To sell or not to sell that is the question

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Haynie

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Being a guy it is almost a guarantee that I cannot sell a tool. We tend to hold onto them until they are pried from our cold dead hands in much the same way they had to pry Charlton Heston's rifle from his. Sure, there are some males out there that have evolved enough to see a tool as an object and might be able to sell it. I am not that evolved and guys hold onto their tools (get your brain out of the gutter). To me a tool is precious. It is a thing that I have come to have an intimate knowledge of. I have learned to use it and use it well. The steel holds memories that come rushing back as soon as I see it, or use it. The tool was bought with a purpose in mind and who knows when that purpose will rise again. If not today, then next year, or maybe even 10 years from now. When it does I will be prepared. You might think that I have answered my question. But, unfortunately I as a guy, have been placed in a peculiar situation. Yep, this getting pretty sappy, but, how many of you are holding onto tools for sentimental reasons?

I have inherited all of my father-in-law's tools. In the past four years most of those tools have become mine as well as his in spirit. I used them to fix boats, work on a few cars and I have cussed mightily when some were stolen. Notice I said most of the tools. The area I have set up as a wood shop is where, after a very humorous fire, I, as the shop manager, designated the indoor welding area. There is a MIG welder, a TIG welder, and plasma cutter taking up usable space. I don't know how to weld. I have only played with the MIG but I got to be really good with the plasma cutter (not that tough). I am a guy and the thought of selling these causes great discomfort, but, selling them would mean money for lumber or wood working tools. Keeping them would mean I was prepared for some future welding need. I am so torn.:mad:
 
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I have a 41 year old Craftsman wood Lathe my father bought me when I was 14. I have 3 others including a robust sweet 16, so it is not really used to speak of but i will not give it up. So yeah some of my tools have real sentimental value.
 
Mark you have overlooked an IMPORTANT aspect of your debate!!!

What about the INSURANCE VALUE?!?!?! of the welding tools???

No, not the value you will get from the insurance company if they are stolen, the OTHER INSURANCE value!!!

Have you NEEDED the welder?? NO????? So, see, it IS working!!!
Having the welder nearby and knowing at least the rudimentary facets of its use, you will NEVER have anything that needs to be welded---NOTHING BREAKS if you HAVE THE TOOLS TO FIX it!!!

Of course, in this day and age, NO ONE knows how to fix a car--so that goes without saying. But, metal tracks for your garage doors---possibly deck furniture---who knows what ELSE can require that welding equipment---NONE of which will break as long as you possess those tools!!!

So, sell them if you must, but be certain you have a very GOOD friend who has those same (or better) models who can help you when, three days after they are sold, YOU WILL NEED THEM!!!!!

Personally, I would NOT tempt the "tool gods" like that.

Gutsy move??
 
I'd sell them and then have the money on hand to pay someone to weld in the off chance that I needed to later- or just buy a cheaper stick welder, as i'm not going to trust anything I'd structurally weld anyway! :)

I'm not a welding sort - so I'd personally rather have a good table saw than a tig, mig, AND plasma cutter...

I guess it comes down to whether you're going to WANT to learn to weld in the next few years, and weigh that against what else you'd spend the money on....
 
ed4copies said:
Mark you have overlooked an IMPORTANT aspect of your debate!!!

What about the INSURANCE VALUE?!?!?! of the welding tools???

No, not the value you will get from the insurance company if they are stolen, the OTHER INSURANCE value!!!

Have you NEEDED the welder?? NO????? So, see, it IS working!!!
Having the welder nearby and knowing at least the rudimentary facets of its use, you will NEVER have anything that needs to be welded---NOTHING BREAKS if you HAVE THE TOOLS TO FIX it!!!

Of course, in this day and age, NO ONE knows how to fix a car--so that goes without saying. But, metal tracks for your garage doors---possibly deck furniture---who knows what ELSE can require that welding equipment---NONE of which will break as long as you possess those tools!!!

So, sell them if you must, but be certain you have a very GOOD friend who has those same (or better) models who can help you when, three days after they are sold, YOU WILL NEED THEM!!!!!

Personally, I would NOT tempt the "tool gods" like that.

Gutsy move??
Click to expand...

Ain't this the truth Ed. I scrapped about 4 square feet of 1/4 inch stainless steel plate because it had been in the shop for about ten years and I had been stubbing my toes on it for the last four. The day after I scrapped it I found plans to make hand plains using...Drum roll please...1/4 inch stainless steel. Probably won't sell unless we really need the money just for this reason. Though some fancy lumber and a better table saw would be nice. Then again, if I sell the boss will take the cash.:biggrin:
 
Speaking as a guy who does weld, keep the plasma and the Mig welder. Tig welding is nice but not necessary for most things, unless thin metals or stainless or aluminum.
Dave
 
Hmmmm

My general rule is if you have not used it in two years - you probably never will. Unless, you sell it. In which case you will almost always need it within a month of the sale.

That being said, if you don't know how to use it and you do need it, it will undoubtedly be cheaper to hire someone to do the job than to learn to use the tool and do it yourself.

I don't have any sentimental attachment to most things - things are things and are replaceable with other things. I have lots of them and I lose them, sell them, give them away, buy them receive them as gifts etc. If it is not flesh and blood it can be replaced.

My IAP member made pens are an exception - they have value to me beyond the money their worth because of where they come from.
 
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