We have a lot more tools to give away!
The tools in the photo above are NOT the tools that we’ll be giving away, but the size of the pile seems fairly accurate. Sorry, that’s a lie, this pile of some of my Sears purchases (back in the day) is dwarfed by how much we have to give away.
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I have… accumulated some tools. Too many tools.
There are some samples that didn’t work out for review. Personal purchases that were redundant. ToolGuyd explorations. Holiday season specials. Unsolicited tools that just showed up.
I’ve tried different tool styles over the years.
I have also aimed to create a Tool Guide, and I work on it every now and then.
What if someone has a question about a completed review sample?! What if readers ask for a comparison?!
How is that tool different from others?
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Long story short, we have accumulated an archive of tool purchases and older review samples.
Not to mince words, I have grown intolerant of having too much space devoted to storing these tools, and too little space to work on personal products. When new samples or purchases come in, or something else takes up a lot of workshop space, there’s no place for it to go. So, everything ends up screaming to a halt.
Donating tools or giving them away takes time and effort, and so I tend to put it off for long spans of time. No, we cannot sell any of these purchased or provided-at-no-cost review samples. Technically we could potentially try to sell purchased tools, but I like to have a consistent policy of not selling anything.
This week I’m sending boxes of older tool samples out to a couple of readers, putting together another donation for the local high school, and also putting past purchases and tool explorations together for some local teachers.
There’s still more… so much more.
There are two small impact wrenches that I still don’t have a large enough compressor to sufficiently test. Yes, I’ve been meaning to upgrade to a stationary compressor, but there’s no place to put it!
I have some Tekton tools I purchased a few years ago, to gauge their quality. By some I mean two crates full of hand tools that I purchased during Amazon promotions.
There might be a couple of cordless power tools or power tool accessories, but most of the tools I want to move are hand tools.
There are some specialty tools, such as a drill-powered cable cutter, that I simply can’t test easily.
I’m open to ideas about how to organize the giveaways. We’re running a Mystery Box Giveaway, ending this week. But there’s more – so much more.
Last year, we donated I think it was 6 or 7 of the same exact mechanics tool set. I don’t even know how that happened. A new one showed up every single holiday season and Father’s Day!
The more specialty tools might be grouped together for like-themed giveaways at a later time.
Perhaps I could do a quick one minute video of the tools that are being given away, and then once I have enough to fill up a tool bag or small box, off they’ll go to one lucky winner of the week. Maybe a giveaway every two weeks? How many different giveaways should there be?
Here’s an example of how some of the accumulation happened: After a holiday season, I’d pack up my purchased samples, and they’d remain shuttered until something was needed for comparison or use.
Why did I buy special buys and tools during holiday seasons? Some were meant to be personal-use tools, others were purchased for educational purposes. I don’t like to post about holiday tools if I haven’t had sufficient exposure to form an opinion I could stand by.
Another problem with holiday season review samples is that the same tools are rarely available after the new year. So, if it’s a tool I briefly tested and wrote a deal post for, does it make sense to more formally review it in February when it’s too late for anyone to buy it?
I’m going to spend the next couple of days organizing things, and after that, maybe the first giveaway will kick off next week.
The biggest questions I have are 1) how to squeeze out just a little more editorial content before the samples leave my hands (e.g. social media video, YouTube, or brief written post?) and 2) how to sort through how much goes into each giveaway package.
Today I learned that a small Home Depot heavy duty box (16″ x 12″ x 12″) can easily hold ~25 lbs in tools. I’ll also pick up some flat-rate medium boxes from the post office.
Moving forward, we’re going to have to do giveaways more often, as I really like the idea of faster review turnarounds and more space to work. Frankly, if enough time passes where I need to grab an older review sample for comparison or similar, I can just request or purchase a second copy.
Thoughts? Preferences? Feedback?
Chris
Any 20v Max or m12 stuff let me know bud?
Mac
Figure out how many boxes you’re giving away. Pick out that many winners. Post pictures of the piles of tools. Get your winners on the phone or Skype or something and Livestream having the winners take turns picking out tools to fill their boxes. If you need help figuring out the tech let me know!
Stuart
The more complicated or time-dependent, the more likely I am to box things up and put them back into storage (on-site and off).
Thom
Stu I would love to see you branch out to youtube reviews.
Stuart
Me and videos don’t go together really well.
I don’t like being in front of the camera, I am never happy with “overhead” shots of tools, and then I end up obsessing of lighting, what to say, how to edit, and then any “action footage” gets complicated fast since I can apparently use a tool or capture it on video, but never both at the same time.
I might give it a try. Maybe I can find a quick format for “overhead” video and quick voiceover discussion.
Kurt
Perhaps watch some videos made by This Old Tony; he really makes the “hands only” format entertaining.
Scott K
You could build a variety of toolboxes/kits for various purposes which may allow you to move a large number of tools at once. For example- general purpose/new homeowner sets, plumbing, electrical, robotics, etc.
Alternatively, if there are a number of tools you’d like to post about but haven’t had the time, you could send batches of tools you haven’t reviewed to readers who would be willing to give their perspective. Maybe you’ll get a few posts you can publish.
On a more personal note- my school has been equipping their makerspace for the past 3 years and they have a pretty great array. With that said, I feel like they’re really lacking in the tool dept. We also have a new STEM and robotics program that could benefit from a variety of tools.
Stuart
I have worked with external contributors before, but it’s a huge hassle.
No promises, but I can try to keep you in mind for more specialty tools and equipment.
Iron-Iceberg
How about having a “Real Users Real World” giveaway. All recipients need to post 2 pictures or a clip with the tool in use in a real world situation and a 50 word review.
Solves your problem of what to do with the tools and gives you more editorial content.
Stuart
Not all the tools need or deserve “last chance” content/coverage.
But also, I’ve learned that giveaways need to be “no strings.” It’s just easier that way.
Ilan Sasson
Tools are an equivalent to education- meaning, the more tools you have the more you can do.
Maybe find an apprentice program for the disadvantaged?
I am sure that those who have very little appreciate what little the have.
John
How about just donating it all to many Habitat for Humanity building projects. Or package them as gifts to Habitat home owners for their own home maintenance. People reading your blog aren’t hurting for tools.
Stuart
I donate to Habitat for Humanity on occasion. They tend to be a little particular about what they’ll take, however. I know what the local Habitat are looking for, but don’t have anything aligned with their needs and wants right now.
ToolGuyd readers hail from from very different backgrounds and have very different sized tool boxes. Most readers are here because they’re researching a purchase, especially during the holiday season.
I’ve tried a few different things over the years, and found that if it’s not easy to part with tools, that’s when and why I start to accumulate.
A W
Do something that you know will allow you to be consistent.
One option would be to pack up 26 boxes of assorted tools, and then every two weeks for a year, open up one box, write up a quick post about your favorite, least favorite, and most unique tools in that box, and take some photos and/or video.
Ask readers/viewers to describe which tools they would use personally and which they would “pay forward”, and run the giveaway.
If you can come up with a format that is consistent and repeatable, at least until you work through the space problem, it’s most likely to be a success.
That also seems like it would help drive traffic from social media sites.
#toolguydgiveaway
Stuart
While good in theory, I’m hoping to move out several boxes of tools before the end of the year.
I figure that the winners will choose what they like and then spread redundant tools to their friends and family.
After the current archive is dissolved, I figure I can send out samples maybe once a month or every other month.
I’m also eager for institutions open to multiples so I have a place to send samples after a roundup.
Henry
Heck, I’d just do “mystery grab bag (box)” giveaways for the accumulated tool assortments. Do more specific giveaways for larger, or more expensive items, such as drills/drivers/etc..
Winners get their “box-o-stuff” that you put together, use what they can, and pass along stuff that’s not useful or redundant for them.
That would seem like the best use of your time, while still allowing you to put your accumulated tools in the hands of people who will use them.
Anything that you do that requires a back and forth with the winner will eat up WAY too much of your time, and take away from personal time, or time spent on running ToolGuyd.
Just my 2c.
Bill K
Finding a good (appred
fred
Some charities (Big Brothers-Big Sisters comes to mind) do front door pickups for donated goods – that are then sold at their thrift stores. As an alternative – you might look at one of these. Then ask them if they will pick up what you wish to unload. That would not have the benefits of readership-building that a giveaway might engender – but it would be far less time consuming.
Bill K
Finding a good (appreciated) home for these tools using a simple, easy and fair is your desire, if I understand correctly.
Will the following approach work for you? What if you thought up and created various tool groupings and then asked readers to select which tool group (or several groups) they desire to be placed in. Within each reader selected tool group, you would select a winner or winners in the manner you desire. Reader replies (specific text) would be searched to obtain all the readers within specific tool grou
Bill K
Oops! (continued)
…… within the specific tool group to obtain the reader listing from which a winner(s) would be selected.
Kurt
If you have a lot of “basics”, perhaps contact a local women’s shelter to come over and put together some apartment appropriate tool sets out of what you have. It would be a nice way to start them out, and shouldn’t require a lot of time on your part.
Evadman
I run a non-tool business and do giveaways to get rid of extra inventory. Like you, my time is way more important than everything else, so the process is optimized for my time. I generally do giveaways of either 50 or 100 items at a time, and I can complete a hundred in about 3 hours including boxing, shipping labels, and dumping them for mailing.
Process:
fill out an online form (I use my own, but google forms works too) with name and address info. Included in the form is a way to enter up to the top 5 things that the person wants or requests.
Once the deadline passes, I remove everyone that gave an address that doesn’t meet the rules or is incomplete, because that’s fast.
After, I use a random number generator, usually in excel. Then, I order all submittals by that random number generator.
I then start going though the list. I generally pick from the top of their requested list, but I also optimize for my time, meaning perhaps one of the items they asked for is on top of the pile, therefore, they get that one.
If I have nothing from their list, I go to the next person in order.
repeat until out of stuff to give away
Send everyone an email saying they got something and be on the lookout, or a sorry, you get nothing email. I use the BCC line in email, so I only need to send 2 emails in total.
my rules:
one item given per person
USA only (for shipping cost reasons, I use USPS)
full name, address and email address. (not used for marketing afterwords)
must be 18 or older (cause I have no idea if this counts as a raffle or other legal giveaway)
If something gets lost or stolen in the mail, then be grateful anyway. feel free to yell at the post office.
If I screw up and send you something not on the requested list, be grateful anyway.
Other notes: For optimiation reasons, I use boxes that are 4″ in height or smaller becuase that is the exact maximum size of the USPS drop box. That means 4*4*4, 4*4*6, 4*4*8 boxes are the 3 that I have. They are only 20 or 40 cents each from uline. I put the item into a bubble mailer inside the box, usually #00 and fole (its cheaper and faster than actual bubble wrap, about 15 cents per.) All together, it costs between $400 and $750 for shipping materials and postage, but that does include my bulk discount from the USPS.
the usual limit for USPS is 13 ounces between 1st class (about $3 in postage) then to anything that will fit in a priority fixed-rate box/bubble mailer (about $7 in postage).
I do have a slight leg-up on you though, because my product catalog is online, so people can use my words for things. You would need to make a list, at least of product types (framing hammer, sledge, pliers, b&d screwdriver, etc) so people can tell you want they want.
Jared
To spin off this idea, how about a big photograph of all the tools you plan to give away (so we can salivate over the horde and you don’t have to inventory), then to enter the giveaway everyone writes about which tool from the pile they most desire.
I’m NOT proposing you spend time giving everyone the tool they want, but perhaps when you pick a winner from the list you might include the tool they said they wanted in the box of giveaways.
Matt Roberson
You might look at RafflePress, while I’ve never used it, I’ve heard many good things about it in regards to giveaways on WordPress sites, so that might streamline the process for you. Or are you more worried about the tools being discarded, in case they’re not what the lucky winner was looking for/had their heart’s set on?
If you’re looking to clear out the inventory by the end of the year, I’d build 20 (or however many you think you’d need) flat rate USPS boxes, and just start sorting stuff into what would logically go together. Then post a single picture that lets people get the idea of what the box is about, and then they can sign up for the giveaway on that box. Not sure how to keep the giveaway vultures away though.
Yadda
Ask for comments, feedback, etc,…. number them then use random.org to generate numbers to give them away.
Darth
I would think the easiest thing for you, and thereby the most likely it is to happen, is to put some tools in a number of boxes. Ship those boxes to winners. And those winners can be grateful for whatever they get. For crying out loud, it’s free stuff for them to use or give away. Heck, charge shipping and people should still be grateful for the tools.
The more likely this site becomes profitable or continues to bring you satisfaction is the only secure way I know that this site will continue. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I support anything you do to keep this site going. I love coming here and reading your content.
Matthew
I’ll second this. Put the boxes together however you deem logical/economical (for your shipping) and number them 1 through X. Have a number generator pull X number of winners and ship them out accordingly. I haven’t had any issues with how you’ve selected winners before (and I haven’t even been a winner) because it has been fair and transparent. Anyone who receives free tools to supplement/upgrade/gift should be grateful.
Brian M
Mystery tool box giveaways on instagram will help your numbers a lot. Right now it’s all about Instagram Stu, growing your numbers there will help your numbers here very well. Some of the tool influencers have more than 100K followers…you should be there already. There’s no reason a mystery box giveaway won’t easily get you up to 10-12K (you’re near 8K now). Then just do another one every 5K and you’ll start growing insanely and probably be at more than 25K by this time next year. Those are fairly conservative numbers on IG tool guys that don’t have the benefit of being THE tool blog on the internet.
Stuart
It took me until recently to find a comfortable flow with Instagram. I’m not a “post from my phone” kind of person, preferring to put intended content into toolguyd.com rather than a platform that could change at any time. For instance, Facebook will only show posts to a fraction of followers/subscribers unless we pay to “boost” it. How long until that comes to Instagram?
But I’ve found a good flow for Instagram as an outlet for little tool-related thoughts from throughout the day, things that might never make it into a full toolguyd.com post.
Most Instagram giveaways seem shallow to me, but I’ll give it some thought.
I know I should have done more on IG starting 3 years ago, and more YouTube starting 5-10 years ago. But there are only so many things that I can put time and attention to at any given time.
The main reason I’m posting more to Instagram now is because I’m finding it easier, and it’s an outlet for thoughts, opinions, and observations that might otherwise remain internalized (and we can’t have that!).
Toolfreak
I would think that flate rate shipping boxes would make this easy. You don’t even have to leave the house.
Go to the USPS website and order Priority Mail flate rate Medium, Large, or Regional Rate boxes for free and/or just buy the Prepaid boxes so you don’t even have to pay for each shipment seperately.
Throw however many tools in each box, tape them up, write or print the shipping address and take them to the post office or call the post office to have your carrier pick them up on their next mail delivery.
If you have smaller amounts of hand tools to send out, I find the Priority Mail padded envelopes are pretty good for whatever you can cram in them and the postage is fairly inexpensive.
The bigger question is how to choose who gets the tools.
I’d say maybe pick from long time commenters who promise to actually use and review at least some of the tools they receive, by posting a mini-review in the comments of the post on Toolguyd where the tool was reviewed, and maybe on the forums and/or in a YouTube video.
Or just pick a bunch of people from weekly giveaway posts from now through, say just before Christmas.
Kizzle
Just throw a bunch of tools into a box and have people comment on toolguyd. Number the comments and use a number generator to pick winners. Don’t deal with packaging specific tools together and creating categories. If one box has a bigger ticket item, put less tools in that box. If the box has lower cost tools, put more in that box. Don’t overcomplicate this. You’re trying to get rid of tools to make things LESS complicated, right? Just box them up and get rid of them. NO ONE is going to fault you if they didn’t get the specific FREE stuff they wanted. The bigger the pile of tools to go through gets, the more overwhelming and insurmountable the task will become; thus, your stress level grows linearly to the size of the pile.
Ulrich Auerswald
Even though I would personally love to win some of these sweet tools, I think the majority of people visiting your site do not have problems to buy tools themselves, for they have the time to search every post and read the last reply in these threads, instead of worrying of making ends meet. I might be wrong about that, but I am just guessing. Therefore I must say I think donating them to a school or a community supported type of tool shop where funds might not always be there to buy quality tools would be the easiest and have the most impact.
Stuart
I’ve saturated the local high school wood shop, theater dept. and STEM dept. already. =)
Wayne
I would make a YouTube video of several tool bundles that are numbered, say 1-20 or more and just show what each bundle has in it , can be a video with just still pictures of each bundle. Than leave the tool lot number you want in the comments with “tool guyd giveaway” than use a random comment selector bot and give the lucky person the lot they picked. People will only select the one they want and it can go fast and easy all at once.
Nathan
Personally as a hopefull recipient, I don’t so much care what is in the box if I was to get it for free.
Worst case it’s something I would never ever consider purchasing either by brand name or by device etc. BUT you know what – it was free I might try it anyway and it might change my mind. Even better, I know people – they might need/want said device. So it would still end up somewhere to be used.
Next to worst case – it’s a clone of something I already have. Well I like it already and who knows new in the box might be better than what I have so I’ll trade out. or again I know people that might need/want said device . . . . . .
Finally best case – it’s something I’ve been meaning to buy myself.
so long story longer – box up stuff maybe make it mostly random and don’t care. Or if you do feel plucky make up theme boxes. Again I would care as the unboxer. OK so it’s a craft glue gun and a soldering pencil and . . . . . . K my wife might like some of that and I might like some of that. don’t care.
And finally I’d be happy to help out with a review or so also. I’d be happy to discuss scientific method and plan and work out the rest if need be. I like what you do here.
good luck.
Stuart
“I don’t so much care what is in the box if I was to get it for free.”
Sounds like you’re volunteering for the Kobalt ratcheting rapid-adjust wrench (https://toolguyd.com/kobalt-ratcheting-rapid-adjust-wrench-h2019/) and other seasonal “innovations!” =)
Nathan
I would. I’d even review them for you but I might not keep them obviously. Don’t know they are review worthy but meh.
So yes I would say if you have to give away something – mystery box it is. beggars can’t be choosers you know.
And yes my current main cordless tool system is Dewalt 20V but if you gave me a milwaukee or makita something that was also kits with charger and battery – Fine with that too. No charge and battery – well I know someone that probably has that setup.
OPE – I have Echo 58V system now – give me an EGO or Greenworks or whatever. I don’t really care – I know someone on that system I’m sure.
jbongo
I prefer the brief written posts, but I think it depends what your target audience is. As someone mentioned Instagram is pretty popular, and that could be a good way to grow that area. Videos I think are great to see how tools are in hand, but it’s hard to quickly search or look through them if you’re looking for something particular about a tool or trying to rock a baby to sleep. But, on the other hand I know quality content takes time. As for the give away, personally I’d be happy, as I think most people would be, with almost any free tools. We can always pass them on if they’re redundant or not needed (or as your earlier comment noted, it doesn’t fit our tool box). If your goal is to make it easy, I’d stick with several flat rate boxes and just fill them up with what you think it about right. Then, snap a picture from the top (letting the bottom be a surprise), and do giveaways every week at varying days to catch different readers.
Mr. Creek
Random number generator.
Or
Obscure 3 historical facts to answer.
Or
Submit a made up tool joke the one that makes you laugh the hardest wins.
Just random ideas
gene colley
STuart, I think the idea of giving to schools is a great idea. With the lack of funding, students have to supply too many of their own tools. Good for you.
GEORGE MICHENER
I’ll make this very easy for you-I send you my address…you send me the tools-lol
Josh Moffett
Randomly select winners and send them a box. Give them 30 days to use the tools, then require a photo and brief review of (maybe 3?) of their favorite tools in the box. If they submit their reviews, they can be eligible for entry in future giveaways. If they don’t, they are no longer eligible. Ergodyne uses this system and it seems to work really well.
Jim Guariniello
I am a disabled wood worker who is making a very slow movement back into a hobby i have loved for many years.
I think your tool give aways would enlighten the lives of many disabled
Craftsman and give them something to
Look forword to and to get us up and
Moving again. Thanks for the hope.
MyFortressConstruction
I’ll send you a prepaid label. Fill up a box with whatever you want and put it in the mail next time you’re in town. I will either use it, or give it to volunteers. I will pick out my favorite tool(s) and write what I liked, what I will use it on, and why someone should buy it/not buy it.
Start a fan based page that have simple and short reviews from end users.
You can get rid of extras while increasing traffic to the site and minimal work on your part.
(Or something like this)
MyFortressConstruction
Also, if you look up “My Fortress Construction” on YouTube you can see I post videos of things that others might find useful. Either tool reviews or how-tos on a variety of projects. I don’t edit anything so my videos are bland but contain useful information.
Peter Hoh
I’ve been thinking about something related, as I have accumulated supplies. I’m working at developing a FB group for the kinds of people and organizations who could use the stuff I want to give away.
But I don’t want to create a first-comment-first-served circus. I’m thinking of giving everyone in the group play money, as in Monopoly. This way, people would bid on items when I list things that have value. I could restock everyone’s supply of play money whenever it seems appropriate.
I’m thinking this would discourage people from grabbing stuff to hoard. But it may be too much of a headache to manage.
Michael C
I like the set-up of the current giveaway by asking the readers to write a haiku or comment on their favorite tool/brand. I would imagine that you can come up with a different question for each giveaway. There two things I’d do differently.
First, I would put together a theme box prior to the giveaway. This way you can tell everyone what the theme is (like entry or basic mechanic tool set) when you announce the giveaway. I think you’ll weed out those who aren’t interested in the theme tool box because they won’t enter the giveaway.
Secondly, I’d place a limit on how long the response can be i.e. tell me about your favorite tool brand in one paragraph. That may help you go through the entries more efficiently and pick the winner(s).
I never comment but I’ve followed for a few years. I love the work you do to the point that I check the site for a new post everyday. Thanks for what you do.
KT
How about donating all the garden, plumbing, electrical and carpentry tools to your local Habitat for Humanity?
Stuart
They generally prefer framing power tools best, and I generally don’t have a lot of those around.
Popgun42
You have a good problem, too many tools. I have several grandsons and when one of them finish college I make them a tool box and stock it with tools. So far I have made 3. I always give them some of my tools and some new ones also. God bless you and your family…
Mark
Stu, have you thought about setting up the tools needed to start a basic woodworking shop for Disabled Veterans? I myself am a 100% DV. I was /am having a hard time getting a grip on my Symptoms caused by PTSD from the sandbox. About six months ago , my Doctor recommended I start up a hobby. I turned to woodworking, which has helped out tremendously. The downside of this is the cost it took to get in to this…Just a thought…
Stuart
Vetting potential recipients is difficult, and organizations can be complicated to work with, but the main problem with this is that I always only have bits and pieces, which isn’t enough to get anyone started from the ground up.
Ulrich Auerswald
1 Wrenching
2 Anything
Thanks for the chance to win! Best tool blog ever!
Mr. Creek
Mystery, give me anything.
Not really a joke but it made me laugh.
Recently, I was teaching my 7 year old daughter in my garage how to safely use a biscuit jointer and Simon and Garfunkel was on the radio.
When the song was over she asked, “Did he?”
Perplexed and confused; I replied, “Did he??? …what are you asking?”
She then asked with safety glasses and ear plugs in, “Daddy, did Parsley save Rosemary in time?”
I was on the floor cracking up.