Milwaukee Tilt Lok recon saw $77 shipped@Amazon

[steve-u]

As many posts have indicated it is like Christmas at Amazon right now after a long dry spell. I see that they are offering the Milwaukee Tilt Lok circular saw which is reconditioned for $76.99 shipped. This is an exceptional buy on an exceptional circular saw which I already own. They are normally $129 +tax at the local stores. Recon tools almost always look like new and have the full factory warranty which is five years for this saw. --- Steve

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Link below is to the current deals.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...ols0606&page=1

[Stuporman]

I have had two factory reconditioned Milwaukee tools, both with problems. The 5680 router came etched with initials in an obvious spot on the plastic body and motor, and the 6391 Left Blade Circular saw, bought over a year later was engraved and the shaft lock for changing blades didn't work. I since have learned not to skimp for a few bucks on any tool that I want to take pride in for a long time.

[steve-u]

Sorry to hear about your problems and thanks for sharing them. Yes Milwaukee will etch an R on the tool to indicate it is recon. I bought a recon sawzall and used it to cut down a couple trees with no problem and the R was on the underside. I assume that Milwaukee fixed your saw under warranty or you were able to return it? I buy only from dealers that accept returns. In the case of the circular saw I am referencing someone can save $63 or over new or 45% off and I suspect than an engraved R would not be a big deal for many though I can understand it will bother some. Bosch stamps recon in small letters on their recon tools but other than that the two I got looked like new and work great. I also bought a Makita recon belt sander and they only put a sticker on it. My guess is that the engravings are needed to keep dealers from selling them for new to reap huge profits and some still will try to. I have rarely heard of anyone disappointed with a recon tool that often can be purchased for up to half off new price usually with a full warranty.

Steve

[Stormbringer]

I have rarely heard of anyone disappointed with a recon tool that often can be purchased for up to half off new price usually with a full warranty.

Steve

The couple reconditioned tools I've purchased over the years have been flawless...thus allowing more than just a few extra $$$ for other purchases. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Sorry, no experience with the tilt-lok.

[sweensdv]

I too have had very positive experiences whenever I've purchased recon tools. As long as the tool in question is a true factory recon and not a store recon I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if the price were right.

In this case, the price is right for the Milwaukee Tilt-Lok. I've owned this saw for years and can't say enough good about it.

[Stuporman]

The initials weren't a single "R" or anything to do with a reconditioned product; they were the initials of the previous owner. Engraving tools in New York construction is an almost universal practice, and most workers won't buy an engraved tool. This practice must happen elsewhere as well. If I had more time to return used tools and take my chances, I would do it again. New tools carry a small chance of failure and wasted time. I get somewhat annoyed at the fantasy that reconditioned tools are gone over with a fine toothed comb and turn out like a hand made tool. Time and production are part of the job requirements for tool factory employees just like they are in the rest of the real world. People who use tools for a living avaoid reconditioned tools for a reason - they fail much more often than new tools.

[prisbylla]

Stuporman-

Do you have any data to back up your assertion that reconditioned tools fail much more often than new? My experience with recon tools has been nothing but positive. Oh, I do make my living with my tools.

[Tom Slick]

Sorry to hear about your problems and thanks for sharing them. Yes Milwaukee will etch an R on the tool to indicate it is recon. I bought a recon sawzall and used it to cut down a couple trees with no problem and the R was on the underside. I assume that Milwaukee fixed your saw under warranty or you were able to return it? I buy only from dealers that accept returns. In the case of the circular saw I am referencing someone can save $63 or over new or 45% off and I suspect than an engraved R would not be a big deal for many though I can understand it will bother some. Bosch stamps recon in small letters on their recon tools but other than that the two I got looked like new and work great. I also bought a Makita recon belt sander and they only put a sticker on it. My guess is that the engravings are needed to keep dealers from selling them for new to reap huge profits and some still will try to. I have rarely heard of anyone disappointed with a recon tool that often can be purchased for up to half off new price usually with a full warranty.

Steve

My recon impact driver also has an "R" actually an "RK" but I figured it was someone's initials. The tool had zero signs of wear, and the marks also looked new. I don't think it was used previously.

[tsbrewers]

Stuporman-

Do you have any data to back up your assertion that reconditioned tools fail much more often than new? My experience with recon tools has been nothing but positive. Oh, I do make my living with my tools.

I am a contractor too, and have no problems buying reconditioned tools. I can't say I have a ton of them, but the 10 or so times I have done it has worked out very well.


Brew

[Gator95]

I've also had few problems with the functionality of reconditioned tools.
Some cosmetic bits were off, couple dents here or there in a compressor or something but not anything that affected function.

[SARGE..g-47]

I only have one re-conditioned tool which is a DeWalt 788 Scroll Saw. A friend who is a DW rep at the Atlanta Service Center purchased it for me at his cost of $225. It has worked flawlessly even though one case is not represenative of all the re-conditioned tools purchased.

But... I scan 3 forums daily on coffee breaks from my shop and that has been the case for around 7 years. I rarely hear anyone complain of purchasing a re-conditioned tool and it being faulty. And the few cases I have... I had a good look at the actual tool in lieu of putting it into very broad class under the header, "re-conditioned".

My thoughs are the "re-conditioned" tools I have heard complaints about.. had a faulty design element from the get-go. In lieu of the manufacturer replacing the faulty design, they simply replace the part and sell it for less under "re-conditioned". It amounts to putting a band-aid on a bleeding artery where a complete closure of the artery would be the proper fix.

I would not purchase a Bosch router re-conditioned as the 2 1/4 HP had bad swithches from the get-go and the older magneseum bases would corrode and had to be cleaned constantly or the motor housing froze in the shaft. This is just one example.

In defense of the Milwaukee circular saw mentioned here... there is no basic design flaw as it is a very solid tool. I have two Milwaukee routers (3 1/2 HP and 2 1/4 HP Combo) that are the finest routers I have used. I got rid of a DW 621 and Bosch Combo to get them. I also have the new ROS sander and am thinking of purchasing another on sale as it it excellent along with their Saw-zall.

So... I cannot say enough good about Milwaukee even though they have recently gone off-shore to manufacture. But.. who hasn't as it would be difficult to name any tool manufacturer that has not been put in that scenario. Bottom line.. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a "re-conditioned" tool as long as I know it was designed well from the beginning. I would not hesitate to pass on one I feel is badly designed and the reason is obvious... it's not going to get any better by just replacing a part.

Regards...