tools worth buying instead of renting

did the actual math on rental cost vs retail before adding anything here. measure twice, buy once I guess

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rents for $50-75/day around here. retails around $939. broke even after my third weekend project, still using it 4 years later

Drum floor sander

(rental-friendly) honestly this one I'd still rent, it's a one-time-per-house tool unless you're doing this for a living

Plate compactor

paver patio project made this an easy buy, kept using it for the shed pad after

Pressure washer

underrated one, I use mine like 6 times a year on the deck and driveway, rental math didn't even come close

Laser level (self-leveling, cross-line)

Tile leveling clip system

cheap enough that renting was never really an option, but skipping it once cost me a redo on the bathroom floor

Wet/dry shop vac

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