Digging out

[fatelk]

It's a lot of work trying to dig out and get rid of stuff. I made the decision a couple years ago that I just have too much stuff. I needed to thin the herd dramatically.

So I started out slowly and have picked up the pace. I've sold off and gotten rid of a lot of stuff in the last year. It's a lot of work figuring out what stuff is worth and the best way to sell it. The more I dig out, the more there is to dig out and get rid of, and I've barely even started with the molds and guns.

It could be a full time job to clean out a collection, if you don't want to give them away at fire sale prices. It's funny, you spend decades collecting all your "treasures", and then it's a burden thinning it all out.

It's all good though, it actually feels good to be getting rid of stuff I've been hanging onto for years but will never use.

[bandsmoyer]

I retired 8 years ago, have been getting rid of things I saved because I might need it some day. I'll sell it before my heirs have to pay to get rid of it.

[xs11jack]

I have the same ideas, I want to lighten the load. But in my garden shed I have a nearly complete Yamaha XS11 1980 year. I have everything except the frame. I have advertised it for parts several times in Craigslist and haven't had a single bite. So I tried the trailer hitch for my 2000 Toyota, not one nibble. Next a oxyacetylene torch set, thats right not one bite. I am going to just give it to a really good friend and be done with it. And this is just a tiny bit of what I want moved out. What a bummer!
Ole Jack

[dragon813gt]

After the birth of my second son last year I decided to get rid of some of my cars. I had five VWs at the beginning of this year. I’m now down to one along w/ a lot smaller pile of spare parts. Plan on getting rid of all the spare parts, there’s something like ten sets of wheels in there, and the car come next spring. The Harley will be sold off as well.

As much as it pains me I’ve been thinking about selling some of my guns. There are to many I’ve never shot. And there’s to much upkeep even though they’re stored in safes. It’s going to be quicker and easier to sell them then pull them out and prep them for long term storage.

I should probably sell off some of my tools as well. I’m not working in residential HVAC anymore and there’s a lot of tools I could sell. But CL is a horrible way to sell anything. And eBay/PayPal take a huge cut. I guess some money would be better than it just sitting around collecting dust.

[lightman]

I started thinning out my stuff when I retired three years ago. I posted some stuff about this at that time. I found several buckets of lead that I didn't even remember having. At one time I thought that I wanted to collect knives. Another time I started collecting belt buckles. These took up a whole closet! I had reloading dies and brass for calibers that I no longer owned. And duplicate reloading tools. I also had a huge inventory of electrical material and lots of tools in my shop. And stuff!

Well, I got a couple of tables at one of the better local gun shows and sold the knives, belt buckles, reloading stuff and a few guns. A couple of contractor buddies bought my work truck, tools and inventory. I also made several trips to the local dumpster. I sold a few things on Craig List but for the most part I just had a bunch of tire kickers and window lickers! I think my boys breathed a sigh of relief when I got the shop cleaned out.

Since then I have organized my brass and lead inventory and have gotten better at labeling my reloads. My Wife and I have a will and I have a few lines in it about my guns and suggestions on dealing with my brass and lead.

And yes, it was a job! My life is simpler and neater now.

[fatelk]

But in my garden shed I have a nearly complete Yamaha XS11 1980 year.

I rode a 1980 XS11 for several years, a Midnight Special. I loved that bike! It couldn't hold a candle to modern sport bikes, but it sure was a lot of fun. I sold it when the kids started coming along. Maybe when they're grown I'll find another one.

I've done pretty well with both Ebay and Gunbroker for some things. They do take a big cut but once you learn how to do it you can end up with a pretty fair price for most things.

I used Craigslist for stuff that wasn't easy to ship. We did pretty well where we lived before but where we live now it seems about useless.

I've always held onto odds and ends because I might need it someday. Lately I've been throwing junk in the garbage that I've been packing around for decades. My thought is that if I haven't used it in 20 years, I never will.

[dragon813gt]

I've always held onto odds and ends because I might need it someday. Lately I've been throwing junk in the garbage that I've been packing around for decades. My thought is that if I haven't used it in 20 years, I never will.

90/90 is one statistical rule. Have you used it in the past 90 days and will you use it in the next 90 days? If both are no then toss it. There’s obvious exceptions. But for a lot of things it makes sense. I’m sure we all have junk drawers w/ useless garbage in it that will never be used.

[fatelk]

On a positive note, I've sold enough stuff to pay off a lot of medical bills.

[NyFirefighter357]

90/90 is one statistical rule. Have you used it in the past 90 days and will you use it in the next 90 days? If both are no then toss it. There’s obvious exceptions. But for a lot of things it makes sense. I’m sure we all have junk drawers w/ useless garbage in it that will never be used.

If this is the case I need to get rid of all my guns, reloading stuff, my wife, bird dog, snow blower, snow shovels, fishing stuff & kids (They're Millennials)

[dragon813gt]

I said there’s obvious exceptions and you mentioned a few of them. People that live in small homes/apartments know how important it is to keep clutter to a minimum. As soon as my kids grow past their toys and clothes we donate them. There’s no need to keep them around.

[fatelk]

When our oldest was a baby, I swore that we wouldn't overdo it with all the excessive toys and clutter. That didn't last. My boys' room sometimes needs cleaned with a scoop shovel. Every so often we just get rid of a bunch of stuff. I just can't stand the clutter.

My reloading room feels the same way every so often. I'm often reminded of Thoreau- "Simplify, Simplify..."

On the one hand I read the threads about "Do you have enough for the rest of your life?" I might think that way if I was twenty years older, but I'm still relatively young for this forum, and I've got a family to raise. It's long overdue to de-clutter and simplify a bit.

The next step is to thin out the guns. It's hard to figure which ones though. I used to tell myself that I'd never again sell a gun that I didn't hate, but I've got several nice hunting rifles that I haven't used in many years, and probably never will again. No point in keeping them just because I "might need them someday."

[abunaitoo]

Problem with getting rid of stuff, is the younger generation only want the newest, expensive stuff.
Doesn't matter if it's reloading tools, firearms, auto parts, tools and equipment, whatever.
Once in a while, if your lucky, you'll find someone who knows the value of good equipment.
Being on an island, we're very limited on craftsmen, precision shooters and reloaders.
It's kind of sad seeing the younger generation, that has no appreciation for older historical things.
Lots of "Grand pa's old stuff" is just thrown away most of the time.

[Love Life]

After the birth of my second son last year I decided to get rid of some of my cars. I had five VWs at the beginning of this year. I’m now down to one along w/ a lot smaller pile of spare parts. Plan on getting rid of all the spare parts, there’s something like ten sets of wheels in there, and the car come next spring. The Harley will be sold off as well.

As much as it pains me I’ve been thinking about selling some of my guns. There are to many I’ve never shot. And there’s to much upkeep even though they’re stored in safes. It’s going to be quicker and easier to sell them then pull them out and prep them for long term storage.

I should probably sell off some of my tools as well. I’m not working in residential HVAC anymore and there’s a lot of tools I could sell. But CL is a horrible way to sell anything. And eBay/PayPal take a huge cut. I guess some money would be better than it just sitting around collecting dust.

I’ll take the Franken-CZ...

[Love Life]

I’ve been considering liquidating a lot of stuff too. As I was brushing the dust off all of my guns (shame!!), I realized I just don’t use them much anymore. Of course I work a bazillion hours a week...

However, I have 5 case trimmers, a Dillon, multiple single stages, and just a ton of redundant stuff. I’ve taken to buying commercial cast boolits, jacketed bullets, and loaded ammo while the sales are good. I reckon if I keep on my current purchase plan I may never have to cast a bullet again. So the question asked is do I now sell my casting stuff? As the loaded ammo stash grows, begin to look at selling off 90% of my reloading stuff.

I’m keeping all the reloading supplies, but presses, guns, knives need to be moved on.

I have a bunch of Randall knives that just sit in a display case. I only use 1 fixed blade and 1 folder for all of my grand adventures. It’s just hard to let it go. I worked my backside off to buy my stuff. It’s not eating anything, but it takes up space and is really wasted cash potential sitting a drawer or a glass case.

Then there is the huge building stuffed full of drying walnut that my brother and I plan to use up in retirement, and on, and on, and on.

First world problems...

[FISH4BUGS]

I have just thinned my mould herd significantly with more to come. I guess I finally came the realization that if I won't use the mould (including a fair number of Hensley & Gibbs moulds) I will sell it.
This helped fund my purchase of a pristine 1915 made Baker Gun Co. Black Beauty Special double, a complete disassembly and cleaning, and a honing clean up of the barrels.
Kind of nice to sell stuff you won't use for something else you won't use. :)

[Freightman]

We are a nation of hoarders, look at all the storage business's. I moved after 48 years at the same house. WOW what a shock, I gave stuff away and still filled a dumpster full of stuff to be thrown away. Found a fly wheel for a '53 F100 like I had a use for it the PU was gone 48 years ago.:killingpc

[dragon813gt]

I’ll take the Franken-CZ...

That one isn’t on the list. But when you thin out your gun collection you better get ahold of me to buy your Franken CZ [emoji6]

I recently changed to a set of CGW’s tritium night sights. Picking up the front post is a lot easier now.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1780/30065030508_18ec24191d_b.jpg

[Texas by God]

"I might need this someday" is where the pile starts!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Love Life]

That one isn’t on the list. But when you thin out your gun collection you better get ahold of me to buy your Franken CZ [emoji6]

I recently changed to a set of CGW’s tritium night sights. Picking up the front post is a lot easier now.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1780/30065030508_18ec24191d_b.jpg

That’s it. We’re not friends anymore, lol. I’m not selling my franken-CZ either.

[lightman]

Its hard for me to sell guns although I did sell a few. Ones that I bought on a whim or that I thought that I wanted and had my taste change. Or ones that didn't appreciate in value like I hoped. or ones that did...........

Being diagnosed with MS I pretty much had to retire. That made it easier to sell my shop stuff than it would have been otherwise. Somehow knowing that I would not be able to use most of the shop stuff made it easier.

[HATCH]

That’s it. We’re not friends anymore, lol. I’m not selling my franken-CZ either.

You should be busy shooting that Mod 27 357 mag.....


Over the years, my father purchased a pile of supplies and a pile of weapons
He would buy a gun for himself then buy several for me and a couple of my brothers.
It was fun until it started getting into odd calibers I didn't want to shoot or even load for but I did.
44/40 and 38/40 comes to mind.
He would give us weapons in those calibers so we would develop loads for them.
He has since given up all his weapons except for a handful of standard calibers (22lr, 38sp, 40sw)
So I feel you pain.
Over the past 18 months or so I have sold over 30 weapons that either were duplicates or in a caliber / style I didn't want.
Single Action revolvers - don't like them - so there went 38/40 and 44/40. Keeping 32/20 for rifle and have a K frame in 32/20
Their matching caliber long guns went too.
Supplies, holy smoke. I got 44/40 brass to last generations.
Same with 38/40

Right now, me and my brother ray have started going thru our safes and making the hard choices.
Do we want to keep this or sell it.
Luckily for us, the huge hoard of weapons have allows us to sell them and buy stuff we would of never thought of buying.
229164
I have one of those now. Its a converted USC rifle so its semi but its on my NFA trust as a SBR. I have it setup in 40sw but have the conversion kit for 45acp
I would of never paid the money it took to build that if it wasn't for selling surplus guns.

we still have a few more weapons but a PILE of supplies to go thru.

[Handloader109]

I had a big 30x30 metal building back in MS stuffed with stuff. Woodworking, tools, all sorts of stuff. Vandals took a couple of 3 thousand out of it, air compressor, some saws, mainly large stuff they could sell for decent $ at the pawnshops. Some various air tools.. oh well. Then we finally sold off the place and I left a pile of stuff that was too bulky or two heavy. Thinned out a lot. Then I moved again and got rid of a smaller table saw and Bandsaw that I didn't need. But unfortunately I have large basement that I can't get my wife and daughter to clean their stuff out. Oh, one other hobby was N scale trains. I'm in process of selling all those items off on ebay. Over a thousand dollars generated that I would have though was less than half that (but original cost was closer to $1500) Generated a bit of cash for a couple of gifts.
Moving after 20 years helps you let go.

[Love Life]

You should be busy shooting that Mod 27 357 mag.....



That’s the only one I’ve shot, lol. That revolver is smooth as glass and isn’t going anywhere.

[shtur]

My Dad bought all sorts of reloading items in the 60's and 70's, and only used about 10% of them. I sold many of his NOS items here for him, and now he's getting serious and wants me to sell off his remaining items.
Seeing what he did with buying stuff and collecting, was what kept me from "going there".

[jmort]

I am still buying stuff that I may never use. Pretty stupid. Since I believe the One is None and Two is one mantra, I have twice as much of that stuff. Will start after the first of the year. Lot of neglected firearms. I tend to shoot a few and the majority are ignored. Way too many presses, etc. It is all going. What is super stupid is that I subtracted calibers and the stuff that goes with them, and added the same calibers, and then some. Pipes, pipe tobacco (actually a great investment), knives, and on and on. Great thread, especially if it motivates me.

[jonp]

I sell guns once in a while but mostly I clean or throw out stuff from the previous years. I have trouble chucking perfectly good screws, bolts, wire ends, 3ft pieces of 2x4's, odds and ends of brass and so on.

Every fall both my wife and I for some reason start buying meat on sale for the winter. Growing up without a lot to eat has that effect on you I guess and although we both have more than enough to buy what we need we still fill the freezer and just can't stand going by stuff on sale

[jonp]

pipe tobacco (actually a great investment),

How? Don't use tobacco but doesn't it go bad or stale or something? You can put it in a fridge or freezer, I remember my father keeping his pipe tobacco in the fridge, but doesn't it have a shelf life?

[dragon813gt]

That’s the only one I’ve shot, lol. That revolver is smooth as glass and isn’t going anywhere.

We’re really not friends if you won’t sell me that one either [emoji23]

[jmort]

pipe tobacco (actually a great investment),

How? Don't use tobacco but doesn't it go bad or stale or something? You can put it in a fridge or freezer, I remember my father keeping his pipe tobacco in the fridge, but doesn't it have a shelf life?

If it comes in a tin or factory sealed bag it becomes more valuable over time. For instance, I have over five pounds of a coveted, and really hard to get blend that I paid $35 for the factory sealed mylar 8 ounce bag. I can easily sell them, around 12, for $150. Probably will keep one or two. Another example a very popular brand went out of business suddenly. I have 35 pounds of their "best" blends mostly in 100 gram tins and some in 50 gram tins. They improve with age and as a general matter the older the better. I can easily triple, or more, my money on those right now with only two to five years of age on them. They will continue to rise in value. Once you hit 5 to 10 plus years they are in the zone of aging goodness and most any decent blend in a sealed 10 year old tin, or older will be worth much, much, more than it cost. Like wine, aging is a good thing. The market is hot, especially from Chinese buyers.

[JBinMN]

I don't know about everyone else, but my parents grew up thru the Depression & the practice of saving things for hard times, or for patching up things, if times get hard again was passed on to me & my siblings.

I have the same issue as many who have commented here & am just starting into the "I have not used it & my kids likely won't , so time to sell, or pitch it in a dumpster." train of thought.

As mentioned though, it seems no one wants to buy even items that are in excellent , or outstanding condition. Baffles me.

A person goes to an auction sale & folks will spend "more than new amount" of $$ on some old piece of junk, while something new "goes for a song". I just do not "get it"...

Hell, sometimes I try just giving things away, but no one wants the things. End up pitching them in the trash. A doggone shame too.

Anyway, G'Luck! to those who are trying to simplify their lives by reducing the amount of items they have. It ain't easy, that is for sure...

[mold maker]

My parents also survived the depression by being thrifty. Nothing that could have a later use or repurpose was wasted. I am left with their collection and the trait that I inherited from them.
While right at the moment we are in a much better political climate, we just avoided a recession/depression of monumental proportion, and things could easily go south very quickly. That having been the impedance for the last bad times could make saving seemingly junk, valuable again. Our parents had good reason to save/hoard stuff. Among other things, guns and ammo may become a way of maintaining life. Having extra may be a way of protecting what we have and getting what we need.