is there an online site i could go to see/purchase some of the tools mentioned here. thanx.
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http://www.amazon.com
If you just want to get info on the tools, you can find a lot of them by searching for the company on yahoo or google.
check out http://www.coastaltool.com many prices better than many others.
An excellent source for comparisons, is definitely http://www.toolseeker.com. I use it frequently to figure out what tool manufacturer offers the most power vs. price etc... Of course you can always ask any of these guys about a particular tool, and you will get a pleothera of opinions, as well as "reviews" far better than any tool literature ever written.
Having a little trouble with Amazon right now on a warranty isssue.
I need a trunnion support bracket for a Jet bandsaw (covered by mfg 2 yr warranty). Called mfg, they said to call Amazon. After almost an hour on the phone with Amazon and Jet, Amazon tells me they will let me know within 2 business days whether or not they will honor the warranty.
Jet tells me Amazon insists that all warranty claims go through Amazon, not Jet.
So 2 days to wait to find out if they will replace a $12 part.
You can get good prices at Amazon, but for service you may be better off with a good local supplier. Sometimes it's worth spending a little more at a good local guy's.
You might also want to look at the ebay auctions. Just watch the users ratings and only deal with those that maintian 98% or better. If you find local sellers you can usually pick up the item, thus saving on shipping.
Avoid the big dealers that sell so-called factory refurbished. The savings over retail isn't worth the returns and squabbles over warrantee. The best deals are through private individuals that just want to unload their gently used tools.~ WebTrooper ~
"But dont take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
"so-called" factory refurbished?
Either it is or it isn't.
I buy most all my stuff ... when I can ..... factory recon'd ... and have never had a problem.
Dealer refurbished is another matter.
Factory refurbished/recon'd ... should have a full warrenty ... same as new ... from the date you bought it.
It's usually rung up as a new sale anyways ... U have a broken tool and a reciept ... what's the difference?
For what it's worth ... my factory recon'd stuff are the tools I've had the least problems with ... my theory ... they've already been forced to give the thing an up close and personal check when it got sent back .... not like it came straight from the assembly line.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
My experience is through Tool King, one of ebay's biggest "refurbished" sellers. The only two tools I purchased are a PC router and a Delta drill press, came with new tool warranty and all. The drill press arrived with the on/off switch smashed and the router quit working in the middle of a cut. In both cases (about 2 months apart) Tool King told me I have to ship the product to the manufacturer at my own expense. I hardwired the drill press and the router is still sitting on the shelf.
I also bought a factory refurbished Panosonc 2.4 gigHz cordless phone and the battery tires out with a 30 minute conversation, then gets red hot when I charge it up, which takes overnight.
Maybe if there was an outlet store that sold refurbished tools, I would shop there. There's a lot to be said for local brick and mortar stores with a live person at a real counter, but my refurbished experience is with ebay, and I won't do it again. but I'm glad to hear you've had good luck. :o)~ WebTrooper ~
"But dont take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
I had a similar experience ordering a refurbished De walt planer from tool crib. It showed up with a cracked casting. Apparently it got overlooked when the item was repackaged to be be resold.
Tool Crib took it back and even paid the shipping but what a waste of my time. My goal when I buy a tool is to never have to make a warranty claim. Ideally the tool is of sufficient quality and built with sufficient care that it won't ever fail. It seems like some tools today are shoddily designed and built and depend on an enticing warranty to lure in prospective customers. A really good tool shouldn't need a warranty to sell itself. This is one aspect of the new ridgid tools/warranty that makes me skeptical. Most of the people recently reporting the purchase of ridgid tools on this site mention the warrantee being a major consideration.
I am continually being reminded that I usually end up costing myself money whenever I try to save some money.
Karl
Like Jeff B, I've had good luck with factory recon tools (Mak cordless drill and compound miter saw, Milwaukee Super Sawzall, PC belt sander, DeWalt screw gun) and would do it again. All looked new, work as intended, and with the factory warranty and considerable savings, why not? I'd agree price is not everything and that recon tools are not always a good deal; sometimes local specials and closeouts on new tools are less expensive than recon. Still have to do your homework and there is always the risk of damage during shipping, new or used and the time/inconvience of returning it.
I've only bought recon'd tool from tool crib and local dealers.
Have had very little problems with tc ...
and actually ... the locally bought recon'd tools ... specifically from the dewalt store ..... have shone much more wear and tear ... but have worked just as well.
Maybe I've just been lucky ... but I doubt it ... as I really try to buy most tools over $100 as a rule recon'd.
Don't know what to tell ya.
Got a van fulla them.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
You know Jeff, I'm gonna trust your judgement and on my next online tool buying spree I'm buying some refurbs from tc. I wouldnt mind saving some dough on a 13" surface planer, 6" jointer, or a better table saw (have a little 10" delta bench-top). But I'd tend to put the $ threshold a little higher, say $200. Anything less than that I would buy when I need it, i.e. not online.
I should look into finding refurb outlets in my area. I'd feel a lot better about buying if I knew there is a local place I could take it in if there was ever a problem. In and around Chicago here must be a few places.
There's also a matter of having back-up tools. I generally have one of a tool, cept for drills of course. My refurbed router going out on me midcut rings a warning, how much does it cost if a surface planer does that. I'm not likely to have a backup. Sometimes I wish I could afford 2 of every tool, and a second van to tote them around in. But then I wouldn't need them cuz I'd be retired!
I can see having a backup recipro saw (which I have) or circ. saw (which I should) but for larger and more expensive tools I'll probably have just one and I need to depend on it. But like I said, I'm gonna trust your judgement and buy refurbs from the crib.~ WebTrooper ~
"But dont take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
seriously ... I haven't had a problem ... aside from a bent in transit table of table saw .... from tool crib.
I have noticed a difference .. not sure of if it still applies ... from dealing with the tool crib 800 number and the amazon number.
After amazon screwed up more once ... I make a habit of researching the product on their web site ... then ordering directly(?) thru tool crin thru their 800 number.
The tool crib number seems to keep a tighter track on the order processing.
I've had amazon tell me they had "no tracking" assigned!
Long story short ..... I trust tool crib.
tell them I said so ... I should get something free!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
What the heck time is it where you are?~ WebTrooper ~
"But don't take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
I buy all my tools from Sears and Home Depot
Kiddingggggggggg!
I agree with Jeff B.
I buy most all my tools when online from tool Crib of The North.
Never had a problem with them and most recon tools are better than new ones as I believe they've been gone over a whole lot better unless you just get unlucky (which happens w/new tools as well).
I spent two grand+++ on a Powermatic TS with a buncha extras...delievered really quickly and perfectly......I think at least half my tools come from them(TCOTN) for what its worth.
Geeeezzzzzz...so many damn tools and no son to pass em on to (don't even think about writing what I know yer about to...lol).
MAybe I can get my 13 year old daughter into building.....no way! My 28 year old won't do anythink that gets her dirty (she does run a wonderful program in S.F thats not for profit for inner city young girls though). Soooooo....I better stop buying tools.
Told Katrina to learn about Ebay in case I fall offa the roof...lol
BE well positioned
andy at 52 and tooled (don't even go there either....lol)My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Some of us sons can be adopted, if you have that many nice tools..............................
I said dont go there..lol..it'll cost ya big tme!My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
PA!A shortcut is the longest distance between two points.
HF sells a lot of factory reconditioned, of name brands, and they probably have a store in your area. But I don't know if the local stores have the recon products are not.
I bough a couple of Bosch items when they had a factory service place in KC.
And the PC factory service sells recon products.
I would try the local factory service centers first.
BTW, the Bosch stuff was "like new" if not new. A lot of that stuff is old shelf stock, tool demos where it is only used one, open returns because it was missing an accessory or the like.
However, in the distant past I bought a couple of Sears "recondictioned" Cr@psman toosl that weren't.
Got into a "little discussion" with the store manager about what "reconditioned" ment.
Porter Cable has an outlet/parts store in the Chicago area western suburbs. I haven't been there in about a year, but was able to pick up some parts for my older 16 gauge trim nailer and a metal case for my circular saw cheap. They had some other good prices on router bits and stuff. Call beforehand if you go to make sure of their hours and location and what they might have on the floor. It was in a separate building with a big Porter Cable sign on the west side of the road.
I don't think the big boxes (always?) recondition their returns. In my experience with air nailers they just seem to move defective returns right to their discount rack. I buy them for about 70% of the price, try them out, discover the air seals leak horribly, and exchange them for new ones at the discount price.
I've got a couple reconditioned DeWalts - a drill and a grinder. They have a "R" stamped into their casing. Both have worked fine for me.
just my experience,
D&L
Thanks for the info, I'm sure I can find them now that I know they're there. You reminded me, I had a dewalt 12" comp miter saw with the R stamp and It worked fine. It took a walk one day and I replaced it with a Delta that I liked more, but refurbed dewalt was a good tool. Dont remember where I purchased it.~ WebTrooper ~
"But don't take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
I buy most of mine local for the service connection too, but Coastal is a great outfit, combining the best of online prices and ordering with a full fledged service dept..
Excellence is its own reward!