grand-nephew is interested in tools and mechanics; no one else in the family is interested at all. Getting the tools there might be a problem, as my brother flies back and forth now instead of driving.

In our part of the city, there is no market for used tools because the locals don't know anything about using tools - They don't even know which end of a tool to hold. I told my nephew to think of anyone from their area who drives to AZ that could haul the tools back when I no longer have a use for them.
 
I have my fathers tools in the basement, told him anytime he needs them they're here -- there was no room at his retirement community apartment. Alot of young folks may turn their nose up at a tool collection if it's not all pretty packed in a rolling cabinet. I used whatever I could find turning a wrench when I was growing up. Even had some K-mart sockets mixed in with Craftsman and whatever else I picked up.
 
My kids and grandkids are going to have quite an experience when it comes to disposing of my estate. It's up to them who gets what. I fully expect most of it to be disposed of at auction or yard sale, though I hope they think of asking my nieces and nephews and their kids if they are interested in any of it before they toss it.
 
I have some tools left of my Dad's that I use from time to time,I always think of him when I pick up a tool that was his or the 12 oz. Estwing that he bought me back in the 50's that I still have,I hope your nephew remembers you the same way when he uses a tool later in life.
 
Sounds about like what I've got now! I'm 14 so still growing up, but have a nice mechanic friend with a "loaded" barn that I'm almost always using.
 
Our 2 sons don't have much interest in tools, one is an engineer, (paper science) and the other a professor, no grandchildren. I have sold a few tools that I'm pretty sure none of us will ever need, and I should sell some more. I still have some precision tools that I bought when I was a construction millwright. Last year when I started having medical problems I went through them and put approximate value prices in each box, so they don't give them away!
 
i'm thinking when its time ta go, i'll get a dozen or so of them shipping pods, pack up a bunch of my treasures and send em up to bryce frazier!!!! the kids got MOXIE!!!!
 
I dont have any real valuable tools,but I Think all my blue and white painted stuff will bring a good laugh at the auction,,may even be some T tales people at the auction smiling. It should be a fun auction,wish I Could attend it,,,,lol
 

My kids are to educated to do manual labor they will not need them. Mine will be auctioned off, funeral at 9 auction at 10 sign up for the auction at the funeral. I don't want them to lay around and get stole. Why I keep buying tools I dunno, Its a addiction :D
 
My wife will have an auction if I haven't already done so before I shove off.
 
My wife's dad ran a service station (remember them?) for many years. After he died, mother-in-law wanted a current price list for his tools so I got Proto and Snap-on catalogs and helped her with that. Then I told her she should price them at about 25% of current. She got mad for me even suggesting. Said if someone wants quality tools, they will pay the price for them. That was 10 years ago. She has had a yard sale, in good locations, at least twice a year, and she still has most of the tools. I think the rest have been "lifted" at the sales.

I have a good collection of my own. I told my wife she should not feel like she has to go thru that hassle after I am gone. Just let them sit until after she is gone too. Then it is not our problem any more.
 
I told my Son to sell all of my old equipment after I'm gone. He has been instructed to contact a close friend of mine who will lay it out ( what runs and what don't) . I don't want any confusion at the auction.
 
I guess I am lucky. My tools will just go to my sons. They already are using the majority of them in the shop. They know the value of the tools.

I have some black smith tools that are my Great Grand Father's and those will go to my one Grand Daughter. She is interested in black smithing and I have started to show her some of it. She is taking some online courses about shoeing horses. She is fourteen and says she wants to go to farriers' school after high school and before college. She can already form the shoe. She needs to learn more about the horse half. LOL
 
A good friend is at the end of his working life and has no heirs nearby, and none interested in as much as a screwdriver. He asked the other night if I would list his extensive tool collection "on the computer" for him. He doesn't want people at his house or "pokin through his stuff". He wants to cut me in at a percent to sell and deliver as req. So sad.
 
(quoted from post at 06:23:52 02/09/16) My wife's dad ran a service station (remember them?) for many years. After he died, mother-in-law wanted a current price list for his tools so I got Proto and Snap-on catalogs and helped her with that. Then I told her she should price them at about 25% of current. She got mad for me even suggesting. Said if someone wants quality tools, they will pay the price for them. That was 10 years ago. She has had a yard sale, in good locations, at least twice a year, and she still has most of the tools. I think the rest have been "lifted" at the sales.

I have a good collection of my own. I told my wife she should not feel like she has to go thru that hassle after I am gone. Just let them sit until after she is gone too. Then it is not our problem any more.

A gal on cragslist has been trying to sell her deceased husbands tools for full new price for 1 1/2 years. Most of the tools are worn out (that happens when you use them to make a living) I did buy a few hard to get older tools... I don't blame her but some of the tools are way over priced..

She started out at 15K for this box.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/5411073044.html
 
(quoted from post at 01:23:20 02/09/16) My wife will have an auction if I haven't already done so before I shove off.

That's what we plan to do also, get down to the minimum before we kick off. We have no children and my nephews and a niece are in Florida and not interested in mechanics (or it seems, much of anything). We've also collected some (OK, a lot of) antique stuffed animals and bears and early primitive antiques. Plan to do a heck of a big sale and enjoy the money with what time we have left and leave any money to varies charities and non-profits, maybe some to the nephews and a niece so they remember their old uncle for a moment. Really want to leave this life with just the minimum, don't want to hang on to things to the point they are worthless, I see too much of that and it's a shame that someone else can't enjoy it.
 
I have no sons, daughters are not interested, nor are nephews. I'm starting a project to photograph all my stuff and compile a catalog. The catalog will tell daughter what the item is, its function, how old it is (if relevant) and an approximate value. It will include not only tools and guns, but the many antiques, artifacts, war relics, and a broad assortment of Americana and interesting and unusual things. I don't "collect" anything; most of what I have came down through the family.

The posts below about widows trying to sell their husband's tools for near retail price remind me of the guy who said he was worried that when he died his wife would sell his stuff for the prices he told her he paid for them.
 
(quoted from post at 03:32:41 02/09/16)
(quoted from post at 06:23:52 02/09/16) My wife's dad ran a service station (remember them?) for many years. After he died, mother-in-law wanted a current price list for his tools so I got Proto and Snap-on catalogs and helped her with that. Then I told her she should price them at about 25% of current. She got mad for me even suggesting. Said if someone wants quality tools, they will pay the price for them. That was 10 years ago. She has had a yard sale, in good locations, at least twice a year, and she still has most of the tools. I think the rest have been "lifted" at the sales.

I have a good collection of my own. I told my wife she should not feel like she has to go thru that hassle after I am gone. Just let them sit until after she is gone too. Then it is not our problem any more.

A gal on cragslist has been trying to sell her deceased husbands tools for full new price for 1 1/2 years. Most of the tools are worn out (that happens when you use them to make a living) I did buy a few hard to get older tools... I don't blame her but some of the tools are way over priced..

She started out at 15K for this box.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/5411073044.html

That's just for the box; no tools!!!

I remember reading about a tech getting divorced and the ex-wife claimed Snap-on tools don't depreciate. Divorce judge bought it and he had to pay the ex full value for the tools. Don't get married....
 
(quoted from post at 05:26:13 02/10/16)
(quoted from post at 03:32:41 02/09/16)
(quoted from post at 06:23:52 02/09/16) My wife's dad ran a service station (remember them?) for many years. After he died, mother-in-law wanted a current price list for his tools so I got Proto and Snap-on catalogs and helped her with that. Then I told her she should price them at about 25% of current. She got mad for me even suggesting. Said if someone wants quality tools, they will pay the price for them. That was 10 years ago. She has had a yard sale, in good locations, at least twice a year, and she still has most of the tools. I think the rest have been "lifted" at the sales.

I have a good collection of my own. I told my wife she should not feel like she has to go thru that hassle after I am gone. Just let them sit until after she is gone too. Then it is not our problem any more.

A gal on cragslist has been trying to sell her deceased husbands tools for full new price for 1 1/2 years. Most of the tools are worn out (that happens when you use them to make a living) I did buy a few hard to get older tools... I don't blame her but some of the tools are way over priced..

She started out at 15K for this box.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/5411073044.html

That's just for the box; no tools!!!

I remember reading about a tech getting divorced and the ex-wife claimed Snap-on tools don't depreciate. Divorce judge bought it and he had to pay the ex full value for the tools. Don't get married....

WHAT you are not a Errrrrarnhardt fan :oops: Me either.... Yes just the box it is a nice box Earnhardt addition are not. I touched it that was about all I could afford....
 
Guys, you can't control anything from the grave. The second you draw your last breath all your stuff instantly belongs to someone else. Whatever they do with it is out of your hands.
If you want someone in particular to have it, make those arrangements now. Even then they are free to throw it away or whatever they want, and there's nothing you can do about it.
That's just reality folks.
 
I wish I had gotten with my Grandfather and gotten his tools, The only ones I have that were his are some that were in the tool box of the tractor that I got, and a few that I had just kept over the years. A good many of the tools in my dad's shop are mine that I had when I was working construction, when I built my shop I told my wife I had to have new tools because I didn't wan to leave dad without any. When he passes I will get the tools and if the world last long enough I will pass them to my youngest son and my nephew. My oldest son is autistic and not interested in tools.
 
70 lbs at a time (per carton) via USPS. Cheaper at FedEx. Why fill a car up with that much weight? Just have them shipped to him. Allocate the shipping money in your will/trust.
 
That's a great idea and is very generous. But, why wait until you can't use the tools anymore? By then the kid will have already chosen his path in life and may no longer have the time or the interest to learn to use those tools, especially if there is no one to show him how to use them.

If you can afford it, kit up a set of old used tools the kid can use now and and get them to him. Sort through your stuff and set aside some of your duplicates (you won't miss them) for the kid or upgrade your set and give the kid your old ones. If possible, deliver them yourself or have your grand-nephew visit your shop to get some experience with the tools. Both of you might get greater benefit and enjoyment by not postponing the gift of tools and the knowledge to use them.
 

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