How do I pass my woodworking shop’s jigs and techniques to a new owner?

Over time a good shop accumulates jigs, templates and tricks that make difficult work repeatable. Most are in cabinets, hung on walls or carried in memory. Start by collecting them. Label each with its purpose, the machine it pairs with and the job it was made for. A simple catalogue with photos is enough to begin.

Next, record the method. For the setups that matter most, film yourself doing a real job from start to finish and speak aloud as you go. Note the traps: the cut that tears out, the glue that sets too fast, the clamp pressure that marks the wood. Short clips beat long manuals because a new owner can replay them at the machine.

Then teach by doing. Plan a stretch where the new owner works alongside you, then reverses roles and you watch. Include the craftspeople, who may know techniques you do not. Decide which jigs are part of the sale and which are personal tools, and have your lawyer reflect that in the agreement. Agree on how long you will remain available for questions after handover.

Key takeaways

• Collect, label and photograph every jig and template with its purpose and machine.
• Film one real job per key setup, talking through the traps as you work.
• Include your craftspeople, since they may hold methods that you never wrote down.
• Settle which tools are included in the sale before closing.