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Ultimate Tool Porn EventMany tool collectors I know are a reclusive sort. They might remodel their home (and barn) to show off their tool collection, but it’s kind of rare for them to open their doors to anyone and everyone.

Not John Sindelar.

He’s been amassing a huge collection of woodworking tools with the goal of sharing them with the public. He set up several rooms of his woodworking business to display thousands of tools and regularly takes people on tours, including those who just show up at the door.

He’s built a traveling tool museum that he takes to woodworking events and state fairs. He brought the trailer to our Woodworking in America conference last year and will bring it back again in 2011.

And his long-term goal is to set up a dedicated tool museum to house his collection and further the study of the objects that transformed this continent from a wild place into a country that is safe for barbecue joints, fireworks stands and booth babes – the things that make our country great.

The first Saturday weekend in June – that’s June 4, 2011 – Sindelar is again throwing his doors open wide and inviting the public into the mothership. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the event closes at 4 p.m. I’ll be there. You should be there, too.

Why? Because you are going to see some eye-bulging stuff. Sindelar has just acquired an 18-wheeler full of tools stored in 82 crates – many of which haven’t been opened in 40 years. And some of it is going to go up for sale. Plus you can tour the collection, which is an opportunity to see woodworking tools that you’ve only seen in books.

Even if you aren’t a tool collector, the event is totally worthwhile. Sindelar usually invites several prominent tool sellers to hawk their wares — much like the tailgating events that occur at dawn at many tool meets. At the last event I attended I saw lots of really good user tools change hands for below-eBay prices.

Sindelar’s museum is located at 69953 Section St. in Edwardsburg, Mich. 49112. Here’s a link to a Google map.

Here’s another reason to go: I’m organizing an expedition to the Bell’s Brewery for that evening for beer and dinner. Yeah, it’s about an hour north of Sindelar’s, but I’m a big fan of Bell’s. So if you want something to do that night, and if you want to see me do a killer karaoke version of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” – whether or not they have a karaoke machine – make plans to be there.

— Christopher Schwarz

• Read a story that I wrote about John Sindelar, free on our web site.

• For a preview of the museum, visit www.sindelartoolmuseum.com. Any questions? Contact John Sindelar at 269-357-9085 or 269-663-8841.


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Showing 11 comments
  • DavidBignell

    Hi, This trip sounds great so far, Is there a time planned for the Bells trip and what time are most of you planning on getting to the museum, Notice I put the beer tour first (Subconsciously). We are coming from Dayton, Ohio and may leave early in the am to arrive around 9:00. If I can get my son to drive I can read my copy of the Anarchist tool box the whole way.

  • Dennis Heyza

    > I’m organizing an expedition to the Bell’s Brewery for that evening

    Comstock or Kalamazoo?

  • Dennis Heyza

    Looking forward to it, assuming nothing interferes with my plans. It will take me four hours and I LIVE in Michigan.

  • Village Carpenter

    Gah! I made the mistake of looking at the google map. It’s only a little over a 9 hour drive…

  • jadams

    Chris, Have you had the Hopslam? When it comes in stock in Columbia, MO, it sells out in about an hour.

  • AL

    Chris, trust you will take & post photos of some of the tools that are in the crates.

    http://www.woodworkingwithajo.com

  • keithjfuji1439

    Nice!!! Woodworking, good food and fine beer! Now if Chris do something like this Bell’s tour this fall. I’m just saying that it would be amazing to have a beer tasting event (a little food too…) associated with Woodworking in America… I mean what with Cincinnati being home to many German immigrants. I bet the beer there is mighty fine!

  • Niels

    Hmm, 10 a hour drive isn’t THAT bad.

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