I went to an auction the other day hoping to get a bandsaw. Ended up w/ some clamps, but nearly came home w/ an old Unisaw. If I weren’t actively looking for a bandsaw I would have grabbed it. But I’m wondering, how do you judge the value of old equipment?
This particular saw was pretty old, I’m guessing late 50’s early 60’s (when did they start making them?). Retro Delta insignia, Delta/Rockwell brand, fence w/ the know on the front that adjusts it (rack and pinion style), dust door at the bottom on the front of the cabinet. 1ph, 2+hp (looked like the plate said 11Amps at 230 voltage).
I didn’t have anything w/ me to guage the flatness of the top and it needed a LOT of cleaning and would be a good candidate for refurb, but the trunions moved freely and were solid and ran smoothly. Guys laughed when I opened the door; it was like a geology class w/ sediment. You could see all different colors of layered sawdust that had collected in the base. It didn’t even fall out when I opened the door.
Anyone care to take a guess as to what it sold for?
There was also a bige Delta/Rockwell jointer (looked like 10″) of the same vintage. One of the guys there mentioned that while nice, the tables on those older ones can get out of adustment and are a real pain to get them flat and square to eachother. I noticed that in fact they had already been shimmed. Is this something to look out for on old jointers, and is it that hard to set right?
Replies
I think they started making them in the late 30's. Many claim the older ones are built more ruggedly than the newer ones. If it was packed with sawdust, it sounds like they didn't spend much time cleaning it up, but I still wouldn't be surprised if it went for $400-$600....all depends on the crowd, features and condition.
The guy who owned it was a furniture restorer in his late 80s or early 90s. I don't think he did much of anything that wasn't necessary judging by the looks of things. But the equipment was in generally good shape, just in need of some TLC.
The unisaw actually sold for......$140. Plus another $20 for buyer's premium and tax. I was not planning on bidding since I figured it would get bid up over my budget since I was looking for a bandsaw. It went so quickly I didn't even have time to contemplate bidding and where I would bow out if it got too expensive, which I assume it would. I am still kicking myself.
The 10" jointer went for $360. I'll be looking out for more auctions.
ohcomeon ,
Wow ! My guess you will never see a Unisaw sell that cheap again .
For a complete and running single phase saw like that , here on the West coast one would expect at auction to pay from $ 600 - $ 800 on the average .
Usually single phase equipment like that will fetch more because any hobby ww can take it home and plug it in . A 3 phase wouldn't surprise me to sell for 1/2 of what a single phase would sell for .
A basic rule of thumb , a machine may sell for about 1/2 of what it would cost new , give or take a bit . My old Unisaw was made back in the early 40s .
dusty
I have two used single phase unisaws. They were purchased here in Michigan. Both have the Rockwell name plate and date from the mid-1970's. One was purchased around 1985 for $750 and one was purchased last year for $700. Both were in excellent condition when I bought them and I thought the prices were fair. I usually figure 2/3 the price of new is fair to both buyer and seller. However, a lot of other factors can influence the price including the demand for a particular machine. Unisaws tend to be in fairly high demand. Radial arm saws less so.
ChipTam
$140?! Don't beat yourself up too bad...now you can buy a new miter gauge with the money you saved! ;-)I passed up an older Uni with a Unifence that had no motor for $250, and have had some regrets, but the timing was just bad and my gut was telling me no. It belonged to the father of my son's girlfriend who I had just met over Christmas, and it turns out the saw was at his girlfriend's house who he left his wife and daughter for a week after I looked at the saw! I would have felt really bad doing any business with him during the period...so it worked out afterall I suppose!
Edited 1/22/2006 3:05 pm ET by scotty
$140 !!!!!!!!!
You will never see a running Uni for that amount again. You could have bought it, cleaned it up and sold as is for an easy $550-$650, no problem.
Yes, I know I missed out, and yes Scottie, in fact I did just get a new Incra 100SE for just a few dollars less than the cost of the Uni.
Like I said, I anticipated a lot more bidding on it and instead it sold in no time. It was like getting mugged. My brain was screaming "holy @#$, bid, bid!" but I stood there frozen not expecting to be able to get it for so cheap. Then...."sold"..son of a.....
Oh well.
Odds are good you actually did the right thing even though it seems counterintuititive. I firmly believe things happen for a reason...you may never know why you passed, but I believe it wasn't meant for you at that time.
O, is this the one?
Philip my good man, that is nearly identical to the one at auction.
I thought so. Except mine saw plenty of unsophisticated use before I got it. The motor must be o/e-has brushes... even at a measly one and a half horse there is plenty of grunt to rip 21/2" Rhodesian Teak and the like. One has to check the three belts often as they are short and wear fast.Philip Marcou
about how old is that uni in your picture the one in the front it appears to be the same that i have except for the start switch that motor is a monster but boy it can cut
Tom, I gave Owwm the serial number-they said it was made in 1962.Philip Marcou
thank for your reply i can find a model# but no serial# when i clean it out this summer ill check on the mtr plate to se if something is there
I have a couple pieces of Rockwell/Delta that I bought. I think mid 1969 - the year I also picked up SWMBO. That was a memorable year. It seems Rockwell didn't have Delta too long before, nor too long after that time. At any rate it has been a while and my new tools aren't all that new anymore.
If a Unisaw is in excellent shape it is not unusual for it to sell for around $1000 and often more. A good place to go is to see what they sell for on ebay.com.
yes that was a great deal but don,t beat your self up for not buying it . the person who bought it may have been willing to spend a lot more money .also remember there is always another auction .as a person who has been to a hundred or so woodworking auctions i have seen a lot of great deals and have been lucky enough to take a few home .
Since you aren't in the market for a tablesaw, you didn't miss out on anything. So, comeonnow and stop beating yourself up.
I just purchased a used one built in 1940 for 750.00. Excellent shape updated with a unifence (Superior to a biesenmeyer) no rust all parts are identical to todays saws.
Fotze
Foze, what type of motor is on it? Is it the Delta Manufacturing one-the fat one with brushes-you see easily if it has brushes by the two cover plates on the outer end. If with brushes I suggest you check that they are still of good length and there is not a lot of carbon dust in there.Those are superior old machines that can restored to better than new, with a little work. They wereexported all over the world-that's why I have one that was exported and used in factories in the then Rhodesia (now something called "zimbabwe".Philip Marcou
If you want to date your old Unisaw, try here:http://www.owwm.com/Delta/VintageProject/Part1.asp
Cheakamus
Hi, been there, its a great web site, thats how I pretty much dated the saw. Sort of wants me to start another hobby. Actually finding used unisaws are not that easy. I was probably looking for about a year before this one came up. I saw it in the "paper Shop" made the call and found out that it had belonged to the sellers father who had passed away. I went over his house and looked at it. At first I had reservations because of the motor (3/4 hp) But he allowed me to rip some 2" oak and it worked just fine. They rated the motor diferently back then because size wise the motor is almost as big as todays are. So I figure that if worse comes to worse that I can always replace it with a new 3 hp if I ever burn it out. The top was immaculate and everything was tight, so I went for it. At least I can say that my saw was truly made in America.
Mark
When you're ready to get rid of that Unisaw motor please contact me.DJK
Djk
Hi, will do, if you want give me your information so that I can file it away.
thanks
Mark
Hi Fotze,Same story here. Owner was the seller's father, moving into a long-term care facility. I got it because I was the first person to call, and the phone never stopped ringing the whole time I was there.Mine's a 1950, part of a group purchased by the Seattle School District back then. This one was used in the district's maintenance shop (owner was the lead carpenter, who bought it from the district when he retired).Same huge motor--I regularly rip 2-1/2 inch thick oak with no problems. I've made a note to myself to check the brushes though--I'd hate to have it burn out for want of a little maintenance!I paid $900 for mine. Came with original Delta dado set, molding head and cutters (still in original boxes), and original Deltacraft publication "Getting the Most out of Your Circular Saw and Jointer."I added a mobile base (had to order specially to fit older model) and exchanged the Jet Lock fence for a Biesemeyer. Now all I need is a motor cover (cast iron, egg-shaped), but I understand they're difficult to come by--seems more machines than covers were manufactured.
Edited 2/1/2006 12:08 pm ET by cheakamus
Hi Cheakamus
yep, quess what part was not original? I too will be looking for the original motor cover, mine came with one that is made of galvanized steel. It works,but the original would make the saw look complete.
Mark
A word of caution to anyone thinking of buying machines that came from school corporations. Most schools are strapped for money so shop teachers don't get rid of equipment in good working order unless they are reorganizing their program. Most school shop equipment suffers more from misuse due to the inexperience of students than from overuse. On the other hand, school equipment gets used a lot of hours. Sometimes school maintenance departments will salvage equipment that no longer can be used by students and use it for maintenance purposes. Some shop teachers are better at maintaining equipment than others so it might help if you know whos shop it came from. There are good buys out there but just be very careful to find out all you can before you buy.
I purchased mine for $250 & some TLC & a few $. I saved about $500 over a new saw. I got to paint it the colors I wanted. Works great.
Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best. The saw was manufactured in Sept. 1953
Edited 2/12/2006 11:40 pm by OB
Hi OB
Nice saw, where did you get your saw? I was lucky that I did not have to do a single thing. Though I should put a new switch on it, the original is somewhat tiny and when I have to shut it off, then I have to reach way down under and fumble around alot to find it. The only Hazardous thing on the saw
Mark
Private party sale from a Norwegian fisherman it was a back up saw in case his main saw broke down & had just set around for 12 years. It was 3 phase. It is now a hybrid. With a shopfox fence & a Grizzly motor & motor door. It has a M12V Hitachi in the left wing with last Novembers router fence from Wood magazine.
Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.
Edited 2/13/2006 11:17 am by OB
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