A socket wrench set in a black carrying case

Selling Used Hand Tools and Power Tools Without the Headache

ByDorothy Kemp

Tools are among the easier things to sell. People who fix things always need them, and good tools last for decades. If you have duplicates, or tools from projects you no longer do, they may help pay a bill.

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Make three piles: keep, sell and give away. Test each power tool before you list it. A 2015 Christian Science Monitor article on reselling garage items suggested checking for problems like crimped or damaged cords, and pricing to match the condition.

That same article named brands that tend to resell well, including DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid and Porter-Cable. Old hand tools such as vintage Stanley planes have their own collectors. A respected collectors’ guide warns that valuable tools attract fakes and repairs, so get an expert opinion on anything that looks rare.

Check what similar tools sold for

On eBay, search for your tool and look at sold listings, not just current asking prices. eBay says its completed-listing results show items that sold in the previous 90 days. That tells you what buyers actually paid.

Where to sell

  • Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: good for heavy items like table saws, since the buyer picks them up. Facebook charges a selling fee on shipped sales, so check its current rate if you plan to ship.
  • eBay: good for smaller tools and collectible hand tools. As of October 2026, eBay’s fee for most categories is 13.6% of the sale up to $7,500, plus $0.40 per order over $10. The first 250 listings each month have no listing fee.
  • Flea markets and tool collector meets: worth a look for older hand tools.

Meeting buyers safely

The FTC suggests selling locally, meeting in person and taking cash. Many police departments set aside a well-lit “exchange zone” for this. Tell a friend where you are going, bring someone along, and don’t invite strangers into your home. If you sell from your driveway, have a helper there.

Never deposit a check for more than your price, and never share a verification code someone texts you. The FTC lists both as common seller scams.

Heavy tools can strain your back. Use a dolly or let the buyer do the lifting.

Will it cover a bill?

Tool sales are usually a one-time boost. Still, a few well-priced items could pay a $45 phone bill for a month or two. Results vary with condition and demand. The IRS says selling personal items for less than you paid creates no tax, but keep a simple note of what you sold.

More on Replace a Bill

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