Metal Cutting

[Turbowannabe]

I get a lot of my tools from Pawn shops. I go to major ones, never a mom and pop. Mom and pops always have a snap on catalog and will price used tools same as new off a snap on truck.
I was just at one the other day looking for some jack stands for a frame and noticed a snap on stud gun sitting on the shelf. It was marked $299.95 and I asked what was the best price. $200.00.....sold as it was brand new maybe used once or twice. He then brought out a case with a puller, finger puller and 2 five hundred packs of pins missing as I had expected a couple of pins from one package. New price from snap on is around $600.00.
I was needing a torch to cut up an old frame and after a week or two of searching and finding overpriced junk I came across 2 brand new portable lincoln rigs. Price was marked $179.95. Once again I asked what was the best price and was told $125.00......sold, It hadnt even had the bottles filled yet. When I went to my local welding supply to fill the tanks I saw the same exact rig for $369.95 and they wont negotiate the price....trust me.
I also hit estate and garage sales. Sad to say but hobbyist pass away too and what is in their garage is sometimes mindblowing. I was at one years ago and came across several air tools. I picked up a Hutchins DA sander and asked how much. He replied tell me what is is and $5.00. I explained what it was and gave him $5.00....Cost new...around $300.00. Same went for a Bluepoint (snap on) air file still in the box...I had to pay a little more for it...$15.00...New is around $250.00. I could go on with that sale but lets just say for $250.00 I walked out with around $3500.00 in tools.
Now dont go running to the first store you see and expect great finds. I have to hit about ten plus a month to get good deals and I usually wont buy at a pawn shop unless it is like new condition.
Im about to start welding on my car so Im now looking for a mig welder. Have found three new at almost half price but waiting for a better deal.

Happy hunting

[6806goats]

Oh kool idea! My bro started up an estate business and unfortunately he had to put his brother in laws items up for sale. On the good side, I was there on vacation when the sale happened and I obtained some fishing gear and a makita router. Sux that we leave our treasures behind when we go but I guess if someone else can use it then it ain't so bad. But they'll owe us a beer wherever we wind up for getting a good deal on tools. Since I'm probably on the upper end of age compared with others here, I'll try to remember to have my bro put this website on notice. I don't have a huge collection just yet but trying to work on it.