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First Tool Buy...

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tecster

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Jun 11, 2013
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So I need to stock my garage, I have absolutely no tools. I found an ad on Craigslist that said,

Craigslist said:
Huge garage sale everything must go
Have everything from generators, compressors, drill press,
glass refrigerator, metal shelves, metal cabinets, tool chests,
Antique bicycles, green house, boxes of nails, hammers, saws, air guns, power tools,
Ratchets, and lots more

Need to be gone in 2 weeks
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I messaged the person, apparently they bought repair store and have tools and parts to fix any generator compressor and have just about every tool known to man...

My question is, how do I know what's a lowball offer and what isn't? I mean, I'd love to walk in there, give him $100 and walk out with the drill press and a tool chest full of tool sets but I doubt that will happen.
 
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2oolhound

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You need a buddy to go with you who can advise.

Depending on what types of work you want to do and what the best bargains are there is how you can determine where to put your money.
 
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tecster

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I have no friends that are good with tools...alot of my friends have Mommy & Daddy feed them with the silver spoon.
 
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Mohawk Dave

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start reading the forum and looking at CL. Find stuff on CL that you think is cool, then google what it costs new, then search here and read reviews of said item. Rinse and repeat.
 
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Outlawmws

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Also read through the:
Garage sale thread (Pricing hints)
Tool boxes of GJ,
Vintage tool boxes of GJ,
Vises of GJ...
 
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Givl Reggin

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If you're starting out completely fresh, why do you want used?

If I were you I'd buy what you need when you need it and get the best quality you can find.
 
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tecster

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toolstools said:
If you're comfortable with it, maybe a fellow member could help you out local to you. Beer is a great method of payment for most.
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That'd be awesome!

Givl Reggin said:
If you're starting out completely fresh, why do you want used?

If I were you I'd buy what you need when you need it and get the best quality you can find.
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I NEED such a wide variety that buying used makes more sense. I could start a list but that might take too long.
 
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j.c.whitney

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Keep an eye on the GJ classifieds, also the Hot Deals thread. Patience, luck, and diligence pay off. You can often get large sets of brand new Craftsman USA hand tools at Sears for 50% off. Buy some Williams or Wiha screwdrivers. Buy a used toolbox, start with something bigger than you think you might need. If you are unsure of a purchase, post it up here and someone will know if the price is right.
 
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Mohawk Dave

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Givl Reggin said:
If you're starting out completely fresh, why do you want used?

If I were you I'd buy what you need when you need it and get the best quality you can find.
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All due respect, this makes no sense at all to me. I buy used. I'm on a Craftsman budget, but got Snap On and Mac etc b/c I buy used. Better quality and more cost effective (read: cheaper). Trying to be a wise steward of my dollar, b/c you know what they say, A fool and his money....
 
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B-Well

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Most certainly buying used is the most feasible choice. No need to drop thousands on tools if you don't use them all day every day (still not a valid reason either) Look for hand tool brands that have lifetime warranties so you will have nothing to worry about when you use a huge cheater bar, pry with a screw driver, hammer with a ratchet, ect. (everyone does it, at least on occasion)

Also stray away from Chinese made tools and equipment as much as possible.
Name brand items are usually repairable and easy to locate parts. not to mention they last much longer and work better
 
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Givl Reggin

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Mohawk Dave said:
All due respect, this makes no sense at all to me.
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I'm weird that way - I like new stuff! :) I think purchasing something new makes it "really yours" on some more personal level. Plus, you have a better selection in stock to choose from - you get exactly what you want, when you want it - And if you buy local you have a LOCAL contact to deal with if there are issues either initially or down the road.
 
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mattamd_xp

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What part of CT? You don't have to give a town, but if you're close to the Springfield, MA/Hartford area I could probably help you out.
 
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jakemac

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If you're in eastern CT, try making time to go up to The Tool Shed in Worchester, MA. The tool selection is hit or miss, but it's really cheap. I just got a MAC fender skirt and a 14v Dewalt battery for $6.00 each last week, and that was at the end of their sales week after the shop had already been pawed through for 4 days. Most sockets are 50¢-$2.00 each depending on size. Wrenches are in the $1-$4 range. The tool cabinets are a little pricey for their condition though. Better to find one on CL for less.

Try googling "used tools" in CT, RI, and MA for other shops closer to you. You may find something that you can 'day trip' to, just to browse and see what you might stumble onto. Take some family/friends and make it a road trip.
 
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Mohawk Dave

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Givl Reggin said:
I'm weird that way - I like new stuff! :) I think purchasing something new makes it "really yours" on some more personal level. Plus, you have a better selection in stock to choose from - you get exactly what you want, when you want it - And if you buy local you have a LOCAL contact to deal with if there are issues either initially or down the road.
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All true. If I had big money I'd buy new b/c it feels good and life is short. Truth be told I buy a lot of stuff I do not need now, but will eventually.

My gf loves it, b/c whenever she does some artsy/craftsy thing, I got the tool for her:thumbup:

If I won the lotto....small house, big shop, many dogs, and go crazy on the SO catalog. lol
 
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tecster

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mattamd_xp said:
What part of CT? You don't have to give a town, but if you're close to the Springfield, MA/Hartford area I could probably help you out.
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I'm in Enfield, the guy is down in Bristol who I found the ad for.


jakemac said:
If you're in eastern CT, try making time to go up to The Tool Shed in Worchester, MA. The tool selection is hit or miss, but it's really cheap. I just got a MAC fender skirt and a 14v Dewalt battery for $6.00 each last week, and that was at the end of their sales week after the shop had already been pawed through for 4 days. Most sockets are 50¢-$2.00 each depending on size. Wrenches are in the $1-$4 range. The tool cabinets are a little pricey for their condition though. Better to find one on CL for less.

Try googling "used tools" in CT, RI, and MA for other shops closer to you. You may find something that you can 'day trip' to, just to browse and see what you might stumble onto. Take some family/friends and make it a road trip.
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Thanks Jake, I'll give that a try. Trust me, if I could justify to both myself and the girlfriend the need to spend thousands on tools - I would! But the fact I can get tools with a lifetime warranty that were Made in 'Murcia and save a few bucks I will. I guess I'm patience poor! Haha there is a local pawn shop, they have power washers out front - maybe I'll take a step inside.
 
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dare23

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With all due respect you need to do a little research. We can't tell you all the tools you need. If you don't know how much to offer for a drill press chances are you don't need one.

Do a search I am sure I have seen threads on beginner tool kit, just starting out etc.

I think the tool kit you posted from Sears is a decent start.

You will need to add large adj wrench, pipe wrench various screwdrivers, various pliers, channellocks, vise grips, hammer, wood saw and hacksaws, cordless drill, drill bits, tape measure, level square, a tool box to hold all of this stuff.
This would be considered basic needs for owning a house. I am sure I have missed a bunch of stuff as well.
Circular saw would be handy, mitre saw, hammer drill, a ladder, clamps, a vice.

Understanding what you need and learning about tools is part of the fun.
 
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mikeburris

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I would think if you price new version of whatever tool you are looking at and half that you are about the high end of what a tool is worth used. You can start going down from there and decide how much of a bargain you are getting. Of course there will be differences for specialty tools. Then there is ebay to compare used prices with also.
 
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Danglerb

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Just starting out I think buying a full set of somebodies used tools is a great way to go. Selling a full set of tools for a good price is hard since most people already own a fair amount of tools that want a big tool set, so they either need to buy just a few or sell off a bunch. Either way that usually means the lot goes much cheaper than individual items.

Give some thought to what you plan to work on, no sense buying SAE if you have a Toyota.

Watch for incomplete tool sets, or boxes that have been cherry picked of all the good items leaving the junk.

Don't worry about low balling, the seller will say no, and you can plead ignorance.

Don't expect much from craigslist, don't travel great distances, or believe what a seller tells you. Plan on it taking several attempts to find a good deal, but who knows, it could happen on the first one.
 
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skippy24

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Oct 31, 2012
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Reno, NV
I think you have to ask yourself a couple of questions first. What do you plane to use the tolls for? Is it just to have some basic homeowner type tools, do you plan to fix up your cars, will you need to use them on a professional basis or count on them to make you money? Also how often do you plan on using them. Do you need them now for an important project or do you think you might need them a few years down the road. The you can research what will work best for you. For prices on Craigslist and such research this site, ebay, etc. and get a good feel of what a tool would go for. If the price they are asking for is in the ballpark you think it is worth then offer 25% less. In my experience you two will often meet in the middle and it turns out to be an acceptable deal for both parties.

On the other hand if this tool is needed immediately for a reason to fix an emergency like broken plumbing or to get your car running to go to work I would not screw around with Craigslist but would head over to Sears, HD, or HF and just get the tool needed.
 
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tecster

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spongerich

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IMO buying SAE tools used is the only way to go. You can find great quality tools for pennies on the dollar as compared to buying new. Used metric tools are a little harder to find, but they're out there if you're patient.

As to what you'll need, start with the basics.

- Complete set 3/8" drive ratchets, sockets, and extensions.
- Complete set combination wrenches 1/8" up to 1"
- A good assortment of screwdrivers
- A variety of hammers.
- Some 1/4" drive ratchets and sockets for smaller sizes
- Some 1/2" drive ratchets and sockets for larger sizes
- 1/2" drive breaker bars.
- Assorted vice grips, pliers, wire cutters, strippers.
- Assorted punches and chisels.
- Allen wrenches (buy 'em by the box full at garage sales for $1.00/lb)

There was lots of industry in your area, which = lots of old guys with good tool collections = good selection and low prices. No reason you shouldn't be able to put together a nice starter set along with a decent Craftsman box for < $100.

Once you've decided what you like working on, then you can look to upgrade the tools that you seem to use the most.

Unless you're a professional mechanic, keeping an eye out for used tool bargains will save you thousands of dollars.
 
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Midman914

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tecster said:
What about something like this?

http://www.mygofer.com/craftsman-25...255000P?prdNo=29&sid=MAx20110201x000001&aff=Y
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If it were me this is the one I would pick up, especially if it is still USA made. Then add the screwdriver set you posted. This will get you a good start on working on your truck. You can't beat $149 for a 255 piece set. Do the math, less than a dollar a tool. I can only how much that stuff would be if bought individually. You will soon see the things that you need to supplement your set. That's when the fun begins. Nothing better than picking up a new tool. Also, you might really like wrenching and go off and build up a set of tools from another brand you decidedly prefer, but for now this is a quality buy in. Don't overlook HF either. They have some good stuff at dirt cheep prices if you do a little research. Their composite ratchet got really good reviews, so I decided to check it out, and low and behold, it's a really good wrench. So don't completely write them off.
 
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tecster

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Midman914 said:
If it were me this is the one I would pick up, especially if it is still USA made. Then add the screwdriver set you posted. This will get you a good start on working on your truck. You can't beat $149 for a 255 piece set. Do the math, less than a dollar a tool. I can only how much that stuff would be if bought individually. You will soon see the things that you need to supplement your set. That's when the fun begins. Nothing better than picking up a new tool. Also, you might really like wrenching and go off and build up a set of tools from another brand you decidedly prefer, but for now this is a quality buy in. Don't overlook HF either. They have some good stuff at dirt cheep prices if you do a little research. Their composite ratchet got really good reviews, so I decided to check it out, and low and behold, it's a really good wrench. So don't completely write them off.
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I've considered putting together a tool set with HF stuff...their hand tools are lifetime guarantee. If I went that route, I would get all my sockets as impacts. I had their 1/2 in drive ratchet - worked awesome. Till my old man stole it...
 
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mattamd_xp

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tecster said:
225 Piece Mechanics Set $149.99
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That was one of the 1st purchases I made years ago when I first needed tools. Best value for what you get. Esp if you can find one still USA made. Enfield sears tends not to move too much craftsman stuff, so you should be able to find one USA, if not try the one in Springfield as I've had pretty good luck with USA stuff there recently. Going with this one allows you to have another $50 to pick up the tools that aren't included. I'd skip the Craftsman cheap screwdrivers though, Harbor Freight has a 22 piece set for about $12 with coupons that is about the same quality as that set is now. Figure out what tools you need that aren't in the set and then check out the Harbor Freight good tools thread to see which ones you need that you can get there. Also, never buy anything at Harbor Freight without a coupon, the coupons are too easy to find and save a good bit of money too.
 
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tecster

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mattamd_xp said:
That was one of the 1st purchases I made years ago when I first needed tools. Best value for what you get. Esp if you can find one still USA made. Enfield sears tends not to move too much craftsman stuff, so you should be able to find one USA, if not try the one in Springfield as I've had pretty good luck with USA stuff there recently. Going with this one allows you to have another $50 to pick up the tools that aren't included. I'd skip the Craftsman cheap screwdrivers though, Harbor Freight has a 22 piece set for about $12 with coupons that is about the same quality as that set is now. Figure out what tools you need that aren't in the set and then check out the Harbor Freight good tools thread to see which ones you need that you can get there. Also, never buy anything at Harbor Freight without a coupon, the coupons are too easy to find and save a good bit of money too.
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I think that's what I will end up doing, my concern is the HF screw drivers ****, girlfriends father has a brand new set he let me borrow to put up a picture in the house... I went to turn the screw and the damn thing spun inside the handle.
 
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ihasmiata?

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tecster said:
I think that's what I will end up doing, my concern is the HF screw drivers ****, girlfriends father has a brand new set he let me borrow to put up a picture in the house... I went to turn the screw and the damn thing spun inside the handle.
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Same with the nut drivers! I used a set I bought my 4 year old to put in his little tool box since they were cheap. Ended up trying to use the 10mm one and it spun in the handle


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
 
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mattamd_xp

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tecster

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Alright so I think I might try to grab a halfway decent set of screwdrivers & pliers from HF, and the 255 piece tool set from Sears praying I can grab one that's USA. I'd like to get a HF box like "Steve-O"(SP?) did for his garage.
 
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