Value of used Starrett tools
- Thread starter 10thanncobra
- Start date
dutchgray
Well-known member
Looks to be relativity recently made stuff, look up on ebay for auction listings of same items in good used condition, watch to see what they go for, list for something under those prices to avoid giving them away for nothing. This is only if you are prepared to post them.
Local sales, probably whatever you paid.
Local sales, probably whatever you paid.
Uncle murph
Well-known member
Don’t worry,he “ knows what he’s got”
OP
10thanncobra
Active member
Thanks yeah was hoping to just bundle them and pass along a decent deal to someone else, eBay has been a big hassle in the last year for me with them holding money and not releasing it for weeks even though I’ve been a member for years with good feedback
Personally, I usually pick up nice used Starrett stuff pretty cheap compared to what new costs. Unless you're at an estate sale where they spend alot of time looking up individual pieces. Alot of them around me lately will print off an ad where it was listed for the highest possible price and price accordingly! Haha Then it'll sit there until the last day, when everything is discounted. I do know a guy who sells alot of machinist tools, but he is usually way low compared to new prices.
Joel
Joel
RoninB4
Well-known member
A lot depends upon condition, rust and engraved names lowers the value. Location also matters, same as buying/selling shop machinery. Different areas of the US will have different values for the same item. Age of the items makes a difference, if it's made in China (Starrett has been outsourcing for years) it's not the same quality as made in Athol (calipers for example). Lastly, the item itself matters, as examples:
1) Last Word indicators- Not very well regarded by most toolmakers because the movement gets "sticky" over time.
2 Planer Gauge- I've owned one for decades and have high regard for it but isn't used by many toolmakers anymore.
3) Item series- Basic as well as better quality series offered over the decades. Price depends upon exactly what you have
4) Competition with cheap imported ****. I prefer Starrett scales (rulers) over all other brands for several reasons, most of the garage shop types will buy cheap imported items because they don't know/need the difference. Same goes for mics, indicators, or about anything else bearing the name Starrett. The audience you sell to will make a big difference.
5) Items in wooden cases bring higher prices than items in carboard boxes or plastic. Missing accessories affect prices too.
I'm a retired toolmaker so I don't need any more tooling for the job, this is all just my opinion. Would help others if you posted photos and/or list what you have.
1) Last Word indicators- Not very well regarded by most toolmakers because the movement gets "sticky" over time.
2 Planer Gauge- I've owned one for decades and have high regard for it but isn't used by many toolmakers anymore.
3) Item series- Basic as well as better quality series offered over the decades. Price depends upon exactly what you have
4) Competition with cheap imported ****. I prefer Starrett scales (rulers) over all other brands for several reasons, most of the garage shop types will buy cheap imported items because they don't know/need the difference. Same goes for mics, indicators, or about anything else bearing the name Starrett. The audience you sell to will make a big difference.
5) Items in wooden cases bring higher prices than items in carboard boxes or plastic. Missing accessories affect prices too.
I'm a retired toolmaker so I don't need any more tooling for the job, this is all just my opinion. Would help others if you posted photos and/or list what you have.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
You can DM me, I’m a machinist looking for tools to use at work if you are looking to sell.
The big problem with selling Starrett is that not a lot of people are in my line of work and thus do not need the tools and since most Starrett stuff is used for precision work the older stuff tends to be beat up and no longer as accurate. So it’s all about condition and market. Besides that, precision shops will often provide the measurement tools now so they are all calibrated and checked by the shop. And also Mitutoyo offers as good if not better quality tools made in Japan for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of similar Starrett items.
The big problem with selling Starrett is that not a lot of people are in my line of work and thus do not need the tools and since most Starrett stuff is used for precision work the older stuff tends to be beat up and no longer as accurate. So it’s all about condition and market. Besides that, precision shops will often provide the measurement tools now so they are all calibrated and checked by the shop. And also Mitutoyo offers as good if not better quality tools made in Japan for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of similar Starrett items.
Last edited:
Your customer base is machinist diy'ers who will buy used. Real companies generally want new tools traceable to NIST. IMHO it's a pretty small base of custmers. The other problem is that some of this stuff is very specialized. You'll do OK with common stuff like squares, protractors, dial indicators, levels, etc. but other stuff can be a tough sell. I'd estimate between 10% to 50%. IME used Starrett is great for buyers but not too good for sellers.
A good example is Starrett master vernier calipers. Brand new they sell for around $1000. Used they sell for around $100. (ie 10%)
Last edited:
I sold a bunch of used Starrett stuff (and other machinist's tools) on ebay a couple years ago. It all sold, and some for as much of it for 80% of new prices. Some/most of it will move slow.
Check ebay for "sold" prices, that will give you a pretty good idea.
Check ebay for "sold" prices, that will give you a pretty good idea.
seber
Well-known member
Machinists almost never buy used measuring equipment. It is unfortunate, but the price of precision tools is unrelated to their intrinsic value. The one type of tool I always pass up are precision measuring. They just don't sell.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Guys put a lot of value on stuff being in the box/pouch, and condition of them. You can even sell empty cardboard boxes!
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Ok now that I had some coffee and a better look at your photo….that stuff is going to sit. The gauges aren’t really used much outside of some specialty shops (think engine shops). The test indicator is ok but most guys prefer Swiss-made. If those are parallels they aren’t going to move because any shop can get cheap ones from anywhere and grind them in for precision work. The wood box if it has mics will probably move but not anywhere near what you probably expect. I know here where machining is still big, that stuff sits on FB marketplace and other sites for awhile. It will move but only after you sell for way less. Like someone said above, it’s probably mostly DIY guys looking for deals.
They would not sell well locally around here at all.
Factories are gone, amateur Engine rebuilders and machinists are dying off, not many new coming along.
Bite the bullet for eBay, IMO. At least a much larger audience.
Factories are gone, amateur Engine rebuilders and machinists are dying off, not many new coming along.
Bite the bullet for eBay, IMO. At least a much larger audience.
WisJim
Well-known member
I've got a lot of Starrett, all purchased used except for the micrometer that my dad gave me for Christmas over 50 years ago. All the rest I got cheap on ebay, garage sales or auctions. As a home shop amateur I don't spend extra on Starrett, but I appreciate made in USA quality.
OP
10thanncobra
Active member
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
That stuff will bring good $ on Ebay.
crewchief888
Well-known member
packaging/ cases look almost identical to the starret stuff i bought new in 1976
dutchgray
Well-known member
Apart from labeling differences you can buy most of that new today and get the same packaging/ cases.
The tools themselves are effectively current model stuff.
By relativity recently I meant not 80 plus year old antique collectable stuff that most people wouldn't actually use.
RichWolfson
Active member
Looks like it came from a HS machine shop! ///Rich
OP
10thanncobra
Active member
Thanks for the insight everyone sold locally on marketplace for 325. didnt want to deal with the ebay and shipping.
dutchgray
Well-known member
You came out a good bit ahead I hope.
Retroman
Well-known member
That sounds good did you recoup your investment and get the stuff you wanted free or very cheap?
OP
10thanncobra
Active member
Yeah I kept everything on the table besides the snap on course tooth 1/2 ratchet did some trading with my snap on man for something else. I’m a fleet mechanic so it all went into my box to replace or upgrade my cheaper stuff. Paid $220 for it all. So made a $100 and kept thousands in “retail” snap on stuff. 
Wow.Yeah I kept everything on the table besides the snap on course tooth 1/2 ratchet did some trading with my snap on man for something else. I’m a fleet mechanic so it all went into my box to replace or upgrade my cheaper stuff. Paid $220 for it all. So made a $100 and kept thousands in “retail” snap on stuff.
Everything is worth as much as some idiot will pay for it . Also make sure to include minimum bid amounts or you will end up paying to ship itDon’t worry,he “ knows what he’s got”