First Pawn Shop Buys

[briandrex]

So I went to the local pawn shop yesterday to kill sometime and went through the wrench bins. I looked for anything USA and this is what I can up with. Didn't have alot of time so left a bunch behind and didn't even hit the socket bins. Here is what I got. I think I did pretty well and wanted to see what others think that are more pawn shop savvy than me.

Proto Challenger Model 6124 USA 3/4 - $0.59
Bonney Model 1166 USA 3/4 - $0.59
Master Mechanic T6122 USA 11/16 $0.99
Husky 33513 USA 13mm $0.29
SK Model 8321 USA 21mm $0.99
Barcaloy Buffalo USA 3/4 $0.79
Penens Chicago Corp USA 11/16 $0.59
Proto 323426 USA 26mm/24mm $0.99

I'm going to look at sockets today. Outside of the truck brands what is a good price to pay on good USA sockets like Proto, Williams, SK, etc? I'm pretty good with what Craftsman, Snap On, Matco and MAC go for. I'd love to keep building my set piece by piece with some of the old stuff. More fun than buying whole sets IMO.

Also have to say my favorite from yesterday is the Bonney wrench. Feels really good in my hand and would love to slowly find more of them. I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt! lol

 

[redline380]

don't know much about the pawn shop as i've only bought one snap on metric 1/4 drive socket set with a time saver for $55. not a steal but not terrible.

if you are looking for the old stuff, i'd recommend swap meets. car/snowmobile/four wheeler, whatever kind of swap meets will have a ton of junk, and in all that junk there will be some really good deals. not to mention the prices are highly negotiable. either that or estate sales will always have a tool box with a bunch of old, quality usa tools. sometimes the whole bx will go for less than $100, making each piece very cheap.

 

[briandrex]

Thanks redline I will have to check out the swap meets and the estate sales. Never been to the garage and estate sales but it sounds like some good deals can be had from what I have read on this site.

 

[Wi Fire 10]

If you know the right places incredible deals are to be had. A couple of the local pawn shops by me sell sockets for 10 cents a piece, others want a dollar a piece (i stay away from them). I just got 44 USA sockets for $3.60 last week at pawn shops. Brands like SK, cornwell, craftsman, proto, williams, plomb. Ask if they would give you a deal like x/$1.00. Anywhere between 3-10 for a dollar is a steal for USA brands.
At the garage sales and estate sales make sure to get there early or you will miss out. Like as soon as they open or 5 min before.

 

[woody 73]

Fantastic good deal great score

 

[NWphotog]

Not a criticism but who wants mismatched sockets or wrenches? If you lost a tool to fill in or a set in the truck or tractor maybe. But even then I would want a set.

 

[briandrex]

Not a criticism but who wants mismatched sockets or wrenches? If you lost a tool to fill in or a set in the truck or tractor maybe. But even then I would want a set.

I just have a tool addiction and like USA made stuff. Not much more to it than that. Can you really have too many tools or boxes for that matter? lol

I'm in my late 30s and gave up drinking and partying long ago. This is my new rush!

 

[zuk123]

When I'm figuring what I want to pay, I count 4/1$ on sockets, and $1 each for screwdrivers, nut runners, or wrenches. Then when they guy does his count, I've got some room to come up, or walk away (without doing a lot of math in my head.)

There seem to be 2 types of shops, one where they WANT to sell, and one where they don't. The 'don't" guys want $3 each for sockets, $5-20 for wrenches, etc.

I usually try to take a big pile of stuff to the counter and ask, "where do you think we are for this." Most won't count or price every single thing when you put them on the spot. They arm wave and toss out a number. That's when you say, "Ok, sounds good" or "oh, I was thinking more like **." Either way, be polite and leave personality out of it. It's only a sale, not a competition! Be ready to pay or walk.

I generally avoid anything that needs air or power, just because they usually need repair too, and I've got projects stacked up already!

Post what you get up in the 2013 Garage sale thread, it covers estate and pawn sales too. Lots of support and co-dependency there

zuk

 

[kc-steve]

Not a criticism but who wants mismatched sockets or wrenches? If you lost a tool to fill in or a set in the truck or tractor maybe. But even then I would want a set.

You haven't looked inside many mechanics tools drawers in real life have you. I don't think anyone WANTS mismatched tools, but I have several uncompleted sets where I keep an eye out for certain items to fill the gaps. Some are going to be difficult, but in the end, I'll have some excellent sets. The OP has the potential for some excellent sets there IMO. They still work great as intended either way.

Steve

 

[zuk123]

NWphotog- You can build a really nice box full of solid american made (or euro, or japan, if that's your thing) a few pieces at a time for pennies on the dollar.

If you already have a socket set (maybe chi-wan ****) to use when you just need to turn a bolt, you can upgrade at your leisure and as opportunity presents itself. that saves a TON of money.

You could easily flip your question on its head and ask "who needs to buy matched sets of tools they rarely use, at full retail price, especially if they go into debt to do it?"

There are valid answers to that question too, like a mechanic who needs to be equipped RIGHT NOW to make his living, but that doesn't describe everyone.

And for a lot of guys, the joy is in the hunt, like any hobby.

zuk

 

[Thumper]

Ya did good...

 

[2mJps]

Not a criticism but who wants mismatched sockets or wrenches? If you lost a tool to fill in or a set in the truck or tractor maybe. But even then I would want a set.

I worked as a mechanic at one time and have matched sets but a lot of older guys i worked with didnt and all of my buddys that never made a liveing wrenching dont have sets. Notheing wrong with ether way. I have a lot of mismatch tools and plan to make up a set to use out side the shop.

 

[dandan111]

Good buys. Stuff isnt that cheap where I go. I have mismatched stuff. Just get a wrench rack,organization is everything.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

Don't know why but I love the way those Buffalo wrenches look and feel. I've got a few. I've got more standard size stuff than I know what to do with. Always on the lookout for old metric now

 

[kc-steve]

I first noticed this while throwing a bunch of used wrenches into a box, that some of the older high-quality wrenches had a certain ring to them when they hit the other wrenches. It probably has to do with their alloys and hardening processes, but it certainly is a different ring than say the typical import tools' thud.

Steve

 

[jmm]

You did very well. I'm a very big fan of those Proto double open ends.

That Penens Chicago wrench looks like a Stahlwille...never seen one like that before.

 

[cburnscrx]

I love me some pawn shop! It's where I get almost all of my power tools! You can pick up DeWalt stuff for half price or less all day long around here if you know what you're looking for.

 

[sensei_]

Not a criticism but who wants mismatched sockets or wrenches? If you lost a tool to fill in or a set in the truck or tractor maybe. But even then I would want a set.

maybe the OP just wants a honest, quality, and well priced tool. who doesnt care less about a set other than having all the sizes present.

 

[2oolhound]

My 1st tools were cobbled together sets of mismatched pieces. When you looked at the job at hand you would think OK, I need my bonney 9/16, an 11/16th, a 4" exten..... and so on. The point is you could actually visualize the tools you needed in your mind and they were quick to spot in your box as a result. I kinda miss that now that I've gone and gotten matching sets of most everything.

 

[sberry]

Doesnt matter to me if they are matched or not.

 

[briandrex]

maybe the OP just wants a honest, quality, and well priced tool. who doesnt care less about a set other than having all the sizes present.

I have matched sets already but I just love tools which is why most of us are here right?

I figure I will use these and the ones I like I might try to build a set around and the others I'll trade or sell or just keep. My tools are great to use and they make me smile. What more can you ask for?

I own my own construction company and my garage gives me a place to decompress from work. Somehow picking through tools at the pawn shop or going through my tool boxes is like a form of therapy for me. I'm not a drinker so an ice tea in the summer or coffee in the winter out in the garage is like a piece of heaven on earth. Just how I feel