Tools
What are my used tools worth?
Tools hold value better than almost anything else in an estate. Cordless platforms, vintage American hand tools and machinist equipment all have deep, active resale markets — but batteries, model generations and rust decide the number.
Typical resale price bands
| Tier | Typical sold range | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Loose hand tools | $3 – $20 | Best sold as graded lots by type. |
| Modern cordless tools (bare) | $30 – $150 | Battery and charger included adds 40–60%. |
| Vintage Stanley / Millers Falls planes | $40 – $400 | Type study and blade life matter to collectors. |
| Stationary and machinist equipment | $300 – $4,000+ | Nearly always a local pickup sale. |
Ranges are indicative of recent sold activity and move with the market. Always confirm against comps for your exact item.
What decides the price
- Model number and battery platform (M18, XR, FUEL, etc.)
- Whether batteries, chargers and cases are included
- Rust, pitting and blade or bit condition
- Maker marks and casting numbers on vintage hand tools
- Runs-under-power proof — a short video sells the item
Where the comps come from
- eBay sold listingsBroadest record for both modern and vintage tools.
- Facebook Marketplace local sold historyWhat local trades actually pay.
Best places to sell
Facebook MarketplaceOfferUpeBayCraigslistNextdoor
Questions sellers ask
Should I clean rust off vintage tools?
Light cleaning yes, aggressive grinding no — collectors reject over-restored tools.
Do dead batteries hurt value?
Yes. Selling a tool bare and stating so plainly beats shipping a battery that fails on arrival.
Skip the guessing
Photograph the item, and ezFlipAI identifies it, prices it against real sold comps and writes the listing for the marketplace you choose.
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