Shopsmith Forums

My father-in-law was an avid woodworker and had a Mark V Shopsmith and added many additional pieces over the years. We lost Mick a few years ago and have had all is equipment in an indoor storage facility. While I had hopes of having a shop some day, it does not seem to be in the cards.

My wife and I would love to find a worthy group or school that we could donate his equipment to if there is a place out there. While I expect we could sell all easily enough, in honor of Mick we felt it was worth our efforts to see if there are options out there for a donation.

Mick loved his shop and created many pieces for family and friends that will endure for many years to come. We are in the Minneapolis area and if anyone has any ideas or connections, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for any help and consideration.

Scott

That’s a wonderful idea.

With that kind of motivation I’m sure you’ll find a good cause and place worthy of his memory.

My suggestion would be to look for a special needs school or program in your area. Many times the can use the tools to make projects (with supervision) and sell them. Just a thought. Good Luck and Thank You in advance.

Thanks, I have also spoken to the president of the Minnesota Woodturners association and he is working on options as well. Thanks for your comment.

Congratulations on your benevolence.

However a 'school' donation is not likely to be realistic. This machine will scare the bejabbers out of litigation, student injury worry warts.

The wood turners help is a good start.

I think a more likely 'recipient' would be a serious minded kid that has more enthusiasm than dollars. I leave for the reader to define 'kid'.

Ever think of Senior care facility. Many have hobby rooms where they do woodworking but because of size constraints don't have room for table saws and such.

My parents lived in a Senior care facility where depending on your health and capabilities determined where you lived. If you were older and fully capable you live in one of the duplex homes. Then if that got too much you moved into the an apartment, and then later assisted care and eventually nursing.

People from the homes, apartments and assisted care apartments all did activities and things. They had a nice workshop but only bench top type tools. A shopsmith would have been great there.

JPG's thought about litigation might be a deterrent for my idea, but I would contact the Wounded Warriors organization.

Personally, making "things" is relaxing for me (except when under a self imposed deadline). Working on a lathe can be have instant gratification as something takes shape. I would think and hope that reasonable safety precautions could be implemented to accommodate the user.

Anyway, just a thought. I applaud your desire to give without taking!!!

Be well,
Ben

It's really hard to find someone, person or organization to donate to who will use what you have. Past experience has almost cured me from that approach. My recommendation is to sell everything and donate the money the charitable group of your choice.

I've found things donated locally to a group show up the next week on Craigslist. Not what I intended.

There was a post here about 6 months ago from someone wanting SS donations for a KID and it didn't get a lot of responses. You might try to find that one, contact the person posting and then ask for donations for shipping costs. I'd be willing to contribute because I'm confident it would then be used and not resold.

Is that an awesome idea or what?:eek:

Perhaps a local or nearby Boy Scouts troop would appreciate it.