WHat is your experience of buying second hand Power Tools?

JenP85

Hello.
I am in the market for a Mitre Saw. I am planning on using it somewhat often (4-5 times a month) however, money is a bit tight at the moment so I've been looking at some of the cheaper ranges (Evolution, JCB etc) and while they have amazing reviews I have noticed there are better brans on Facebook market place for the same price (Makita, Dewalt etc). My max budget would be £110 (Thats what the Evolution r210sms is currently sat at in B&Q)

I was told years back by a friend who worked on sites (and a bit of a tool snob tbh) that you should NEVER buy second hand tools as theres always a reason why that person is selling it (damaged parts etc)and more often than notthe tool wouldn't last that long or it's 'nicked'. 

As i say he was a bit of a 'snob' when it came to tools and used to be quite obnoxious when it came to buy anything but the 'best'.

Have you ever purchased a power tool off of Facebook/gumtree/ebay etc. What has been your experience and would you do it again? Now, obviously, i wouldn't be buying one thats described as "heavily used" or "Slightly damaged" and only ones that look in good condition. 

Thanks guys and girls! 

FreeBear

Avoid anything that is 110V.

Two power tools that I have purchased used have been fine - A wall chaser. Rather a specialist tool, and once you've finished chasing, it just sits around. I should be able to sell mine again once I'm done without losing money on it.

Needed a router after mine died - Didn't have the money for a decent new one, and hit lucky on one that hadn't been used. More than happy with that purchase.

Did buy a sabre saw on ebay, but had to send it back as it was missing the blade clamp - Seller was OK about refunding the cost and the return postage.

JenP85

FreeBear said:

Avoid anything that is 110V.

Thank you for the reply :

Yep lol, i learnt that a while back. I purchased a Circular saw about 5-6 years back and it came with a 110v adapter. Luckily i could send it back.  

CliveOfIndia

It depends.  For DIY use, you can get some real bargains (on the assumption that you're not going to be subjecting it to the same sort of heavy use that a professional would, and hopefully it's also been fairly lightly-used previously).

But it depends on the tool itself, as well.  If it's battery-powered, you need to be aware that batteries don't last forever, and a new battery can cost almost as much as a new tool.  If it's mains-powered, you can find some good bargains - but when the motor dies, there's not a lot you can do to fix them from a DIY perspective (unless you're pretty experienced).

Petrol-powered tools - these I would have less qualms about buying.  They tend to be a lot more robust in the first place, and it's pretty simple to strip down and repair a small petrol engine on something like a chainsaw, lawnmower, etc.

You need to trust your gut instinct really, and see what the tool looks and feels like.  Having said that, there's an argument to say that a brand-new "cheaper" brand (within reason) will be perfectly adequate for the average DIY-er, you don't need to shell out for a more premium brand.  It's different, of course, if you're going to be using it for 6 hours a day every day.

bluelad1927

I'm with your pal. I'd expect half of Marketplace to be warm before it's plugged in.

DullGreyGuy

I think you need to look at WHY someone is selling it, which is hard to judge if they are telling the truth or not. 

Mrs is in the creative arts, had a large studio with a lot of different tools for working with different materials as she does mixed media. Most the small power tools just came home with us when she closed her studio but the larger items (table saw etc) were sold. 

Some will sell their tools because they are knackered but others may be downsizing and losing a workshop or have been injured and cannot work with them any more etc and these can be in good condition... I doubt her table saw had made 100 cuts in the 9 months she had it