Buy and Sell Tools & Equipment in San Diego, California

Pawn shops most actively buy power tools from recognized brands: Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Snap-on, and Festool. Cordless drill/driver sets, circular saws, angle grinders, impact drivers, and air compressors move quickly. Hand tools from professional-grade brands (Snap-on, Mac Tools, Craftsman USA-made) also sell well. Cheap no-name tools are generally declined.

For cordless power tools, yes — batteries and chargers are a significant part of the value. A 20V Milwaukee drill with a dead battery and no charger is worth a fraction of the same tool with a healthy battery and charger included. If you have multiple batteries for the same platform, include them all; they increase the offer substantially.

Clean off sawdust, grease, and grime. Test each tool to confirm it powers on and operates correctly. Sharpen saw blades if they are dull, or include this information honestly. Bring original cases or bags — a Milwaukee packout or DeWalt tough case shows the tool was stored properly. Shops will test tools and a non-functional item will either be declined or offered scrap value only.

Both. Complete sets — especially socket sets, combination wrench sets, and cordless tool combos — can command a premium because a buyer gets a usable package. Individual high-demand tools also sell well on their own. If you have a matching battery platform (all Milwaukee M18, for example), selling those tools together as a lot is usually advantageous.

Absolutely. Pawning is a good option if you need temporary cash but want to reclaim your tools when your finances recover. The pawn shop holds the tools as collateral and gives you a loan. You pay back the principal plus interest (typically 20–30% of the loan value for a 30-day term) to get them back. Just make sure the interest cost is worth it compared to simply replacing the tools later.