Replies

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 06, 2004 02:30am | #1

   How about a pic?

   John

1. 
   Indigo1557 | Jan 06, 2004 02:34am | #2

   View Image

   This isnt the one I'm looking at, its the one from the link in the last post, but they are basically the same.

2. 
   Tao | Jan 06, 2004 05:41am | #3

   Whatever you offer it probably won't be good enough.  He'll probaly want to know what the next guy would be willing to pay for it, and the next, etc.  Why do you think he still has it?

   Tell him it's his property and only he can determine what it's worth to him. 

   Michael R.

1. 
   Indigo1557 | Jan 06, 2004 07:17am | #4

   Wiz:

   You are probably right...but I'm taken by the idea that I could own a honking big jointer ....

   I'm happy to make a reasonable offer, but I would like to put this guy on a healthy diet, and give him a gift certificate for cottillion.

   :)

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 06, 2004 07:40am | #5

   condition is everything - tarnish/surface rust is not too signifigant;  warped tables,  rough bearings,  worn out knives,  and frozen adjustments are...

   since it is not 'clean original', it isn't worth great amounts of money as a museum piece - the value lies in its utility - - if it's in good working condition,  needing only a cleanup/tune-up and a wire run from your breaker box to its switch box and you desire it,  offer him $500 - either he'll take it and you'll drag home a jewel,  or you can walk away confortably - - if it needs work/parts,  deduct that cost from the $500 and offer that - -

   just my opinion....

2. 
   BG | Jan 06, 2004 05:43pm | #6

   Most people who want to fix others can't do a thing for themselves and their own shortcommings.

   I don't see how you could happy with a tool that was formerly owned by someone who was fat, old and a smoker... 

1. 
   Indigo1557 | Jan 07, 2004 01:44am | #7

   and that my friends is the end of this conversation :)

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 07, 2004 07:18am | #8

   end of conversation? - - we need a report on what transpires...details...the inspection - the set-up - the negotiation - the denouement...who you get to help pick up that aircraft carrier anchor - -

2. 
   Indigo1557 | Jan 07, 2004 03:46pm | #9

   David:

   I just didn't want to get into a flame conversation over my light humour with BG.  Life is too short. 

   But definately, if folks are interested I will post a follow on...I'm planning on offering $450.  I'm just hoping he doesn't look at me like I've lost my mind.

   Cheers

   Alison

3. 
   rslatm | Jan 07, 2004 04:17pm | #10

   Having a modern style 3 or 4 knife head would be a concern. The older two knife clamshell heads are not worth having. No mention was made of the bearings, babbitt or ball. Nothing wrong with babbitt but ball bearings would be worth more. What sources do you have if the tables need to be ground and do you have any idea what the costs of grinding are? Typically blanchard grinding is usually more affordable and blanchard grinders are more commonly found for larger size grinding jobs.  Also a precision straight edge would be a must in my opinion. When I buy a piece of equipment I have general pricing on all possibilities. A good deal can be more than a new piece of equioment without the experience and resources.

4. 
   Indigo1557 | Jan 13, 2004 06:29am | #13

   Rick..thank you for your post.

   You made me realize/remember that when something seems too good to be true, it just might be.  I just don't think I know enough about checking the "soundness" of the machine to be certain that I'm offering for something that is actually worth the offer.

   I've decided that I'll hold off on making an offer (specially as my Minimax 20" BS arrived on Thurs.  :) But, I think after reading all the posts that its smarter to err on the side of caution, than blow $450 on a piece of junk.

   Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.

   Alison

   But you have left me with a question - what is a babbit?

5. 
   rslatm | Jan 13, 2004 03:52pm | #14

   Babbitt is an early form of bearing before ball bearing. An alloy of lead and a few other metals that is kept oil soaked. Nothing wrong with babbitt and you can still get new babbitt material for casting babbit bearings. Actually quieter than ball bearings and there's some shops near me that still repour these bearings. My philosophy on buying old iron is if you don't know every possible thing that can go wrong and the fix ...leave it alone!

6. 
   Scrit | Jan 07, 2004 04:21pm | #11

   Have you figured out how you are going to get what looks like 800 to 1000lbs, possibly more, of machine out of his shop and back to yours? Not trying to be funny, but industrial machines can be a problem to move (and expensive if you have to bring in a specialist machine mover)

   I for one would like to know more about your progress

   Scrit

3. 
   10fingers | Jan 07, 2004 06:03pm | #12

   I remember reading somewhere (I am getting old I guess) that if a jointner has a square head, don't buy it and plan to use it.  There is too great of a chance that you could get your fingers taken off.  I think that the old plane maker that didn't have any fingers on his left hand did that.