Charlie’s 2nd Hand Tools

My new favorite store! You want it? They’ve got it! Highly recommend it if you’re in the market for some reasonably priced used tools of any kind!

Charlie’s 2^nd Hand Tools is Awesome! They got all kinds of stuff in there and the prices are very reasonable I will definitely be back and would absolutely refer people looking to find great tools at great prices. 5stars all day!

I’m basing my 4-​out-​5 on fuzzy memories from an impulse visit (was walking or driving by, saw the sign) _​years_​ago_​, but I’m about to drop in again, so if this review needs updating after today’s visit, I’ll do that.
My fuzzy memories say that it was fairly disorganized and I had the impression that browsing wasn’t really encouraged — the proprietor would rather tell you where to find whatever you’re looking for. Given the neighborhood’s history, a somewhat cautious and suspicious demeanor is, I suppose, somewhat understandable.
[aside: I’ve noticed I am treated very differently by store workers — whether a small business owner or a flunky in a big-​box chain store — depending on whether I am dressed sharply or shabbily]
And I recall prices being fair, but not remarkable — I’ve seen better in pawn shops and flea markets, but I dislike buying from those places for various ethical reasons.
At least if Charlie’s buys a tool from someone, used, they’re buy it outright, they’re not an overprice «loan shark» operation. So even if Charlie’s had higher than going prices, I’d still shop there because A) how many used tool-​only stores are there in this area anyway? I believe in supporting local and small business first! — B) you can put your hands on something before you buy it, unlike eBay, and I buy and sell on eBay plenty — it has its place.
That said, my fuzzy memories further inform me that he had damned near everything most folks — professional or hobbyist — could want, and a dozen of most.
I remember buying _​something_​small, but I’ll be damned if I can remember what it was — a spark lighter maybe, cold chisel, hand masonry star drill, drift punch… something like that.
I already know they haven’t got in stock what I’m really wanting to buy today, because I called a day or two ago and asked. But I’ve got the time to go down during business hours (for a change) and I want to put a face and a card to my name for them to watch for the thing I’m looking to buy and give me a call, if they’re willing, when one comes in… and who knows; perhaps I’ll see something I’ve been wanting for ages at just the right price…

Not much to say. If you need it, chances are they have it. If they don’t have what you are looking for, you’ll probably walk out with something you like just as much.
The prices are fair, and I could spend hours walking around — there is so much to look through that you have to walk around a few times. If you don’t feel like browsing, ask for help and you’ll get it. The owners are very nice.
Charlie’s is awesome!

Tool stores like this are few and far between. So far at Charlie’s I’ve found 2 vintage Lufkin tape measures with sewn leather cases that retract via a hand crank, an old hand-​cranked bench grinder cast in Pittsburgh by real steel workers 100 years ago, a half dozen sturdy metal tool boxes made from 20ga. steel for under $ 20 each, an Estwing planishing hammer from the 60’s, the best sheet metal snips I’ve ever owned, as well as dozens of rare and hard to find tools from the best makers of the past century. You just can’t do better than this place.

This place is such a mess I don’t know how they find anything, but they do it. Nice guys, random stuff, higher prices. Still, it’s better than driving all the way to Home Depot when I just need some screws.

This little gem of a used tool store has practically every tool you could ever NOT find somewhere else. And I speak from experience. I found specialty chisels that I couldn’t even special order from Sears or Tool King. When you find the tool, on the shelf, and you can’t even get other stores to order that tool, well, that speaks volumes. I know I know, there are probably tools they don’t have but other stores do. I don’t know what tool that would be, but it is possible.
Remember, this IS a second hand tool store, so none of the tools are new. But the clerks know their business, and have the layout of the store pretty well in mind, so they can quickly help you find the tool you want. It is probably best if you know something about tools so you can decide what in their selection is best for you, but the employees are honest and will tell you what they think about the condition of the tool you select. They have pretty much everything I could think to ask for, and if you are starting a project and don’t have all the tools, well, stop by and see what they can help you with. From shovels and tape measures to heavy cutting torches, they have a store crammed full of useful man-​toys.

I’m obviously not saying anything new from the previous reviews, as we have all dropped 5 stars, but seriously, this place kicks ass, I will never go to home depot for any type of hardware again. I roll in, need 5 nails, and the guy offeres me 5 nails for free or the whole box for a buck. I have no idea how they stay in business considering how affordable the prices are, but if you need hardware, go here, there the best in downtown.

Ok check it the only way I know about this place is because of Scott’s review, once I read it I stuck this place in my back pocket IE bookmarked the bad boy!
So I roll a Honda because aka they are super reliable and get good gas mileage well lately the little B, has been breaking down on me. So after dropping so serious Unilocaling money on fixing her, I decided with the last repair (starter) I was doing myself! Well I am a geek and have been building PC since like 1995 yeah I wish I would of realized at that point 5k invested in Microsoft would make me a rich arse geek today! So I figure since working on PC’s is easy for me etc I can fix a car, well low and behold my tool box gets about as much play as that Atari 2600 sitting on the top shelf in the garage. I have sockets but no ratchet.
Bam, back pocket opens up I pull up my bookmark and here is where my journey to Charlie’s Second Hand Tools comes to fruition! I pull up at 4:40 and he closes at 4:50 which I think is cool fight the power and the 8 – 5 hours! I walk into this place and its like a tinker shop full of tools every where! I know there’s is a precise madness into how he organizes this place but its like a treasure hunt finding your particular needed gadget! I find my ratchet and make my way to the counter and like a grocery store grabbing screw drives some steel brush and some safety glasses might as well go all in.
This place has just about every tool you could need, so if you need a tool and want to save a little money on it stop in pick up a used one because they have more character! Plus I cant get over the image in my head that these guys are building a bunch of machines in the backroom that are incredibly intricate to perform simple tasks! Ala Wallace and Gromitt!
I am Joe the Plumber, LMAO!

If you get sick of buying as many new tools as I do, knowing dang well that as soon as you lose the receipt for the new one the old tool will come home saying it was just under the pile of … you left from the last unfinished job several weeks ago, Then GO TO CHARLIE’S 2ND HAND TOOLS! They have everything that humans have ever made to fix anything ever in this amazing shop on Larimer St, (one of the last cool blocks that hasn’t turned into a loft megaplex) Ron and Steve are waay cool guys who speak plainly, know what you mean, and «yep, we got that» is the favorite phrase you’ll hear in there. I stop in just to show people and say hi whenever I can, and will always give them my money first. The prices are more than fair, they are downright cheap! Don’t waste your money in a chain store without trying here first!