I was wondering how long it would take for someone to pick that up
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As I said, I was fortunate (in some ways) and have been given many many power tools, including all those I've mentioned above. The only machine purchases I've made have been a chopsaw, colt router, jigsaw, cordless drill/drivers, shop-vac, and an oscillating spindle sander. My former boss-turned business partner was a generous tool collector, as was my dad who passed away last year.
I may have mis-spoke when I implied a lack of respect to certain individuals before- I believe absolutely that they are to be respected as individuals pursuing their happiness (and have the means to do so)... I was speaking to a grander sense where I hold in higher esteem as a craftsman or woodworker one who makes nice things from raw materials with a few tools, as opposed to one who has a full collection of bedrock planes and disston saws they bought on ebay but can't tell the difference between cedar and redwood, and hasn't used those tools to work wood to the point of a completed project.
I can see a glimpse of what you're saying re: collectors keeping the market alive, however.. as a late-coming west-coaster, I'm priced out of the market of buying many tools I would actually use because people who won't use them (certainly not to the same degree) are willing and able to pay more. If the first wave of 'money-no-object' types wasn't artificially inflating the prices, many of these $80 or $100 old planes might be $20, which is reasonable.
So, like our woodworking predecessors with limited means/accessibility, I'll just have to make do with tools I have, and/or l can make for myself. And that's fine, it is what it is. But I'd like to spread the word that the 'collectors' could in many cases be described as greedy hoarders, making real craftspeople's work more difficult by limiting access to fine tools with real value *as tools*, not as equity.
Apologies for the hijack.
OP- I appreciate that you're going bench-first, and moving towards making a working shop. That is to be commended amidst the continuum of wood working and tool enthusiasts.