Recently, I've had a windfall of tools. Not just any windfall mind you. this is a "grin like an idiot" situation. In the last several weeks, I've acquired a 5 hp, 35 gallon air compressor and a decent kit of tools: 550 lbft, 1/2" impact wrench, 3/8" air ratchet, and a Devilbiss automotive spray gun. Additionally, I managed to find myself with a 90 amp MIG welder. Now, you'll recall that my whole goal in this project is to NOT go broke.
So why am I so happy to have all these expensive new toys? Well, I 've got a bad-ass kit of very capable new tools, and I only had to part with $150.00, and few extra gallons of gas - that's it.
I'm a tenacious bargain hunter, taking pride in never paying full price. I've lost track of the number of items I've purchased at clearance tables, used equipment stores, and even ebay. I'm not hung up on having the newest, fanciest tools. I tend to like proven designs and am willing to let someone else pay the premium price for the fancy stuff, realize it's not what they need and return it to the store, or put it up for sale - at which point I swoop in and pick it up for a steal.
I've been stalking a compressor & tools for several months. You don't dismantle entire cars without some heavy duty tools standing by if you don't have to. I had a few rules that made it difficult to find the perfect setup for a reasonable price: A legitimate 5hp motor, oil lubed compressor, belt drive, and at least a 30 gallon tank. These specs would guarantee a powerful, quiet, and most importantly, reliable compressor.
True, I could just wander down to a big-box tool store, plunk down a paycheck, and walk out with what I needed. On the way home, I could also stop by my attorney's office and pick up the paperwork for my inevitable estrangement.
Nope - I was going to need to find a place where people sold wacky things that you didn't stumble across every day. Sounds like a job for eBay - home of wacky crap for sale. I found plenty of PERFECT compressors and tools for great prices, but guess what happens when you try to ship a 200lb hunk of iron across the country? Back to the attorney...
Enter craigslist - the perfect place to buy crazy-ass things like heavy, second hand compressors. After several failed attempts, I finally found a compressor that met my specs. Better yet - it came with a bunch of tools! Unfortunately it was a good hour's drive north. But the price was right, and eventually I bit the bullet. I drove up and handed a very nice guy named John his money. I loaded up my well-used, but bulletproof compressor and air tools, and drove home - grinning all the while. Similarly spec'd new versions of what I just bought would have cost me at least $600.00. Not bad, not bad....
She's no beauty queen, but she'll work for a long time to come.
So that's the compressor and tools, what about the welder? Well, I paid nothing for the welder. Yep - free.
There's a great section of craigslist titled "barter". This, along with the "free" section are my two favorites. You literally never know what you'll find there - my favorite so far has to be the "Free Milk - 1 Gallon" I don't know the circumstances that brought this about, and it's probably better that way - but I digress.
One day, in the barter section, I found an ad titled "looking for wood carving tools and a dremell or rotary tool - $1" I have multiple Dremel's, so I clicked on the ad. Long story short (for once) this guy needed a Dremel and some bits and had a brand new 90 amp welder to trade for it.
I jumped ALL OVER this deal!
I have no real need for a welder right now, but I've always wanted one. Plus, it can't hurt to have one around if I'm rebuilding cars, right?
In the end, I managed to trade a 25 year-old Dremel and a box of bits that I bought years ago (approximate value - 30.00) for a practically new MIG welder (approximate value - $130.00 - $150.00). I know, I can't explain it either.
I honestly felt bad on the way home from the trade - so I picked up a cheapo "flex shaft" attachment for his "new" Dremel and offered to send it to him.
So that's it - $600 - $700 worth of tools for $150.00. My face hurts from grinning.
Oh, and I've got a few more deals in the works - one for a running, low mileage SOHC motor for the Neon, and another for some powder coating work. Potential cash outlay? $85.00
Owww, my face....
2 comments:
Congratulations on your found treasures! You are truly a master of used goods sleuthing. I have no idea what a MIG welder is but all I could think of was "Its the MIG. The MIG!" - ahhh, Top Gun. If you're not going to use that welder for awhile, can I borrow it to live my Flashdance dream until you need it back?
Yes, yes you may - in fact, I'm using some pink leg warmers to protect my arms while I use the welder. They may come in handy for the big dance number!
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