Rob Strause
11-29-2004, 5:45 PM
Hi Folks,
I've been noticing that used power tools really seem to hold their value exceptionally well. In the local papers (philly metro), good deals seem to be in the 60-80% of retail range for quality stuff and they don't last long. On eBay, some seem to sell for as much as a "good mail order deal" new. Especially so with table saws.
This doesn't apply to all stuff, but the name brands and popular models seem to regularly sell at near-retail prices. I've watched several PM 66s go for $1500-2100. With accessories, but still, that's amazing. Unisaws also seem to sell at very good, near-retail prices.
It also seems that many "old" machines still bring very good prices. I can't help wonder if a 15-year old Jet, Unisaw, or PM 66 isn't a better machine the way they're scooped up in a hurry.
So, who cares... well, it's convinced me that a good tool is a worthy investment. Not just from a productivity standpoint. Seems that if you shop hard for a good deal, you can get the majority of your money back one day....any day if you so choose. Money is money and sometimes its all about cashflow, but it seems that buying a "brand" tool, especially TS, is a can't lose proposition if you can afford the cost of entry. Like buying a Harley.
Now that I think about it, that's a good analogy when you consider all the accessories you "have to have".
Just rambling, but I'm surprised that good buys are so hard to find in the used tool market.
Rob
I've been noticing that used power tools really seem to hold their value exceptionally well. In the local papers (philly metro), good deals seem to be in the 60-80% of retail range for quality stuff and they don't last long. On eBay, some seem to sell for as much as a "good mail order deal" new. Especially so with table saws.
This doesn't apply to all stuff, but the name brands and popular models seem to regularly sell at near-retail prices. I've watched several PM 66s go for $1500-2100. With accessories, but still, that's amazing. Unisaws also seem to sell at very good, near-retail prices.
It also seems that many "old" machines still bring very good prices. I can't help wonder if a 15-year old Jet, Unisaw, or PM 66 isn't a better machine the way they're scooped up in a hurry.
So, who cares... well, it's convinced me that a good tool is a worthy investment. Not just from a productivity standpoint. Seems that if you shop hard for a good deal, you can get the majority of your money back one day....any day if you so choose. Money is money and sometimes its all about cashflow, but it seems that buying a "brand" tool, especially TS, is a can't lose proposition if you can afford the cost of entry. Like buying a Harley.
Now that I think about it, that's a good analogy when you consider all the accessories you "have to have".
Just rambling, but I'm surprised that good buys are so hard to find in the used tool market.
Rob