# Used tool resale question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 8, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383 "2006-12-08T19:27:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/1 "2006-12-08T19:27:42Z")
I don’t know if this belongs in this section or in one of the other sections, so please feel free to move this. My Dad passed away and he had a workroom with hundreds of tools that my mother has no idea what to do with. She said some were expensive but I honestly don’t know anything about a lot of the tools he had or their value. How could she go about finding out the value of the tools or getting rid of them? Is there much of a market for used tools? He also collected tools and had lots of antique tools as well. Are they valuable or should they just be given/thrown away? He had a darkroom and my mother pretty much gave everything away to neighbors including all of his cameras. I’d hate to see her do that if she could make a little money and clear the basement at the same time. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/2 "2006-12-08T19:45:59Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] Is there much of a market for used tools? [/QUOTE] It depends on the tool and its condition, but the general answer would be yes, definitely. Ebay is an obvious way that this sort of stuff can be sold. > [@](#): > > He also collected tools and had lots of antique tools as well. Are they valuable or should they just be given/thrown away? _Don’t give or throw them away!_ They could have real value. Not many antique tools are worth shocking amounts of money, but they are almost certainly more than worth the trouble to sell them. Your location says NJ, and I’ll be in that area around Christmastime. If it would work out and you’d like me to, I might be able to stop by and have a look. Can you tell me the name of the town? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/3 "2006-12-08T19:49:04Z")
Definitely, they should be given away… to me. Actually, this is a subject I know something about, so if you want to be a little more specific, I can give you some idea of the values. In general, the antique tools are worth more, with lots of exceptions. But eBay is the obvious place to unload them. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/4 "2006-12-08T20:17:31Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] Is there much of a market for used tools? He also collected tools and had lots of antique tools as well. Are they valuable or should they just be given/thrown away? [/QUOTE] There are thousands of people who collect old tools. There are organized groups like with most anything else. Posting them on E-Bay works if you have some general idea of their value. Trying looking up some of those items in completed auctions to see what range of $$$$ you’re talking about. Sorry about your Dad. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/5 "2006-12-08T20:56:29Z")
Along with the eBay suggestions, see if there is an auction gallery in your area which is well known. Depending on your location in NJ, Brown Brothers in Buckingham, PA has been around for easily 50 years, and they assist with household cleanouts. I’ve watched as antique tools run up in price very quickly-thinking of Stanley moulding planes and other desirable items. There are also auctioneers who will come to your location, catalog and advertise the items, and run a sale at your house, complete with coffee wagon. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/6 "2006-12-08T23:55:19Z")
Keep in mind one concept: Quality tools are meant to last virtually forever. That means that they do not lose their utility due to age. They most likely don’t have to be reconditioned or restored. Some items like old planes, chisels and other woodworking tools can be particularly desireable for collectors. An honest appraisal should should prove to be worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/7 "2006-12-09T01:17:40Z")
Wow, thank you so much for the input! I really appreciate it, and I know my mother will too. I could list some of the tools he has. Would that be helpful? Anyone that wants to email me, please do! I’ll try to compile a quicky list. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2006, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/8 "2006-12-09T01:21:00Z")
Tomorrow I’ll go over and take some pictures and put them in photobucket. That should give you an idea of what he has and the condition. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2006, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/9 "2006-12-09T04:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog] Keep in mind one concept: Quality tools are meant to last virtually forever. That means that they do not lose their utility due to age. They most likely don’t have to be reconditioned or restored. [/QUOTE] Wooden tools that have sat for a century or so very often have to be reconditioned. And sometimes they’ve been used so heavily they’ve effectively been used up. Condition matters a lot here. And yes, **Caridwen** , descriptions and especially pictures would help. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2006, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/10 "2006-12-09T06:17:12Z")
A couple of things. Good tend to hold their value. If there is a bunch of China and India stuff in there it won’t be worth much. Even the best tools can depreciate. I have Close to $100,000 in Snap-On, Mac, and Matco tools that I know if I went to sell I doubt I would get much more than $30K for. Not because they are bad or worn out. They aren’t. It is just the way the market works. ---
**Author:** ![sumpitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@sumpitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sumpitan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/11 "2006-12-10T22:29:55Z")
Some old tools are more desirable than brand new ones - many feel hand tool technology (chisels, and especially planes) reached its peak in late 1800-early 1900’s (just before machines rendered most hand tools obsolete in the commercial woodworking scene). It may be hard to believe, but an 80-year-old Stanley plane is a superb tool for actual use once fitted with a good blade (either the original resharpened or a new retrofit purchased), with lots of Mojo that new tools just don’t possess. Antique tools in good condition are worth a lot of money in the right circles. ---
**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/12 "2006-12-12T18:50:34Z")
Rather than eBay, I’d suggest [CraigsList.com](http://CraigsList.com)Free, fast, easy to post and edit, and you will be in contact with local people, those who might want to buy several things at once if they can be viewed up close. I like it for big/heavy objects because there’s no shipping involved. The customer picks it up. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/13 "2006-12-12T19:22:16Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] I have Close to $100,000 in Snap-On, Mac, and Matco tools that I know if I went to sell I doubt I would get much more than $30K for. Not because they are bad or worn out. They aren’t. It is just the way the market works. [/QUOTE] A lot of thier value when they are new is that they are sold on credit. If you can’t offer financing, a large percentage of the potential market disappears. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/14 "2006-12-12T20:32:00Z")
[QUOTE=Kevbo] A lot of thier value when they are new is that they are sold on credit. If you can’t offer financing, a large percentage of the potential market disappears. [/QUOTE] The same thing happens when the Snap-On guys sells used or repo’d tools. he does offer credit on those tools, but the value just isn’t there. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/15 "2006-12-13T00:32:34Z")
As a machinist and woodworker I’ll add that some prices are jaw dropping. A few years ago I worked with a guy who shouldn’t even be in the same room as sharp objects. Funny thing is he was an industrial tool salesman. After his Dad died they had the same dilemma. The Dad was a pack rat. His workshop was stuffed with the good the bad and the ugly. Even the rafters were packed solid with crap. Drawers full of stuff like broken lamp parts or junk I and my friends couldn’t identify. (That’s saying something.) In amongst the junk was some extrodinary treasures. His Mom was freaked out because they wanted to sell the house and didn’t know where to begin on what was good and what wasn’t. They also didn’t know what to do with all the stuff to be tossed. I made a deal. I bought the room. It was 5 pick up loads and an enclosed car trailer. It took weeks to sort everything. Anyway, everbody was happy with the way it worked out. The thing to remember is I knew what I was looking at and so did the son. He knew he could have got a few dollars more but didn’t want the hassle of dealing with it all. Good luck. I wish I wasn’t on the farthest end of New York from New Jersey. I’d love to come look. After you put up pictures maybe I can ID some it for you. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/16 "2006-12-13T00:43:10Z")
I am sorry for your loss, it sounds like it was at least a little while back. Even if none of the tools are particularly valuable. Good tools always have resale value. I look forward to the pictures and descriptions. Did your dad have any power tools or bench tools? I might even be interested in buying some. I love old tools and especially carpentry tools. I do work on old wooden sailboats and I make toys for fun. I think you mentioned it at some point, but what part of Jersey are you in? I am in Monmouth County. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/17 "2006-12-13T00:59:25Z")
Just wanted to point out what may be obvious - make sure you pick out a couple of choice items to add to your tool chest. My dad was a machinist who we used to joke would break things just to be able to fix them. I still enjoy when I have the opportunity to use his old power drill which I remember him rebuilding the motor of, his plane, or his draftsman tools, the six foot straight edge… ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-tool-resale-question/383383/18 "2006-12-22T15:36:11Z")
Follow-up. I just want to thank everyone for their input! I said to email me, and I just realized last night that my email wasn’t showing, so I think I fixed it. I’ve been stuck at home with a bad cold then bronchitis and haven’t been able to get to my mothers to take picutes. I’ll be sure to take pictures or get a list over the holidays. Thanks again everyone.