Why buy new tools?

[Tucko]

I've got a comment and question for you guys. Why do you buy new tools? Specifically hand tools. It seems like I'm surrounded on all sides by used tools for sale, at yard/garage sales, pawn shops, craigslist, rummage sales, etc. I can understand buying a power tool new, but why would you spend money buying a new set of wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, pliers, etc when a used one can be just as good at a fraction of the price?

 

[Roland-5.0]

Ditto. I just bought a nice snap on wrench set for less than half the cost of new on here. Just snap on have I bought used. I've give our SO guy enough of my money.

 

[Outlawmws]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144338

 

[rmsg0040]

Depends for me, I have a mix of both,

being in the GTA its hard to find deals on tools on kijiji, craigslist, pawnshops, or garage sales and if you do there priced so close to the actual price you might as well buy new or off ebay. It seems there is no market here.

Guy in the GTA wanted 110 and wouldnt budge for a matco bfr128lftg ratchet, could have gotten it off ebay for way less than that. and thats coming from US to canada

Only things I have ever scored locally was a matco cart, snap on roll cab, SO 3/8 impact wrench, SO 1/2 impact wrench, matco xtra xtra long ratcheting wrench and a work light

Everything else off ebay.

 

[jzt]

Sales. Clever marketing. Newly released models. Overpriced used tools. Warranty. Immediate need.

 

[ScorpionKing5.7]

I tend to buy used tools if i find a good deal on them, even if i dont need them because most of them i will eventually need. Itll save me a trip to the store plus a few bucks

 

[Aberdale]

Because I love the smell of new tools in the morning . . . smells like . . . victory!

'dale

 

[Goldhawg]

I don't buy new tools at regular prices unless the need is dire. But if I can get new at a half price sale I often will; then the savings for used is not so much and you can get complete sets, etc. My time to hunt thru C/L for all tools is limited; there is a cost to the hunt for used tools that you have to figure in too. And also the new tools are better. For example my $11 gearwrench stubby 3/8 ratchet off fleabay. I like it a lot better than my older craftsman ratchets. And I like my newer craftsman USA thin ratchets much better as well. So as always, none of us buy the cheapest per se, we buy the best value for the intended use. Sometimes its new, sometimes its used.

 

[crewchief888]

back when i was doing most of my tool buying, CL & ebay didnt even exist.
the internet was in it's infancy, and a computer was the size of a refrigerator.

there werent as many retiring mechanics, nobody went to school, had mom and dad buy them $1000's in new tools, to find out they didnt like being a mechanic.

i really dont need most of the tools i buy, new or used.

 

[Roots]

Used tools cost me more than new tools, honestly. I receive pretty heavy discounts on just about all brands and than write them off on my taxes, almost every tool purchase I make is for work. Even if I was able to find used tools at a slightly better price, a private party receipt isn't something I want to bring to a tax audit.

 

[waggie]

That's what I always wondered. I've gotten great deals on tool boxes, 3 phase machines. Most of the time, for a fraction of the price when compared to new. I would never be able to afford this metal working hobby if i buy everything brand new.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

i buy most of my used tools to "flip". Most of the items i pick up are odds and end, most of the time not complete sets and some of the items i keep because i will use them or can complete the set, but most of them i will resale and go buy what i REALLY want on sale brand spankin' new and i'm OCD like crazy and want matching complete sets of just about everything. plus most of the specialty tools and stuff you cant really find used around here, not a huge used tool market so everything is priced a few dollars cheaper than new or higher than new. stick on this site for awhile and you'll see its almost better if you have patience to buy new

 

[Gregster]

Depends for me, I have a mix of both,

being in the GTA its hard to find deals on tools on kijiji, craigslist, pawnshops, or garage sales and if you do there priced so close to the actual price you might as well buy new or off ebay. It seems there is no market here.

Guy in the GTA wanted 110 and wouldnt budge for a matco bfr128lftg ratchet, could have gotten it off ebay for way less than that. and thats coming from US to canada

Only things I have ever scored locally was a matco cart, snap on roll cab, SO 3/8 impact wrench, SO 1/2 impact wrench, matco xtra xtra long ratcheting wrench and a work light

Everything else off ebay.

Same problem in Montreal.. People asking way too much for used tools.

I bought some used SO items at a garage sale in up state NY once where prices were more reasonable.

 

[Toolhorder]

Used tools cost me more than new tools, honestly. I receive pretty heavy discounts on just about all brands and than write them off on my taxes, almost every tool purchase I make is for work. Even if I was able to find used tools at a slightly better price, a private party receipt isn't something I want to bring to a tax audit.

What I've done is print the ad if it's on CL and then you have a record of the purchase. Receipts are not requested unless you are audited anyway. My tax lady just wants to see the amount I spent for the year.

 

[rob0781]

I usually buy tools new because the used tool market here *****!! People try and sell stuff that's used for more then the cost new, also I always wait to buy tools onsale unless its something I need right away.

 

[carterbeauford]

all the SO stuff I see on CL is beat to hell. Gearwrench is inexpensive enough to buy new. I take care of my stuff. I don't want someone else's beat to hell tools.

 

[Monte]

because i want a matching set of wrenches etc.

 

[John316]

Some used tools demand such a premium, it often makes no sense to me to go used. If I can get a new flawless F80 for $60 shipped, why buy a banged up one for $53.99 used?

 

[kc-steve]

Some used tools demand such a premium, it often makes no sense to me to go used. If I can get a new flawless F80 for $60 shipped, why buy a banged up one for $53.99 used?

Where can you get a new F80 for $60?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=646272&group_ID=682323

Steve

 

[billymade]

I think used in general is the way to go; problem is, many times when you need a certain specialty tool.... you can't find it used when you need it. I am at the point; where I have the basics covered very well and now the special oddball stuff is what I am missing in my tool arsenal. Conversely, when you don't need it you find it cheap.... used; so, you need to have the money to buy it used and just go ahead and get it in anticipation of jobs in the future (this is hard to determine and help you with the OCD "buy it all" method of tool buying). One case for me; I was working on my 02 vw new beetle with a 1.8T; I had to replace the knock sensor which required loosening a the intake manifold. This required long metric hex ball style of sockets; this was a case where I have NEVER seen used sockets of this type at the flea market and buying off ebay (e.g. snap-on) was still expensive and took too long to show up to do the job at the time needed (NOW!). I got a set a harbor freight (I don't like to buy hand tools there) but with a coupon a 7 piece set was about $12 and I was gentle with the sockets and I did get the job done, without breaking them. In the future: I would like to get a USA made set but in this case; it was impossible to find locally.

I tend to buy used stuff really cheap and to a degree have done the "buy it all" philosopy in anticipation of future needs; when things are cheap enough, this can work. If I had more time and money at the time; buying used online might have been a good option but hex long torx sockets are pretty unique and I just don't see them for sale used. Specialty tools; many times force me to buy new. By the way; if anyone has some USA made long hex torx metric sockets they want to sell, let me know!

 

[neonnblack]

because our area ***** *** for used tools.

 

[kc-steve]

because our area ***** *** for used tools.

Ha-ha, Reno should be great for buying used tools. I recall walking into a casino back in the 1980s and a guy was trying to sell his out in the parking lot.

Steve

 

[shoturtle]

Screwdrivers are wear items. Not really worth buying used. Not option or rebuild.

Other hand tool, buying new is tax deductible for me, and I do not get worn out items. While we think tool should last for every, they really do not. All tools wear out. I work with construction site all the time, we place large tool order for major job, and at the end of the job auction them off as they have been used and abused.

 

[supra90turbo]

Because I love new stuff, and I love things covered in machine oil

 

[Hammer1963]

Just depends on the need and availablity of tools. If you use them everyday, some used older tools may not provide what you need with todays vehicles and equipment.

I really like to find older Hammers, chisels, punches, dollies and the like. These are generally items that can be refurbished and made like new.

I think you'll find most serious tool users will have a mix of old and new.

 

[volunteers]

For me it is 'time'. You have to spend a lot of time and be patient to search and wait for decent used tools. You can get the new tools immediately. Time is the issue.

 

[theknurl]

EBay!!!!!! there are right now 554 listings for "SnapOn metric wrenches"

in the last year i got these as new SnapOns on EBay
flare nut wrenches $85 list $256.50
flex combo 8-19 $117
box ends 6-32 in roll $80
open ends 6-32 in roll $82
short box end 10deg 6-20 $92

a guy put 2 sets of new SnapOn combos 6-36 "buy it now" $340
i went and made a cup of coffee, missed one set, the other went for #1,150+!!!!

for the current price of SnapOns cut and paste the part number here;
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catalog.asp?tool=hand

i just bought an as new pair of Thuillier-Lefrant tin snips in England for $18 + shipping. they are ~80 years old!

i wanted a leather motorcycle jacket like this one;
http://www.revlimiter.it/shop/img/165-166.jpg
it was delivered for $233 from Italy including shipping
there is a patch on both shoulders all the rest is sewn leather

 

[ianguilly]

I like my tools looking nice after i use them, and warranty.

 

[JKady]

I can't make payments on CL... and my tool needs almost always exceed the cash in my pocket.

 

[RCStocker]

I've got a comment and question for you guys. Why do you buy new tools? Specifically hand tools. It seems like I'm surrounded on all sides by used tools for sale, at yard/garage sales, pawn shops, craigslist, rummage sales, etc. I can understand buying a power tool new, but why would you spend money buying a new set of wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, pliers, etc when a used one can be just as good at a fraction of the price?

This is what I have been saying for over 40 years. I have great tools. I have thousands of them and they are all used. Some of my 100 year old pliers are better than anything Snappie makes. I have all the brands in some form or the other. They all work and they are all used. I buy them for less than 20 cents on the dollar and sometimes much less.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I find myself doing both but as others have said in the middle of a job when I need an item I buy new. I always keep my eyes open at flea markets, yard sales and pawn shops because I love old US made tools.

 

[andywander]

Depends for me, I have a mix of both,

being in the GTA its hard to find deals on tools on kijiji, craigslist, pawnshops, or garage sales and if you do there priced so close to the actual price you might as well buy new or off ebay. It seems there is no market here.

Guy in the GTA wanted 110 and wouldnt budge for a matco bfr128lftg ratchet, could have gotten it off ebay for way less than that. and thats coming from US to canada

Only things I have ever scored locally was a matco cart, snap on roll cab, SO 3/8 impact wrench, SO 1/2 impact wrench, matco xtra xtra long ratcheting wrench and a work light

Everything else off ebay.

"..the GTA"...?

 

[rmsg0040]

greater toronto area not grand theft auto

 

[andywander]

I never would have guessed that! Thanks,

 

[egnorant]

While I am a HUGE fan of garage sale and pawn shop tools, I often get the need for a new tool.
It seems that the ones I am buying lately are to make the job easier rather than just possible.
3/8ths flex head long handle ratchet, flexible 1/4" extension, long shank screwdrivers and specialty tools.
Then there are the current need stuff like the 32mm socket, ball joint separator or that deep wall socket that got lost "somewhere" in the Mustang.

I try real hard to avoid the latest innovation that I see advertised. Sure, I may have had a situation where it would have been useful once or twice, but they usually show up at a garage sale later...I can wait.

My nephew is just getting started on his first real automotive project so he got a bunch of new wrenches and such.

Bruce

 

[sensei_]

i buy my most tools used, if i have spares, i will sell them. that way the money i save if i need to buy a specialty tool later i will have the budget. it helps that i have a dedicated tool budget

 

[FiendFX]

It's personal preference really...

 

[Steevo]

I am always on the watch for good deals on quality previously-owned hand tools. I pick up things I don't have, or fill-in tools like plier sizes or shapes I don't have, or sockets that fill gaps in sets, etc.
For things that don't turn up on the used market, I buy new. I also buy new for wear items like drill bits, saw blades, screwdriver bits, etc.
Recently, new tools I have personally bought include Channelock X-beam pliers, a 17mm Craftsman impact socket, and a 20-piece Grearwrench ratcheting wrench set.

 

[Man of Many Vices]

I wouldn't buy a used "newer" tool unless it was 33% or less of the "suggested retail price." I usually pay about 15 to 25 percent. (Collector/vintage/specialty tools is a different story.) But I don't make a living with my tools; my time is not worth as much as you guys who need your tools NOW.

If you pay more than 50% of new for a used tool, you might as well wait for the 40% discount sale, then buy exactly what you want.

There's nothing wrong with paying full price for a good new U.S.A made tool. Why? If you didn't need it, you wouldn't buy it. If you need it you will use it; if you use it it will make you money or save you time. The extra cost of "new" evaporates into thin air over the many years of use.

Somebody has to buy new U.S.A. made tools, or else we will lose even more of them to foreign manufacturers.

The best way to buy used tools is to wait for an opportunity to buy a huge collection at one time. Here is where you can pay $300 or $400 out of pocket for $2,000 to $3,000 (new price) that have been properly cared for. (My problem is that I have done this so many times that I have TONS of tools - triplicates, quadruplicates... even OctoMom has stopped over looking to buy identical sets for her kids).

The most expensive tool is one that is unused, rusting away in a box.

 

[86k10]

One thing to keep in mind is that you don't keep the U.S. manufacturing machine turning with used purchases. Also sometimes what you need is not for sale used. I understand not wanting to buy a new S/O box at msrp but to me hand/air tools is not really even questionable about buying new.

I think about at least 90% of my tools I bought new. With little odds and ends at yard sales and pawn shops but I find that they are at msrp used now days.