Tool Finds, what do you do with them...

[rcsec]

I've started hitting the flea market, pawn shops, CL & ebay to replace a few missing tools and expand my set. I'm just a DIYer so I'm pretty after basic tools. What do you do with your extra & mis-matched tools you pick up? If I'm trying to track down a couple of sockets or wrenches is my best bet to place an add in the Classified?
Thanks,
Ray

 

[Danglerb]

Buy a second tool box (or just a storage box), attempt to sort and come up with a for sale and trade list.

Posting in the classified section here is very effective, and the flat rate priority mail box is your friend. Next step, ebay.

When buying at a pawn or flea, pick up what you want yourself, then if you see anything interesting that might sell or trade add that too and get a total price. If the total doesn't suit you after some back and forth, ask for a price on each of the items you don't really want yourself, then put them back and give the person the difference. Say the best total you can get is $30, and the seller tells you he wants $5 for each of two Cresent wrenches, which you put back and then hold out a twenty to pay for the rest.

 

[MattT]

I've started hitting the flea market, pawn shops, CL & ebay to replace a few missing tools and expand my set. I'm just a DIYer so I'm pretty after basic tools. What do you do with your extra & mis-matched tools you pick up? If I'm trying to track down a couple of sockets or wrenches is my best bet to place an add in the Classified?
Thanks,
Ray

Posting in classifieds is worth a try or if it's only a few items you could add it to your Sig. There's a fair number of folks on here that sell off extras. If it's a few low cost items you ideally need to find someone that has everything you need to keep shipping costs reasonable.

 

[JSBriggs]

I am using my 'extras' to build a dedicated road set of tools to take on road trips/trail runs etc. I started by filling in holes of tools that I needed or had been lost, and in the process have run across other brands that I wouldn't have sought out before. Now some of those have become my favorites.

There is the WANTED sticky thread in the classified. It also depends on your budget/level of patience/how soon you need them etc.

-Jeff

 

[Gary S]

I don't buy extra or mismatched tools unless they are something I really need. For me, having tools I don't need is a waste of money and space. My tools all need to be in my toolbox for a reason.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I put my extra and mismatched tools in my second toolbox, I keep a running list of what I have in that box and watch the classified for what I need to complete sets, if anything doesn't make progress towards becoming complete I put it up for sale in the classifieds.

Erik

 

[spongerich]

I usually put stuff in the classifieds here first. Eventually, I'll bundle the leftovers and toss them on eBay or take them to a consignment auction. Better to get a few bucks back then accumulate 300 wrenches that I'll need to explain to my wife when she opens my toolbox to get a screwdriver.

Overall, I've done well that way. I've probably kept $500 worth of tools, parts, toolboxes etc at auctions/fleas/garage sales and paid for it all by picking up underpriced stuff to flip.

There's also the karma aspect. I've found a few pieces that I know some folks around here collect and been happy to turn it around and break even... makes me feel good!

 

[4x4gearhead]

Never hurts to have extras though i wrench for a living i have found having extra stuff at home can be helpful when youre in a bind and need to make a tool to get something done instead of driving 45 mins to the shop (for me) or sometimes even worse; Buying a tool!

 

[lowbucktruck]

Extra tools (wrenches, sockets, ratchets) make up my backup tool kit and road boxes; not pretty/polished and mismatched, but they get the job done. When shopping around at garage sales, flea markets etc. I have my own wish list, plus I'm looking for stuff for my dad, father-in-law and other family members as well. Put together a tool set of second-had tool finds for my nephew and put it all in a box for him; he loved it.

 

[crewchief888]

i keep the extras, replace lesser quality stuff i ave , with better quality. the "lesser" stuff gets put in one of the trucks, or kept in the house for those little projects.
ive given away a lot of tools to a friend that just never seemed to have anything except dollar store tools.

 

[oak_park]

Take some of the extras you've gotten real cheap to the Flea market, I usually carry a few Snap On wrenches or Craftsman ratchets I've bought for a dollar or two for trading for something better or something I need.

 

[rsanter]

I have a spares box I keep them in. I add to them little by little till they are complete enough to sell
I will also sell spares as singles or use them as back ups if I break or loose something

bob

 

[RRmech]

I always had two separate sets of tools.
One for work (SAE), and one for home (Metric).
I'm a yard sale/flea market/pawn shop tool junkie.
So RARELY would I pass up, a GOOD deal, on used American-made tools.
Whatever "extra" tools I didn't need, I'd give to my son, for his automotive repair garage.

Steve.