Finding used woodworking equipment and tools
hotdogman
| Posted in General Discussion on
I have been wondering what happens to used woodworking equipment and hand tools that need a new owner. I have looked on-line several ways for used machinery and hand tools and have found very little that is worthwhile. Craigslist etc. is not worth the effort. You would think that there are a lot of tools etc. out there as woodworking is a huge hobby that supports a dedicated industry. So what happens to people’s stuff when woodworking shops are dismantled?
Replies
My experience has been hit and miss. I have bought used tools from flea markets, yard sales, e-bay, estate sales, and have looked a lot on the hyperkitten web site. I have searched a lot with nothing found and other times found plenty of good buys. It takes patience and persistence (kind of like learning woodworking). I live in central Arkansas. One of the best or luckiest days came when I went to an estate sale, but I've been to other estate sales when others got there first. The same can be said of every source I've mentioned. My advice is don't give up and keep searching (when you have time) multiple sources.
My local woodworking guild has 2-3 tool sales each year. Usually a widow has asked for help. Most items are priced at 50% off.
Many times members who help price and organize items will get first dibs.
If you are looking for specific items I would suggest that you ask. “ I’m looking for a model year and condition “ or willing to trade.... and when you least expect a reply, perhaps you will . You can ask by word of mouth, bulletin board actual or virtual. How and why you ask makes a difference. Good luck.
Other than Ebay, I don't know of any place that consistently has available tools. Ebay is hit or miss since you can't hold the tool or turn it on. Some people are good at hiding flaws. So, I'm always on the lookout. Estatesales.net will give you a list of estate sales in your area. This is hit or miss since I rarely see a sale where someone is clearing out a wood shop. I've had a bit of luck simply talking about my projects with people I meet. Occasionally someone says they have granddad's tool box and would I like to look? I found a pre-war Stanley 4 1/2 plane in an antique store for $36. I was shocked since antique stores are not normally a good place to buy usable tools. There's also Craigslist. You can save searches and get notified when your terms pop up. Or put a wanted notice in. In summary, you just need to keep watching.
What I have found is that woodworkers keep their good tools well past their shop's need for them - a bit like hording. Other than Craigslist, I find Amazon frequently lists reconditioned tools (often times these are simple product returns that have been opened and used once or twice, and are in excellent shape). The website "CPOxxx" like CPO-Festool has a changing inventory of reconditioned tools. If you are looking for something specific high-end tool, like a Festool Domino 500, you will be lucky to come across it.
A final thought is to log onto Lumberjocks, SawMill Creek or other large-scale woodworking site. I often see members trying to sell tools.
It has been my experience that decent (sometimes absolutely fantastic) used tools can be found...buy never the one you are looking for at any given moment:) For great vintage tools there are some prominent dealers, auctions and most of those auctions also feature tail-gate sales, which are better than the auctions. But, going to a tool auction or tail gate sale with a specific shopping list has never worked for me...thats like a cook going to a farmers market with a one recipe's ingredient list in hand...better to go with an open mind about whats for dinner and buy whats at the peak of season and fits your budget. Walk those auctions and tailgates with an eye for those items that have been well cared for and can be put to good use in your shop. Power tools I find are a bit different. Most woodworkers I know have their own little communities of craftspeople, and the prized machines get sold to friends and acquaintances. Time to join your local ww'ing association, SAPFM chapter, guild, and get to know the regulars around your hardwood dealer.
Craigslist can be good for more mainstream power tools, but I've found hand tools harder to find. Keep checking, over time you will find good deals. Search garage sales for tools. Sometimes people won't bother to list specific tools individually, but may have a good selection at a garage sale. Flea markets can be good places to find vintage hand tools, do your homework first.
When professional shops are selling out around here, it seems mostly by auction, or through professional equipment resellers. Craigslist is mostly cheap worn equipment sold by people who think their stuff is worth more than it is. Estate sales and auctions are where I occasionally get lucky, but you have to get there early, with a truck, and sometimes at auctions, things get bid up to unreasonable prices. Joining a local guild will be a good way to know when a hobbyist is closing shop. A widow up the street had a whole basement full of high end big tools to get rid of cheap, but couldn't find anyone who wanted to take them apart to get them up the stairs and out. So have a tool box with you.
I've bought a few hand tools from here: http://www.jonzimmersantiquetools.com/index.html
They always arrive in a timely fashion and are as advertised.
I have no affiliation with this site.
best
pat
The woodcraft near my home has a corkboard where folks post used tools for sale. If you have a Rockler or Woodcraft near where you live, that might be a place to look.
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