Used Tools (rant)

In My Humble Opinion
1

I live in Cleveland. It’s a big, industrial city. Manufacturing is still a major industry here after three decades of decline.

So how come there isn’t a single freakin’ used tool store in the whole damn city? This is a metro area of 2.7 million people and about 1.8 million cars. One mechanic per 600 cars means that there are 30,000 mechanics in Greater Cleveland. Figure on 8 percent turnover per year and that means 2400 guys every year are leaving the trade and a roughly equal number entering.

That’s gotta be able to sustain at least one used-tool store right there - not to mention all the hobbyists and home mechanics who want to buy secondhand. So how come there’s no place I can go to get some Flank-Drives at Craftsman prices?

2

I’ve never heard of a used tool shop, anywhere. Maybe you should start one yourself? :wink:

Seriously - I think you’d be best off just looking in the Trading Post (or whatever second-hand/swap/cheap classifieds exists in your area).

Cheers,
Max.

3

Hmm, I was expecting this thread to be about chaparralv8’s mom :smiley:

4

Where I live, they’re called “pawnshops”. I always see lots of used tools in them.

5

Not really an answer to your question, but you will probably be able to find all the used tools you could ever want on eBay.

6

[Fun Bobby]Did you know there are no hardware stores open after midnight in the Village?[/Fun Bobby]

7

No computer surplus stores in Cleveland, either. We’re not talking abotu mom-and-pop places that sell used computers alongside new, but rather those places filled to the rafters with corporate cast-offs. Every city I’ve ever lived in has one, but not Cleveland.

8

I’ve gotten a lot of my pre-owned tools at the local weekly auction.

9

Craig’s List baby Craig’s list.
Either that or talk to the tool truck drivers. They take tools in trade all the time.

10

There’s a chain called ReTool. We’ve sold some things through there.

11

We can call it “Liability Land”! :smiley:

12

Used to watch the newspaper under ‘Machinery and Tools’, the local penny shopper tabloid, as well as Tradin’ Times. Mucho deals to be had. Better than half of my tools are second hand, because I’m too cheap to buy that much good stuff brand new! Also scored some killer deals on eBay.

13

Since the OP is asking for and receiving feedback, I’m moving this one to IMHO.

14

I’m rolling over here :smiley:

I think chaparralv8’s problem is that he wants one specific type of thing, so auctions wouldn’t work and neither would pawn shops. I think he would do better searching online. Unless it’s a “I need it today!” problem, with which I don’t know what to suggest.

15

You might look up auctioneers in your local phone book. Get friendly with one and
He could let you know when auctions with tools are coming up.
Where I live is considered small town America but its common practice to let the auctioneer do the looking for you.

16

I’d keep trying word-of-mouth.

There is a small tool store here where I live that doesn’t advertise much. I has a bulletin board where people advertise what they have for sale (often it’s someone who has just upgraded a tool, having bought a nicer one in the store).