Help! Here's my story...

[wrwoolley]

This was very helpful in identifying the age of the stamps: 

THE HISTORY OF CRAFTOOLS: The earliest name and date we have heard mentioned in regard to Craftool is Dick McGahen who began to make tools for leather carvers in California in the 1940’s. According to Ellis Barnes (deceased), he had many different tool makers that created tools for him including Ellis, Ken Griffin and others. The tools that were made by them probably had no numbers on them and may or may not have been stamped with the Craftool name. When you see this type of tool, it was likely made around 1950 or before. Once the numbering of tools began, they were marked with “Craftool Co” and just a number. This type of marking was consistent up through 1962. In 1963, they started adding a letter prefix to the number. From 1963 until around 1969 they were marked with “Craftool Co.” and a number with a letter before it to identify the type of tool it was. Around 1969, they began marking the tools with “Craftool Co. USA” plus the number and the letter prefix. This continued until the later years of the company. They eventually changed to marking them with “Craftool USA” and the number with the letter prefix. This continued to be the practice until they closed their manufacturing plant in 1999. This was the last time Craftools were made in the USA.

Looks like I'm going to have to do a complete inventory, one stamp at a time. Hoo boy, this project could take a while!

[mike02130]

I don't know anything about sewing machines but I recently saw two ads for a Tipman Boss for $1000. and 1100.

[Klara]

Are you sure you don't want to take up leatherworking yourself? I'm still sorry that I didn’t keep my mother's knitting machine...

[wrwoolley]

7 hours ago, Klara said:

Are you sure you don't want to take up leatherworking yourself? I'm still sorry that I didn’t keep my mother's knitting machine...

I sincerely appreciate that sensitive attempt to get me to think twice. My craft of choice, however, is writing, which consumes my spare retirement time.

[Ken Nelson]

I would drop an ad on Facebook Market place.

[wrwoolley]

3 hours ago, Ken Nelson said:

I would drop an ad on Facebook Market place.

Solid suggestion. I'll probably do that, as well as try to put out a plea locally through NextDoor.com. 

[Sheilajeanne]

Facebook Buy and Sell buyers will try to get you to give away the tools for a fraction of their value. I am speaking from experience with other items I've tried to sell there.

The best place to advertise is on leatherworking sites, or maybe e-Bay. 

[keeps muttering to self: You do NOT need more tools, you do NOT need more tools....]  

[BigSiouxSaddlery]

I've actually had pretty good luck selling on FB marketplace.  Only once did anyone try to low ball me to the point that it got annoying.  I just took the ad down rather than deal with it.  As with buying and selling of anything, you just have to remember "you're 21" and stick to your guns.  I've had buyers try every "horse trader's" trick under the sun through the years to get me down in price.  Horse traders tricks don't work on someone that's traded a few horses.

[Ken Nelson]

I have sold vehicles,  several sewing machines,  and some tools on facebook. And everytime,  I have had people send me low-ball messages and I either send them a smart ass answer back or ignore them. But, I have never put anything on Market Place that did not sell  for asking price or real close to it in time.  Usually pretty quick. There are ignorant people out there and don't let them ruin your day.

[wrwoolley]

On 8/2/2021 at 2:22 PM, Sheilajeanne said:

Facebook Buy and Sell buyers will try to get you to give away the tools for a fraction of their value. I am speaking from experience with other items I've tried to sell there.

The best place to advertise is on leatherworking sites, or maybe e-Bay. 

[keeps muttering to self: You do NOT need more tools, you do NOT need more tools....]  

Thanks for the advice. I understand why people want to pay as little as possible, but I hate haggling. If someone doesn't want to buy something for the price I'm asking, they can find it somewhere else. I try very hard to be reasonable with pricing things.  And LOL... I hope you're able to resist the "more tools" temptation. Unless, of course, you have some reason to treat yourself! Happy leatherworking!