I had to say goodbye to woodworking.
My great hobby – and somewhat of a money-maker – had to be left behind, as I was going through a divorce and had to leave the home – and thus, my shop and tools – behind.
I moved into an apartment, as to try to figure out my next life move, and obviously the tools couldn’t come. Yes, I entertained the idea of a storage unit, but for about $100 month, and for at least 2 years, that’s $2400 – and no guarantee it wouldn’t be longer. If I did get back into woodworking again, someday, I could buy new tools at that price.
It made sense to sell all those tools. Ugh.
As it worked out, some younger guy was going to set up a shop, as he was going into contracting for himself, so he wanted “everything you could plug in”. So he bought the whole lot – and so much other stuff I threw in. What the hell, this kid is getting started; I was off onto a new, very promising career…so I gave the kid a large break on price. As it was, these tools were used, though in very good shape.
Let this kid chase his dream and make a life for himself. God blessed me with a new way to make my living. Time to pass that along.
So he came to the shop, we worked out a price, and him and his buddies loaded up a trailer with…all my stuff. I kinda laughed watching them wrestle a cast iron planer, or a full size drill press up stairs, as my shop was in my basement.
Near the end, when they were wrapping things up….I kinda lost it.
I kept it together, but I have to tell you, it killed me to see all that go. All the time I put into selecting and setting up those tools; all the great stuff I made, all the enjoyment I had…out the door.
Wow, talk about a punch in the gut. To hell with the money.
So why I am posting this….well, just to say enjoy it boys…..love what you do, have a good time with it….it won’t last forever.
-- Have a blessed day! http://newmissionworkshop.com
11 comments so far
sras
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6697 posts in 4586 days
#1 posted 12-21-2020 11:37 PM
Oh – I am so sorry to hear this! You have shared some great projects over the years. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to dive back in sometime in the future.
-- Steve - Impatience is Expensive
HowardAppel
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160 posts in 4491 days
#2 posted 12-22-2020 12:28 AM
Been there, it sucks—but hope springs eternal and I still hope to have the opportunity to restart, but even bigger and better. Stay safe, stay sane and smile.
pintodeluxe
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6542 posts in 4270 days
#3 posted 12-22-2020 12:29 AM
Ya, I don’t know man. I’m going call this you “taking a break” from woodworking. You will be back. You’re in too deep. Mark my words, you will be back.
Best of luck with all that lies ahead.
-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush
Madmark2
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3437 posts in 2045 days
#4 posted 12-22-2020 12:44 AM
Been there, done that. TWICE!
Not good.
Sorry.
Don’t give up hope. I’m on my 3rd (and hopefully last) shop.
-- The hump with the stump and the pump!
GrumpyGolfGuy
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128 posts in 753 days
#5 posted 12-22-2020 01:32 AM
Been there myself, the ex sold everything after the split in which I left the house and kept the cash…which is why she’s an EX!!
Anyhow, after a few years with my knowledge I was able to put together a new shop, better this time. Just step back, breath and when the time is right put together a new, improved shop for yourself.
Hang in there, better days ahead…..
Chris
-- Give a someone a piece of wood, they'll make fire. Teach them to work with wood and they'll buy saws, hammers,planners, chisels, and more.
Dark_Lightning
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5094 posts in 4566 days
#6 posted 12-22-2020 02:46 AM
Wow, that really stinks. I hope you find a way to get back to wood working.
-- Steven.......Random Orbital Nailer
BillGo
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177 posts in 591 days
#7 posted 12-22-2020 03:16 AM
This is heartbreaking. One thing you might consider, is looking into maker spaces. It looks like there are several in the Rochester area. They are all different, and not all have wood shops. I belong to one that has a nice wood shop. You would be a wonderful addition, you could use the shop, and share your experience with other people. Sorry man… :-(
-- Bill - in New Hampshire
BlueRidgeDog
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918 posts in 1236 days
#8 posted 12-22-2020 04:51 PM
Been there. Twice. Two times! Each time had a shop and woke up to find the bank empty and, in the long run, a system that heavily favored me moving on. So I did. I kept my quality hand tolls and sold the fixed/stationary items (not just woodworking, but automotive etc). I lugged my proto tool box out the door.
This time around I bought a simple house, on my own, with a full empty basement and started putting my shop back together. Four years after starting, the shop is done (wired/vacuum/tools/lights) and I will never again have to deal with “that” problem. Make no mistake, I do take 75% of the blame. I seem to suck at perpetuating a good relationship, so I am insulating myself from that “life reset” risk and seeing that my home is not part of the equation going forward.
My shop was my safe zone, my creative space, my one size fits all anti-depressant…and now it is there to stay. It is not ideal, not big enough (are they ever?) but it is always going to be there. An those that share my life now are a joy to spend time with…and I have my home/shop to come back to.
controlfreak
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3733 posts in 1058 days
#9 posted 12-22-2020 06:03 PM
I am sorry to hear you and your tools a separated and you are getting , or have gotten a divorce. I would get/ build a killer tool box that has some saws, planes and chisels that would allow you to do some wood working if you feel the itch. I think portable and compact is the key here. The deeper I go into hand tool woodworking the more I enjoy it. Getting good at it is still elusive but I have plenty of time to work on it. I hear that people can do amazing work in apartments using hand tools. I have a feeling this is a forced break or pause to woodworking but not a goodbye. Give it some time and do what’s best for you to get past this. Wishing you best of luck!
Max_Powers
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5 posts in 540 days
#10 posted 12-28-2020 04:21 AM
You’ll be back at it again, just takes some time and effort and it will come back together.
-- MAX POWERS
LeeRoyMan
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2722 posts in 1184 days
#11 posted 12-28-2020 04:50 AM
What makes a person that hasn’t posted in 2 1/2 years come back to tell everyone his personal troubles?
I don’t get it, but I guess maybe you just need some sympathy.
Let me help,
I’m so sorry for your situation, please don’t give up on woodworking. We need you.
please feel better.
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