I got into woodworking years ago with a handful of inexpensive used tools. At the time, some of those tools were decades old, and some are still with me today—decades later. It’s a misconception that you need a serious outlay of cash to get good tools: second-hand tools are readily available, and sometimes they outperform their new equivalents.
Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and garage sales are my favourite hunting grounds for used tools. To reduce the risk of buying a dud, I always ask the seller why they are selling. Green flags for me are “I upgraded to a better/larger/faster tool” or “I’m cleaning out my deceased relative’s workshop.” Weird tool modifications—replacement motors that don’t match the tool’s original specs, for example, or badly made add-on guards—raise red flags.
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A thorough visual inspection comes next. Look for bends, chips, or cracks in the tool’s frame and housing, as well as damaged power cords. Anything more than superficial wear could be a sign that the tool was handled roughly, dropped—or worse—and that can affect the tool’s alignment and precision. On the other hand, it’s a safe bet that a well-cared–for tool still has lots of life left.
Light surface rust is common and easily remedied, but deeper rust or pitting on metal is a major red flag, since it can mean the tool has irreversible water damage or was never cared for properly.
Next, run the motor and listen carefully for unusual sounds or pulses. Anything other than a smooth, clean-sounding spin may indicate worn bearings or bigger problems. While the tool is running, check the action of the moving bits. Spinning parts, such as blades and belts, shouldn’t wobble, grate, or grind.
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With the tool turned off, move all the parts that are meant to move: slide fences and guards through their full range of motion. Check that angle settings, like those on a mitre saw—and anything that adjusts, really—can be adjusted easily.
Lastly, make sure flat surfaces are flat and that blades or bits are square when they should be. I use a small, precision machinist’s square to check both of these for accuracy.
This article was originally published in the August 2024 issue of Cottage Life.
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