Best Tools to Pawn [2024] Pawning Tools for Cash

Do you need money – like yesterday? Then, consider hitting up a pawn shop.

According to the National Pawnbrokers Association, there are about 11,000 pawn shops in the U.S., which means there’s probably one in your community.

But finding a pawn shop is only half the battle. You also need to decide what to pawn.

Here’s a lucrative idea: tools.

Below, I’ll share the best tools to pawn. If you’ve got these tools sitting around your home, you could pawn them to secure an immediate influx of cash.

And believe me – I know how important that can be. 

How Much Do Pawn Shops Pay For Tools?

Here’s an idea of how much you can expect to get for pawning some popular types of tools: 

• Power drills: $15 – $225
• Circular saws: $25 – $325
• Tool sets: $25 – $550

But remember, those numbers are just estimates. How much you’ll actually get depends on several factors, including:

• The type of tool. Cordless tools are often the best power tools to pawn.
• The brand. You’ll often get more money if your tools are from Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Craftsman, or Stihl. 
• The condition. When you’re pawning tools, you want them to work properly and look as good as new.

Keep these factors in mind when you’re deciding which tools to pawn. You could have a beat-up, off-brand tool that’s still super useful to you, but that won’t fetch much money at a pawn shop. You’re better off leaving a tool like that in your shed.

But the brand new tool from a popular brand? Yeah, that’s the one to bring to the pawnbroker. 

It’s also important to remember exactly how a pawn shop works. When you “pawn” an item, you’re leaving it as collateral for a pawn shop loan. The pawn shop will give you money upfront. Then, you’ll pay it back with interest, and the shop will return your item.

And if you fail to pay back the loan? You can say goodbye to your item, because the pawn shop is keeping it.

You can also skip the loan process altogether by just selling your item to the pawn shop outright.

Learn more about the process with this article that explains, “How does a pawn shop work?”  

The Best Tools to Pawn

You’ve probably got a decent number of tools lying around – but which are actually worth pawning? 

Below, I’ll describe some of the best tools to pawn. Stick to these options, and you could walk out of the pawn shop with your wallet a whole lot fatter.

Cordless Drills

Cordless drills are definitely among the best power tools to pawn. They’re super useful, and they genuinely retain their value. 

When I say “cordless drill,” I mean any drill that uses a battery instead of plugging in. That means you don’t have to employ an extension cord when you’re using it. Convenient? Of course! That’s why cordless drills are such a valuable asset when you’re pawning tools.

The amount of money you’ll get for pawning a cordless drill depends on two main factors: the brand and the condition. If you’ve got a DeWalt drill in perfect shape, you could get as much as $200 for it. A beat-up Craftsman drill, on the other hand, might only fetch $15.

So, yeah – there’s a really wide range!

To maximize the amount of money you can get, make sure you clean the cordless drill before bringing it in. The better it looks, the more money you’re likely to receive. 

And be sure to include the owner’s manual and original packaging if you have it.

Circular Saws

A circular saw, also called a buzz saw, is a rounded tool used for cutting planks of wood. Got one collecting dust  in your shed? Does it work? If so, you’re in luck. You’ve got one of the best tools to pawn!

Circular saws are bigger than most of the other items on this list – and they’re often in high demand. You know what that means: money!

Whenever you’re pawning tools, the amount of money you can get depends on the brand. A Bosch circular saw might bring in $325, while a Craftsman model could fetch just $25. 

The value also depends on what sort of condition the item is in. Does your circular saw move through wood like a knife through butter? That means it’s probably in decent shape, which will increase its value.

But if the saw can barely cut a flower petal, let alone a hunk of wood, you might come away from the pawn shop with your pockets a little lighter than you were hoping. 

Air Compressors

An air compressor is a machine that creates energy by (you guessed it!) compressing air. This energy can then be used for all sorts of purposes, including inflating tires and powering “air tools.”

Do you have one of these bad boys hanging out in your home? If so, you’ve got yourself one of the best tools to pawn – and you might want to take advantage of it!

The value of an air compressor depends largely on the brand. A Dewalt model in good condition might go for as much as $50+. But a Craftsman air compressor in less-than-great shape? Yeah, you could be looking at a measly $25. 

It’s also important to bring in the air compressor with as many of the parts as possible.

A brand-new machine might come with:

• An air hose
• A plug
• Adapters
• Couplers
• A blow gun
• An owner’s manual

You might also have air tools that are meant to be used with the air compressor – things like air hammers and air impact wrenches. These are also some of the best power tools to pawn, so it’s worth bringing them in, too.

Nail Guns

If you’ve ever used a nail gun, then you know they make your life a whole lot easier. Gone are the days of bang-bang-bang as you mercilessly hammer in nails. With a nail gun, you put nails in place with the simple pull of a trigger.

That sort of convenience is valuable – which makes a nail gun one of the best tools to pawn.

As with all power tools, the brand and condition of your nail gun will affect how much you can get from the pawn shop.

Here are some estimates I was able to compile:

• A DeWalt framing nailer in tip-top condition could go for $60 – $100+.
• A Porter-Cable cordless nailer in good condition could fetch $30 – $50+.
• A Stanley nail gun in okay condition could get you just $5 – $10.

These estimates don’t cover every nail gun on the market – far from it. But they should give you a decent idea of what sort of range you’re working with. 

To get as much money as possible, you’ll want to bring every component of the nail gun. A missing cord or charger could cost you. 

Wrenches

A single wrench might not get you a lot of money – but a full set of high-quality wrenches? Yeah, that could be worth it.

Of course, you’re not likely to get as much money for wrenches as you would for air compressors or circular saws. There’s a reason those items are known as the very best power tools to pawn. They’ve got tons of value!

Wrenches are simpler tools, and they don’t generally cost as much as power tools even when they’re new. 

For example, a full wrench set from DeWalt, which is a high-quality brand, costs just over $55 on Amazon. And you’ll only get 25% – 60% of an item’s value when you bring it to a pawn shop, since the pawnbrokers have to take their cut, too.

Still, if you’ve got a full (or almost full) set of decent-quality wrenches, it’s worth pawning. 

Just make sure you include as many of the wrenches as possible. A pawn shop might take an incomplete set, but they’re not going to offer nearly as much money for it. 

Alternatives to Pawning Tools

Pawning tools is an easy way to get yourself out of a pinch. And now that you know which are the best tools to pawn, you can maximize your pawn shop earnings.

But let’s be real. Pawning your belongings is far from ideal.

What’s the issue with pawning? For one thing, it’s risky. If you fail to pay back your loan, the pawn shop keeps your stuff!

Pawning is also an expensive way to borrow. The interest rates are notoriously high, meaning you’ll end up coming out behind.

Luckily, there are safer, cheaper ways to raise money. Here are some of the best alternatives to pawning tools:

• Taking online surveys. You can sign up for a survey site like Swagbucks or Branded Surveys and then make a few dollars an hour simply by answering questions. 
• Playing online games. You can become a “professional gamer” by signing up for paid gaming platforms like Mistplay and Cashyy.
• Babysitting for Care.com. Making a profile on Care.com is the easiest way to find clients in your area.
• Investing with Public. Have some savings set aside? Then sign up for Public, a user-friendly investing platform, and watch your money grow.

• Delivery driving for DoorDash. There’s no simpler way to start making decent money in just a few days than with DoorDash.
• Donating plasma for money. The process is almost the same as donating blood – except you get paid! Learn more with this guide on how to donate plasma for money.

You can even get paid fast for opening bank account with these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

For even more ideas, check out this article on how to get free money now.

Commonly Asked Questions About The Best Tools to Pawn

What Tools Are Worth Money at a Pawn Shop?

Here are some of the best tools to pawn:

• Cordless drills
• Circular saws
• Air compressors
• Nail guns
• Wrenches

Is It Worth Selling Tools to a Pawn Shop?

Selling tools to a pawn shop can definitely be worth it, especially if you have tools from top brands that are in good condition. Some of the best power tools to pawn include cordless drills, circular saws, and nail guns. 

What’s The Most a Pawn Shop Will Pay? 

The most a pawn shop will pay for an item is probably around 60% of the item’s value – and usually, the shop will offer significantly less. Remember, the pawnbroker is there to make a profit, too. 

What Can You Pawn for $50?

You can probably get $50 from pawning tools – especially power tools from high-quality brands. These are the best tools to pawn:

• Circular saws
• Air compressors
• Cordless drills
• Nail guns
• Wrench sets

Is Buying Power Tools From a Pawn Shop a Dumb Idea?

Buying power tools from a pawn shop is a great way to score a bargain. That said, you should always double-check that the tools are working before leaving the shop. 

Best Tools to Pawn Online?

Here are the best tools to pawn online:

• Wrenches
• Cordless drills
• Nail guns
• Circular saws
• Air compressors

Best Tools to Pawn For Cash?

When you’re pawning tools, these are the items to start with:

• Air compressors
• Circular saws
• Nail guns
• Cordless drills
• Wrenches

Pawn Shop Tools?

Tools are some of the most frequently pawned items. Here are the more valuable tools you can often buy and sell at a pawn shop:

• Wrenches
• Nail guns
• Cordless drills
• Circular saws
• Air compressors