Look at what I got from the ReStore!

[BlueHeart]

This thread has been a long time in the making. It seems that around here, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the best option for used tools, building supplies and overall good deals.
The best part is that all of the proceeds go to a very good charitable cause.
Post up what you've picked up!

 

[BlueHeart]

A couple more.

 

[BlueHeart]

I paid $10 for the metal cabinet. $15 each for the file cabinets used for tool storage.

 

[BlueHeart]

I paid $25 for the router table. $35 for the lockers.

 

[BlueHeart]

Not too bad for the bits and clamps. A lot of times I purchase these for 25-50% percent off depending on how long they have been there.

 

[BlueHeart]

I paid $20 for the work bench and sanded it down to bare metal, then satin clear coated it. We're going to use it as a computer desk.
The file cabinet was $20 and is used for plumbing, electrical and sanding supplies.

 

[BlueHeart]

I paid $12 each for the base metal cabinets.

 

[BlueHeart]

I paid $5 each for the grinder and hand truck.

 

[MayerMR]

did you leave anything there at the ReStore?!

 

[BlueHeart]

Here's where it got interesting....I needed to figure out more storage in the garage that would keep dust and debris at bay.
I was walking through a couple weeks ago and saw these cabinet doors. I thought, "hmmmm, I like how rustic those are. If I wasn't looking for metal cabinets and had to choose wood, this is what I would look for." Then I saw the price... 99 cents each!
I bought all 36 of them!

 

[BlueHeart]

So as I was walking out....I thought, "I still need a door for the bathroom and mechanical room in the garage.... I'll pick up one of the doors that are from the same deconstruction house project tomorrow. No one else would be interested at $10 each door slab and $10 more for the frame."
I came back the next day, only to see someone was leaving with a couple of the doors strapped down to the top of their blazer!
"****! I thought. Oh well, I best go in and see what is left."
I grabbed 7 closet slider doors, one 24" door and frame and the solid core exterior door. I was thinking, "that isn't too bad at $10 each door with hardware and hinges." I got to the register and found out the hollow cores and frames were "On Special" for a dollar each!
I ended up buying 11 doors total with 2 frames for $30!!!

 

[BlueHeart]

did you leave anything there at the ReStore?!

Haha! Yes I did. I've been saving these pictures up since about January.

At first I wasn't very successful. Then I found out that I was "missing the boat". Turns out some retired guys were going there every morning when they first open and picking up the good deals.
I realized then, that I needed to beat them at their own game....
I typically would go to the ReStore during my lunch since I work about a mile away. Then I started thinking about how I was missing out while I was at work. It dawned on me that I get done around 5:30 PM and the ReStore closes at 6pm.
So now I stop at lunch and then after work too.

 

[driftpin]

The closest to me Habitat ReStore used to have a lot of tools and building materials, now it seems it's like every thrift store accepting furniture you've ever been-in, 90% of the floor space is cast-off furniture. I cannot recall the last time I went in there and got excited about seeing something.

Here's probably the newest tool I ever got from them, a transit. I was actually thinking of buying one to do layout for a garage, & had been perusing CL for one. When I saw this, I checked it out for dings and completeness, and bought it. I don't recall the exact price. I think it was $75-100.

CST-berger 54-200K

I did privately-sell someone there a Delta DP220 drill press in good operational shape, the table casting date was WW II, during the Battle of the Bulge.

 

[BlueHeart]

One of my 1st purchases last summer was this cool looking old school box. It was $10 and i thought it would be cool for storing something or simply for display.
If you look closely, you might be able to see the markings for the business the box came from.
Well, I was going to get it and I picked it up. It was heavy. Something was in it! As you can imagine, I was super stoked when I found the classic B&D 1/2" HD drill inside with the original owners manual.

 

[BlueHeart]

The closest to me Habitat ReStore used to have a lot of tools and building materials, now it seems it's like every thrift store accepting furniture you've ever been-in, 90% of the floor space is cast-off furniture. I cannot recall the last time I went in there and got excited about seeing something.

Here's probably the newest tool I ever got from them, a transit. I was actually thinking of buying one to do layout for a garage, & had been perusing CL for one. When I saw this, I checked it out for dings and completeness, and bought it. I don't recall the exact price. I think it was $75-100.

CST-berger 54-200K

I did privately-sell someone there a Delta DP220 drill press in good operational shape, the table casting date was WW II, during the Battle of the Bulge.

Very cool!

I've actually seen a couple transits at ours. I'm sorry to say, but I let it go to another guy later in the day for $50. I did buy this for $20 that day. There was two of them and this was the nicer one.

 

[bas157]

I got a pair of Channellock Bigazz pliers for (I think it was) $13, new in the package. Haven't needed to open them yet since I haven't need anything that big but for the price I wasn't going to pass them up! Yes, Bigazz, is what Channellock calls them!

 

[Packard V8]

I found out that I was "missing the boat". Turns out some retired guys were going there every morning when they first open and picking up the good deals. I realized then, that I needed to beat them at their own game....

You'll never get there early enough to beat the guys who volunteer a few hours just to get dibs on the really good stuff which is donated. Whether Habitat or any other thrift store, those who work there cream the really good donations. That's the reason they get volunteers.

jack vines

 

[jonshonda]

You'll never get there early enough to beat the guys who volunteer a few hours just to get dibs on the really good stuff which is donated. Whether Habitat or any other thrift store, those who work there cream the really good donations. That's the reason they get volunteers.

jack vines

Not a bad idea. Now where to find the free time?

 

[619DioFan]

I got a pair of Channellock Bigazz pliers for (I think it was) $13, new in the package. Haven't needed to open them yet since I haven't need anything that big but for the price I wasn't going to pass them up! Yes, Bigazz, is what Channellock calls them!

First time you have a stuck oil filter that defeats every attempt at removal by every other tool you own , those channellocks WILL save the day. can't tell you how many times I have used my monster channellocks for that very purpose.

 

[BlueHeart]

I got a pair of Channellock Bigazz pliers for (I think it was) $13, new in the package. Haven't needed to open them yet since I haven't need anything that big but for the price I wasn't going to pass them up! Yes, Bigazz, is what Channellock calls them!

Sweet find! Post up a pic when you get a chance.

 

[BlueHeart]

Not a bad idea. Now where to find the free time?

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Just remember, most charitable organizations have difficulty finding volunteers. Habitat for Humanity isn't any different. Most of the workers I see there are doing the volunteer work as part of community service.
Most of the guys who are retired and are volunteering don't need any tools they find there. They already have it and/or don't need it.

 

[Copymutt]

I quit going to our habitat for humanity store as they decided every thing is designer grade donations and mimic HD prices.
Jim

 

[BlueHeart]

Here's some pics of my "best finds". I got the bandsaw for $45 after using a 25% off coupon. The shop vac was $8.

 

[BlueHeart]

I quit going to our habitat for humanity store as they decided every thing is designer grade donations and mimic HD prices.
Jim

That's too bad Jim. This thread probably isn't for you then. Might cause you to go go crazy with the good deals others have found.

 

[BlueHeart]

You'll never get there early enough to beat the guys who volunteer a few hours just to get dibs on the really good stuff which is donated. Whether Habitat or any other thrift store, those who work there cream the really good donations. That's the reason they get volunteers.

jack vines

While you may be correct, it's just like fishing... I don't stop and turn around at the boat launch when I see another boat in the water.
Besides, volunteers and employees aren't allowed to buy while on the clock. They also can't run the till for their own purchase.
I went into this realizing that I wouldn't always "get the deal." It makes it that much more special when I do.

 

[driftpin]

Isn't the correct term for monster channellocks , "water pump pliers?"
I have a Craftsman pair I bought new probably 40 years ago to work on spas and hot tubs, for their fittings.

The best tools I have found for working on recalcitrant oil filters are either the exact-size 'caps' that fit into the end of the cartridge, or one of those three-arm articulating ones that also fit the end, and which grip the sides of the cartridge. I have one small one and one big one.

I agree about the prices going up, I haven't seen much that I would consider a 'steal' in some time. They get a lot of furniture donated from City Furniture, which is also Ashley Furniture, I believe. City Furniture started in Ft. Lauderdale, it was originally called, "Waterbed City" back in the 1970's.

They also get a lot of upscale luminaires from I think some importer, and while the prices are less-than new, the lights are often broken or missing parts, and there is a big sign saying, "Replacement parts ARE NOT Available for these lights!" I would like to see them selling those for ten cents on the dollar, but it's more-like 1/3 of MSRP, not a 'deal' for incomplete, broken fixtures. I've seen tags on their stuff from two years ago, still waiting to be sold. I guess they do move stuff, because their shelves aren't overflowing. I think they act on the "sell it high until the sales fall-off" model.

First time you have a stuck oil filter that defeats every attempt at removal by every other tool you own , those channellocks WILL save the day. can't tell you how many times I have used my monster channellocks for that very purpose.

 

[BlueHeart]

Wow, didn't realize how miserable it is to live outside of Michigan. Lol.
I used to travel for work and might have the ability to stop at 5-7 different stores a week. Every store was different. Each had their own "niche". Maybe you guys need to check out some other towns?

Back to the premise of this thread, I will POST some PICTURES of some other things I've picked up.
$45 for the ladder. $8 for the homemade material stand, $22 for the Utilitub.

 

[driftpin]

I lived in MI, went to school there, and moved out of the Rust/Snow Belt as soon as I could. While I still go back to visit, I'm glad I don't have to live there year-round.

It's a long trip to other ReStores, I've bought good deals at the store I usually frequent, and I know the manager. It's just that they don't get in as-much building supplies as they once did, same for tools. Some people wanted to push-out the building supplies entirely and turn it into a furniture thrift store.

Wow, didn't realize how miserable it is to live outside of Michigan. Lol.
I used to travel for work and might have the ability to stop at 5-7 different stores a week. Every store was different. Each had their own "niche". Maybe you guys need to check out some other towns?

Back to the premise of this thread, I will POST some PICTURES of some other things I've picked up.
$45 for the ladder. $8 for the homemade material stand, $22 for the Utilitub.

 

[Stuart in MN]

These came from the ReStore. A set of 1/4" drive Craftsman -V- series deep sockets in a neat little metal box, and a 6" "wide open" Diamond adjustable wrench. It was a couple years ago so I don't remember exactly, but I believe the sockets were $5 and the wrench was $3.

 

[Coach James]

One of my 1st purchases last summer was this cool looking old school box. It was $10 and i thought it would be cool for storing something or simply for display.
If you look closely, you might be able to see the markings for the business the box came from.
Well, I was going to get it and I picked it up. It was heavy. Something was in it! As you can imagine, I was super stoked when I found the classic B&D 1/2" HD drill inside with the original owners manual.

I hate you. If that B&D drill works, I'm going to get my friends to hate you too.



A+ score on that one!

Coach

 

[gnpenning]

Our rehab store has been very good to me. The old manager would make me deals I couldn't refuse. I bought 15 sheets of 2" blue board, 11 full size for$40. I picked up a large air filtration system will extra filters for$15. About 2xs the size of my Delta one. No cfm or or other information , but it can move the air.

When they changed managers the new one put about 1/2 the inventory up for free. 5 file cabinets free, filled with plumbing and electrical parts,free. I'm surprised how much I've used already. Metal bed frames, free. Kick myself from not getting more as they cut and weld better than I was told. I can't even remember everything. I try and go in a couple times a month, and buy things I need. Money goes to a good cause.

 

[racinfarmer]

And I thought I was killing it when I scored a bunch of slatwall from the ReStore for $8, then a few months later 40-50 hooks for it for a nickel a piece.

 

[SRX]

I grabbed 7 closet slider doors, one 24" door and frame and the solid core exterior door. I was thinking, "that isn't too bad at $10 each door with hardware and hinges." I got to the register and found out the hollow cores and frames were "On Special" for a dollar each! I ended up buying 11 doors total with 2 frames for $30!!!

I have the same solid core exterior door on my 1950's ranch.

 

[BlueHeart]

I lived in MI, went to school there, and moved out of the Rust/Snow Belt as soon as I could. While I still go back to visit, I'm glad I don't have to live there year-round.

It's a long trip to other ReStores, I've bought good deals at the store I usually frequent, and I know the manager. It's just that they don't get in as-much building supplies as they once did, same for tools. Some people wanted to push-out the building supplies entirely and turn it into a furniture thrift store.

I guess different strokes for different folks.
You would have to pay me more than I make in a year to live in Florida.
Of course, I think the same way about anywhere in Michigan that's south of Cadillac. For those that don't know that much about the state's geography, Detroit is almost 4 hours south traveling by freeway.

 

[BlueHeart]

These came from the ReStore. A set of 1/4" drive Craftsman -V- series deep sockets in a neat little metal box, and a 6" "wide open" Diamond adjustable wrench. It was a couple years ago so I don't remember exactly, but I believe the sockets were $5 and the wrench was $3.

Nice finds! I love metal tool boxes. Everything is throwaway now.

 

[BlueHeart]

I hate you. If that B&D drill works, I'm going to get my friends to hate you too.



A+ score on that one!

Coach

Thanks! The "all metal" aspect is awesome. That's the only reason I picked up this sander...and the price. Ten bucks.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I never seem to find anything good at local restore. They price everything like it's made of platinum

 

[BlueHeart]

And I thought I was killing it when I scored a bunch of slatwall from the ReStore for $8, then a few months later 40-50 hooks for it for a nickel a piece.

Thanks! I went a long time before I "learned the game".

 

[BlueHeart]

I have the same solid core exterior door on my 1950's ranch.

That door is Awesome! My wife is totally into mid century modern, but doesn't understand my affection for these classic, excellent constructed doors.

 

[BlueHeart]

I never seem to find anything good at local restore. They price everything like it's made of platinum

It's possible that you are just like I was...going in at the wrong time. I'm very fortunate that I can get in there when I do. Sometimes I've "seen" some stuff that has been donated, but isn't out on the floor for sale. It's long gone before I make it back...2 hours later!