Tool Grader
  • Tool Reviews
  • Blog
    • Clamps
    • Education
    • Tools
    • Workshop Tips
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Tool Grader
  • Tool Reviews
  • Blog
    • Clamps
    • Education
    • Tools
    • Workshop Tips
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Tool Grader
No Result
View All Result
  • Clamps
  • Education
  • Tool Reviews
  • Workshop Tips

How to Save 70% Off Retail Prices When Buying Tools in 2021

Tool GraderbyTool Grader
August 27, 2021
in Tools, Workshop Tips
pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-6790929 (1)
45
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Table of Contents

  • Method #1: Home Depot (The First 10%)
  • Method #2: Harbor Freight
  • The Difference Between Refurbished & Second Hand Tools
  • Method #3: Other Tips, Tricks & Bonuses
  • Enter Facebook Market Place and Craigslist Free Section
This article is designed to demonstrate how you can save money on name brand tools, and even how you can get free tools with very little effort. However, the exact percentage you save will be variable depending on what you buy and when you buy it. We have found that the average person following the principles contained in this article will save around 70% on tools if they spend $300 or more. This is not a guarantee, but rather best practices that will allow you to save a lot of money over time if you exercised consistently. Now onto the article!

Method #1: Home Depot (The First 10%)

If you are starting out on your journey of looking for tools on a bargain Home Depot is a great place to start. They have a policy that if you find a new tool cheaper anywhere else (online or in store) they will match the price plus an additional 10% off. Online retailers like Amazon and Jet are constantly slashing prices to be the market leader in price. Anytime you are interested in purchasing a brand name tool off of one of these sites check out “The Home Depot”. 

They will slash prices an additional 10% and give you free shipping if you send them a screenshot of the same tool being a lower price. This helped me get this set of Stanley Chisels for $72.49! (Saved $25.50 or 26% off of normal retail price) It’s important to note that these prices literally change by the minute, but if you are going to buy the tool anyway it is worth a look. Probably 15%-20% of the time I am buying a brand name new tool Amazon or Jet is running a small deal on it. Use this to your advantage to cash in for an additional 10%!

Method #2: Harbor Freight

Harbor Freight is a hidden gem for craftsmen who have never heard of it. While the quality is sometimes questionable the prices are insanely low. In simplest terms Harbor Freight works in two different ways. First, Harbor Freight sells used tools. Admittedly, this is a mixed bag. I have had some insane deals buying used tools and been burned on others. Second, is Harbor Freight’s new white labeled products under their own brand. Below is how I suggest you navigate Harbor Freight to maximize your gains and minimize your losses.

Rule #1:Do Not Buy Used Power Tools

You can buy as many power tools as you want on Harbor Freight, just make sure they are not used. I have bought everything from drills to table saws (see also ‘How To Fold A Bandsaw Blade‘) on Harbor Freight, and as long as they are new they are always fine. Quite frankly they do not have the shelf life of brands like Dewalt or Black + Decker, but the are typically a fraction of the price. Check out this Black + Decker Cordless Drill on Amazon. It’s retailing for $49 the last time I checked it. Now check out this Cordless Drill from Harbor Freight…It’s only $19.99. That over 60% saving for basically the same product! I personally bought both products and the quality was perfectly fine for both. The Black + Decker was definitely more shock absorbent but I can deal with a little jarring for 60% off.

Rule #2: Get The Free Stuff

Many people do not know this but Harbor Freight literally gives out free tools every month. If you sign up for Harbor Freight’s ad flyer (monthly newsletter) they will literally give you a coupon for a free tool once a month. Usually the value of the tool is under $20 but hey it’s free. I’ve gotten everything from chisels, to hammer, to tape measures on there. It’s always exciting every month trying to guess what they are going to give out. Each month. And if you are on a really tight budget this could easily save you $150-$250 over the course of a year.

Rule #3: Used Hand Tools Are A Mixed Bag

I have bought used hand tools on Harbor Freight and quite frankly sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not. My general rule of thumb is to keep purchases under $40 when buying used tools on Harbor Freight. My mindset is that any used tools I buy off of Harbor Freight are being used in order to “save” my good set of tools. There are a lot of times when I don’t want to risk damaging or chipping my nice set of chisels when working on a messy or goofy project. However, I would expect “Premium Quality” when buying used tools.

The Difference Between Refurbished & Second Hand Tools

At this point it is extremely important to clarify the difference between “Second Hand” and “Refurbished”. A second hand tool would be buying something used from a garage sale. Refurbished tools typically have had a problem and were sent back to the manufacturer. After examining the tool the manufacturer typically fixes it, and then puts it through a barrage of quality assurance tests to ensure it works like new. This is unquestionably the situation in which I have personally made my greatest arbitrage. Refurbished tools are essentially new tools… Refurbished tools are typically anywhere from 45%-75% off depending on the company. I have been buying manufacturer refurbished products for years and I have yet to be disappointed. Stop being so fancy! You can equip your shop with all the tools you need if you are doing a little extra work and are willing to be thrifty!

Method #3: Other Tips, Tricks & Bonuses

What I am about to share now may seem obvious but it is low hanging fruit and an easy way to save several hundred dollars depending on where you live. Do not dismiss this! There are quality tools on these sites that you can get for very little or no money whatsoever.

Enter Facebook Market Place and Craigslist Free Section

Most people laugh and scorn at the idea of scouring through the free section of Facebook marketplace. Let them laugh. They are overpaying for all kinds of stuff. It goes without saying that there are a lot of variables when looking for tools and equipment on places like Facebook and craigslist. Depending on where you live it could be a total goldmine or an absolute bust. A few weeks ago I was looking for a peg board organizer for one of the walls of my shop. There is a pretty nice one going for about $30 on Amazon but I found a slightly different one 10 minutes from my house for free! The guy was selling all his woodworking stuff online, but didn’t want to deal with shipping them. If you are checking these site daily you can easily get several hundred dollars worth of free stuff every month.
Tool Grader

Tool Grader

Our goal is to help you narrow down your choices when it comes to buying woodworking tools like saw blades, drills, paint sprayers, etc. We provide a list of our top picks in each category so you don’t have to waste time searching through all the endless options.

No Result
View All Result

Categories

  • Clamps
  • Education
  • Tool Reviews
  • Tools
  • Workshop Tips

Recent Posts

  • How To Take Down A Ceiling Fan
  • How Much Does A Cinder Block Weigh?
  • How To Change A Drill Bit
  • How To Fold A Bandsaw Blade
  • How To Fix A Hole In A Wooden Door

Expert Reviews

Product Recommendations

DIY Projects

  • Tool Reviews
  • Blog
    • Clamps
    • Education
    • Tools
    • Workshop Tips
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
Kreg KHCCC 90 Corner Clamp Kreg KHCCC 90 Corner Clamp - Verified
7% Off Can-Do Clamp Can-Do Clamp - Verified
WETOLS Angle Clamp - 90 Degree Right Angle Clamp - Single Handle Corner Clamp with Adjustable Swing Jaw Aluminum Alloy for Woodworking, Photo Framing, Welding and Framing - WE705… WETOLS Angle Clamp - 90 Degree Right Angle Clamp -...

© Copyright 2021 ToolGrader. All rights reserved. toolgrader.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

No Result
View All Result
  • Clamps
  • Education
  • Tool Reviews
  • Workshop Tips

© Copyright 2021 ToolGrader. All rights reserved. toolgrader.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.