Are old power tools worth any money?

Yes, some old power tools are worth real money, but most bring only modest resale value unless they're a sought-after brand, a complete kit, in good working order, or a genuinely collectible model.

What drives value in an old power tool

• Brand and battery ecosystem: premium names like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita hold value better than off-brand or discontinued lines, especially when the battery platform is still current.
• Completeness: a tool sold with its original battery, charger, case, and accessories is worth considerably more than a bare tool.
• Working condition: a tool that powers on and performs correctly, with no cracked housing, seized motor, or dead battery, retains far more value than one needing repair.
• Rarity or collector interest: certain vintage or scarce models can sell for well above ordinary used-tool pricing, regardless of whether they still function.

A common, older corded tool with no collector following typically has little resale value beyond scrap or donation-level pricing. A well-kept premium cordless tool with its full kit, by contrast, can be worth a meaningful fraction of its original retail price.

When it's worth getting a formal opinion

Casual resale pricing is fine for a garage sale, but if the tools are part of an estate, a divorce settlement, an insurance claim, or a charitable donation, you need a documented value rather than a guess. A tool appraisal establishes a defensible fair market value or replacement cost figure prepared in accordance with USPAP, which matters when a court, insurer, or the IRS is reviewing the report. This applies whether you're valuing a single vintage hand plane or an entire shop inventory.

If you're trying to sort through a mixed collection of hand tools, power tools, and machine shop equipment on your own first, see our guide on how to check the value of antique tools before deciding whether a formal appraisal makes sense.