Hey folks,
I am looking for a small quality shop to buy. Machines and tools only, no land or buildings. I would prefer someone on the East coast (Texas to Maine) but would consider west if the tool pulled me that way. I am not looking to piece meal this but would prefer a complete shop. Upscale cabinet shop is what I am looking for. 1 to 3 man operation. Slider would be nice but could add later if the core equipment is solid.
I am an engineer traveling overseas (presently in Germany but can make arrangements to be in the states at anytime to look at the goods) and would be looking to close the deal within the next 2-6 months. FYI over 20k is over my head (just being honest but would consider all within reason.)
Please, I understand that many of you have alot of money invested in your shop and I wish I could afford it but this is my price range.
If you are considering retirement or getting out of the business please let me know.
Regards,
Lee
Replies
Don't want to burst your bubble, but 20K wont get you very far in tools, especially a high end cabinet shop. I suggest you make a list of essential tools for what you are planning to do and then do your homework. You probably can purchase new tools and have a farily complete set up to do most work. Just watch your nickels and dimes and don't expect high end cabinet shop quality tools. Good luck.
Woodrow, There is “NO†bubble to be Burst. A couple of thought here;
1 I don’t expect anyone to come running up and say “Hey buddy… I have this great Wide Belt and CNC that has your name on it!â€
This won’t happen nor will I insult anyone’s intelligence (especially mine) by thinking that it will!
2 I doubt that someone will offer me a really sweet Martin slider nor a Striebig vertical.
But maybe someone will come up and say, “Hey Lee, I have this shop full of quality bits, clamps and hand tools… Has a nice shaper and jointer but the table saw is a newer model and not the quality of the same model built some 15-50 years earlier!†See where I am coming from?
What I need someone has besides I am in no hurry for it to happen today.
Woodrow, it all good! I have a job and no debt! I love my wife and my boy graduated from collage with a degree and now he has a pilots slot in the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. I travel internationally for my company but enough is enough. Time to build that house I have been working on for the past 10 years. I have worked the construction field in the past and plan on doing most of the work building my house (note, I said most, not all! So please don’t abuse me on this.) I will do all the cabinet work, trim, doors and such so the shop will be necessary. At the completion of the house I will have a decision to make… Build another house or build custom cabinets/furniture. I figure that decision is about a 1-2 years or so away. Either way, it’s all good…
Keith,
Yes I have seen that thread and have tried to hook up with “Bobâ€. I had my brother-in-law from Texas try and hookup with him is South Florida. I heard from both sides why it didn’t take place and don’t really care why it fell through… all I know is that Bob still has the tools and I don’t. The Panhan slider is worth 12k because Bob says it’s worth 12k. I don’t know whether it is or isn’t. All I know is that none of his tools have ran for the past 6 years and stored in a storage unit in “Floridaâ€â€¦ I also have this posted in that forum with a note to Bob at the end.
I do want to thank you for the heads up… some folk’s don’t/wont take the time!
My hat (if I wore one) is off to both of you guys!
Regards,
Lee
If you ain’t doing it right… why do it at all!
Lee, first let me first congratulate you on your son, I know he has proud parents. If he takes the Military Pilot path I wish him a safe tour of duty.
I thought you were not familiar with the cost of machinery because you said 20K is your limit and then said "high end" shop. That did not jive. But after you mentioned some of that expensive equipment in your second post I guess you do have a handle of what the costs are.
Hey, 20k is nothing to sneeze at, and as I said you can get a lot of new decent tools with that money. IMO Unless you can find a great deal on high quality used tools that were maintained, I would buy new. The bulk of the cash will probably go to a good table saw, jointer, shaper and surface planner. You never know what you may come up with in the next year or two. Good luck in your search."One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"
If you go to http://www.forums.woodnet.net and go to the selling section, there is a guy in Florida that is selling a complete shop with the sliding saw you speak of. He has some very nice stuff, and is asking somwhere around 15K for the whole deal(the saw alone is worth 12K)
Edited 11/16/2002 9:10:50 PM ET by Keith C