Replies

1. 
   dlb | Jan 05, 2008 05:22pm | #1

   try owwm.com

   The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
1. 
   Ron01960 | Jan 05, 2008 06:46pm | #2

   try Craigs list, http://boston.craigslist.org/

2. 
   PaulMassachusetts | Jan 05, 2008 08:58pm | #3

      I buy used tools from someone who has a full time one man business that repairs woodworking machinery and metalworking machinery. He gets me the large classic industrial quality made in the USA stuff I like. One example is a Powermatic 66 table saw. He goes over the equipment first and delivers it on a truck with a lift. He then sets it up and calibrates it. You might be able to find someone like him doing a search for "Machinery Repair" on the web. The prices are fair.

    There is a used tool store that I go to regularly. They have smaller machinery and hand tools. 

     Personally I do not like eBay as there is no storefront.  

      I also hit flea markets and yard sales. The deals seem good until you add up the time and expense of travel. It all depends on where you live.

      By this time my shop is pretty close to where I like it.

    

3. 
   bones | Jan 05, 2008 10:52pm | #4

   I don't know what you meant by stand behind, but I check out http://www.irsauctions.com (its not the tax folks) all the time.  Unfortunately, a lot of it is 3 phase.  Saw some good big jointers go pretty cheap. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   

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   Edited 1/5/2008 2:52 pm by bones

   
   

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   Edited 1/5/2008 2:53 pm by bones

4. 
   SawdustSteve | Jan 06, 2008 06:12am | #5

   First, welcome to the board The answer depends on where you are located. There are plenty of used machinery guys here in down-state NY New York City area). Unfortunately, many of the 'better' machines are 3 phase. Check your yellow pages for machinery movers. They probably know ALL the used machinery buyers within a 100 mile radius. Check with your school district. Sometimes they are disposing of surplus equipment. Some pieces will be useless, but some need very little to get them into great running order. Again... watch out for 3 phase stuff. Why not buy what you can now and have a nice list of items when your wife says 'what do you want for your birthday?'

   On the front page of Knots, there is a link to woodworking clubs, listed by state. Find one in your area. Most clubs have a newsletter and many members want to sell machinery when they upgrade.

   Go to the Grixxly website, their prices give you a lot of machinery for a fair price.

   SawdustSteve Long Island, NY (E of NYC)

1. 
   ButtChin | Jan 07, 2008 05:26am | #6

   Thanks SawDustSteve, those are great tips. i'll follow-up on the machinery movers. BTW, i live in the Washington DC area, if you hear of anything good there.

    

5. 
   Samson | Jan 07, 2008 05:29am | #7

   What kind of tools are you looking for?  Just stationary power tools as others seem to have assumed? 

1. 
   ButtChin | Jan 07, 2008 05:40am | #8

   Thanks for asking for clarification. No, really anything. I just bought the saw of my dreams, the Powermatic 2000. i have a small drill press w/mortiser, and a decent radial arm saw. That's it for stationary tools. I would like a shaper and a spindle sander.

   As far as portable items, a plunge router would be good. I'm pretty set as far as the rest goes.

6. 
   daveinnh | Jan 13, 2008 03:54am | #9

   I bought a used Delta DJ-20 jointer here - thru Knots classified.  I bought a new Unisaw at a trade show - in CT; but have seen several deals on used Unisaws, Powermatics (but not Generals).

   Look at craigslist for your area, and beyond.

    

7. 
   forestgirl | Jan 13, 2008 05:01am | #10

   BC, your situation isn't unsimilar to the one I started out in (except for the part about the wife and the dream shop, LOL).  You've gotten excellent suggestions with regard to (a) various forums and (b) Craig's List.  Don't know about owwm.com, but I have to assume the same about them.

   I have put together the vast majority of my shop's "stable" by buying used tools, or tools that were on sale just prior to a new model coming out.  Have gotten to the point where I can walk through Home Depot, Lowe's, Sumner Woodworks or even Amazon.com and not get distracted by things I think I need.  That is a pretty darned good feeling.

   Craig's List is the first place I look now when I need something.  It beats eBay all to heck because the tools are local, you can lay hands on before making a decision, and you don't have to pay delivery charges.  Just have your antennae out for the possibility of someone offing stolen property is all.  On top of Craig's list and various forums is the Sunday Classifieds.  Look for ads in the tool section (duh!) and also look in the auctions section.  Cabinet or other woodworking businesses going out of business, or an estate auction (maybe sale) of a demised woodworker.

   Just so you can see the benefit of such vigilance, here are the things I've picked up over the last 3 or so years:
   JDS air scrubber, new in box:  <50% of retail (estate auction)
   PC laminate trimmer:               (same)
   PC 890 and plunge cousin        woodworker moving out of the country; 1/3 retail
   Bosch 12" CMS w/stock supt   $225???  Amazon, just before new model
   Jet canister DC, ~1200 CFM      $325 (Knots member); it was new in box
   Hawk RBI Scroll Saw               Criag's List $125
   Steel City Mortiser                 Craig's List $125 (dug deep in the text for that one)
   Jet contractor saw                 Free; needed new motor, $175 (networking at a WWing show)
   Mid-sized Lathe                     $250 Craig's List

   Dozens of buys at estate auctions.

   Passed on Craig's List:
   Unisaws, several
   Brand New Steel City Cabinet Saw with Titanium Top, $1500
   a couple of decent band saws
   Many, many Powermatics.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

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   Edited 1/12/2008 9:17 pm by forestgirl