Disposing of a Power Tool Workshop

[hobbsed]

The son of a friend that has passed away asked me if I had any suggestions as to someone who would conduct or oversee the sale of all the woodworking power tools and related in his father's personal 1800 sq foot shop. The shop is in NC up towards the Danville area. Other than that, that is all I know. Thanks in advance for any ideas, suggestions, etc. that i can pass along. Ed

 

[Echd]

It would be helpful to know the type and quality of tools, as it runs the gamut. The odds of moving an entire shop for anything approaching a good value are very low. Piecing it out will get better prices, or at least for the big ticket items.

If the tools aren't high quality he is likely better off selling them for scrap or donating for a write off. Yesterday was the third time in two months I've been asked how much someone could get for one of those old craftsman tablesaws, 12 inch bandsaws, and radial arm saws. There is no telling how many of those trifectas are around, I see them everywhere. I actually saw another set of those tools at the danville habitat for humanity store last week!

I have purchased from several auctions in the area run by the Swicegood company. They were well run auctions and they seemed very professional. That said, I have no idea what they charge- but I was a very pleased customer in every occasion.

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

I echo C re: use an auction house. When they come out to assess the inventory, they can tell you the quality level of the shop overall and maybe give you an estimate of sales proceeds. Their efforts to market the sale to a much broader market are well worth their commission. If they decline to take the job, list the entire shop as a take-it-all package and get what you can.

 

[Mike Davis]

We have a few people who have assisted in liquidating shop tools for widows. I don't think we have many members in that particular area. It would be a bit of a drive from Raleigh or Greensboro where more active members reside. I do have an acquaintance who runs estate sales, but unfortunately they are like auctions in likelyhood of reaching full monetary potential.