RECON Tools

[msturner79]

Hey guys what do you think about Reconditioned tools? I've found a website where I can get a porter cable router 890 for $150 and the equivilent Bosch for $130. Do ya'll think these are good deals and if so have ya'll had any experience with recons.

Thanks,
Matt

[Sawduster]

If they're factory reconditioned, I believe they come with pretty much the same warranty as new. A lot of em had nothing wrong to begin with except that someone's significant other or something convinced them that they really didn't really want that expensive tool. So they made up some problem with it. Or they didn't have a clue and blamed the tool for their inability. They generally get checked out pretty good and what ever is wrong is fixed. If there was something wrong, it is generally something really miner or it goes to the scrap heap.

[CajunRider]

I'm with Jerry.

In general, I will buy reconditioned tool at 65% of price of new if there's manufacturing warranty. If not I treat it as used tools and will only buy at 50% or less and I have to be able to personally inspect it.

Of course if I know the seller then it's different. If my friend says it's good, I accept his words until proven otherwise.

[arcticfox46]

Mat,

Nothing wrong with Recon.

Watch the price though.

Not sure but $150 for the PC 890 sounds a bit high.

[rrich]

Matt,
IMHO, I don't think that there is such a thing as a "Factory" reconditioned tool. The tools are usually "Reconditioned" at a service center operated by company whose name is on the tool.

As for actual factory reconditioning, consider the phrase that a manufacturer used concerning having tools built in China. "We have factory time scheduled..." Among other things, the screaming message from reading between the lines is 'Nothing is returned to the factory for any reason because the factory is busy building something else.'

When (In another life) I worked for GE, I could buy reconditioned small appliances. Back then (mid 1960s) these appliances were usually ones that failed shortly after purchase. These appliances were repaired by the service center and used as an exchange out for customers or sold directly to employees. I purchased a lot of these reconditioned appliances and never had one fail.

Generally speaking, a reconditioned tool is probably better than a fresh one from the factory. The service center usually has a much more rigorous testing requirement before the tool can be returned to service. When a tool is reconditioned, the technician has all the necessary parts and will replace anything that even looks suspect. The typical technician usually determines WHY the part failed and corrects the cause of the early failure.

As Cage said, if you can inspect the tool and the tool carrys a full warranty it is difficult to go wrong.

[msturner79]

Thanks for all the input guys.

[D Ball]

I have been buying some recon hitachi tools from a "factory authorized" company and they have been great. They have A grad and C grade. The A grade are tools most likely purchased as a present and the person did not want them. All six of the tools I have baught look and operate like brand new minus an ingraving stating "recon 5"

Dano

[Josh from maine]

i've had a set of bosch cordless tools that i got as recons. they've been going strong for almost three years now without a problem. so i'd say go for it.

[sibi1972]

I bought a recon PC full head framing nailer from PC, it looked a little beat up but works great and the price was right.

"Red"

Pssst - I'd go with the Bosch router...

[arcticfox46]

I guess it depends on the factory.

In the place I currently work we fully recondition, repaid and calibrate the products we manufacture. Though we DO truly "manufacture" the product.

Some factories are set up with a repair department, which is where the recon would be done.

Recondition or reberbish thou is a misnomer. That "infers" that a product wound be completely re-built. Those products are not rebuilt. Rather - they are "checked out". ie. someone plugs them in and if they turn of, then they are deemed good. They are then cleaned up, (refurbished) and put back in the box. If there might be something wrong, the product migh be repaired in the factory authorised place or sent back to the factory. In any case - not completely rebuilt. Rebuild means replace the bearings whether you think they are good or not.

At any rate - the "recon" tool will most likely be as good as new. However, there is always a small chance that it is junk, just like a NEW tool can be junk. Then the warrenty kicks in.