Recently I've been in the market for a circular saw (home use) and I see I can get either a cheap Ryobi new from Bunnings or a better quality Bosch Blue one second hand for about the same price(Either from Cash Converters or Gumtree).
Obviously the Bosch one is much better quality, but I do run the risk it dies a week after purchasing and I'm out a almost $100.
Has anyone bought second hand tools? Are they normally beaten up and not worth the money, or are they the value purchase?
And think about the powertools. Who would sell a good quality powertool? They are either worn out and the seller is replacing, or stolen.
Owning both Bosch Blue and Ryobi, amongst others, you're making a rather large assumption that Bosch is better. It should be but that's not my experience. I won't be buying any more Bosch blue but I will buy more Ryobi and others. For occasional home use it's hard to beat Ryobis range and 6 year warranty. If it's a choice between used Bosch and new Ryobi I'd go with the Ryobi.
I have found opposite
Just get the Ozito circular saw from Bunnings. If it breaks then you can just return it easily. You can always upgrade at a later stage if you find it's lacking for what you need it for or you just want something better.
I’ve bought a bunch of second hand tools some a bit rough, some hardly used. Haven’t had any dramas and definitely saved plenty. I did buy a set of cordless Ryobi tools from a builder who was upgrading, they were all ‘well used’ but still worked fine except one had a dodgy trigger and I knew that when I inspected and tested them.
Also sold a few tens second hand. Always show the buyer it works by plugging in or using a working battery and haven’t had any dramas.
Power tools pretty much work or they don’t. If you can inspect and test prior to buying then you are good to go. Ie don’t buy damaged stuff except if it’s the right price.
New powertools.
Secondhand manual tools (screw drivers, spanners, clamps, planes, chisels, sockets, hammers etc.)
Best deals at garage sales where the old bloke has passed away or gone into a care home. I've found the sellers are usually happy to see somebody to take care of and use the tools.