Wills and workshops

[Andrew EvansParticipant @andrewevans67134]

I got my lathe and a lot of its tooling from a chap who was getting too old to use it anymore and I must admit that I felt emotional when I took it away. I did get a good deal which enabled me to have something that I would maybe not have been able to afford if I had purchased from a dealer but I also think of him when I use it sometimes – even though I didn't know him.

I feel that if you don't have family or friends who would want it then it should be sold – but at a good price to attract newcomers, advertising on homeworkshop or on here.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

"on Ebay last night and not been on there for a bit and it's a total minefield now."

Do you think? I have no idea how people new to ebay manage to be honest.

"End of the day I'll have to pay 10 to 15% fees so is it that good a deal ?"

And now every local auction house has cottened on to this so their fees have gone up too. Let's not forget the Paypal fees too. How it is, in this day and age, that Paypal are not a regulated financial institution is beyond me. Just think, if they ever did become regulated and someone started a class action suit over the fees AND WON……..

"I got my lathe and a lot of its tooling from a chap who was getting too old to use it anymore and I must admit that I felt emotional when I took it away."

A wise man, knew when to throw in the towel. Some of us are just too obstinate. I know my youngest son would use all my kit so he is probably going to end up with it though my eldest would get the vintage items off my desk as he really appreciates them – even though he cannot use so much as a hammer! Well we all can't do everything.

graham.

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

I bought some stuff at a yard sale from an old moldmaker. Prices not great but doable. Chatted awhile then found a Machinist hand book and bought it. I had Him sign it and it made His day to be remembered that way.

[IanTParticipant @iant]

I recently purchased a bit of kit advertised on a well known site and had to drive up to London to go and collect it. The previous owner had passed away and the guy I was dealing with was a friend and fortunately knew the Widow too. The reason I mention this is that she had been apparently approached by a (well known) machinery company to help her "clear" her husbands Shed. They had offered her a total of £1,800 for all of it's contents.

Fortunately, their friend had very wisely advised her against selling to these people and had already sold the lathe to someone for more than the £1,800 offered. This still left a Centec 2A (with vertical quill head), a BCA Jig Borer, Drills, Presses and other machinery (plus tooling that covered/filled two benches and walls) to dispose of. It was mostly all in new/mint condition!

My learning from this little anecdote was to remind my wife (and sons) that all my "Junk" is probably worth more than they (and I) think. I've also started to list the more valuable bits (with some form of estimated value and a bit of descriptive prose) so that they will know what they have lurking at the bottom of our garden when I finally go to join the Fairies that live down there!.

IanT

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