Man you guys are lucky to have such good folks around that want to give you good stuff. Not only do I not have that, around here Craigslist has nothing cheap. People want 200% above market for tools and equipment when/if you can find any
An interesting cultural phenomenon: The gifting of tools and home decor stuff is because the emerging generation doesn't want Grandpa's shop tools etc. They are more likely to be living in condos instead of a home with a shop in the garage. They can't use inherited stuff and don't have room to store it so it is given away or it goes to Goodwill. However you have to be close to an elder to be offered this stuff as a gift.
In contrast things you see on Craigslist at high prices are coming from a hobbyist or pro who knows what something costs and he wants to get back some percentage of what he paid.
Two different worlds and they aren't connected.
My welders listed below - the 100 lb transformer AC welder was from the last day of an estate sale down the street. Heirs said it was used by Gramps briefly 30 years ago for hobby projects. Now they had to get rid of it. I talked them down to $50 on the basis of 'so if it doesn't sell today you're taking that back in your car to [some other city]?' Actual value is comparable to a used Tombstone, $75 and up.
The other two modern units - $25 for both of them. Guy was an old mad-experimenter type who said he was moving within a week to a smaller place and his garage was full of impulse buys that he played with, then in this case replaced with more expensive gear. He listed them for sale in such an obscure place that I was his first call in the week he had them listed. I rushed over!
And the drill press gift described above was one of two that parents were storing for their adult kid who had no shop after moving out. They had run out of patience storing all his stuff.
Maybe something like Neighbors app would find things that aren't on Craigslist. Or ask at church about elders downsizing, then barter some moving transportation for shop tools.
