Drill Press Craigslist purchase, Why?

[-Brent-]

Many GJers don't want to admit they're fad-following collectors. Garage Journal has made a few items VERY desirable/popular like the Cman block grinder and the Wilton bullet for example. The block grinders used to be 15-25 bucks but now they're much more. Same with the bullets, I got mine for $5... can't do that anymore.

Vises and anvils have been pricey long before there was a Garage Journal. The first anvil I tried to buy in 1998 or around there was way out of reach for me. I cannot remember the price per pound the guy was asking but it was high enough for me to walk...

Any place where fans/collectors/users/etc. get together certain items values increase. It's just how it is.

 

[DieselSaves]

I'd probably pay $100-$200 for either drill press pictured. The biggest competition for those old presses would be import floor models which still comand a couple hundred for a decent one. A new Sunnex is north of $600 so no matter the name on it, if it will make holes repeatedly it has some value.

The lathe looks like a 618? Any one identified that? The little lathes from Atlas have no peers that I've seen. They are not modern but are pleasant to use. I'd say worth at least $500 and maybe more with tooling.

I didn't see a vise or anvil listed in the ad that spawned this thread. I do know some people still use vises and fewer still use anvils. A new American Wilton is $600 or better with the 8" being $1100. So for those one or two people who still use a vise and find a good Wilton Bullet or Reed or Rock Island for a couple hundred dollars, that's saving money.

Anvils are a special thing. The ones that have survived a century with square edges are every bit as good as the best on the market today. I'll look at modern anvil prices but I'd guess a new one is more than two dollars a pound.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Guy is out to lunch on the atlas lathe. I sold my 10" for $800 I think a little more then I paid. Bought a much bigger and capable colchester for $1200. So much easier to use with a quick change gear box.