Tour of a Hoarders Machine Shop - Complete Auction of the Estate of Russell Garens

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  • Опубліковано 22 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1 тис.

  • @premiermachineryauctionsll5372
    @premiermachineryauctionsll5372 2 місяці тому +81

    We are absolutely blown away by the response to this video! I've received countless calls and emails from people that knew Mr. Garens and the stories have been nothing short of amazing. I would like to say that we will do our absolute best to conduct this series of auctions with the utmost respect to Mr. Garens and his wife. Having said that. This method of liquidation is being done according to Russ's wishes. He wanted his collection to get back out to where others will enjoy these items. Negative comments toward the estate, Josh Topper or Premier have absolutely no value in assisting with this project and are a complete waste of time and energy for the person typing them as well as the people having to sift through them. Please show respect to the widow by scrolling past if you are angered by this in any way.
    I would also like to respond to the comments about storing and preserving this collection. Although it is wonderful thought. We ask that you think of the monetary costs as well as time needed to do so. Auctions are rarely the best method to recoup an investment like this but an auction offers a means to an end for this estate. There will be several auctions in the coming months to process this collection.
    I have also received dozens of emails asking my staff to keep an eye out for certain items. We will try to do so but suggest you subscribe to our email list and keep an eye on the sales as they appear.
    Most questions can be answered by reading the "Details" tab on our site but feel free to reach out to Premier with any questions you may have regarding this project.

    • @robertwest3093
      @robertwest3093 2 місяці тому +1

      Was the machinist trade what Russell every day job or was he hobby machinist in his spare time ??

    • @stevensims3342
      @stevensims3342 2 місяці тому +4

      We just want to know more about Mr. Garens really!

    • @Eduardo_Espinoza
      @Eduardo_Espinoza 2 місяці тому

      The snap on truck was the ice cream truck to him

    • @MotoRestoFL
      @MotoRestoFL 2 місяці тому

      Hello, I sent an email to you guys, but wanted to publicly ask here, to clarify how the "auction" works. The info that we're supposed to read, which I did, is very confusing. I've never done an online auction except eBay. And it seems that's the kind of thing this is going to be, but what I'm confused about is what you write here: "This auction will close on Tuesday, September 10th beginning at 10:00 am and will close at a rate of (3) lots per minute." That sounds, simply like eBay. Or, is there an actual auctioneer and the items are flowing and bidding continues until there's a high bid? And what is a lot? I see individual tools, some things are grouped together, but the individual tools are they a lot within themselves? For those of us who hasn't done this before, it'd behoove you to be a bit more clear on this. Thank you.

    • @kimmoj2570
      @kimmoj2570 2 місяці тому +1

      I see you are pro. Saw easy to remove (but heavy) tripping hazard like anvil in aisle put to first sale. Easy to remove and categorize tonnes out to reduce risk that something caves. I would also suggest that chemicals (greases, oils, cleaners) are removed at first opportunity. Just the many people working in unfamiliar surroundings (which owner would had known) with home brewed power/light fixtures everywhere, increases fire risk expotentially. There might be 4 extension cord daisy chained, only shop owner knowing that you can run that for max 3 minute or it will melt/lit. Some nearby machinist shop buys the cans in 1 lot. I guess that few are propably empty collectibles, but there is still lot to be removed. Estate propably dont have insurance to cover all that...Same goes with wood materiel. Its better to get it out ASAP. Wood railings in basement staircase, and nearby shelves dont need much encouragement and they crash to basement. They are already propped by jacks. You have million dollars worth of stuff to sell there. That Hardinge alone fetches insane money. In another video Josh told that it was bought new from factory by late 1st owner, and is hardy used, dont know had he seen paperwork?

  • @BMRStudio
    @BMRStudio 2 місяці тому +127

    Sad to see someone passing away with this level of knowledge and focus.
    R.I.P.

    • @hotpuppy1
      @hotpuppy1 2 місяці тому

      Look up the obituary. This guy was not that old. Amazing!

    • @philbrown7499
      @philbrown7499 2 місяці тому +6

      @@BMRStudio I think the saddest part is the world lost another craftsman.

    • @someotherdude
      @someotherdude 14 днів тому

      @@hotpuppy1 yikes! He was a year younger than me. How in the heck did he accumulate so much?

  • @briansavage932
    @briansavage932 2 місяці тому +76

    This isn't a collection, this is a museum! Holy cow, guys!

  • @briansavage932
    @briansavage932 2 місяці тому +63

    This could outfit 1,000 machinists for a lifetime. God bless this man. You can feel the heart in this place. I can't stop smiling. What a beautiful spectacle!

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому +7

      Not 1,000. A few dozen is reasonable though. Certainly no one person needs all of that. One could stay busy with a small fraction of it all.

  • @nwngunner
    @nwngunner 2 місяці тому +15

    Sitting here at almost 4am almost in tears, the amount of time and energy spent on this it breaks my heart. Hope who ever gets these items they care for them as much as he did.

    • @kydoan255
      @kydoan255 2 місяці тому +1

      It's sad that all of his things are separated. I admire this man. I hope all of his items are stored in a museum somewhere. It would be a pain to separate them.

  • @wags9777
    @wags9777 2 місяці тому +221

    I don't think he was a hoarder I think he just needed a bigger shop

    • @usaerospace6707
      @usaerospace6707 2 місяці тому +2

      You got that right.

    • @douglasr.c.5622
      @douglasr.c.5622 2 місяці тому +4

      I think he would have "overfilled" any shop.

    • @roycsinclair
      @roycsinclair 2 місяці тому +6

      A consummate artist much better describes him. If he was willing to share his knowledge with kids I certainly hope he passed his skills on to some adults too but hopefully one or more of the kids will also follow in his footsteps.

    • @kurokami5964
      @kurokami5964 Місяць тому

      still argue that he is a hoarder, mostly because he has duplicates of the same (mesuring) tools time 5 at least
      more than a duplicate of 2 is allready overkill

    • @Lex_FX
      @Lex_FX Місяць тому

      Absolutely. The only difference between a collector and hoarder is flat space.

  • @michaeljaywall8159
    @michaeljaywall8159 2 місяці тому +60

    Being a professional precision Machinist I am only hope he shared his knowledge to as many people as possible, is a dying art, but every once in a while you will find a diamond in the ruff. Thanks for sharing this great man life with me.

  • @midwestexcavator
    @midwestexcavator 2 місяці тому +18

    It should be a crime to dismantle this amazing shop. This collection and the care taken is a work of art.

  • @robhawthorne6892
    @robhawthorne6892 2 місяці тому +75

    Not only have we lost Russell, but we have lost his knowledge and talent.. Rest easy sir..

    • @cydonianman
      @cydonianman 2 місяці тому

      @@robhawthorne6892 I'd love to even have a fraction of his knowledge.

    • @JoeMikuljanJr
      @JoeMikuljanJr 2 місяці тому +6

      The knowledge and talent we just lost. Wish I could have worked under this man I never met

    • @comp20B
      @comp20B 2 місяці тому +2

      @@JoeMikuljanJr I wish he would have had a UA-cam channel so he could have captured a lot of that knowledge.

  • @landbarron1420
    @landbarron1420 2 місяці тому +19

    The fact that he could run all those machines and make or fix things. He knew the story behind everyone of them. What an amazing person.

    • @douglasr.c.5622
      @douglasr.c.5622 2 місяці тому

      Did you know the man personally, or are you assuming a lot ?

  • @photorealm
    @photorealm 2 місяці тому +16

    This is a magical place, and truly one of a kind in the world. It's a treasure for sure.

  • @unclebuck5051
    @unclebuck5051 Місяць тому +2

    Well, that blew my mind. I'm an old hobby machinist and have been knocking around for years picking up odds and ends for my home shop. I have never seen anything like this in person or on the internet, and I probably never will again. Thank you for sharing this awesome collection. RIP Russell.

  • @mitchilito99
    @mitchilito99 2 місяці тому +38

    As a hobby machinist I was rendered speechless by what this video represents - both the value of all of it all and the mind of the man that amassed it all. It seems likely another collection of this extent probably doesn't exist on this planet.

    • @samrodian919
      @samrodian919 2 місяці тому +1

      Unfortunately to my wife I wasn't rendered speechless, my profanity did not stop for almost one complete hour!

  • @JarheadCrayonEater
    @JarheadCrayonEater 2 місяці тому +21

    Wow, that's awesome!
    Especially hearing his interest in showing the neighbor kids, and I'm sure at least one of them already knows what they want to do when they grow up. That's all it took for me in 1986, and my life was set!

  • @StuartsShed
    @StuartsShed 2 місяці тому +45

    You’re right Josh - not a hoarder (just got through the whole vid). A collector and steward. Hoarders don't label their material stock that carefully, or keep things in meticulous condition. There's just a LOT of it. Appreciate you showing it all to us. 👍

    • @KS-on9qp
      @KS-on9qp 2 місяці тому +3

      Absolutely !!!

  • @shakascloset1700
    @shakascloset1700 2 місяці тому +23

    Man, I wish my dad was still alive to see this. He was an old-school master machinist. He was born in 39. Passed in 2019.

    • @RutherfordRyan1
      @RutherfordRyan1 2 місяці тому +1

      @@shakascloset1700 Same here…..gone at 46 in 1982….

  • @briansavage932
    @briansavage932 2 місяці тому +22

    This is one of the most beautiful examples of meticulous collecting I have ever seen. I could spend days in here and just be absolutely fascinated the entire time!
    This place would give Adam Savage a heart attack!

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому +1

      Adam Savage is small potatoes compared to this. There's got to be someone out there with even more too. There's always someone with more. As much as this one guy had he had an awful lot of duplicates and was missing stuff too. Where's the tool cutter grinders? Where's the Deckels? He didn't like those? Give it a rest with the watchmaker lathes already. He had them stacked up like they were cordwood. Once you have 3 of something you've got it covered then.

    • @williamn01
      @williamn01 Місяць тому

      ​@@1pcfredSo you can tell what he never had from not even being in the room 🤣 honestly I see you posting on loads of videos and nothing is ever positive , Mr know it all that's always saying how he can get things cheaper and never paid more than a dollar for this and that , you must have been spewing when you seen this video , thinking up of things to criticise instead of just admiring the guys collection .

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred Місяць тому

      @@williamn01 what's to admire? It was clearly a problem. I never claimed to know it all. But I do know some problems when I see them. All of it is so much junk today too.

  • @bpaul1110
    @bpaul1110 2 місяці тому +26

    I worked at Starrett's 40+ years ago and it is amazing seeing all the old Starrett things that he had. You might even want to contact Starrett's to see if they might be interested in some of their vintage things.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому +4

      You might want to catch up with recent goings on with Starrett. To say no one is interested would be accurate. No one's even interested in running Starrett today. Let alone anything to do with Starrett. They gone.

    • @RRaucina
      @RRaucina 2 місяці тому

      @@1pcfred Incorrect, we all pray.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому +1

      @@RRaucina no they're toast. You have to go Mitutoyo today.

    • @TheCyberMantis
      @TheCyberMantis 2 місяці тому

      @@1pcfred Mitutoyo is the best.

  • @andrewr6861
    @andrewr6861 2 місяці тому +5

    What a wonderful, beautiful, sad sight. I only hope things that belong together stay together with someone who cares as much as he did. I wish I had grown up next to him and learned one-tenth of his knowledge. Thank you Russell and Topper Machine for sharing this with the world.

    • @kimmoj2570
      @kimmoj2570 2 місяці тому

      Those tools need to be used. This guy had so much premium quality stuff that thousands of homeshop and hundreds smaller businesses enjoy using them for decades. Josh already immortalized the wealth of collection.

  • @alostpilgrimsjourney5953
    @alostpilgrimsjourney5953 2 місяці тому +8

    You boys are in curator's museum.
    His respect for the collective genius of the 20th century's industrial age is appreciated.

  • @anthonycash4609
    @anthonycash4609 2 місяці тому +20

    Old my goodness I've worked with tools ,welding ,and machining , my hole life and I'm 63 now and I've never seen or even herd of a collection like this. So many times the spouse still living has no idea of the value of there deer departed has left behind. You guys need to have reserve's on all this stuff and stay honest with his wife. You have one chance here to make sure things are done right. With that being said that's the best way you can pay tribute to his life's passion , skill, and trade. Man I would have loved to have been his apprentices.

  • @pookatim
    @pookatim 2 місяці тому +21

    You can't call this person a hoarder. He was a collector. Everything is valuable.

  • @paullevine1813
    @paullevine1813 2 місяці тому +6

    After 50 years in the trade as an R&D Machinist, I'm 3 years into retirement & though i still have access to the last shop i worked in for 28 & 1/2 years till retirement i love to see stuff like this & like you guys it would be a field day just to get to see in person all this. I think the oldest machine i ran was a 1958 Le Blond Regal which needed to be scraped but the place was too cheap to pay for that plus that is a lost art not many can lay claim to, but the lathe did what it did & once you get the hang of those little old things it would work just fine. Tried to get them to put a digital readout on to help but again they were a bunch of cheapies so straight up manual was the best i could get other than waiting 15 years to get them to buy a 12-inch chuck to replace the original 8 inch. I miss the comradery with my coworkers who some now are where i am, sleeping late & doing anything we want. Sad kids don't want to be in the trade as it means work & getting dirty. LOL Desk jockeys!!!!! Gonna take my time watching this as it looks great. Thanks for sharing & no this guy was not a hoarder just a collector & if you have the money & room there's not a thing wrong with having so much cool stuff that made our trade a proud one to be a part of. Those are some fine Gerstner's & i have but one which is 1942 model i got for nothing as it was a wreck so i did refinish it from the ground up leaving what parts i could & now it looks great. All this equipment will take a long time to unload but it will a blast going through all he had & i must say i have not seen a lathe with a microscope lens attachment but if he was doing watch stuff, he would surely have used the hell out of that. And i though i was having troubles finding machinists to buy the 50 years' worth of stuff i ended up with!!!! Good Luck with sorting out what's what & i hate to say this but it's the truth we are a dying breed & it won't be so easy to sell much of this even though he did keep things in good shape.

  • @malfunctionjunction6212
    @malfunctionjunction6212 2 місяці тому +9

    I must have said WOW a hundred times watching this.

  • @RG-li5zq
    @RG-li5zq 2 місяці тому +95

    He wasn't a hoarder. He was a collector of quality machinery and tools.

    • @Basement_CNC
      @Basement_CNC 2 місяці тому +11

      @@RG-li5zq he was a straight up Guardian of quality and precision

    • @jeanlawson9133
      @jeanlawson9133 2 місяці тому +1

      He was the Man

    • @stevensims3342
      @stevensims3342 2 місяці тому +2

      No he was definitely a hoarder but an organized one. Stuff filling the entire house. How could one person ever use so much, stuff. It's mind boggling.

    • @kimmoj2570
      @kimmoj2570 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@stevensims3342You can see that shop is set up for work. Just bought extra stuff in later years, which cluttered shop. Make no mistake, that guy had insane amount of tools 25 years a go. No human can collect that in 10 years.

    • @wdmm94
      @wdmm94 2 місяці тому +4

      I have always looked at it this way. First, he very well may have saved things from being scrapped that were headed to the scrap bin. At the time thought of as garbage. I see it all the time. Secondly, if there weren't people that collected, saved, etc. stuff that was considered "junk," or "garbage, " or "obsolete"there wouldn't be cool "vintage" or "antique" things for people who never seen one of something before to drool over and buy 50 years later.

  • @ypaulbrown
    @ypaulbrown 2 місяці тому +11

    55 minutes of well spent time watching this.....thank you Josh......

  • @MadJeeperCJ5
    @MadJeeperCJ5 2 місяці тому +19

    Well... if I were a millionaire, I would make a global offer and keep this collection all together, I'm that impressed! This would be the ultimate tribute to this man's life. I'm a sucker for all of the precision stuff, machining, metal working, classic tools, quality stuff... This little black pantograph is from H.P Preiss, I have one of them. Unfortunately, mine isn't as complete as this one. I'm only 43, collecting cool bits every time I get the chance. I also like restoring machines too. These FPU bench vises are in gorgeous condition.

  • @epop3014
    @epop3014 2 місяці тому +10

    Figuring out what goes with what machine will take some sleuthing. You have collets that are specific to a certain lathe, along with fixturing, slides, tooling, etc. You almost need to start with the obvious items well known and then work backwards. It's a really wonderful puzzle you have to unwind. I look forward to the auctions.
    ePop

  • @jimbiddlecome13
    @jimbiddlecome13 2 місяці тому +6

    Machine tools are expensive......But the tooling is priceless.....This really is an amazing find. I hope all goes to a good home where it will continue to be used and appreciated. RIP Russ.

  • @mrsoars
    @mrsoars 2 місяці тому +29

    Please do an interview with a family member when they are ready- we all have the same condition- but this fellow took it 1000x further. In his honor, we need to know more. This man was special, and it would be a shame if all of that was lost. I suppose the shop tour speaks for itself, but it is so unique that to do the man justice- it would be nice if we could hear the whole story. Thanks!

    • @stevensims3342
      @stevensims3342 2 місяці тому +3

      Yeah I would love to know more about the guy.

    • @JoeMikuljanJr
      @JoeMikuljanJr 2 місяці тому +2

      Same here, would love to hear his story

    • @kydoan255
      @kydoan255 2 місяці тому +1

      @@JoeMikuljanJr It's sad that all of his things are separated. I admire this man. I hope all of his items are stored in a museum somewhere. It would be a pain to separate them.

  • @MichaelAllanFrancisSheaver
    @MichaelAllanFrancisSheaver 2 місяці тому +7

    Like y'all, at every turn, all I can say is, "Wow, wow, WOW!" His love for the craft just overflows out of every nook and cranny! I really hope and pray that these sales can recompense the widow for all the love and sacrifices that she obviously made for her husband during his long battle with cancer!

  • @leewyton7975
    @leewyton7975 2 місяці тому +7

    I'VE BEEN AROUND PRECISION TOOLING FOR OVER 65 YEARS , AND THIS IS CRAZY OCD AT IT'S BEST !!!!! WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOOLS THEY CAN LAST FOREVER !!!! AMAZING !!

    • @soteful9949
      @soteful9949 2 місяці тому

      They lasted foe ever because they weren't being used.

    • @hotpuppy1
      @hotpuppy1 2 місяці тому

      @@soteful9949 They were used, just not in factory production. THAT is what wears stuff out.

  • @edsmachine93
    @edsmachine93 2 місяці тому +23

    What a beautiful collection of fine tools and machinery.
    This man must have had an amazing life.
    Wouldn't have been nice to have talked and visited with this man.
    Had to be a fine Craftsman filled with the highest degree of knowledge and experience.
    Please give thanks to his Widow for allowing you Josh to come in and share all of this with your channel viewers.
    And thank you to the Auction people as well.
    How do you sum up the life of a man like this.
    His life and tools is almost like a Museum.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend. 👍 🇺🇸👍

  • @joewhitney4097
    @joewhitney4097 2 місяці тому +8

    Unbelievable. What a collection. What a daunting task.
    Thanks for sharing. WOW!

  • @alexkalish8288
    @alexkalish8288 2 місяці тому +4

    I have never seen a machine shop so immaculate outside on NASA. A most impressive collection for a single individual, everything chosen with discernment.

  • @MsMsmak
    @MsMsmak 2 місяці тому +8

    It’s like a fractal picture. Incredible. It should all be in a museum.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому

      A lot of it a museum is all its good for now. Those pantographs are scrap today. I'm sorry but that's just how it is. I was watching a video a little while ago where a guy got a beautiful one with all the tooling for nothing. It was either he took it or it was headed for scrap.

    • @kimmoj2570
      @kimmoj2570 2 місяці тому

      ​@@1pcfredPantograps yes, and insane amount of small mills, but half of stuff there is current and usefull to hobbyist or jeweller shop.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому

      @@kimmoj2570 there's someone out there for everything I suppose. But anyone thinking any of it is worth near retail today is mistaken. Pennies on the dollar.

  • @mftmachining
    @mftmachining 2 місяці тому +28

    Holy goddamn smokes. I´ve never seen anything like this, after 48 years in metalworking. This must have cost millions and millions of dollars. Only the finest high-end tooling worldwide in this collection. How on earth could a human keep up with this monumental amount of tooling? Imagine if you look for something...i wish you good luck in finding the item....Somehow its very sad to rip that collection apart....i should become kind of a museum....I know you cant do that. That was a breathtaking journey for a toolmaker/machinist like me. Thanks for showing this one of a kind find to the world, Josh.

  • @Mr.GrimGunnAuto
    @Mr.GrimGunnAuto 2 місяці тому +6

    If you find my citizen Orca titanium watch in there send it to me. Loved Russ, spent many afternoons visiting him in his shop. He had it all, personality, style, and a great tool collection!!!!! The jig bore is from the Tonka Truck factory.

  • @grahamsengineering.2532
    @grahamsengineering.2532 2 місяці тому +8

    Wow, just Wow. Machinists heaven.

  • @robertwest3093
    @robertwest3093 2 місяці тому +3

    The amazing thing is he had all of this equipment AT HOME! That’s mind blowing in and of itself

  • @robertwest3093
    @robertwest3093 2 місяці тому +3

    This is my definition of paradise! So many wonderful machines and they’re nowhere near what some classify as “junk”.

  • @freebird7284
    @freebird7284 2 місяці тому +1

    speechless, you just know he was in heaven every time he entered this paradise, good luck and i will be watching!

  • @benjaminc1816
    @benjaminc1816 2 місяці тому +13

    This is amazing but also heart breaking that he passed at the age he did, such a shame he didn’t have another 30+ years to enjoy all his amazing tools. If this auction was in the UK I’d spend a fortune buying most of what I have just seen - I hope for Russell’s sake that as much of this is bought, kept together and cherished by like minded people - He sounds like an amazing man! RIP Russell

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому

      How can you enjoy any of it like that? He needed 20 times the floor space. Then maybe you can enjoy it. Like that it's just a fever dream. I'd love to open this drawer but I have all this stuff in the way. There were places it'd take you days to get to in there.

  • @Scentlessapprentice9
    @Scentlessapprentice9 Місяць тому

    Reminds me of my shop. So much equipment and tooling with no flat surface to do any work 👍
    Hopefully next generations can appreciate this wealth of tools and machinery that most likely will never be made again.

  • @terryspears2307
    @terryspears2307 2 місяці тому +13

    Amazing, but I understand a man's love for tools. I just hope it all goes to people that will appreciate it. Old manual machining is going away in industry in the US. I am 73, I need to stop buying hand tools, I have more than I need but I still find it hard to pass up on a good deal. My three sons and three grandsons will enjoy what I have some day. Thanks Josh for showing this on your channel, I am sure it will help with the eventual sale of this collection.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому

      I'm in the same boat. I certainly have enough tools for me now but if I see something I might still pick it up. The price does have to be right though.

  • @petertonelli2761
    @petertonelli2761 Місяць тому

    this is just incredible display of a man and machinery,the delta toolmaker surface grinder blew me away.I wish I could have met this man.God bless us with more people like Russell.

  • @Joesrustbuckets
    @Joesrustbuckets 2 місяці тому +3

    Wow, Watching from Ireland, If truth be known I think ive started to go down the same route, but will never have or possibly see a collection like this again. RIP Russell, and thanks Topper for showcasing this, it was heaven on earth.

  • @sergelachapelle7992
    @sergelachapelle7992 2 місяці тому +2

    Wow, this is amazing... I am flabergasted... nothing cheap there either! ... darn... The value of all this ... Thanks for sharing this...

  • @JamesP_TheShedShop
    @JamesP_TheShedShop 2 місяці тому +5

    Please don't ever remove this video. I'm in awe

  • @beautifulsmall
    @beautifulsmall Місяць тому

    You can feel this mans passion. walking into that shop every day must have been magical. "Hard to find stuff, now you know why its hard to find. Because he had it all". LOL. good for him.

  • @10Gables
    @10Gables 2 місяці тому +3

    He sounds like such a kind person. I love that you are taking the time to do this right and honor his legacy!

  • @robertpetit57
    @robertpetit57 2 місяці тому +2

    What an AMAZING collection of tools and tooling. The skill behind the machinery that was lost, must have been simply fantastic! Thank you for sharing this collection!

  • @timlewis3986
    @timlewis3986 2 місяці тому +7

    I’ve worked in multi billion dollar companies I have never seen so much good tooling in my life I was drooling wow

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому +1

      That's why they were multi billion dollar companies. They weren't wasting money on assets.

  • @thomaschandler8036
    @thomaschandler8036 2 місяці тому +1

    Can't get over how clean eveything is. I don't see how he worked and kept it so clean....Amazing..

  • @dougd3832
    @dougd3832 2 місяці тому +4

    I couldn’t even imagine the amount of money this man spent to acquire all those machines and tooling. Simply amazing this man was.

  • @Automedon2
    @Automedon2 2 місяці тому +2

    It reminds me (not in monetary value) of a saddle maker in town, who went home for the weekend, had a heart atck and never came back to his shop. It was so emotional for me to see his lifetime collection of tools, half finished projects and all his work laid out for when (he thought) he was coming in on Monday.
    I absolutely know this guy enjoyed every minute of his time surrounded by the things he loved. Don't put off doing the things you love.

  • @daveA2024
    @daveA2024 2 місяці тому +5

    Hi Josh, watching this video made me feel so sad, it is so unfair that a talented person like Russel appeared to be, could be taken so early in his life, he was obviously a man with a deep appreciation for quality machinery and what could be achieved with it.

  • @Mike137dd-v4r
    @Mike137dd-v4r 2 місяці тому

    That is one incredible collection. A retired toolmaker now, many of the items here bring back memories of the days when I worked with real craftsmen. I have a small collection of tools that are sentimental to me, but they would all fit in just one of his cabinets!

  • @joepaycheck0173
    @joepaycheck0173 2 місяці тому +5

    Several years ago, I encountered a very, very similar situation. My sister’s friend from her work, had lost his father recently, and he needed help trying to clear out the house and property to get it ready to sell, in order to settle his father’s debts etc. His dad was also a precision machinist, and he had an impeccably organized shop building on his property. But he was also a hoarder, and every square inch of his entire house, rafters, garage, was almost completely filled with stuff, floor to ceiling. The yard was full of decaying station wagons, full of machinery stored in them, for later use maybe? And dozens of still new, unopened lathes, mills, drill presses, laying out in the yard, all rusted throughout, never opened. I’d never seen anything like it. You had just narrow little passageways in the house through the piles of stacked books, manuals, parts, boxes of stuff. You had to use a flashlight just to get throught the house because the windows were all blocked with a ton of stuff. I mean, it was incredible. And a little scary, because I have more stuff than I really should, and in a few more years I might be in the same situation. So I learned my lesson there, for sure. 🫤

  • @johnstafford8405
    @johnstafford8405 Місяць тому

    I'm glad you have the appreciation of his collection ,I am also happy he saved all these tools and machines form the scrapyard I wish you all the best homing these .

  • @kianmclaren6058
    @kianmclaren6058 27 днів тому

    Just Wow! I saw a lot of tool collection that amazed me, but this one is in different level. This is how to describe precision machining.

  • @comictrio
    @comictrio 2 місяці тому +15

    Saying wow doesn't do this collection justice. The difficulty the Auctioneers will face is figuring out what tooling and fixturing goes with the specific equipment. I'm amazed at the quality of all this equipment.

    • @sdrc92126
      @sdrc92126 2 місяці тому

      Somebody start a museum

    • @TopperMachineLLC
      @TopperMachineLLC  2 місяці тому +1

      They will do their best, but stuff will be missed

    • @TopperMachineLLC
      @TopperMachineLLC  2 місяці тому +10

      Having dealt with museums most of my life, I hope none of it goes to one. Locked away to rust and not be enjoyed. Private ownership is the best place for this collection.

    • @benchapman5247
      @benchapman5247 2 місяці тому +1

      At least the auctioneers look like they care. I bought a milling machine once, the vice for it was leaning on the base of a drill press next to it and they gave the vice (a decent 6" milling vice, obviously not a drill press vice) to the drill press buyer as they said it was in the drill press photo. I luckily met the drill press buyer and bought the vice from him on pickup. Matching this stuff will be next level.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 місяці тому

      @@benchapman5247 The auctioneers get a percentage of the sale so they absolutely do care. So they will squeeze every dime out of it that they possibly can. Because they'll get a penny out of that dime for themselves. Pennies add up to dollars.

  • @3rdTrickGang
    @3rdTrickGang 2 місяці тому

    I can't even find words to describe that collection, just blown away. I will be keeping an eye out on auctions for sure. RIP to that great man, he must have had such a wealth of knowledge.

  • @rmr24
    @rmr24 2 місяці тому +7

    I’m impressed that the floors in that house can hold all the weight.

    • @RRaucina
      @RRaucina 2 місяці тому

      There are some sketchy metal pipe supports in the basement. Looks like it is overloaded...

  • @terrylembke8100
    @terrylembke8100 2 місяці тому +2

    I am a retired toolmaker . This man's shop is a great work of art . Too bad he's gone . He had probably been forgot more than many men would ever know . Wish I could have known him . ❤❤

  • @KStewart-th4sk
    @KStewart-th4sk 2 місяці тому +3

    It's very encouraging to hear Premier is going to do their best to sort this collection into appropriate lots so they go to those who need them, and the widow gets the most value possible. It makes me wish Mr. Garens could have had an enormous shop to spread his collection out. I suppose there will be a "steal of a deal" or many that often happens at auctions BUT everything looks to be in pristine condition. This was just mind boggling to see and i hope you do some follow up videos.

  • @williamparker8318
    @williamparker8318 2 місяці тому

    He loved tools and tooling. You are right when you state that we lost his knowledge. Never to be brought back. Good luck to you gentlemen. Cheers

  • @davidphillips7321
    @davidphillips7321 2 місяці тому +3

    Holy Smoke...What a Gem...Just Amazing...If Only These Items Could Talk...God Bless...What a Labor of Love...

  • @andreixrt9866
    @andreixrt9866 26 днів тому

    This man was without a doubt, a genius, the world certaintly worse without him, i'm writing this with tears in my eyes, may he rest in peace!

  • @dutchgray86
    @dutchgray86 2 місяці тому +3

    I especially like the screw jacks being used as shelf bracing.
    I always say you can't buy it all, when you miss something, get outbid, didn't go to a sale and later find it had great stuff etc, but I think Russell really didbuy it all.

  • @TheDartblockstang
    @TheDartblockstang 19 днів тому

    This is one of the most incredible things ever. This should all be put on a television series seriously though.

  • @kevinforth7618
    @kevinforth7618 2 місяці тому +5

    Russell must have been an interesting man. Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I decided to watch this at .5 speed so I could see more of the items.

  • @brucejenner5856
    @brucejenner5856 Місяць тому

    Tool makers heaven. Anybody into machining would love to attend these auctions. And I agree with you, you must treat every item with reverence, and not sell bunches of things as a job lot.

  • @MickHealey
    @MickHealey 2 місяці тому +9

    This is an incredible collection Josh, just incredible. One of the saddest things about losing someone, is going through all their stuff afterwards. The difficulty of what to keep, what to throw away, and finding things you never knew. Sadly, I have this job to do, as my 32 year old daughter passed away on 1st August. I'll have to watch this video in sections, as it's a bit tough going for me right now.

  • @cwest1223
    @cwest1223 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for doing that, it was great entertainment and a community service. Absolutely amazing.

  • @Vankel83
    @Vankel83 2 місяці тому +5

    Not a hoarder, just a man with a vast collection of tools. That lathe was tooled to the max. R.I.P Russell

    • @kimmoj2570
      @kimmoj2570 2 місяці тому +1

      That Hardinge is best sold with full setup. It will be pretty penny....

    • @natetheskate88
      @natetheskate88 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@kimmoj2570 I disagree. You are buying the machine. The aloris holders anyone with an aloris tool post could use. There best bet is to sell all the tooling separate. Hundreds of people have the same lathe but need more tooling.

  • @raycaka6048
    @raycaka6048 2 місяці тому

    WOW! I'm 66 years old, a journeyman tool and die maker, machinist and tool and cutter grinder. What an incredible collection. And all in like new condition. Wish it was closser to Texas. I'd love to see it all.

  • @dale5898
    @dale5898 2 місяці тому +5

    Just imagine all the knowledge he took with him. God rest his soul.

  • @randyboldt-8126
    @randyboldt-8126 2 місяці тому +2

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful collection and the story of the collector . You have done justice for the collector as well as his widow ; my deepest condolences to her .

  • @husseinkhafaja103
    @husseinkhafaja103 2 місяці тому +5

    I'd buy this house with everything in it anytime of the day and week. Very impressive tooling and equipment!

  • @adhawk5632
    @adhawk5632 2 місяці тому +3

    Im kind of blown away after watching this. Please do more vids on his shop. Wow. It is a museum, nearly a shame to move things, but it cant be just left like that. What a collection 👍👌🇦🇺

  • @daveylad2
    @daveylad2 23 дні тому +1

    Thing with tools is you never really own them you’re just their keeper for a while.
    A beautiful collection, I wish I had of known him

  • @chrisyu98
    @chrisyu98 2 місяці тому +3

    almost inconceivable one person could accumulate, sort, organize, store, so much. How was he able to find all this pre-internet?? Truly a monumental achievement.

    • @markvoluckas4571
      @markvoluckas4571 2 місяці тому +1

      Pre internet? The guy was only 61 and it all appears to not have sat for too long so why would you assume it was all bought pre internet. I have been buying tooling online for 25 years now not likely much of this was accumulated too long ago

  • @terrydawson5304
    @terrydawson5304 2 місяці тому +2

    This man was amazing. I learned stuff I didn't know existed. This could be a whole channel in itself. Being a machinist for 40 years and second generation after my father I totally understand. My tools are my livelihood and my poem of my being. We all have a story if you take time to listen. Thanks for showing this amazed and in awe.

  • @pauljaworski9386
    @pauljaworski9386 2 місяці тому +3

    45 years ago I ran Moore and Hauser Jig Borers. I miss those days.

  • @jakobusstefanusburger8217
    @jakobusstefanusburger8217 2 місяці тому +1

    If that garage could talk, it will tell stories till the end of days. It is gentlemen like him that are becoming very few and far apart with today's day and age with everything being automated. 😢 The love of building something or fixing something with your own hands and then the awesome thing is he had the correct tool for each and every job.

  • @hmh-jv6rn
    @hmh-jv6rn 2 місяці тому +10

    I knew Russ briefly, when I sold him the Hardinge HLVH about 15 years ago. He invited me to his house to show me his collection of machines and tools, and I say "collection" not hording, because how he explained, it to me was that, he just loves fine tools. He told me that he is not alone in his affection for tools, he has acquaintances that have storage buildings full of machines and tooling that they have collected not necessarily to use, but to just find, buy, and own. That is what I believe is the real reason for the collecting.
    BTW: When Russ was showing me all his tooling, he had a draw of grinding wheel blotters, which I asked if he would part with a few; his answer was, “not really". Therefore, you can see he would not part with any of his collection.

    • @hmh-jv6rn
      @hmh-jv6rn 2 місяці тому +8

      @@farmcentralohio I believe they were referring to the clutter that Russ had recently created, as when I was their, everything was organized and uncluttered.

    • @KS-on9qp
      @KS-on9qp 2 місяці тому +2

      Absolutely : Collecting; not hoarding !

    • @BronzeAgePuritan
      @BronzeAgePuritan 2 місяці тому

      I am seriously thinking of bidding on the HLVH. May I ask what condition it is in, or anything else of significance?

    • @hmh-jv6rn
      @hmh-jv6rn 2 місяці тому

      @@BronzeAgePuritan The lathe is in great condition, i only sold because i purchased an HLV--EM. It also has a complete set of change gears for metric thread cutting.

  • @randywl8925
    @randywl8925 2 місяці тому +2

    Rumor has it, that the elevation of the home now is two feet lower than when they purchased it.
    Wow..... A machinist's history museum. Incredible that he found time to use these beautifully preserved machines. Very cool 👍

  • @tomeverett2212
    @tomeverett2212 2 місяці тому +4

    You could rebuild an entire civilization with this collection.

  • @HootisGarage
    @HootisGarage 2 місяці тому

    What a fantastic tribute and amazing collection. I’m glad is window was paid appropriately. A lot of awesome tools and the market shows we still value and want these tools.

  • @brianfoster4667
    @brianfoster4667 2 місяці тому +3

    I’d love to see some of his work! Fascinating video!

  • @0815Racing
    @0815Racing 2 місяці тому +1

    Unbelievable collection, thank you for showing us around all the good stuff well preserved is a treasure and I can only imagine what is still tp discover. This auction will bring in 7 figures

  • @tedecker3792
    @tedecker3792 2 місяці тому +5

    This is a wake up call for me at 77yo. I need to start finding homes for lots of tools and motorcycles.

    • @davedarling6512
      @davedarling6512 2 місяці тому

      I feel like one you hit 60 you should really start taking a hard look at all of your stuff.

    • @spehropefhany
      @spehropefhany Місяць тому

      Ah, clear out stuff you'll never use, but mostly just enjoy the stuff today. It will be someone else's problem (or joy) some day.

  • @waydegutman7339
    @waydegutman7339 2 місяці тому

    I have never seen so many collets in my life, not in any shop anywhere ! There is a small chucker lathe in this video that I would make room for in my shop. What a mind blowing video.

  • @larry3064
    @larry3064 2 місяці тому +3

    Absolutely incredible.

  • @mrsawyer186
    @mrsawyer186 2 місяці тому +2

    Wow amazing. I wasn't expecting to see that when the door opened. Thanks for showing.

  • @paulfeist
    @paulfeist 2 місяці тому +6

    My god... What comes to me is when Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter broke the seal on Tutankamun's tomb.... and Carter peered inside for the first time, and Lord Carnarvon asked hime "What do you SEE?"... and Howard Carter could only reply - "Wonderful Things!".
    There's enough stuff in there to put to work in a 20,000 sq ft shop!
    My tiny garage looks a bit like that, since a friend passed away and I bought quite a bit of his lathe tooling and such. Doing his estate sale was painful - his tool using friends bought as much as we could, but, by the end of the estate sale when the house HAD to be emptied - many things went far cheaper than it should have.

    • @boydovens4180
      @boydovens4180 2 місяці тому +1

      Please forgive me , i came to the same conclusion as yourself regarding Howard Carter and Tutankhamuns tomb .I don think there is any difference ,from " Wonderful things " and " Wow " .

  • @carlosgarza7878
    @carlosgarza7878 2 місяці тому

    This is so awesome. This makes me wanna cry. I miss being a machinist and also I'm a truck driver now. The things that I would make on a machine. Hyundai field inspection and found some of the drill bars for oil drilling. I did. Yes, that is paradise right there.

  • @raystormont
    @raystormont 2 місяці тому +22

    Russell's wife/wodow is someone most of us can only dream about!! Ray

    • @Stefan_Van_pellicom
      @Stefan_Van_pellicom 2 місяці тому +2

      She won’t have spent much time with the man …

    • @ellieprice363
      @ellieprice363 2 місяці тому +1

      Maybe, maybe not.

    • @nilzlima3027
      @nilzlima3027 2 місяці тому

      @@Stefan_Van_pellicom she knew him for some time yea but they were "married" for abute 6 months.

    • @BLECHHAUS
      @BLECHHAUS 2 місяці тому

      @@Stefan_Van_pellicom But she always knew where to find him.

  • @Spaceman_spliff
    @Spaceman_spliff 2 місяці тому +2

    The starrett tools hat at 12:10 should be in one of the auctions! What an unbelievable collection, as a woodworker that needs infeed and outfeed for his big old vintage machinery, and also works in a tight space, and also can’t stop collecting more machinery, I’m jealous of the ability of the jewelry smith/watchmaker/fine machinist to fit many cool metalworking machines and far more accessories into tight spaces. Thanks for sharing this shop, and for selling it off the right way. You’re doing a great favor to the memory and legacy of the nice sounding man who collected and restored so much amazing equipment.