Enough

How much is enough? What should you keep and what should you just get rid of? Whether tools, scrap wood, or spare parts, every woodworker (human?) can relate.

My shop is small, and it sees a wide variety of jobs through it from furniture making and repair to small production runs and custom tools. I suspect that if my shop were a production shop that specialized in making only one thing, deciding what to keep and get rid of would be eaiser because I would know exactly what is useful and what isn’t.

For example, about twenty years ago, I found a deal on project parts bought a gross of them for $2 each. I mean, I bought so many the store staff were making jokes about it. But I had big plans to turn them into finished products. I made a sample, but for whatever reason, didn’t continue.

Over the years I’ve looked at those parts and thought about the purchase, and each time, found myself less and less interested in the project. Then, finally, I decided to try to sell them to cover the costs from the inital purchase. I was surprised and delighted to find a buyer quickly who paid me $5 each – 150% more than what I had initially paid for the parts (20 years ago, mind you, so with inflation, etc…).

I never would have guessed that I would be missing those parts so badly now. They are nearly perfect for what I need, requiring only a slight alteration. Not only are those parts no longer available, there is nothing even remotely close to them, and the closest thing is about $30.

Right now, I am considering reaching out the the buyer to see if they have already used them, or if they would consider selling them back to me since they, as I once was, are just holding onto them waiting for the right moment.

Thanks for reading. If you have a similar story, would you care to share it in the comments section?