Hello. New to this forum, thank you for having me. Yesterday I met a man with a basement full of woodworking machines that were bought in the late 80’s to early 90’s. None of the machines have been used in 10 years. He said make an offer on anything there. The 2 items I’m interested in are a MiniMax T-124 lathe and a MiniMax T-3 shaper with sliding table. Both have light surface rust from sitting in basement. The shaper has a powerfeeder and assorted cutters to go with it. I’m looking for any suggestions for how much to offer without offending. He also has a Unisaw, Planer,12″RAS,14″bandsaw,drillpress and assorted other hand tools. He paid $5000 for everything 10 years ago. Any suggestions for reasonable price offers appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Hi Jim, and welcome. Of the top of my head, I don't know what the MiniMax tools are worth, but I do know that they where not cheap.
I have a stack of old FWW mags that I like to peruse, and I have noticed that tools are worth about the same amount dollar for dollar as they were in that time period. Of course inflation actually makes the new tools price cheaper, but for the sake of argument, ignore that for a second. If that RAS is a good brand, and the planner is big and well made, you could probably offer him $5000 for it all and come out in fine shape.
One of my old magazines says that a T-120 lathe was $995. No mention of the shaper. I'd guess $2000 ish, and the power feeder adds at least $500. The Unisaw sold for $1400 to $1900 or so, the RAS, if it is well made, $1500, at least that is what the Dewalt 12" cost. The planner could be a $3500 20" Delta, or a 13" Delta for $999. You get my point, somebody paid a bunch for these tools new. Personally, I'd try to buy them all, and do some horse trading for the ones you don't actually want. I'd offer $4000 for everything. Just me though, and I tend to not be able to pass up a good used tool.
Now, if you end up with them all, and want to get rid of a few....
Don't know where you live but I would think that if you could buy it all for 4 to 5k you could sell everything but the shaper and the lathe and come out about even. Don't tell me where the seller is I would get in trouble with the DW :)
Troy
Almost forgot, since the tools are in the basement make sure the basement never flooded, that could screw the motors up good.
Troy
Take a look at http://www.exfactory.com as they routinely sell items such as these. I would treat that as a starting point only as several I have chatted with claim they belive their prices are on the highside. Another place you could try is http://www.woodweb 's member exchange area as there are frequently used machines this vintage advertised.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled