Well I finally got a table lift!
I've been searching off and on for about 2 years for an Atlas made table lift. I know they pop up on ebay and sell for up to $600 now, but I'm not gonna pay that for one.
I searched all of FB marketplace and found one in Malden, Ill. Guy selling a 100 with lift, Heinrich Gripmaster 6" vise, and GE foot pedal for $250. Not a bad deal for the whole package if you were close by. At first he seemed open to the idea, but then the press went to a pending sale and then back to available. When I asked again, he got an attitude with me and I didn't feel like dealing with him anymore.
Switched over to Craigslist. I use search tempest and it will open up like 20-30 tabs to cover all of the US. Clicked through all of the tabs and I was down to the last 2 tabs and there was a 100 for sale with a lift for $225 in Cleveland, OH. I sent the guy a long email about how I've been looking for one and showed him my press that restored and wondered if he would be willing to remove and ship.
Next day I got a very friendly email back and he said no problem if the price is right. I didn't feel like going back and forth so I wanted to give a good fair offer (fair as in not crazy inflated just because nut jobs are paying big $$$ on ebay) that also considered his time and cost of shipping. I made my offer and he replied back that it was good to him because he could end up making more money selling both separately than together.
We exchange phone numbers and we talk on the phone a little bit. Turns out he hadn't used the lift in years when it got harder and harder to move, and he was having problems with getting the lift off. Ask FrankLee for some tips, and he suggested the pot metal locks probably weren't knocked out and were seized. Sure enough the guy said he couldn't get them out. He finally got the castings off after cleaning up the column and smacking the castings with a hammer and wood.
After it was removed he called to tell me he had a middle pulley I didn't even notice and did I want it. He said he just wanted to cover the cost of a new belt due to removing it. I gave him more than a belt would cost. It will go on my benchtop 2 handle '100' when I get back to that project.
Parts came in early in the week and sure enough the lock cylinders were stuck and i had to use my air hammer to knock them out. Definitely deformed. Luckily FrankLee had some steel cylinders and taper handles to match the handles on my press to replace them with. Thanks FrankLee.
Took my press apart today. Cleaned the column and rewaxed with Johnson Paste wax and installed. Wow this thing is nice. Moved it into different spots but ended up putting the handle on the left side at and angle so the screw clears the table (in my pictures its on the right).
So there's my experience sourcing parts across America. My advice is to get the person on the phone. To me, once I start talking to someone, I can tell if it's going to work out or not. Don't get that with email, texts, or messaging.
. If not this can go to another project down the line.
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