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Help estimating price to purchase used tools

2K views 15 replies 14 participants last post by  AlaskaGuy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have an opportunity to buy the following used tools. I would like to know:
1) What is a good price for me to pay for each tool
2) Is there any reason to avoid a particular make/model

Assume all are in good working order. The tools are several hours away from me so I have not seen nor tested them yet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jet Band Saw - JWBS-14CS and fence JRF-14R
Jet Dust Collection - DC-1100C
Jet Jointer - JJ-6CSX
Rockler Router Table & Fence - 23517
Jet Tenoning Jig - JTG-10
Jet Mortiser - JBM-5
Dewalt Planer - DW733
 
#3 ·
Those are all quality tools, generally on the 2nd hand market I look to start at 50% of retail. If the tools are exceptionally fine then I may go more, but if you're considering buying several of them then I would go sub 50% because you're helping the seller. Everything depends on the circumstances of the sale and their motivation to sell.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I wish half price was the case near me. I see the ridged 6" jointer going for $450-500 used all day. They do stay up for sale a long time though.
- Monty151
I got my Rigid jointer for $200 when HD clearanced them because they changed over to the orange tools
 
#8 ·
I'm with AG- unless they've had a rough life I'd say more like 75% of new. Now if it's a situation where a widow is selling off a shop full of tools that could go either way. If it's the guy who purchased them either upgrading or getting out if it they usually want top dollar.
 
#9 ·
Most people use the 50% rule of thumb… unless the machines are extremely old, I use a 10-25% rule of thumb, particularly sight unseen. That Bandsaw is worth maybe $100, and same with the jointer. Dewalt planer maybe $75 if in good condition. Dust collector is worth maybe $75 as well, and the rest of the stuff combined would be about $100. YMMV.

And you will typically get an additional price break when purchasing multiple machines… the 'combo' deal :) So, IMO, I would offer $400 and I wouldn't pay more than about $450 for the lot.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#10 ·
I'd go a little higher than Brad on each tool. The dust collector has a canister filter, so I'd pay closer to $150 for that if it works well. I'd start around 1/4 to 1/3rd the new price for each item and negotiate from there. If it's a package deal, I expect to pay less than if I were buying individual pieces.
 
#13 ·
In my area, used tools that I would never consider buying because of their condition go for stupid money. I just sold a Ridgid 6" jointer for $350. It looked and ran like new and I had 3 sets of new blades that went with it. I probably sold it to cheap, because I got 15 calls in 4 hours after I posted it on Craigs List.
When the guy came to pick it up, he gave me an extra $10 because it was so clean and he knew he got a good deal.
 
#14 ·
Pricing estimates on used woodworking machines are like Blue Book listings on automobiles. They are guidelines! If you want a good deal, plan to do your "homework" (study comparables), and thoroughly check out the merchandise.
 
#15 ·
You will certainly want to determine how much those tools or their equivalents would cost today and use that as a guide. Where I live, you will seldom get a tool in good shape for as little as 50% of new but you might get lucky. If you are talking about cabinet saws, it is almost always a better deal to buy new from Grizzly or elsewhere.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Most people use the 50% rule of thumb… unless the machines are extremely old, I use a 10-25% rule of thumb, particularly sight unseen. That Bandsaw is worth maybe $100, and same with the jointer. Dewalt planer maybe $75 if in good condition. Dust collector is worth maybe $75 as well, and the rest of the stuff combined would be about $100. YMMV.

And you will typically get an additional price break when purchasing multiple machines… the combo deal :) So, IMO, I would offer $400 and I wouldn t pay more than about $450 for the lot.

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix
You would't be buying any used tool in my neck of the wood at those prices
 
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