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What’s this stuff worth?

Bing187 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on April 19, 2008 02:47am

       Howdy folks’

       I have an opportunity to pick up some tools from a guy related to a good friend. He’s a kitchen builder/ cabinet maker on the side of his regular job, has turned out some really nice stuff over the years, according to my bud……..being re-located to Texas for his “real” job….everything must go….

       Anyhow, I have first shot at the stuff in his shop, ( garage sale tommorow; just found out about the stuff yest.) and while there’s some good looking machines there, I don’t have a clue what it’s worth. The shop has been pretty much pushed into a corner, so I couldn’t really get #’s off anything, all I really know is that it’s all old and it all works. My problem is that in this dumbed down Home Depot world we live in, the tool prices seem on the high side, considering age, etc. On the other hand, everything has heavy, cast bases, no plastic parts at all, and I’m thinking it’s commercial grade stuff that is worth more than today’s

.

&

#160;    Following is a list; and his starting price: some things on the list I need(want 🙂 others not so much. Bolce & Crane 6″ joiner $300 10″ Wadkins Bursgreen TS w/52″ Delta unifence (220) $1,000  12″ disc/belt sander $900 Stand up Delta drill press (not as old as the rest of the stuff, but in good cond,)$400 Delta band saw (not sure of size but all metal w/ cast base ) $450 Bolce & Crane drill press (bench) no price and a Craftsman shaper w/ bench and not a lot of bits $800 ( that’s the one that made me question the whole lot.)

      Any and all advice greatly appreciated, I’ve never heard of Bolce & Crane, or Wadkins, but they look like really sturdy, well made tools.I should also make it clear that I’m not looking to shaft the guy, or take advantage, just pay fair price for the stuff, and not BE  taken advantage of, either.Thanks in advance.

Bing

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Replies

  1. junkhound | Apr 19, 2008 03:27am | #1

    starting price

    If he tries to get those prices at a garage sale there must be some fragrant smoke in the shop.....WAY overpriced!!!!

    here are typical garage sale prices on stuff I either bought or saw at garage sales last year.

    6" cast iron joiner, craftsman and delta  $40   (motor not incluced)  --bought it

    Floor model delta drill press (1/2" chuck, 3" column, etc, with 1 hp motor) $50 -- bought it

    10" Delta and Craftsman cast iron table saws, as low as $40 up to $100, all were with motor  - bought the $40 one

    9" Delta TS with motor - was free!, had bent arbor, put arbor in lathe, trued it, passed on to Luka.

    5 HP rand compressor with 50 gal tank, good shape $75  ---  bought it

    4HP 220 V craftsman compressor  $5!!  - bought it, just needed new plug wires reattached!

     

  2. DougU | Apr 19, 2008 03:42am | #2

    I'd take that Bolce & Crane 6" joiner if it looked and ran good.  The Wadkins TS is a heavy duty tool, good quality, I dont know what it's worth and it wouldnt do me any good.

    I didnt read anything else in there that I thought was a heluv-of-a deal but I guess it all depends on what you need and how bad you want it.

    Doug

    1. Bing187 | Apr 19, 2008 04:22am | #3

              At this point I don't know what's a better bet; to tell him I'm really not in NEED of the stuff, and throw an offer for what I think in my gut it's worth? Or do I say "too rich for my blood", but leave my # and tell him to call if he doesn't sell the stuff at his g. sale? and then offer what I think it's worth. I really don't want to offend the guy, due to the relationship with my pal ( it's his bro-in-law ) but if somebody comes in and lowballs it to get it all off his hands b4 he moves, I'll be bummed if I miss out.......

            Quandry

           Bing

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | Apr 19, 2008 06:04am | #4

    offer $1K for all then stick around the yard sale and repeat said offer often.

    maybe mention it to his wife ...

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  4. JulianTracy | Apr 19, 2008 06:14am | #5

    The jointer is probably worth $300 if it's in great working shape.

    The table saw, unless very clean is prob a bit high at $1000 - but if it was super clean and needed nothing - it'd be a decent deal if you needed one right now.

    Comparing these prices to amazing garage sale prices isn't gonna do you any good at all - and, it gives no light as to the real worth of these items right now.

    back to the table saw - most it would sell for on CL or Ebay is prob between $350-750. An items' worth has very little to do with what it's actually worth or costs and everything to do with the sellers and/or the buyers motivation.

    The 12" belt/disc - wouldn't sell for more than $300-400 no matter how heavy duty.

    The drill press - not a drill press out there short of those crazy Powermatic's that'll sell for more than $150-200 at a garage sale. Might be worth $200-240 tops depending on your need and it's condition.

    The delta bandsaw - if it's a closed based unit - it's worth between $225-400, only near $400 if it is super crazy shiny and clean. Closer to $200 range if it's sortof old looking. This assumes it's a standard 14" model.

    $450 for a benchtop drill press? I realize it may be huge and industrial, but that price might as well be from a high-priced antique shop. Again - it's not sell for over $160 at a rummage sale - and that's not very likely at that price. Might get $150 for it tops.

    Shapers are remarkebly cheap on the used market, and even old craftsman stuff is still craftsman (ie, not pro level). Unless it came with $1400 in cutters, that shaper's only worth maybe $150-350 (dependant on the cutters.

    I've seen brand new industrial shapers going for $250-350, much less a craftsman older one.

    But it all depends on whether you need it.

    If I needed the stuff, I'd offer:

    Tablesaw with fence: $600-750 would be a gloatworthy deal.
    Disc sander: $250
    Drill press: $250
    Bandsaw: $275 if pretty clean
    Jointer: $200-300
    Bench drill press: $150-200
    Shaper table with cutters: $200-350

    Good luck - at those prices, don't worry about getting the early buy option - he'll have all that junk at the end of the day. And - if you bought most of it, you ought to be looking at a $200-300 discount.

    JT

    1. User avater
      Sphere | Apr 19, 2008 02:07pm | #6

      Agree with you 100%.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

      "Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.

    2. Bing187 | Apr 19, 2008 04:49pm | #7

      Thanks.

       Calling this am. with offers on Bandsaw, Drill press, and joiner

       will post with results

      Bing

      1. JulianTracy | Apr 19, 2008 04:57pm | #8

        Good luck!JT

        1. Bing187 | Apr 19, 2008 05:02pm | #9

          Wow, that was quick!

          Offered $200 each for Bandsaw & joiner

          $150 for stand up drill press.

          Accepted  on all three   :)

          Now have to figger out a good way to explain all that new stuff showing up in my truck.........." Gee honey, it was on the side of the road...."      Nah she'll actually be ok with it. Thanks for the advice, hopefully everything works as told, or my next thread will be titled "Where to get parts for Bolce & Crane Bandsaw?" Ha.

          Thx again

          Bing

           

          1. JulianTracy | Apr 19, 2008 05:14pm | #10

            Now those prices are probably gloatworthy. Of course, my pricing suggestions were based on the assumption that these were fully functional tools...For help with old arn tools, check out http://www.owwm.com/Congrats,JT

          2. Bing187 | Apr 19, 2008 08:14pm | #11

            Thx, course now I have to re-learn how to use em. Been framing and overseeing projects for a long time, haven't used shop stuff in a while. Hopefully just like fallin off a bike.  :)

            Bing

          3. User avater
            Sphere | Apr 20, 2008 01:07am | #12

            Now that you own it, call it what it is "BOICE-Crane"

            I worked with a lot of that machinery

            Here...

            http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/boice_crane.shtml#ggviewer-offsite-nav-10170360Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            "Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.

          4. DougU | Apr 20, 2008 03:01am | #13

            call it what it is "BOICE-Crane"

            they dont spell it that way on that web site that you linked, what gives?

            Edit; Went back and looked at the original post - NOW I GET IT!

            Doug

            Edited 4/19/2008 8:03 pm ET by DougU

          5. User avater
            Sphere | Apr 20, 2008 03:45am | #14

            I just figured he'd maybe want to be accurate when describing his haul and not sound like he got rooked by a Chinese substitute. With a similar sounding name.

            I knew a guy who had a PHD on his wall from some college in Pittsburg,Pa. But the Pittsburgh in PA, ends w/ and "H" his didn't.

            His higher ups caught it and he was rightfully dismissed.

            Nothing like the old switcher-roo on the name..Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            "Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.

          6. Bing187 | Apr 22, 2008 02:50am | #15

            Doh!!!

                      I actually didn't get the name off the machines, I got the name from the price list the owner gave me.

                      Thank you; I stand corrected. And feel a little dumb, but I'll get over it. Better to find out now with you guys rollin your eyes than someone at a parts place that doesn't know me.

            Bing

            Ps I promise to only call it a jointer from now on, too.

            Edited 4/21/2008 8:02 pm ET by Bing187

          7. User avater
            Sphere | Apr 22, 2008 03:12am | #16

            Hell, I onky knew the right name from being down on the floor sweeping the dust up under a few, and cleaning off the cast letters on them old behemoths!

            Oh that, and I LUST for a nice wide 12" or more , Jointer. And a 36" bandsaw.  They were some of the best tools ever made. Good old babbit bearings, you could make your own to replace em.

            Enjoy your new goods.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            "Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.

          8. Bing187 | Apr 22, 2008 03:25am | #18

                      Thx.

                  I'll be going down on Wed. to hand over the dough and load up the trailer. I think I will be bringing a little extra $ in case the yard sale didn't bring the windfall he was hoping for.,

                  There was an 80cc 4 wheeler in the corner with no price on the list; daughter turns 8 in May and I bought her 11 year old brother a dirt bike for his 8th b-day. She reminds me of this whenever we go riding.......

            Bing

          9. JulianTracy | Apr 22, 2008 10:14am | #19

            I picked up a little Honda XR80 1984 dirt bike last year for $220 off CL. It was so clean, I didn't even care that it wouldn't start...As usual, a carb cleaning and new gas made it right - almost collector's condition clean.Two weeks ago - picked up a 1977 Yamaha DT125 that was just two blocks from my job. It wouldn't start either but it was very clean and the guy had repainted the panels professionally - that's what he did for a job. paid $200 for it. It's a dual sport, but has no lights or switches on it, although the wiring harness is in place.Cleaned the carbs and fixed the petcock and started right up. Still gotta adjust the clutch on that one.Last one a few days ago - a 1987 Yamaha Warrior 350 ATV - engine's locked up for some reason, no idea why right now - has some aftermarket parts on it, pretty complete. Paid $280 for it. Could be the gears, a piston, the connecting rod - who know's? Figured it was worth $280 to tinker with. I already own a 1991 Warrior.My little girl turns 4 this year, waiting for her to get old enough to do some riding with daddy!JT

            Edited 4/22/2008 3:16 am ET by JulianTracy

          10. Bing187 | Apr 23, 2008 03:29am | #20

            Wow, those all look great for the $!,

                      I'm kicking myself now for the bike I bought for DS 3 years ago. Didn't want to deal with wrenching on anything so bought new. Yamaha TTR 90. Has been a great bike for him, but $ 1,800 bucks. Since then, I've discovered CL, and realize I could've bought a nice, used bike for a 1/4 the dough.

                       I also treated myself to a new bike at the time, a Yamaha WR 250. It's taken me 3 years and the patience of a very mechanically inclined former dirt-bike racing friend to make it a pretty fun bike. Yamaha has by no means worked out all the bugs on it's 4-strokes yet. It was a problem start bike from day 1, and after numerous trips to the dealer regarding no start, hard start, and low end bog problems,( all very common w/ that bike ) my buddy learned some tricks on line and re-jetted the carb, and installed an o-ring on the accelerator pump, and now it's pretty responsive and starts every time. Took a while though.

                        Those look like "can't lose " deals you've got there! Even if you sink some dough into 'em still cheap fun. I'll let ya know how I make out on my next trip to pick up the tools....

            Bing

             

          11. User avater
            JeffBuck | Apr 23, 2008 05:16am | #21

            U caught my interrest with that XR80!

             

             

            JeffView Image

                Buck Construction

             Artistry In Carpentry

                 Pittsburgh Pa

            Edited 4/22/2008 10:16 pm ET by JeffBuck

          12. JulianTracy | Apr 23, 2008 06:03am | #23

            Is that you? That's cool.I never grew up with motorbikes.Got my first atv, a Banshee, bout 10 years ago. Took it to the shop to get it tuned up and got taken for about $300 - they didn't do anything to it. Never again. Since then, I've totally rebuilt the one banshee - had a connecting rod bearing blow, and have done two other top end jobs on the other banshees.Now I own a 91 Warrior and a 89 Banshee - and the other three mentioned in the post.I take great pride in the fact that I now know more than any of my friends about em and I enjoy tinkering about with them (with the help of a Clymer's manual of course)Not sure whether I'll keep the three others, but that XR80 is sure a neat little bike.JT

          13. User avater
            JeffBuck | Apr 24, 2008 02:38am | #24

            Yup ... that's me.

            I did the math from the date on the pic ... I was 11.

             

            I learned to ride at 8 yrs old on that same bike ... in the pic it was "mine" ....

            learned when it was my still my older brother's.

             

            learned in a grass field next to the slag dumps ... down river from the steel mill.

            city kid motoX.

             

            seeing as how I could barely touch ground at 11 ... my brother would start the bike and get it in neutral. I'd climb on and sit up by the tank ... and he'd sit on the back of the seat.

            I'd get her rolling ... and he'd jump off the back ... and away I'd go.

            then ... when I was done ... I had to ride by him slow as can be and him and one of his buddies would run along side and grab the bars as I pulled the clutch and braked.

             

            the summer before that pic we took the bike out to my sisters place.

            still couldn't reach the ground ... so I'd walk it out of the garage.

            rest it with the handle bars against the wall in the driveway ...

            climb up ... kick start ... then pop the clutch and learn hard left to get away from the wall.

             

            same deal with stopping. Slowly ride down the drive ...

            head alongside the wall ... stop and fall to my left so the handlebars rest on the wall.

             

            Jeff    Buck Construction

             Artistry In Carpentry

                 Pittsburgh Pa

          14. MikeHennessy | Apr 22, 2008 03:21am | #17

            "I knew a guy who had a PHD on his wall from some college in Pittsburg,Pa. But the Pittsburgh in PA, ends w/ and "H" his didn't."

            Was he REALLY old? Actually, My Fair City used to be spelled without the "h" at the end -- the old train station rotunda has "Pittsburg, Pennsylvania" incribed around the capital. I think that was back in the 1800's tho'.

            Mike HennessyPittsburgh, (WITH the "H"), PA

  5. User avater
    intrepidcat | Apr 23, 2008 05:20am | #22

    just remember that it may be hard to get parts to some of the old stuff. I bought a old Delta bandsaw that works great but it was heck finding a tires that fit. had to have some custom made.

    "What's an Arkansas flush?......It's a small revolver and any five cards."

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