Hi,
I’ve been reading posts over the last 2 years here about which table saw to buy, still making due with what I have, and consistently people mention how it’s not difficult to find a used unisaw or other quality cabinet saw for a reasonable price (ie not much more than a new contrator’s saw).
What I’d like to know is, where do I find one of these? I’ve looked long and hard online, and in the newspaper and the local woodworking club’s newsletter. I found ONE that may have been a reasonable deal but the timing wasn’t right, but it makes me wonder if I’m overlooking a source for used saws? Most I’ve come across are not that much less than new…
thanks
Brad
Replies
Brad- I don't know where you live, so I can't help you out with a local source, but as far as the internet sources go, first check ebay. There are usually a couple cabinet saws for sale at all times. Another source would be irsauctions.com. This is mostly a commercial source, but I've seen many unisaws, 66's, and Jets on this site from time to time. Personally, I'd recommend a Powermatic 66. I've owned a unisaw, and currently own a 66, and it's a lot better. I will say that you won't go wrong with either, especially if you are working with a contractor's saw right now. Good luck.
JC
thanks, that irsauctions looks promising...
I'm Chapel Hill, NC (near Raleigh if you're not familiar) FYI
Brad
What price are you looking at spending? The going rate for a good condition unisaw with a good fence is around 900. On Ebay they seem to sell a little high. Check the classifieds in nearby larger cities. I live in Dallas and sometimes I get the Austin paper to see whats there, I am willing to drive for 4 hours to get a good deal.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
batorok,
I looked for a while to find Unisaws back a couple of years ago without much luck. Then I realized, that to get one, I'd probably have to rush into a deal and I had no knowledge or tools to evaluate one....and therefore, I really should buy from a reputable company. I ended up buying a Grizzly 1023s, however, the company below is perhaps the type you seek in your area....
http://www.brentwoodmachine.com/Merchant/bmshome3.html
You didn't say where you are located so it's difficult to point in the right direction. It's funny but about 9 years ago I started purchasing used Unisaws and Powermatic saws to rebuild and sell. Rebuilt 17 table saws in that time. They were completley rebuilt from the ground up, sandblasted, painted, bearings, belts, pulleys, electrics the whole job as good as new. I did not do it for the money, but for pleasure and a small profit. Many saw were sold to friends but one went to a 20 year old guy who drove 9 hours one way. He purchased a 1948 Unisaw with the Delta 2hp replacement motor and 50" Unifence for $850. That saw runs sooo smoooth I wish I still had it. After that sale I started collecting the saws. Soon I'll have to stack them because of limited space. I have a 1985 PM66, 5hp saw that I'm saving for my 7 year old daughter when she takes wood shop.
Almost forgot, this week is a local auction ( less than 1 mile away ) with 3 vintage Unisaws. Better make more room.
Sorry, didn't see the first read your location in NC. You should be able to find a number of saws in your area. post a WTB ad on http://www.woodweb.com
DJK
Edited 11/9/2004 9:40 am ET by DJK
Edited 11/9/2004 9:43 am ET by DJK
Thanks for all the suggestions. The Grizzly is very tempting, but I've posted a wanted ad, and will scour the papers for a while longer.
Brad
Check the message board at the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia. There is guy trying to sell a PM66 for less than $1000 (i think $900) probably somewhere close to Atlanta. That's a bit of drive from Raleigh, but doable.
Keep checking the classifieds. Took me a couple of months of looking but finally found a Jet cabinet saw with a woodhaven mitre gage and several blades for $850. It is in brand new condition. I live in New Jersey and this week there have been two unisaws in the classifieds. If you can, check the classifieds of your major papers on line, I looked every day until I found a saw. The deals are out there. Good luck.
B.O.B.
It depends on the area you live in. Typically a good used Unisaw can run 1/2 to 2/3's the price of a new one. The demand for saws planers and jointers is much higher than say a lathe so if you really want a Unisaw it's often just easier to bite the bullet and buy it. That way you have a warranty. With Grizzly and Jet the options are greater for the hobby woodworker. The jet is pretty much a clone of the Unisaw. As far as finding a used saw you just have to scour all the local classifieds, auctions etc. The best deals at auctions for wood working are non-woodshop auctions. A printing company often has a small woodshop for crating that might not be listed in the the auction list. Sometimes making cold calls to local cabinet shops turns up tools that are sitting in the corner and can spur a sale. Usually the three phase ones are the cheapest and by the time you switch the motor the cost isn't such a savings. Plus a lot of the used saws have the old fence which in my opinion is useless.
Another good place to look is 'Tradin Times'. It's not uncommon to see small shops selling out all their equipment due to going out of busingess or upgrading equipment, or relatives selling off tools after dad has passed away. I googled enough to see that they put out editions in N.Carolina too. If you're leery of buying used due to knowing what to look (or look out) for, maybe you could talk a more knowledgeable friend into going with you when you go to view the saw. One thing to watch out for if you happen to find a good deal on a HD industrial type machine - it may need 220 volt 3-phase power instead of the 220 single phase you probably have at home. The extra cost of a phase inverter could make a great deal not so sweet.
It didn't take long for a response on woodweb, did it. The 3 unisaws at yesterdays auction went for $550, $350 and $300 all have 50" Beis. fences. The 36" Moak bandsaw went for $750 and the 20" Delta bandsaw for $500. It's great to be in the right place at the right time.
DJK
DJK
You wouldn't want to part with one of those bargains, would you?
thanks for the woodweb tip. I got a response, and hope to get more...
Try craigslist.org, pick an area close to you, type in what you are looking for, select all for sale.
Great website.
dick38
Edited 11/14/2004 1:06 pm ET by dick38
In your area you should have no problem finding one for sale, when I visit my Daughter in Cary NC I will glance at the adds in the paper on Sundays to see what is selling. Have seen good stuff for some good prices before, not that I could haul them home on an airplane!
I think that the paper in New Orleans LA had the most equipment for sell at several places one Sunday that I was there. Several things I was intrested in and priced right. I even had a trailer a 150 miles away....but it was picking up a Laguna 18" bandsaw in Texas the next day on the way home.
My old Unisaw ( 51' ??) I found in Texas while visiting my Sister 20 years ago. I found an ad in the paper, called went and looked and bought it. Later after I could not seem the keep the blade lined up I found out that the front trunion was broke (&%#@) but an old welder I knew was able to fix it for me and has been working ever sence, untill 4 weeks ago when the motor developed problems. I finally foun some brushes that would fit and maybe tonight can get out to the shop and put the motor back together. Think I gave $500 for this old one with 52" Biesemeyer fence.
I went to an auction that weekend that mine quit and got an 80' model same fence setup but a 3hp instead of 1.5hp for $700 so once I get mine back together I will need to sell the old one I guess. But untill I run the newer one my options are open. And I could have bought a late 40's Uni-saw that needed rebuilt at an auction 2 nights ago for $115 but have no time and no space to store. So they are out there.
Watch the papers.
KK
Edited 11/13/2004 10:25 pm ET by koikid
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