Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | May 30, 2006 04:16pm | #1

   Can you define "yesteryear"?  In my lifetime (60 yrs), Craftsman has been thru several cycles of good and bad tools.  They've mostly been aimed at the DIY (homeowner) market and at their best made some decent tools.  Not great, but decent.  In the late 80's, they sold some real junk but I've seen a significant improvement over the last 3-4 years.  Their hybrid cabinet saw seems to be well thought of by people who have bought them.

   If you don't have room for them, you may as well sell them so it's just a matter of deciding on a price.  You can probably get an idea of a fair price by checking eBay and garage sales, but don't expect to get very much.  America's garages and basements are full of seldom used Craftsman power tools - lol.

1. 
   RonT | May 30, 2006 10:06pm | #5

   Yesteryear is about 30 years on the RA and about the same on the BS.

   Use to be C'man was the tool to buy for the homeowne and the contractor, the competition has put a dent in that. In C'man's defense, they have had to get cheaper in order to stay competitive especially in the homeowner market. Unfortunatley, they have had to lower their standard to do it. Today when I'm in the market, I don't even consider them.

1. 
   Dave45 | May 30, 2006 10:32pm | #7

   I wouldn't write Craftsman tools off completely.  As I said in my earlier post, I've seen quite a bit of improvement in their quality over the last 3-4 years. 

   They aren't power tools, but I'm VERY impressed with Craftsman sockets.  These old eyes definitely need that larger print of the socket size - against a contrasting background - lol.

1. 
   RonT | May 30, 2006 11:36pm | #8

   Purhaps I should have qualified my comment on C'man. I was referring to power tools.

   Their mechanics hand tools can't be beat. I have a set I've had for over fourty years and can still trade them for new when I have too. I don't know of another manufacturer that does that and offers the quality of c'man.

   Power tools......that's another animal.

2. 
   Knotscott | May 30, 2006 05:08pm | #2

   Used CMan RAS's in my area tend to go for $100-$200 depending on vintage and condition. Not sure about the BS, but it should be worth something. The free classifieds on most wwing forums are an option. Craigslist.com is free too, and seems to have a decent following. I'd clean them up and post pics.

1. 
   RonT | May 30, 2006 10:08pm | #6

   Thanks Scotty, I believe I'll give Craigslist a try.

3. 
   forestgirl | May 30, 2006 06:32pm | #3

   Ron, I can't remember where you're located and there's no info in your profile.  If these are much older Craftsman tools -- especially the bandsaw -- and you're in a big enough metro area, you might do better with them on eBay with a "Pick-up only" restriction.  Also, you can try Craig's list (free).  Both of these are much cheaper than newspaper ads, given the extent to which you can describe them much better.

   I've sold several tools on eBay, 2 of which were an old 8" craftsman table saw with no motor, and an old Dunlap lathe (small one).  They both fetched far more than I expected and were shipped, so the $$ the buyers had into them was substantial.  Just a thought!

    

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   RonT | May 30, 2006 09:58pm | #4

   I'm near Jacksonville FL, a good size metro area. Sounds like I should try to sell. I have never been to Craig's list, I'll take a look. Thanks.