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In the August 2007 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine, Christopher Schwarz introduced you to John Sindelar and his jaw-dropping collection of rare and one-of-a-kind handtools. (You can read that story here, and download a PDF slideshow of items in his collections; keep a drool rag handy).
And in September of last year, just days before the Woodworking in America Conference, John put the finishing touches on his Traveling Tool Museum (an incredible custom trailer with interior wood fittings that are far fancier than what you’ll find in most houses), then drove from Edwardsburg, Mich., to Northern Kentucky to share part of his collection with conference attendees. We captured some video of the Museum – but it doesn’t begin to do justice to the fabulous things inside.
I, for one, was gazing longingly at the shiny silver trammel points (far prettier than jewelry – and useful to boot!).
This year, John is returning to Woodworking in America 2011 (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) with some of his new finds on display (he recently acquired a semi-load’s worth of packed tool crates that hadn’t been opened in 40 years!). And – and this is new – he’s offering free appraisals of any rare/collectible tools you care to bring along.
The Traveling Tool Museum will be in the Marketplace, and open during all Marketplace hours (9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday).
Early Bird registration for Woodworking in America 2011 ends August 14 – so sign up now and save. And if you can’t attend the full conference, I hope you can at least visit the Marketplace – if for no other reason that to see John’s incredible collection.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
This was definitely a highlight last year in the Marketplace. Glad to hear he’s bringing the museum back again. I might have to wear a disguise this year, though, lest he recognize the crazy drooling lady who wouldn’t leave him alone.