Do you ever feel bad after buying something on CL

[jeepmedic]

I have found some smoking deals on CL which I thought were awesome a couple Dewalt grinders for $20 and Jawhorse for $100 and this Snap on bottom and sides for a total of $1250

But today I ALMOST felt like a thief because I got this Craftsman radial arm saw for $20, it doesnt have a guard or a deck but it seems there is a recall on this model where they will send you a new better guard for free and it comes with a new deck. The guy selling it bought the house and it was left in the basement and he didnt know how to use it and just wanted it gone. So all i really need is a blade which I have plenty for my miter saw. Alittle time and luck and I will have a great saw for $20 or a little more.

 

[charlie_nj]

Seems like guys are practically giving away Craftsman radial arm saws these days. Never saw one for $20 though, good find. Usually see them in the $100 range. I have an old 1950's Delta that I got for $50. The sliding compound miter saw has basically made the RAS obsolete, I think.

Regarding the blade, make sure you use one with a zero or negative hook angle. A regular miter saw blade typically has too high of a hook angle for safe cutting on an RAS. It'll feed way to fast because you are pulling through the cut.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

The only time I recall feeling bad was when a father was selling his son's tools (His son had been killed in a motorcycle accident)..... but I didn't buy them, so I guess that doesn't count.

I simply reason that I am not the only one that can buy the tools(or whatever), and if I don't, someone else will. Additionally, the seller can always say no to my offer....

-BWP

 

[skeletonizer]

The sliding compound miter saw has basically made the RAS obsolete, I think.

The only thing the new sliders can't do is rip. I was always more comfortable pivoting the head and ripping really long stuff with a radial than using a table saw.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Do you ever feel bad after buying something on CL?

Only if I paid more than I should've.

 

[jeepmedic]

$20 was the listed price and we had to remove the patio doors of the basement to get it out, as we were loading it up he said "I should give it to you for free after all the work it was to get it out" I declined because then I would have really felt bad.

 

[Mickey O]

I've had buyers remorse but haven't felt bad, been pissed by BS description given by sellers. Out here the radial arm saws can be had quite cheaply, you wouldn't believe some of the deals I've run across.

I did run into a similar situation on craig's listwhere a brother was selling his brother's tools after he was killed in a motorcycle accident, I didn't end up looking at the tools after talking to the guy, mostly Craftsman stuff.

 

[harvey4804]

yeah i felt bad.... got a Craftsman 20 gal 4hp 240v comressor for $50... not bad, but I've put so much dang money into it that I should have bought a new one straight up! Oh-well live and learn!

 

[bigsteve1969]

i would feel worse about laying a us gen. box on top of a snapon chest... just messin with ya man

 

[jeepmedic]

i would feel worse about laying a us gen. box on top of a snapon chest... just messin with ya man

With the NYD 25% coupon it was $280 after taxes, after lifting it up there with a helping neighbor I can assure you it isnt a lightweight POS. The empty box is almost 300lbs.

 

[mkdive]

nice box for the price.

 

[Skyline]

There is an inherent sadness in almost every collection of tools I buy on CL. There is a connection that folks make with their tools, and they are always sad to see them go.

 

[fatfillup]

Never felt guilty buying tools. If there asking price right, I just pay and leave, if its too high I make a polite offer and they say yes, no or counter offer. I try to be fair but I explain I have to buy at wholesale pricing to resell.

Might have a problem with someone who died young, haven't come across that yet. Buy a lot a estate auctions, but if I win, I was willing to pay more that anyone else so I don't feel quilty even if it was a steal.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

I've bought a lot of **** off of Craigslist; dozer, tractor, flail mower, air compressor with bendpak tubing, sand blast cabinet.

The only one I felt real badly about was the tractor. The guy and his wife had just built their dream home (medium sized house), the tractor I bought and a few other things. They were in their early 50's looking towards retirement. He had worked for Delphi for 20 some years and lost his job. They were selling everything and moving up to the New England area for a fresh start. Very nice folks, hit hard before the economy really tanked about 2 years ago.

The other stuff, I wish I had more money. Every one of them had more items to sell once I got there. Make sure you take extra money if you've got it!

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I just bought a nice 10 Drawer Craftsman top tool box yesterday for 40 bucks which I thought was a really cheap price but it was his asking price. As the guy was unloading it he commented it was kinda sad to see it go for it was his 1st toolbox. Made me think about my 1st tool box which was about the same as the one I bought. I gave it to my Lil Brother when I got a larger set. So I had a quick sentimental moment. But I didnt feel bad about the purchase because in his garage he had a Huge Harley Davidson Edition Snap On box his Brother In-Law GAVE him in perfect condition!!!

 

[l_bilyk]

Don't feel bad. Those craftsman radial saws are not highly regarded, and these days radial arm saws are all but obsolete.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

There is an inherent sadness in almost every collection of tools I buy on CL. There is a connection that folks make with their tools, and they are always sad to see them go.

I was real sad to see my Challenger lift go. To this day I regret it. I have a Snap-On midrise, but I wish I had them both.

 

[arkangel06]

I cry all the way to the bank

 

[shovel]

I've had more remorse of what I didn't buy. Do be careful with the radial arm saw. I built furniture and cabinets for years and wouldn't have one. I think that is is the most dangerous tool you can have in the shop. I also believe they are way too dangerous to sell to the general public. They ought to have some kind of exam to measure common sense and knowledge before somebody could qualify to buy one. I guess that criteria could apply to most tools. Then again, that would probably put Sears and others out of business. Off the soap box....

 

[back2class]

Not yet. There are a few great deals I would have left feeling like a louse if I had haggled them down at all on though like the Mac three teir full of tools I posted recently snagged for $150. That's not saying I could never feel guilty, but that situation has not come up yet.
Closest I think I felt was to that was a few years back before CL when I found an old timer and he was going into a Sr. Living arangement and had 2 weeks to sell off his basement shop. Grabbed a Logan lathe with a ton of accessories and tooling for $150. I injured myself moving it out of his basement alone as it weghs 500 pounds. Also got a new $700 Grizzly 16" planer for $200 from him as well as some little stuff. I could tell it was killing him to part with the stuff but he had no choice and in fact waited too long and had to sell them.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I've had more remorse of what I didn't buy. Do be careful with the radial arm saw. I built furniture and cabinets for years and wouldn't have one. I think that is is the most dangerous tool you can have in the shop. I also believe they are way too dangerous to sell to the general public. They ought to have some kind of exam to measure common sense and knowledge before somebody could qualify to buy one. I guess that criteria could apply to most tools. Then again, that would probably put Sears and others out of business. Off the soap box....

I have a Cman Radial Arm saw that belonged to my Dad and it is absolutey a Carnivore. My dad was cutting some wood, got distracted and lost 1 1/2 fingers. Whenever I use it or my TableSaw or any electric Saw I think about him! Makes me remember how hungry these saws are and how QUICK they can grab you!! :?)

 

[jamesemery728]

I've had more remorse of what I didn't buy. Do be careful with the radial arm saw. I built furniture and cabinets for years and wouldn't have one. I think that is is the most dangerous tool you can have in the shop. I also believe they are way too dangerous to sell to the general public. They ought to have some kind of exam to measure common sense and knowledge before somebody could qualify to buy one. I guess that criteria could apply to most tools. Then again, that would probably put Sears and others out of business. Off the soap box....

+1 on this comment. My Dad had one and I would not go near it. It always grabbed the wood and tried to rip it out of your hands. Don't mean to be a bummer on your good buy, but please do be careful with that saw.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

+1 on this comment. My Dad had one and I would not go near it. It always grabbed the wood and tried to rip it out of your hands. Don't mean to be a bummer on your good buy, but please do be careful with that saw.

I normally use my table saw for ripping wood. But one day we did use the Arm saw to rip about a 1" strip off of a 2x4 the saw grabbed the piece and shot it off like a missle across the garage and put a big dent in the Dryer! Luckily neither of us was standing in front of it! THATS WHY is use my table saw for ripping now!!

 

[Skyline]

I normally use my table saw for ripping wood. But one day we did use the Arm saw to rip about a 1" strip off of a 2x4 the saw grabbed the piece and shot it off like a missle across the garage and put a big dent in the Dryer! Luckily neither of us was standing in front of it! THATS WHY is use my table saw for ripping now!!

I just saw a comment here on blade tooth design that could make a difference on this, but I will never again try to rip anything with my radial arm saw. I've never had any problems cross-cutting though.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I don't think I would try and rip something with a radial arm saw. I use mine for cross cuts.

As for feeling bad on craigslist buys. I don't feel to bad. I have got some screaming deals on tools. I figure since I take good care of my stuff I hope the seller feels like they sold it to someone who will take good care of there old stuff.

 

[rsanter]

only if I find out later that I paid too much for it

bob

 

[charlie_nj]

+1 on this comment. My Dad had one and I would not go near it. It always grabbed the wood and tried to rip it out of your hands. Don't mean to be a bummer on your good buy, but please do be careful with that saw.

This isnt a problem if you use the right blade, i.e. one with a high negative tooth angle or a triple chip grind. Check this out:

 

[slacktide]

+1 on this comment. My Dad had one and I would not go near it. It always grabbed the wood and tried to rip it out of your hands. Don't mean to be a bummer on your good buy, but please do be careful with that saw.

If a radial arm saw is grabbing wood and ripping it out of your hands, then you are using it wrong. Feeding from the wrong end.

Big key to using a radial saw safely is ensuring that it is set up true and the slop is taken out of the arm stop. The owners manual has a pretty extensive section on setup and maintenance. If there is play in the arm, you can get an angular mismatch between the blade and the guide when ripping. This is what causes the blade to bind.

I've been using mine safely since the early '80s.... just need to respect the machine, use the safety features (riving knive and anti-kickback) and understand it's limits.