Expert Q&A Sessions, Tools, Part 3: Are there any tools you recommend renting before buying?

Question:Are there any tools you recommend renting before buying, especially larger tools like table saws or tile cutters that most people won't use often enough to justify purchasing?
Iconian: Yes, if you're only going to use something a couple of times a year, you should absolutely rent it first. A good rule of thumb: if the rental cost is around 1/8 of the purchase price, renting is probably the better move. Renting also lets you get comfortable with a tool before committing. And if you do rent it and love it, then it makes sense to buy. For example, I rented an 21ft expandable ladder from Home Depot for about $30 a day, had a great experience, and ended up buying one for $100, and I've had it for years. The other upside is that most power tools in the same category operate similarly across brands. So if you rent a specific tool for a specific purpose and later see a deal from a different brand, there is a high chance that it'll operate the same.

Question: Are there tool categories where buying refurbished or open-box is a good idea?
Iconian: When it comes to open-box or refurbished tools, this is where brands like Ryobi really stand out.

They have a dedicated outlet for refurbished tools, and the deals can be genuinely strong, especially if you're actively tracking them.

Wherever you're buying from, make sure you're buying from a reputable seller and that they offer a warranty, even if it's only 30-90 days. In my experience, refurbished tools either fail quickly or work perfectly and last a long time. So if you have a warranty period you usually have a large enough window to catch any early issues.

Question: Can you name a few sites or retailers you'd recommend for finding refurbished tool deals?
Iconian: Two main ones. First, eBay — if a tool listing comes with a 2-year warranty, eBay has essentially pre-qualified that seller as a refurbished expert, which gives you a reasonable level of confidence in both the product and the customer service. Just keep in mind that refurbished quality varies. You might get something that looks brand new, or you might get something that's clearly been well-used. The warranty is your safety net there. Second is the Ryobi parent company's direct factory outlet, which runs deals about 3 to 5 times a year with significant discounts on new and refurbished tools. Those deals tend to go live very early in the morning (around 4–5am Eastern), so if you want the best selection, you need to be up early. They're consistently popular on Slickdeals.