Bargain Tool Shopping

Perhaps you have seen the movie Gran Tourino and appreciate the continuous process Walt described, “I’ve lived here for fifty years. A man stays in one place long enough he tends to attract a decent set of tools.” Perhaps you also empathize with the plight Tao expressed, “I can’t afford to buy all this stuff.” If you appreciate having the right tool for the job yet live in a word with finite resources, I am sure you look for ways to save on tools. This article lists three of my most productive avenues for savings on tool purchases.

Craigslist

The best deals I have found are on Craigslist. I have sold and purchased items with only positive interactions. There have been people that I clicked with who invited me into their garage to show off CNC machines, projects, and talk YouTube channels for 45 minutes. I have also met folks who pack an armada (more power to them) and want to meet in the middle of the ice skating rink at the mall to sell a desk lamp. Here are the items relevant to Makercise:

Table saw: Ridgid R4512 $375 (listed $400 – barely used)
Jointer: Delta 6″ $40 (listed $125 – usable but in need of attention )
Dado stack: 8″ $40 (listed $85 – barely used)
Chair: Aeron B $263 (listed $400 – lightly used)
Work Van: ’96 Ford E-150 Van $400 (listed $1000 – rough running but made many trips to Home Center for full plywood sheets; sold $600)

I always haggle. Even if it is the best, most pristine, sturdiest item, there is room to negotiate. I assure you the seller will not part with an item for less than they value that item. Further, they will gladly accept as many extra dollars above that equitable parting price as you want to throw away. If you don’t like to negotiate, don’t try to sell your things on Craigslist and when buying be willing to over pay.

Harbor Freight

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, you have treasure trove of competitively priced tools. I have been very satisfied with my 21 gallon air compressor, 3/8″ impact driver, impact sockets, finish nailer, and pneumatic sander. I have been satisfied with my torque wrenches, vaccuum pump, chop saw, flux core wire welder, belt sander, and random orbit sander. My table saw, 1″ socket set, and 10″ sliding miter saw have been better than going without. I was disappointed with the jig saw, tap set, screw removal set, and 1/4″ pneumatic quick connect sets.

Second Cheapest – Unfortunately, I cannot always wait to find a deal on Craigslist, nor can I always justify a special trip to Harbor Freight. When those occasions come, 90% of the time I buy the second cheapest option. I apply this logic at home centers, shoe stores, grocery stores, car lots, emergency rooms, NPR fund drives, and more. You should not purchase the cheapest option nor should you purchase the most expensive. Pick the second cheapest option.

The cheapest is likely a design optimized for cost savings compromising quality in order to drive the price down. The most expensive option is priced to attract buyers wanting the best and who are willing to pay extra to convince themselves they have indeed secured the best. The range of second cheapest to most expensive is largely driven by features. If you are purchasing a new type of tool, the features in the second cheapest will be appropriate. If you are replacing a tool, you should consider the tools with the features you need; apply the second cheapest rule within the tools meeting the required features.

Hypocrite Disclaimer

I do own several Stihl power tools: chainsaw, backpack blower, and trimmer. These are far from the least expensive tools in their categories, but they are the ones for which I could justify spending extra money. I was able to justify the purchase partially from saving on other tools as listed above. Further, the second cheapest rule is still applicable when selecting tools from a top shelf brand.