A close family friend was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer four years ago and it is really starting to get the better of him. He is a ex-police officer turned professional cabinet maker and had decided to sell off his shop due to his condition. His shop was his life and he loved running it. It never was “work” to him. Well, I asked what he thought he would want for some of his tools. He knew I was looking for a table saw but probably couldn’t afford to pay what he was going to ask for his. He said “let me think about it”. He called me up a day later and said “why don’t you just take it.” I tried to pay him something but he said he didn’t need the money and he really wanted me to have it. Its a beautiful older 12" table saw in great condition. More saw than I’ll ever need. I’m speechless. I show up a few days later to pick it up and he is sitting in the shop grinning and says “your going to need a bigger trailer.” I make some comment to the effect that the saw should fit and he says “ya, the table saw will fit but the rest of shop won’t.” He just gave me his entire shop. I could never have owned equipment of this quality in my life. Thickness planer, jointer, radial arm saw, the table saw, shaper, a bunch of routers and more small tools, clamps and bits than I know what to do with. After his shop is turned into a really big garage he tells me how much he has enjoyed watching me grow up and how much it means to him that I own his tools. “I hope they bring you as much fun as they did for me.” How many times can I say thank you? I’m still floord. So I guess its time to start working on that new shop. Good things really do happen. By the way, he is as stoked that I’m making surfboards as I am. So thanks to all of you for making it possible for me. Eric
What??? Not even a Skill 100???!!!
Kidding, although kidding may not be appropriate here. Now you owe it to yourself (and to your generous friend) to do good work with that. I suppose he KNEW you would when he decided to give it all to you.
pau…aloha and mahalo!
Spud, just make sure you use those tools while he’s still around to hear about it. You don’t have to make him anything, but do make something so he can see that he made a good choice.
My grandfather had a furniture shop. I lived just a few minutes away and would go over there pretty often to make a cut with his gear that I wouldn’t have been able to do as accurately with my own. He would always be there, sitting on a stool and just enjoying watching me use the tools. And I always honored him by leaving the place a little cleaner & better organized than when I got there.
When he died, 2 cousins & I split up his shop. The 2 of them had grown up far away. Although they are also accomplished woodworkers, one a professional, they never really got a chance to thank him or to show him that they would honor his life by taking care of his tools like I did. Of course, he knew we all would put the stuff to good use. We all use the tools now and all 3 of us feel his guidance in the hum of the machines. But I know my cousins are a little sorry they never got to spend time with him in the shop like I did.
Do it while you have a chance.
sweet, that’s wonderful, have fun!!
Oneula: We are very much on the same page. Sam ( the guy who gave me the equipment) got his start from my father. My Dad has been a wood turner / shaper man since the 40’s. All of his equipment is massive and built in the 30’s and 40’s. I’ve got a fair amount of time in sharpening, oiling and cleaning those behemoths. As a kid it was drugery, but I love it now.
Benny: I was thinking the same thing. The problem is that I have no place to put anything right now. I’ve got the space for a good sized shop that I was planning to build in a few years, but recent events have accelerated those plans. I’ll be talking to a contractor next week and then the bank. All depends on what I can afford. Hope I can get something worked out soon. Thats a great story sounds like grandfather was pretty proud of you.
Thank for the advice guys. Eric
wow that is priceless. they don’t make woodworkers like they used to. If i can get the chance i will post a photo of what my best friends swiss grandfather could do.
Spud, a tilt-up steel building (look in the back of Popular Mechanics) or even a 40’ ocean container will get you started…and protect that cast iron from all your fog & salt
Even if you just set up a couple tools in your garage and get to work, you’ll create good feelings that last multiple lifetimes. I took what I got and stuck them in my garage and have never moved on…my grandmother asked me once, “So…do you love your little doll house?” And in all sincerity, I had to tell her I did (at 1/4 the size of hers, and a garage 1/4 the size of her husband’s shop). Its the using, not the perfection, that is illuminating.
Tools:
Results:
And yes, he sat on it…