Estate sales are great places to find a variety of different types of tools, from gardening to power tools to vintage hand tools. It’s not uncommon to find tools that have barely been put to use and are in mint condition and still in the box; or used tools that are generally not in such poor condition and can be repaired as new at low cost.

At an estate sale, you’ll usually find that the tools will be placed in the garage or basement and will be easy to pick up if you can get to them first. If you’re not very familiar with tools (especially those that require electricity or gas), then it can be hard for you to tell the difference between the good ones and the bad ones and whether the tools are worth the price on their labels. By all means, bring a friend who is well versed in tools and can help you make a proper selection.

Antique hunters are often on the lookout for older tools with an interesting history. Very old woodworking tools, for example, are an attractive collectible and have a high resale value. Even if the blades look rusty or the wood has a bit of dust on it, many of these coveted tools still hold a lot of value for tool enthusiasts who are more than happy to give you some effort to reuse it and add it to their collections. .

Here are some quick tips for buying tools at an estate sale:

1. Whenever possible, get out your iPhone and research the tools before you buy them. If you use eBay for your research, you may find hundreds or thousands of results. If you know exactly what you are going to be using the tool for, then the power amperage should also be of concern. Will the 18-volt power drill do the job, or will you need something a little more rugged, like a 20-volt? The more you know about what you need, the less research you have to do.
2. This may sound silly, but when you buy a power tool, plug it in to make sure it really works! You don’t want to come home only to find that you hit the “power” button and everything is silent. With fuel-powered tools, like gasoline-powered items, this could be a more complicated task. If you have to put the tool aside and run for a can of gas, do it. Also check the oil, because a tool that has had oil or fuel in it for years could be problematic.
3. If you want to save money, it’s best to do a quick price comparison. The same used tool you find at an estate sale could be priced at your local home improvement store for exactly the same amount, but brand new. Even if the tool is cheaper by $10 or less, you’d better buy the new tool. Websites like Craigslist, Amazon, and eBay are great places to find refurbished tools, and many of the sellers offer free shipping.
4. Before you use the tools you’ve purchased at the estate sale, make sure you know how to operate them properly. This is both a safety concern and a concern to prevent any possible malfunctions. If you bought the tool and it’s still in its original box and has the instruction manual, you’re in luck. Don’t be silly and go ahead and read the damn thing so you know how to use it properly. If the instruction manual is not available, feel free to look it up online or call the manufacturer to request one.
5. Be sure to check the condition to make sure the instrument you’re buying isn’t falling apart. Make sure handles are firmly attached and not wobbly, look for missing or broken parts, or cracks. If an electrical cord is frayed, you can easily take it to a repair shop to have it replaced for just a few dollars. You want to check that the pieces of wood are not split or dry to the point that they cannot be recovered. Heavy dirt or grease won’t be easy to clean, so make sure the tool in question is worth a deep clean.