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Sorting Through Your Tool Collection: Keep the Good, Toss the Cheap
Whether you’re a seasoned carpenter or a weekend DIY enthusiast, your garage or basement is likely home to a collection of tools. Over time, these tools can accumulate, leading to clutter and disorganization. If you’ve reached the point where it’s time to organize or pare down your collection, here are some tips to help you sort through your Surplus Old Stuff (S.O.S.) Tools effectively.
The Ideal Tool Collection: Quality Over Quantity
The perfect tool collection is a thoughtfully curated set of hand tools and a few essential power tools—perhaps a drill and a jigsaw. Smaller tools like needle-nose pliers and miniature screwdrivers are invaluable for everyday tasks and repairs, especially if you work with antiques or crafts. Larger tools, such as table saws or drill presses, may not be necessary unless you use them frequently, as they take up significant space and can be cumbersome.
To maximize space, consider mounting a pegboard on your wall to store and organize your tools. Inspired by Julia Child’s method of organizing her kitchen, this approach ensures that each tool has a designated spot, making it easy to find and return items. While this might remain a dream for now, it’s a practical goal for maintaining an efficient workspace.
Sorting Through Your Tools
Tools often accumulate in various ways—cheap tools from unassembled furniture, family heirlooms, and estate sale finds. Each category has its place, but it’s essential to sort through them regularly to avoid clutter. Here’s how to tackle each type:
1. Cheap Tools from Furniture Kits
If you’ve assembled furniture from stores like Ikea, you’ve probably amassed a collection of cheap Allen wrenches and screwdrivers with flimsy plastic handles. These tools are often of poor quality and redundant. A single set of high-quality Allen wrenches—whether a classic Craftsman set or a foldable Swiss Army knife-style tool—is all you need. Toss the rest to free up space.
2. Family Heirlooms
Hand-me-down tools can be treasures, especially if they hold sentimental value or are antique. For example, a wooden toolbox engraved with a family name can serve as a decorative piece, while antique wooden planes and clamps may still be functional. However, not all inherited tools are useful—large, outdated shop tools like 30-year-old table saws can be hazardous and take up valuable space. These are better off given away or left on the curb for someone else to use.
3. Estate Sale Finds
Estate sales are a goldmine for tool enthusiasts, offering opportunities to upgrade your collection or find valuable antique pieces to resell. When evaluating estate sale tools, condition is key. Look for unpainted wooden tools with a desirable patina, as these often have historical value. Carefully inspect for markings such as brand names, patent numbers, or previous owners’ names, which can increase a tool’s worth. Antique planes, levels, and scrapers are particularly valuable. Additionally, ornate Victorian-era hand tools can fetch high prices at auction.
Rules for Organizing Your Tools
- Eliminate Duplicates: Avoid keeping multiple versions of the same tool unless necessary. For example, one set of Allen wrenches is sufficient.
- Prioritize Quality: Invest in high-quality tools that will last and perform well over time.
- Store Efficiently: Use storage solutions like pegboards, toolboxes, or shelves to keep your tools organized and easily accessible.
- Assess Functionality: Regularly evaluate whether you use each tool. If something hasn’t been used in years, it’s likely better off discarded or donated.
- Safety First: Avoid keeping outdated or potentially dangerous tools, such as rusted or poorly maintained equipment.
The Value of Antique Tools
Antique tools are not only functional but also collectible. When sorting through your collection, keep an eye out for items with historical significance or unique craftsmanship. Wooden tools with a patina, for example, are highly sought after by collectors. Tools with identifiable markings, such as brand names or dates, also hold greater value. If you’re looking to sell, consider auctioning off ornate or rare tools, as these can fetch impressive prices.
Final Thoughts
Organizing your tool collection is about more than just decluttering—it’s about creating a functional, efficient workspace where every tool has a purpose. By keeping the good tools and parting with the cheap or unused ones, you can ensure that your collection remains manageable and useful. Whether you’re upgrading your tools, preserving family heirlooms, or flipping antique finds, a well-organized collection will save you time and frustration in the long run.
About the Author: Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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