To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Help with a local auction

tjpavlov

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
1,280
Location
Providence, RI
A high school in my area is closing up its woodshop and selling off all of the tools. Here is a link to the online auction:

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?...e&locationType=state&timeType=&timingWithin=1

I was wondering whether anyone could give me advice on whether anything might be worth bidding on. There's a smaller bandsaw that might be nice in my garage as well as a disc sander. I don't have space for the larger machines, like the lathes or big planers.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

toolmiser

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
1,657
Location
La Crosse, WI
Looks like a quite a few nice tools, be aware that some are 3 phase and it will require a converter. I would agree with the sanders, bandsaw(s),

Good luck
 

macgee

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
2,834
Location
Sepulveda Pass, CA
Toolmiser is correct, I would try to find when you can view the items in person prior to bidding and there's a contact number, they might be able to give you some more info than what you see on the page

Just beware there's a 19% that will be added on top of the price of winning bid with sellers premium and sales tax. Please account for this when you have a max price in mind that you want to pay. It adds up quick.

All the items you're interested is Three Phase power, except for the 12" Rockwell Disc Sander, it's 110v

The smaller Rockwell bandsaw and the belt sander is three phase, so unless you want to invest in time and money to install a VFD on them then I would pass on it unless of course you want a variable speed bandsaw which is super awesome to have but just beware of the $$ and time needed to make that happen. Also, swapping out the motor for a single phase version is not hard on these and a option.

They have some awesome machines for sale, but also be aware teenage kids have been playing with these for decades and they need to be checked out before bidding, it's not always cheap to repair, replace damaged or missing parts on these machines, it can also takes ages to even find a part that doesn't require you to pay crazy high prices for.

I think the best deal is the "(2) Work Benches w/ Vises & Tools", there could be lots of money in the small tooling and useful.

For me, I would be jumping on that Powermatic Grinder and putting a VFD on it, if it was selling for cheap. Would make for a great buffer and wheeling machine.
I wouldn't be surprised if the bidding gets more active on a lot of these machines based on how many bids there already are for the lumber in first listing. That is a lot of nice wood.
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,950
Location
Richmond, VA
That is local to me too... Dammit. I need a jointer, but don't want a 3 phase

I'll keep an eye on that dust collector though
 

Whitworth

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Messages
2,100
Typical school stuff, circa 1960's into the 70's. Really nice stuff. 18" wedge-bed planer is on my wish list, wish I lived closer.

Set your sights on the 1 or 2 machines you want and go all in.
 

RTM

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,259
Location
SF Bay Area
I agree the workbenches are currently a deal. Looks like a lot of the same plane, but some different ones including a router plane. Currently pic is getting fuzzy before I can decipher all the tools
The miter trimmer, if a good vintage one, could be worth $100 alone.

I suspect that lot will go nuts before it's over tho.

Please report back the closing, even if it's not you that wins.

Grinder pedestal looks good, but I'm not close to knowledgeable there.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

tombell572

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2015
Messages
1,039
Location
Sea Cliff, NY & Portland, OR
A lot of nice machinery from the golden age of power tools. Looks as if most have been sitting idle or in storage for quite a while. Above comments regarding inspecting before bidding are wise. Will be interesting to see how this finnishes up.

Another industrial arts program bites the dust.

Tom B.
 
OP
T

tjpavlov

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
1,280
Location
Providence, RI
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I enjoy carpentry but am working out of a garage that get shared with bikes and cars. So most of this stuff will never find a home with me. It's fun to watch. I'm going to keep my eye on that disc sander and maybe the small band saw.
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,950
Location
Richmond, VA
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I enjoy carpentry but am working out of a garage that get shared with bikes and cars. So most of this stuff will never find a home with me. It's fun to watch. I'm going to keep my eye on that disc sander and maybe the small band saw.

Even a 14" band saw on a mobile base eats up a lot of real estate in a small shop, and really isn't a tool that most would use much.

A sander wouldn't likely see a lot more run time, IMO
 

lilredex

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,956
Location
Toronto
One could go nuts over that stuff if you were close and just setting up shop. Most is 3PH. so allow $100 or so to change the motor. I have that lathe #18 that came cheap, also out of a school and yes it was 3PH...I just changed the motor.

Don't buy that 9" T/S, you will forever kick yourself for having that oddball blade. They cannot be easily opened up for a ten inch blade.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom