When it's okay to buy used... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 06:29 PM

I was about to buy a brand new Bosch Wormdrive basically for cutting in Ridge Vents and for cutting through shingles and for concrete & demo work.

Then I got this job to do. I have to cut through about 3" or built up roofing (mostly tar and 90lb. rolled roofing) that's been fusing for about a hundred years into a solid chunk...800 square feet worth.

There's no way that I could see myself using a brand new Wormdrive for work like that. So I've decided to buy a used Skil 77 HD. I was using a Carpenter's today that he said is 12 years old and he said he had one older than that before the 12 year old one.

Did some searching and came across one for $100. that's supposedly hardly used and in excellent condition. A new one would come out to about $180. (with tax). $80. difference between new and used. Is it worth it? No. But it's sacriligious to use a brand new saw to cut up a roof!

I'm still going to get a wormdrive (a Bosch), but I'll use it for framing and carpentry. It'll be my clean saw. I was hoping to get a decent used Skil HD 77 for say 1/2 price (around $75.-$100.).

I don't think a Skil HD 77 is ever "used". I think it's "experienced". Their like Hitachi NR83 Framers. Or Estwing Hammers. They last forever.

Geoff MRT · 04-19-2008, 07:25 PM

I had a B & D Industrial wormdrive for almost 10 years. I bought it at a flea market for $20 and it lasted, problem free, until it was burned up in a fire. I too used it for cutting roofs, floors and concrete. I wish I still had it. There's nothing wrong with a second hand saw for that sort of use. If it was cheap enough and it burned itself up in one or two jobs, it paid for itself.

Good luck.

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff MRT

I had a B & D Industrial wormdrive for almost 10 years. I bought it at a flea market for $20 and it lasted, problem free, until it was burned up in a fire. I too used it for cutting roofs, floors and concrete. I wish I still had it. There's nothing wrong with a second hand saw for that sort of use. If it was cheap enough and it burned itself up in one or two jobs, it paid for itself.

Good luck.

I used to buy $40. saws, put $20. blades and convert them into $60. saws. They worked well until the blade would wear down then because they had to work harder, they'd become dangerous.

At the same time, I didn't need a wormdrive to production cut plywood and couldn't use a sidewinder as safely as a wormdrive with it's rear handle for cutting roofs. So I have a couple now (LOL! and am buying more!).

Your story reminds me of one I heard just today from an old-timer. He told me how he used a sidewinder for cutting a roof and burned it up after it's first run. He went out and got a wormdrive and used it to finish the job without a problem. That saw lasted him 12 years (the one I used today).

TempestV · 04-19-2008, 08:26 PM

I bought my mag-77 used- it was practically brand new, and I paid $80 for it. It's kinda down my list a ways, but I've thought about buying a new mag-77 since they now come with a 15 amp motor and a table that swings to 60*. Since they did that, IMO, the mag-77 is now the saw to buy, rather than the Bosch. The only advantages I can see for the Bosch now is that they come with a hook, and are available with the direct connect, if you like it. I dislike the direct connect, and I put 2 1/2 inch hooks on all my saws and guns, rather than the 1 1/2" hook that comes on the Bosch, so the Bosch does not offer any advantage to me.

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff MRT

I had a B & D Industrial wormdrive for almost 10 years. I bought it at a flea market for $20 and it lasted, problem free, until it was burned up in a fire. I too used it for cutting roofs, floors and concrete. I wish I still had it. There's nothing wrong with a second hand saw for that sort of use. If it was cheap enough and it burned itself up in one or two jobs, it paid for itself.

Good luck.

I used to buy $40. saws, put $20. blades and convert them into $60. saws. They worked well until the blade would wear down then because they had to work harder, they'd become dangerous.

At the same time, I didn't need a wormdrive to production cut plywood and couldn't use a sidewinder as safely as a wormdrive with it's rear handle for cutting roofs. So I have a couple now (LOL! and am buying more!).

Your story reminds me of one I heard just today from an old-timer. He told me how he used a sidewinder for cutting a roof and burned it up after it's first run. He went out and got a wormdrive and used it to finish the job without a problem. That saw lasted him 12 years (the one I used today).

MALCO.New.York · 04-19-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGen

..........................Then I got this job to do. I have to cut through about 3" or built up roofing (mostly tar and 90lb. rolled roofing) that's been fusing for about a hundred years into a solid chunk...800 square feet worth...............

Do not see 3" of built up or rolled being cut by a skill all to well! But that is just MY experience.

It will work great for ridge and shingle trim.

mike backman · 04-19-2008, 08:45 PM

I just got a skill 77 for 80$ off of craigslist and it is mint!

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

Do not see 3" of built up or rolled being cut by a skill all to well! But that is just MY experience.

It will work great for ridge and shingle trim.

Hence, the gettting a "used" saw.

Actually, DeWalt Rock Carbide Blades are excellent at cutting through shingles.

WD40 them, then use them for plywood & 2X stock with no problem. And they last.

I'm going to cut down to about 1/2" from the first layer (don't want to cut the T&G Board under it), then tear-off the rest of it with rippers.

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike backman

I just got a skill 77 for 80$ off of craigslist and it is mint!

LOL!

Yep...Craigslist.

That's what I'm looking at.

MALCO.New.York · 04-19-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGen

Hence, the getting a "used" saw.

Actually, DeWalt Rock Carbide Blades are excellent at cutting through shingles.

WD40 them, then use them for plywood & 2X stock with no problem. And they last.

I'm going to cut down to about 1/2" from the first layer (don't want to cut the T&G Board under it), then tear-off the rest of it with rippers.

Now that sounds more do-able. WD-40 is real good at tar abatement, hand cleaning and tool prep.

Speaking of hand cleaning.....Ever use Titan for yer paws???? Literally melts muck off. And it is biodegradable!!!!

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

Now that sounds more do-able. WD-40 is real good at tar abatement, hand cleaning and tool prep.

Speaking of hand cleaning.....Ever use Titan for yer paws???? Literally melts muck off. And it is biodegradable!!!!

I'm a true-blue Go-Jo user...the original Go-Jo, not the "oranged" scented type or the one with the granules in it. Plain 'ol Go-Jo.

Biggest mistake people make when using it is they either wet their hands before using it or they rub their hands too much. All you have to do is grease up your hands with it, let it sit for about a minute and then wipe it off dry.

Greg Di · 04-19-2008, 10:05 PM

If you really want to cut a roof, use a chainsaw with a rescue chain.

http://www.cuttersedge.com/Products/...8/Default.aspx

This is what I normally use. Except when I use it, the house is generally on fire.

It will go through anything faster than you could believe.

2ndGen · 04-19-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Di

If you really want to cut a roof, use a chainsaw with a rescue chain.

http://www.cuttersedge.com/Products/...8/Default.aspx

This is what I normally use. Except when I use it, the house is generally on fire.

It will go through anything faster than you could believe.

Yep...that'll put me out of business faster than torching down a APP over wood shakes!

I don't want to cut "through" the roof...just through the roofing material (shingles, rolled roofing, etc...). The last thing I want to do is to cut through the decking.

Although those chainsaws do look like fun!

Colorado Fatboy · 04-19-2008, 11:53 PM

If you don't have any luck with Craigs List you might try some local pawn shops. I got my Skil HD 77 for $65 a few years back. Looked great on the outside! When I got it home I dumped the lube, same story looked brand new.

You can usually use 50% of the cost if you buy new for a good guideline. In fact I buy most all my tools this way. You'd be amazed at how much brand new stuff you will see in a pawn shop. Might not get down to the 50% but it's a lot less than new. Remember to wheel and deal with them.

2ndGen · 04-20-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Fatboy

If you don't have any luck with Craigs List you might try some local pawn shops. I got my Skil HD 77 for $65 a few years back. Looked great on the outside! When I got it home I dumped the lube, same story looked brand new.

You can usually use 50% of the cost if you buy new for a good guideline. In fact I buy most all my tools this way. You'd be amazed at how much brand new stuff you will see in a pawn shop. Might not get down to the 50% but it's a lot less than new. Remember to wheel and deal with them.

Orlando, Florida. That is the pawn shop central. I almost picked up a brand new (not a scratch) Bostitch RN-46 Roofing Gun for $125. with a mint compressor for another $125. They had 40' $400. Werner Aluminum Extenstion Ladders for $100. in mint condition. I've been trying to work out the numbers of what it would cost to go down to Orlando from New York, load up a 16' Box Truck with tools and drive it back loaded to the gills with tools.

Shovels, ladders, some power tools, those are things I can buy used. A $5. used shovel is just as good as a $30. new shovel. Both are going to get dirty on the first say I use them anyway.

I came across an 8 1/4" Skil Wormdrive for only $60. yesterday, but thought I'd prefer to go with a 7 1/4" for the ease of blades and variety of applications.

Matter of fact, I've had my eye on getting an Estwing Hatchet for demo work. Came across a Kobalt Hatchet (there were no Estwings). So I picked it up for about $15. and I'll use it for roofing and get the Estwing for carpentry.

But come Monday, I'm going to hit the local pawn shops (not to many around here) and tool repair shops and see what I come up with.

The first saw I was considering is an hour away (figure in about $30. for tolls & gas then that saw turns from a $100. saw into a $130. saw...too cose to new [only $50. away]).

Joining_heads@c · 04-20-2008, 11:12 PM

I bought 2 Bosch WDs for 120 on ebay a while back. One was beat to hell, the other is was in nearly new condition. They are the best saw ive ever used.

TempestV · 04-20-2008, 11:46 PM

I bought my Hitachi NR-90ac off of ebay for $84 including shipping. It was pretty beat up, but it runs fine.

WarnerConstInc. · 04-21-2008, 12:16 PM

Good tools hold their value way longer and better that the others, I had to have the talk with my ins. agent about replacement value for my newest addiction (they are green and blue and run on saurkraut)

2ndGen · 04-21-2008, 04:26 PM

Well, I did it...I bought new.

I just couldn't find a good used Wormdrive in time. The only one I found would've ended up costing me a good $125. in cost (100) and gas & tolls (25 at least) and time...a good hour's drive away, an hour back + negotiation time. And after all, it wouldn't had been perfect for me.

For a mere $60. more I could've gotten a new Skil 77 about 10 minutes away from me.

Besides the money, there's the fact that it comes factory new with a guarantee.

For $205. (including tax) I picked up a Bosch 1677 MD. I couldn't find and MD-XC (with the cord included). I was going for a Limited Edition 1677 XC-100, but couldn't find any within a hundred miles of me.

I was lucky to get a Wormdrive at all. The big box (HD & Lowes) stores were barren. Sears had nothing.

Anyway, I ended up getting exactly what I wanted. A Direct Connect Bosch Wormdrive. I'm going to gunk the hell out of it on day one, but hey, that's exactly what it's made for.

bcradio · 04-24-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempestV

I bought my mag-77 used- it was practically brand new, and I paid $80 for it. It's kinda down my list a ways, but I've thought about buying a new mag-77 since they now come with a 15 amp motor and a table that swings to 60*. Since they did that, IMO, the mag-77 is now the saw to buy, rather than the Bosch. The only advantages I can see for the Bosch now is that they come with a hook, and are available with the direct connect, if you like it. I dislike the direct connect, and I put 2 1/2 inch hooks on all my saws and guns, rather than the 1 1/2" hook that comes on the Bosch, so the Bosch does not offer any advantage to me.

it does offer an advantage in that the baseplate is much better than the MAG

Also, just do the math... cut from the other side a 30 degree angle instead of 60