HELP! Big Yard Sale tomorrow. Need Knowledge fast!

[Lump]

Well, here I am again, asking for the wisdom of my Garage Journal friends.

While shopping yard sales today, I stumbled onto one which was being set up, which is not really supposed to open until tomorrow. But since it is all "man junk" (as my wife calls it) I spent about an hour looking around. Finally the owner sold me a few things, but I plan to go back tomorrow.

The tools and equipment were all quite old, good quality, and much of it was heavy-duty industrial stuff. But most prices seemed really good...to me. So, now I REALLY need your help.

PLEASE give me some input on the following items, which I can buy tomorrow if they are worth more than the asking price, or if any of you folks want them for yourselves (I can generally figure out what I would be willing to pay for items I plan to keep for myself. But when I must sell them to recover my investment, or when I don't know what the items are, or what they are worth...I turn to my GJ experts!)


Check out this huge old industrial band saw. It is huge, and I don't think I could possibly get it inside my garage. But the guy said he wants only $150! Sounds cheap to me.

I couldn't read the mfr name on the saw in the gloomy shop, so I stuck my cell phone back there and snapped a shot. I THINK it says, "Jones Superior Machine." Ever heard of that brand?

Next is a shot of the moving saw table...all part of the same unit.

And it has a great-looking Baldor motor.

There is NO WAY I have enough room for this...but I would LOVE to buy it anyway.


I have never even heard of an air-powered overhead hoist. Have you? Is this thing valuable to anyone today? I wouldn't have any use for it.

How 'bout a two-handled 600 ft lb torque wrench? Biggest one I ever saw!

Here is a Jarvis flex-cable grinder on a stand. I doubt that I would personally use it, but man is it ever cool!

It has multi-stage pulleys to change speed, and an indexed "clutch" system. Also, check out the price tag!

Neat old jack is both hydraulic and mechanical. No names visible, but looks old.

How about a Binks paint pot with an attached electric motor to stir your paint inside the pot? Cool, eh? Price tag $20. The guy said it works perfectly.

Look at this huge aluminum light fixture! I put my wrist watch on top of it to give you a size reference. The guy said it will work on 120, 240, or 440 volts!

Next is an old bore scope. The original foam insert in the box was completely disintegrated, and there was light corrosion on everything. The seller said it was for checking for excessive wear down inside a "T-56 Jet Engine." I don't know what a T-56 is, but if this is a bore scope for examining the internals of jet engines, I'll bet it cost a fortune when it was new!!

How about an OLD brass transit? It looks to me like it might be an antique. Anyone have any idea of value? He said he has another one just like it, but that one is in much nicer shape in the original box. Wants, like, $55 for that one.

Close-up view of brass transit.

Ok, gang. Now I need your help. I know it's late, but I've got to step up and buy these items tomorrow, or pass on them. HELP!!!

 

[Bull]

Jim, I can't help with the pricing, but man that is one uncommon yard sale that is going to be happening!

 

[Lump]

Bull, yes indeed. And my cell phone photos don't even scratch the surface of the stuff this guy has! I would LOVE to root through the shop, but except for the bandsaw, they are only carting stuff outside for the sale. Prices were not "give-away," but not bad either.

I am particularly worried about that band saw. I don't have room for anything like that, but I would LOVE to have it! And I would think that the Baldor motor on it would almost be worth the $150 asking price...don't you???

 

[Lump]

Later, when I'm not in a time crunch, I'll post photos of the stuff I DID buy today. It was a good yard-sale day indeed!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The only T56 engine I know of is the venerated Alison T56, later made by Lockheed. (It came out in 1956.) It was flown in B-17's and C-130's as well as some commercial aircraft I know nothing about. But it was a single shaft turboprop, not a jet. Still, cool, if indeed that's what the instrument was for...

 

[spongerich]

That band saw is definitely worth picking up. Take a closer look at the motor.. might be a 3 phase, which I'm assuming you don't have in your garage. Still, you could almost definitely find someone to trade it for a large single phase motor that'll run that saw just fine. As with any old/large machinery, condition is important. Parts can be expensive and/or hard to find. If it's all there and in decent shape, you should let it follow you home. No way you'd lose money on that deal.

That hoist is pretty cool too. I'd love to have something like that to replace my chain fall... it works, but it's really really slow.

 

[Lump]

That band saw is definitely worth picking up. Take a closer look at the motor.. might be a 3 phase, which I'm assuming you don't have in your garage. Still, you could almost definitely find someone to trade it for a large single phase motor that'll run that saw just fine. As with any old/large machinery, condition is important. Parts can be expensive and/or hard to find. If it's all there and in decent shape, you should let it follow you home. No way you'd lose money on that deal.

That hoist is pretty cool too. I'd love to have something like that to replace my chain fall... it works, but it's really really slow.

Sponge...tell me what to pay for that air-powered hoist, and I'll snag it for you! I don't need it.

 

[spongerich]

LOL - I'm a bit broke at the moment... I don't have even the slightest clue what something like that would be worth, let alone what the shipping cost would be to NY.

 

[Lump]

LOL - I'm a bit broke at the moment... I don't have even the slightest clue what something like that would be worth, let alone what the shipping cost would be to NY.

Well, if it goes TOO cheap, I'll snag it for ya anyway. We can figure out how to get it there later.

 

[930dreamer]

I like the Gardner Denver air hoist.

 

[Lump]

The only T56 engine I know of is the venerated Alison T56, later made by Lockheed. (It came out in 1956.) It was flown in B-17's and C-130's as well as some commercial aircraft I know nothing about. But it was a single shaft turboprop, not a jet. Still, cool, if indeed that's what the instrument was for...

I looked up T-56 Engine on Google and found that same motor you have mentioned. Interesting, for sure!!

 

[DandDMachine]

I have that same air operated hoist, works great. Its variable speed with a chain on it so the harder you pull the faster it goes up and down. I paid $35 or $40 for it. I was told by several people that was a good deal, but I dont know enough about them to know its value.

 

[Danglerb]

Surveying totally changed with lasers maybe twenty years ago, so AFAIK all the old stuff is both abundant in mint condition, and of no value.

No special reason, but that band saw made me think of the ones used to cut meat.

Lots of the stuff seems like somebody that used to have access to military type surplus, which can have quirks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Interesting, for sure!!

It would make one funny gag gift in the waiting room of a proctologist's office!

 

[camarotoolman]

I'd pass on most of that stuff, too much heavy work to move it. The band saw is Ok if 1 phase, not good if your have to get the right motor, I think its a meat saw too. Air hoist looks good. Torque wrench is OK if your own a semi or tractor etc. Even good ones don't bring much. SO = $250. If the netal is cheap, you can scap it and make money but its alot of hard work.

 

[woody 73]

On old bandsaws like that one finding parts is going to be hard,not impossible just hard. If it is three phase which I suspect it is either you must buy a phase converter (making the price seem not so cheap); or buy a single phase motor, (also making a good deal more expensive), your call.

Good luck in whatever you buy great pictures!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Lump, be sure to post your findings in my 'garage sale season' thread!

 

[454ragtop]

The motor on the band saw is single phase, you can see the start cap on it. If it's not a meat saw, which I think it may be, it would be a great piece. I wouldn't worry too much about parts, band saws are pretty simple, could make or adapt anything it may need. As far as the boroscope, I suspect newer ones are both cheaper and far superior. The flex shaft looks pretty cool. I used to have one without the clutch and speed control, found a pneumatic die grinder worked as well or better, and took up a lot less room.
Jim

 

[BionicSniper]

Get that radio too!!!

 

[crankshaftdan II]

The GD air hoist were primarly sold to foundries & Industrial accounts for working in dirty conditions-they come in various capacities-like 300-500-750-1000 lbs--should be stamped on the name plate-air consumption varies as to how fast you want it to lift. Back in the 70's they used to start @ about $800.00 for the 300lb er. The problem might be to find a rebuild kit for the air motor-otherwise chain should be easy to find! Just my two cent's worth

 

[Steevo]

The Baldor motor on that bandsaw says it is 1 phase, so you are safe with that.
I'd pay $150 for that any day of the week.
The pneumatic hoist is cool, but they are difficult to get parts for. My father in law gave me one that had a slipping clutch/brake, and its still in a box under the bench somewhere.

 

[Outlawmws]

For a band saw that size, if in good condition, and 1 ph, (I agree with Steevo, on that, it looks like it) it's worth that and more. The motor may be 1027 RPM? Hard to tell... so I think metal cutting...

Does it have a blade welder on the back side? if so a definite bonus!

Take some tension off the blade and see if the bearings on the wheels are sloppy at all, that is the primary area for problems. If it is ball bearings easy to fix, if it is Babbitt that can be more work than it is worth for investment proposes. Bronze sleeves not so bad if the shafts are not worn.

On the hyd/mechanical jack, I had one like that and removed the hook gizmo, from the shaft and used it on a cherry picker, but it's not worth a ton either way. tall jacks like that are not difficult to find.

The torque wrench is almost certainly out of calibration, which will also add to its cost, and may not be serviceable, so don't offer much on that.

 

[Lump]

Get that radio too!!!

Radio?? I didn't notice a radio. Was that a radio sitting on the bed/table of the band saw?

 

[BFBOB]

If the bandsaw is designed to cut from the direction your picture is taken, it's a meat saw. Dunno why, but they cut from the opposite side as wood/metal bandsaws. Might be adaptable with suitable blades, but I'd question whether the blade guides are sturdy enough to withstand wood/metal use.
If it's as big as it looks (20"-24"?) and it's a wood/metal saw, that is, your photo is looking at the back of the blade, grab it. Take it apart to move if you have to, but grab it!

 

[Lump]

If the bandsaw is designed to cut from the direction your picture is taken, it's a meat saw. Dunno why, but they cut from the opposite side as wood/metal bandsaws. Might be adaptable with suitable blades, but I'd question whether the blade guides are sturdy enough to withstand wood/metal use.
If it's as big as it looks (20"-24"?) and it's a wood/metal saw, that is, your photo is looking at the back of the blade, grab it. Take it apart to move if you have to, but grab it!

The seller muttered something about "meat saw," although it might have been "...LIKE a meat saw..." because he was talking about the moving table on it. I would only be interested if it were a metal saw, frankly.

I plan to go back over there later today, or this evening, and look at it one more time. By the way, thanks SO much for the input!

 

[Outlawmws]

Radio?? I didn't notice a radio. Was that a radio sitting on the bed/table of the band saw?

I don't think that is a radio, It's probably old tube based test equipment like an RF or signal generator.

ps: worth it to get to resell if you can get it for $5-10.

 

[Duckfarmer27]

Probably a wood cutting band saw - check out vintagemachinery.org as there are pictures of saws like that and more information.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=486&tab=4

At $150 it is a bargin - and not really much to fix on a band saw.

Dale

 

[Jarhead0408]

**** man, Buy the whole sale! I wish I could get that bandsaw, Too bad Ohio is so far away.

 

[Lump]

I enlarged the original high-rez photo of the Baldor motor tag, and I THINK the motor is 1725 rpm. Does that make it too fast for metal cutting?

I went today and only bought one item. The band saw was still sitting there waiting for me. But if it won't do metal, I might not use it much. Not sure.

However, I did take a couple more photos, and I will post them in a few minutes yet tonight. I still plan to go back tomorrow and look that bandsaw over REAL closely...and then wrestle with the decision.

Thanks to all for your help so far.

 

[Lump]

Ok, the first "new" item at the sale today was an older Ford brand lawn tractor. I haven't seen many Fords of this size lately. It has a 12 hp Kohler motor, and runs fine. The mower deck is supposedly in the back of the garage onsite, and will go with the mower. His asking price: $800.

Next is an item which I actually bought today. It is an older "hot tank" for using heated engine cleaning solvent (the stuff my dad just called, "Carburetor Cleaner.") It has hardened and dried cleaner all over it, and about an inch dried up in the bottom. But it IS cool!

Overall size is 18" long, by 9" wide and 9" deep. It has an all-stainless body, but the lid and handle mechanism seem to be chrome plated. (Maybe brass?)

The label on the front of the tank tells me that it is a "Castle" brand unit.

In this last photo of this tank, I hope you can see the details of the lid-opening handle and levers, plus the big knob for the heat-control rheostat. This thing must have been pretty cool at one time.

But what you COULDN'T see in these photos, was the price tag. I paid full asking price, without even asking for a discount. (Not normally my style). It was five bucks!


I am hopeful that I will be able to clean it up and get rid of that old dried engine cleaner. I plugged it in and it still heats, and the lid shuts VERY tightly. (It is necessary to use the handle to open it!) So I am keeping my fingers crossed that this one will turn out to be a good buy.

 

[Outlawmws]

I enlarged the original high-rez photo of the Baldor motor tag, and I THINK the motor is 1725 rpm. Does that make it too fast for metal cutting?

I went today and only bought one item. The band saw was still sitting there waiting for me. But if it won't do metal, I might not use it much. Not sure.

However, I did take a couple more photos, and I will post them in a few minutes yet tonight. I still plan to go back tomorrow and look that bandsaw over REAL closely...and then wrestle with the decision.

Thanks to all for your help so far.

1725 does not make it too fast, depending on the pulley/gearing.

if it is direct drive, and only about 3 or 4 slot sheaves, its probably for wood (or meat...) if is has a gear box/ or an intermediate set of pulleys, (jack shaft) its can be for metal. (metal saw need to go slower...)

Of course, a jackshaft can always be added to a belt drive, so all is not lost...

 

[Outlawmws]

A hot tank that size for $5? You **** sir, you just ****!

 

[Lump]

Thanks, Outlaw! LOL.

Any suggestions on how to clean that thing up? Man, that old dried-up cleaner stinks like the tear-down room of an old engine shop. What sort of cleaner/solvent do you use to clean up old dried-up cleaner/solvent, I wonder?

Also, once it is cleaned, I am wondering what kind of solvent I should use in it. My preference would be the old standard "carburetor cleaner." But my little garage is attached to the house, and as everyone knows, that cleaner has a really strong odor...especially when you heat it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lump, that tank is about 6 gallons filled to the brim, (so maybe 5 gal rated capacity?)

I was going to suggest a soaking in MEK, but that would get both expensive and what do you do with the remaining?

I'd try a gallon of Simple Green and fill the rest with water, and set the temp to low somewhere outside and away from the house... For mayne several days? Add water as needed of course. SG is a pretty good solvent, and with heat, I'd bet it would cut it.

If that works, There is your answer for your solvent... (Being cautious about aluminum parts...)