Used Tools???? What do you buy?

[bcradio]

I'm curious to see what tools you buy new vs used. Obviously, most of you would buy used wrenches without hesitation, but what about other things?

Would you buy either of these used, and if so what to look for on a used model to insure it is good?

1. A fluke clamp meter or multimeter used?
2. An air hammer used? (how to tell if its completely worn out or not)

 

[warmpancakes]

I wont buy electric or used air tools unless they are dirt cheap. As in if they are junk im not pissed with the money lost . Passed on a mg725 last week for 65.00 bucks because he couldnt show it worked, rebuild would be 135 so id have 200 into a gun that can be grabbed off ebay for 175 new in box

 

[bcradio]

Thats what I'm concerned with as well. These will most likely be purchased used on ebay as there is not a huge used market locally where I can actually see these first hand prior to purchasing.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I usually buy new, but I have bought used automotive specialty tools off of ebay because the price for a new one is cost prohibitive.

Over the years I did get a few used tools out of the bargain bucket on the snap on truck. This included a rebuilt air ratchet, and a rebuilt PH3050 air hammer that kicks but. My first roll away was bought used off of the snap on truck for around $100. Someone traded it in earlier in the day.

I still use it 26 years later. I think I paid $50 or $75 for the craftsman box on the right when a friend upgraded to a massive snap on box about 20 years ago.

Chris

 

[Outlawmws]

If it's testable before laying out $$, sure.

I've bought plenty of used power tools, but if I can't test them (plug in electric) then unless they are incredibly cheap, or I need it for parts, I'll pass.

For air you can usually hand turn the output and see if the air motor inside gives off a "pop, pop, pop" sound and if it does it's likely good to go.

Battery tools I almost never buy, as you just don't know how much life is left in the batteries.

 

[canuckian]

for me, I won't buy electronic (ie. meters) or cordless tools used. You just never know what kind of life they've had. For air tools, I'll take a chance on a new one from a non authorized source (ie. snap on from ebay) if the price is right and if they accept returns and I'll buy a lightly used one if it's a deal or if I can try it out first. Hand tools no problem.

 

[BJ42LX]

Used:
- tool boxes
- grinders and buffers
- hammers (Brass, copper, dead-blow)
- pliers (if they're tight)
- ratchets
- sockets (in good condition)
- vises

New:
- pliers
- sockets
- ratchets
- vises (ok, I've only bought one new Wilton)
- anything with a battery

I've looked at several used chainsaws. They all looked like a big headache. I'm getting a new Stihl for Christmas.

 

[nanofrog]

Used Flukes can offer quite a bargain, but you have to be patient, and make sure they're working (and include the fuses).

A lot of used Flukes on eBay are missing one or both fuses, or they're blown. Not as inexpensive to replace as you might think, particularly once you figure in shipping.

Also ask the seller specific questions (are the fuses included, have them take pictures of each range during a particular measurement/test, ...).

 

[maddawg308]

I rarely buy new anything in tools. If it's used and in good working order, what's the problem? You are still getting a good tool, you're just not spending as much as if you buy it new. Plus, I buy American tools. Period. Paragraph. The only way foreign tools come into my house is if I buy a whole toolbox and the Chicom **** comes with it, and those I sell for a discount ASAP. So I buy used tools, because it's getting harder to find American made tools brand new in the stores.

I don't want this thread to turn into a "what's wrong with Chinese tools?" theme on account of me. If you're American and don't like supporting American businesses go F yourself and don't reply. I simply wanted to state why I buy used tools, because that seems to be the only way to get USA tools for a decent price anymore.

 

[Egghaus]

Pretty much any used hand tool if the price is right. I get used air tools from the Snap On man since I can test them on the spot and he practically gives them away. Got a Blue-Point AT700F air ratchet, 2010 date code for $20 last week. I've been hesitant on cordless tools, but I bought a used Bosch 18v Lithium impact driver a few weeks ago because it looked hardly used and the price was too good to pass up. Batteries were marked 2011 and I figure the Li-ion don't have the memory issues of Ni-cad.

 

[bcradio]

some good suggestions here. I hadn't thought about fuses for the Flukes. I will have to shop around online. Do multimeters lose calibration often?

 

[Packard V8]

I'm curious to see what tools you buy new vs used. Obviously, most of you would buy used wrenches without hesitation, but what about other things?

Everything used. When I go into a retail tool department, I'm in shock and awe of the asking prices.

I had long wanted a small metal cutting bandsaw but just never found the right deal until yesterday. An older but like-new Dayton for $75 which is still in the Grainger catalog for $469. Bonus - the PO had added heavy duty wheels which are in the catalog at $50.

Every once in a great while I guess wrong on a used power tool, but they're usually cheap enough it's not much pain. The twenty perfectly good ones make up for the one bad one.

X2 on not buying used battery power tools. Impossible to test a battery. It may spin up fine running free but pull down and die in 30-seconds of use. But then, I try to stay away from battery powered tools altogether. They are the cold nuclear fusion scam of our day. They promise to free us from power cords, but don't last, total FU pricing on replacements and go obsolete every three weeks. Rant over.

jack vines

 

[bcradio]

Everything used. When I go into a retail tool department, I'm in shock and awe of the asking prices.

I had long wanted a small metal cutting bandsaw but just never found the right deal until yesterday. An older but like-new Dayton for $75 which is still in the Grainger catalog for $469. Bonus - the PO had added heavy duty wheels which are in the catalog at $50.

Every once in a great while I guess wrong on a used power tool, but they're usually cheap enough it's not much pain. The twenty perfectly good ones make up for the one bad one.

X2 on not buying used battery power tools. Impossible to test a battery. It may spin up fine running free but pull down and die in 30-seconds of use. But then, I try to stay away from battery powered tools altogether. They are the cold nuclear fusion scam of our day. They promise to free us from power cords, but don't last, total FU pricing on replacements and go obsolete every three weeks. Rant over.

jack vines

So you have no issues buying a used air hammer or $250 multimeter on Ebay?

I'm only asking because that's what I'm wanting to do to save some $$. I just don't want to get stuck with a bad unit. And with a multimeter, I may not know its bad until I test it against another.

 

[Alchymist]

The more used tools of any kind you buy, the more saved. After a few "good" buys, an occasional flop still leaves you ahead of the game.

 

[Krokodil]

I've bought a used Fluke in great condition. Obviously these type of things must be tested first. Wrenches, etc. can be bought on face value.

 

[plewlandsbob]

I'll buy any hand tool if it is in good condition. Power or air tools, I like to see working.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I rarely buy new anything in tools. If it's used and in good working order, what's the problem? You are still getting a good tool, you're just not spending as much as if you buy it new. Plus, I buy American tools. Period. Paragraph. The only way foreign tools come into my house is if I buy a whole toolbox and the Chicom **** comes with it, and those I sell for a discount ASAP. So I buy used tools, because it's getting harder to find American made tools brand new in the stores.

I don't want this thread to turn into a "what's wrong with Chinese tools?" theme on account of me. If you're American and don't like supporting American businesses go F yourself and don't reply. I simply wanted to state why I buy used tools, because that seems to be the only way to get USA tools for a decent price anymore.

With a little effort, the quality used American tools are cheaper and last longer than new foreign junk. I'll buy anything used if the price is right, even if it's just to give to a friend. I'm young so I'll be using stuff for a while hopefully and I want it to last. I consider it an investment, not a purchase.

 

[woody 73]

I buy a lot of used tools I am somewhat leery of torque wrenches and electronic testers. In buying used tools Sometimes I do ok and sometimes I don't do so good, just two days ago I bought about 12 pliers,turns out one of the pliers is broken and it is next to impossible to get it fixed because the tool is no longer made.

On used air tools most times I will get the seller to start them up and on a few occasions if I know the seller I will take their word for it; I have been very lucky so far on all my used air tools.

I have not bought any of the used cordless tools because as someone said they change the models at the drop of a hat and I never know if the previous owner dropped it from a ten story building just to unload it asap.

 

[FiendFX]

search on ebay for new and used. if you get lucky, you can get new items for cheap. I scored a fluke 115 for $100 new.

 

[bcradio]

Do you guys trust ebay "new"? Vs retail new

 

[goodspeed]

I buy just about everything used. Air tools I've gotten pretty good at spinning the head manually and being able to tell how much wear is on them. I used to rebuild them at a previous job just to save the company a few dollars so I suppose it stemmed from that.

Some of the main things I look for when shopping the loose tool bins at my local pawn shops are:

#2 screwdrivers (name brand, of course. Mostly craftsman or stanley).
Extensions of all makes/sizes.
u-joints/swivel adapters/whatever you want to call them in all drive sizes
Drive adapters (I'm good at breaking them)
Breaker bars (I'll take the heads off and put a 1/2" drive swivel head on to make giant ratchets)
8/10/12/14/17/19mm wrenches and sockets. I lose/abuse them, so I can never have too many.

I'll usually grab any craftsman or higher quality wrench I see, as well. I've been able to put several sets together over the years.

For some reason my local pawn shops also think Chicago Pneumatic is the same as Central Pneumatic or Chicago Electric, so I can usually pick up quality air tools at Harbor Freight prices. For example, I got a CP right angle air drill for 10 bucks the other day because they thought it was a harbor freight brand.

Long story short, I can't afford new, so if I get a year or two out of a ten dollar tool, I'm happy.

 

[FiendFX]

Do you guys trust ebay "new"? Vs retail new

mines was new in box

 

[Givl Reggin]

Nothing. I only buy new.

 

[nanofrog]

some good suggestions here. I hadn't thought about fuses for the Flukes. I will have to shop around online. Do multimeters lose calibration often?

Flukes don't typically lose their calibrations. There are many examples of 20+ year old Fluke meters that are still holding their calibration (87-V for example). That said, there are exceptions, particularly if they've been highly abused (electrically speaking especially, as components that have been regularly pushed past their design limit would be more likely to drift).

As per other brands, it depends, and there may not be a lot of long term data to determine how well they'll hold either.

Unless you have access to calibration equipment, the most common trick to see if your meter is anywhere near what it should be, is to have multiple meters to check against. This has other advantages too, such as being able to make multiple measurements simultaneously, or having a spare meter if your primary is damaged.

There are also some reference voltage and resistance products out there to check against as well (not technically a calibration standard, but close). Not horribly expensive either (particularly compared to the cost of a traceable NIST calibration), so something you might want to consider (even if you do have multiple meters).

Couple of reference examples:
VoltageStandard.com
Gellar Labs

If you want to research this further, you might want to look at the EEVBlog.com forum. Great videos on meter reviews as well (main page, EEVBlog.com, look at the older videos for Multimeter reviews). Worth a look IMHO.

Do you guys trust ebay "new"? Vs retail new

Generally speaking, it depends. I research it carefully, and ask questions of the seller if I'm not sure. Depending on the answer (or lack of one), I decide from there.

In the case of a Fluke, be warned that new meters sold on eBay are considered "grey market" by Fluke, so they don't have to honor the warranty. Sometimes they do, but officially, it's only valid if it's purchased through an Authorized Retailer/Distributor.

 

[justanengineer]

Most everything I own Ive bought used, and I have no problems with such. But....I also dont pay the prices many on here do. I recently bought a SnapOn air ratchet for the grand sum of $10 at auction. For that price, I can easily afford to rebuild it so working vs not is irrelevant. Regarding electronic or electric tools, I buy everything except cordless. Some of it is a **** shoot, some is pretty easily repaired. Regarding cordless power tools, if you think about it for a minute you will realize they all live on borrowed time. Eventually, batteries die, become obsolete, arent replaceable, and your investment is trash.

 

[jmm]

If the price is too good to be true, I'll buy almost anything. If not, I try and stay away from anything that requires calibration: precision measuring tools, torque wrenches. I've never thought any about electronics, but seeing as how I hate my cheap-o multimeter more and more everyday, I've been thinking about going second hand on a super nice one.

It really depends on the venue, though. I'd be much more willing to consider a used Snappy torque wrench here, than I would on Craigslist or Ebay, know what I mean?

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

Hand tools are fine, but usually only buy used air or cordless tools if they are a screaming deal and can be fixed for minimal investment anyway. I did find a Fluke 83-III in a local pawn for $50 OTD, which I couldn't pass, and its served me well. I've checked it against a couple meters at work and tested the fuses, it passed all of them.

 

[Packard V8]

So you have no issues buying a used air hammer or $250 multimeter on Ebay?

I'm only asking because that's what I'm wanting to do to save some $$. I just don't want to get stuck with a bad unit. And with a multimeter, I may not know its bad until I test it against another.

If the title of the thread would have been:

"What used tools are you comfortable buying on eBay?"

then the answers would have been quite different.

As you notice, most mention checking out used air and electric power tools before buying.

FWIW. eBay has changed their rules to favor the buyer over the seller. It is a huge hassle, but usually, if there's a problem, the buyer has to refund the price plus shipping.

jack vines

 

[03protege]

I buy many used tools, for the right price almost any used tool can be worth it.

I don't buy cordless tools and expect the batteries to work, so it only makes sense if you have working batteries for that series already on hand.

Electric tools I don't mind laying the money down for if it has a warranty or if the price is really right.

Hand tools I will buy used, the quality and condition are apparent up front so there are no surprises. The only tool I generally don't buy used are cutting tools (snips mainly)

Ratchets I would buy broken if it was the right price and tool as they are easily repairable.

Pliers and adjustable wrenches are something I buy used and they are easy to tell how often they have been used. Usually they fit into three categories; never used, worn completely out, or rusted all to ****.

With all my used tool purchases I aim for 1/3 of msrp, anything lower than that is all the better. Keep in mind this is for tools that I am just buying for the "deal" aspect. I generally do not buy any tools I don't think I can use and will pay much more if I have a current need for the tool.

 

[PCO6]

I often buy used tools. You can usually tell if tools have been properly used or if they have been abused.

There are some tools that are hard to come by and as a hobbiest I wouldn't have consider buying new based on price. I have less than $200 in 2 spot welders that I own. Both work perfectly. For the number of times I use them every year that was money well spent and woudn't have happened if I'd had to buy them new.

 

[bcradio]

If the title of the thread would have been:

"What used tools are you comfortable buying on eBay?"

then the answers would have been quite different.

As you notice, most mention checking out used air and electric power tools before buying.

FWIW. eBay has changed their rules to favor the buyer over the seller. It is a huge hassle, but usually, if there's a problem, the buyer has to refund the price plus shipping.

jack vines

I'm not asking about the pros and cons of ebay but rather would you buy the mentioned. And the question I asked clearly falls under the title of the thread. I am interested in everything people buy used vs new.

Don't like the title, don't respond.


Good suggestions everyone.

 

[marineengineer]

i buy anything American made and is cheap enough so i can rebuild it for less than the cost of a new one. When i am about to buy a used tool i use my blackberry and look up rebuild kit costs to factor into the cost. Always assume that it needs rebuild. Ive bought a Strong arm jack 50$ plus 15$ rebuild kit/jack oil/grease/grease fittings and i have got a 5 1/2 ton great floor jack. Just this weekend i picked up a Quincy air compressor head on the side of the road free!!!!!!!!!! and i haven't had time to look at it but called Quincy and they already sent the manuals/ parts books. The rebuild kit costs no more than 100$ so i think i got a deal

 

[waggie]

practically everything in my garage is used. Milling machine, lathe, matco tool boxes, miller syncrowave, mig, plasma cutter...etc.

I've only been burned on a Speedair 60 gallon compressor, it is now a smoker. So, after that, I bought a brand new IR SS5L5 60 gallon, and it was bad as well. Except, IR has warranty (horrible service, took 3.5 months to repair, but warranty nonetheless).

 

[ludakris04]

if the cost is right, I'll buy anything used.
Hand tools are a no brainer, they either work or are broken.
Electrical I keep cheap and consider replacement part prices.
Anything storage... of course..
I have been buying more and more used stuff, it just makes sense and I can get better quality for the price of the cheap stuff new.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm flexible on new/used, its all price and condition to me, and sometimes how much I want to spend (I might buy a rough poor value used item if its enough to do the immediate job I have a need for).

If I don't know it works I assume its broken and base my offer on that.

 

[AV tinker er]

I'm only asking because that's what I'm wanting to do to save some $$. I just don't want to get stuck with a bad unit. And with a multimeter, I may not know its bad until I test it against another.

I have little problem buying used tools from a reputable eBay seller. Many people make their living selling things on eBay and will accept returns. Just have to wait and watch for items you want/need.

 

[TireTracks]

Well lets see, I will buy old USA ( aluminum case) Power tools, stationary tools and hand tools used. I enjoy fiddleing around with some 30+ year old saw/drill/sander/router, but I can understand not everyone wants to regrease or rewire something or mod parts to fit. It's a hobby into itself.

I wouldent touch used cordless tools though and I will only buy precision tools If they are in good shape.