Used tools off CL...

On a whim I was searching stuff on CL and started looking for things like metal band saws, lathes, air compressors, bench grinders, etc. Assuming minimal budget and for all practical purposes no power tools but a 1/4" electric drill, what would be the first thing you'd buy? Would you stick to established commercial brands? Aside from the obvious (loose bearings, wobbly shafts, etc.) what would you look OUT for in terms of condition?

I'm thinking I need a drill press (tabletop might do), followed by a bench grinder and lastly a band saw. I put the saw last due to cost. I've got a mig welder (small HF version I got in a trade for a reloading press) but haven't yet used it.

Any thoughts?

You just have to go look with cash in hand - I got a screaming deal on a lathe, metal bandsaw, 8" grinder and a whole truckload of steel tubing just by showing up to look at a lathe with capacity to move it all right then and there.

I have also left empty handed from an idiot who thinks a mill that has been underwater in a flood is worth the same money as one that was not. berkeleyer didn't even clean the mud out of the case.

Sorry to say but it's pot luck out there.

4 1/2 inch angle grinder, kinda goes hand in hand with the welder.

How minimal is your budget?

If a tabletop drill press is your dream, they are pretty cheap new. And I wouldn't buy one used.

Larger equipment with heavier castings is great to buy used and old.

Smaller stuff (like power hand tools) and fussy equipment which can be abused easily (like welders) are risky to buy used. The price needs to be really great.

Buying used must include enough budget to account for repairs to bring back into serviceable condition. If you spend all your money on the tool and can't fix it, you have wasted your money.

What kind of work do you want to do? It would determine the tools.

LopRacer wrote: 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, kinda goes hand in hand with the welder.

These are $39 at Lowes. I'm with SVREX on this one - hand power tools are rarely expensive enough for me to go to the hassle of dealing with CL folks unless I'm at a sale where there is some other reason to be there.

If you want a drill press, look for an old model off craigslist. The new ones are pretty crappy.

I've come to the conclusion there are no deals (especially tools) on Craiglsist where I live.

spitfirebill wrote: If you want a drill press, look for an old model off craigslist. The new ones are pretty crappy. I've come to the conclusion there are no deals (especially tools) on Craiglsist where I live.

Agreed. I'm sure deals on CL around here can be had, but my time is worth more to me than the minimal amount of money I might save. And money spent on one tool that turns out to be junk can wipe out the savings on other stuff.

That said, I'll also agree that new stuff sometimes isn't all that great. I have a ~10 (maybe 20?) year old Craftsman bench top drill press that loves to drop the chuck off the spindle in the middle of use.

I see folks complain about idiots/scams on Craigslist, and I agree, there are a lot, but knock on wood I've had great experiences buying and selling stuff on Craigslist - the key is you have to wade through the overpriced/junk stuff (and know it when you see it) and be ready to jump on a deal. I recently got a taller craftsman tool chest for $75 (new would be $300) and while there made a deal on a decent 5" vice for $15. The vice didn't quite work right but I expected to be able to fix it, and I did. I could have bought a bunch of other yard tools I didn't need cheap - the guy was moving. It never hurts to ask if they are selling anything else. I got a nearly new $50 bike for my son, and the seller delivered it to me. I got a $600 jeep wrangler with good hard top and hard doors. However, I've been looking for a used but good 60 gal air compressor with no luck - all I see are overpriced options near me. I think the key is getting it at the right price and being comfortable that it wasn't abused. A bench grinder and drill press are on my list to buy eventually.

I been watching CL for a metal brake

... whattya think of this?

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3001839964.html

A good friend of mine put together a very nice tool collection off Craigslist by buying more than he needed.

Similar to a mindset of buying a whole parts car for the parts you need then parting it out... he'd make reasonable offers on full boxes, or fairly large collections of good tools. Keep 2 or 3 sets out of it that were complete, and sell off the box/duplicates/other tools individually. Usually came out ahead or nearly free.

As for power tools, agree with others. Small stuff is hardly worth it, but if it's rarely used and/or cheap, why not? Knowing how to weed through the BS on CL is key. Know when it's good stuff at the right price, jump on it, and take cash.

fasted58 wrote: I been watching CL for a metal brake ... whattya think of this? http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3001839964.html

THAT is exactly what I'm looking for

They don't make them like they used to seems to be the golden rule of old tools. A drill press from a few years back will be all-metal and heavy as crap, but will outlast your grandchildren's grandchildren. Change a belt every 10 years and enjoy.

I'd like to have the tools necessary to seriously do a Locost or something like RicHerber's GSXR car at some point.

No love for a Sawzall here? I'll have to consider an angle grinder if one pops up.

I'm building a locost. You must have: 4.5" angle grinder wit hgrinding wheels and cutoff wheels, a drill, and a welder. Plus a bunch of clamps and magnetic holders but I'm not counting those. That's the bare minimum for fabrication. I've added a chop saw and a digital angle finder. That's been enough for me so far. A sawzall is crap compared to that cutoff wheel and chop saw for metal work (tried it once; never again). A bandsaw would be awesome to have as would a compound miter saw with a metal cutting wheel.

I bought by 7' 28 speed? drill press off CL for a fraction of new. Mammoth beast. 7" quill travel.

But, I'm interested in trading it for a benchtop milling machine or metal lathe

Another vote for the 4 1/2" grinder. That and a 1/2" drill are the most used tools in my shop. Go to Lowes and get the Hitachi one for $39. Don't get the Porter-Cable one. I just bought one, it's junk in comparison.

Add a welder, a good set of drill bits, an assortment of cutoff/grinding wheels and you can build the world.

Nothing is more fun than taking big pieces of metal, turning them into small pieces, and then welding them back into a much bigger awesome piece...with wheels.

i thought CraigsList was already full of tools, most of them used.....

OhhHHHHhhhhh.... those kind of tools. Gotcha.

Has anyone tried using a Table Saw with a cutting wheel?

stroker wrote: I'd like to have the tools necessary to seriously do a Locost or something like RicHerber's GSXR car at some point. No love for a Sawzall here? I'll have to consider an angle grinder if one pops up.

Massive love for the sawzall here. Between a Pro Series Milwuakee, an air nibbler and a Grizzly convertable horiz/vert bandsaw I rarely have to catch E36 M3 on fire with all sparks a cutoff wheel makes.

I also keep two cheap Hitachi angle grinders locked and loaded - one with a grinder for touching up a rough cut and one with a horrible skin-rending squiggly brush for cleaning up.

I have found that most Clist sellers are happy to see someone show up after calling to set up an appointment.

Bought a Table saw for $75 that needed a blade. Replaced the blade used if for a major home project and sold it for $75.

Ya just gotta check every few days when you need something.

Rog

stroker wrote: Has anyone tried using a Table Saw with a cutting wheel?

I have, and use one regularly with a carbide blade to cut aluminum.

One thing to keep in mind, clean the saw. Any saw dust left from cutting wood is guaranteed to catch fire. Ask me how I know.