Machine shop auction

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earlgo
Posts: 1794
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:38 am
Location: NE Ohio

Machine shop auction

Post by earlgo »

Went to one in Bedford, OH on Tuesday. Some 400 items were auctioned off from a shop that was closing or upgrading, I never heard which.
Just to tick you folks off, I kept track of some of the items before we left.
South Bend 10 lathe that was really old, on a cabinet with drawers full of tooling - $1200
South bend framed blueprint - $200 The auctioneer said this was the only one he ever saw.
SBBlueprint.jpg
Ghost image of OF included, no charge.
1970's 1hp Bridgeport Mill - $1000 (flaking evident on y axis - .040 backlash on x axis screw)
1970's 1 hp Bridgeport Mill - $1200 ( flaking bright on y axis - .008 backlash on x axis screw)
Starrett 18 x 24 pink granite surface plate on a stand - $50
(I forgot to look) 18 x 24 black granite surface plate on stand - $55
Other items went for really good prices all around. We did not stick around for the 60" x 120" laser cutter with transfer table or the CNC brake press with about $100G of tooling, or the puch press with an equal amount of tooling.
Never been to an auction before so it was interesting for a while.
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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Harold_V
Posts: 20231
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Machine shop auction

Post by Harold_V »

Heh! I recall attending an auction where two guys got in a bidding war over a box of large Allen wrenches. Don't recall the final bid, but it was in the hundreds of dollars. I thought they were nuts.

When the Jordan School District (Salt Lake County, Utah) made the decision to abandon the industrial arts in their curriculum, they auctioned off all manner of things, including foundry gear and machine shop related items. I had the good fortune to attend one auction where a McEngleven heat treat oven was auctioned. Interestingly, it was the first one sold, with a serial number of 101. The original seller attended the auction, a fellow I knew from having made purchases from his company (crucibles for melting of silver). His name was Than, and I asked him why he was there. He told me he would bid on the furnace, perhaps selling it as used from his business, Larsen Foundry Supply. I mentioned that I was interested in bidding, but said nothing more.

Fast forward, now, to the opening of bidding on the furnace. Auctioneer opened bidding @ $100. I looked at Than, who stood with his arms crossed. No one bid. Auctioneer dropped bidding to $50. I look at Than, who stood with his arms folded. I raised my hand.

Going once---going twice, sold!

For $50, I now own a furnace that was well beyond my means to own, otherwise. Than was a perfect gentleman. He could have muddied the water.

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
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steamin10
Posts: 6712
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip

Re: Machine shop auction

Post by steamin10 »

In days past I have bought Mc Engelvan crucible furni for $200 speedy melt for a like number and had them running in a day. There is no better way to stretch your pocket money than through an auction if you remember to keep your head. Decide what it is worth (to you) before you open your mouth. Likewise engage brain before ego, nobody cares if you have all the money on the table, they will gladly take it. Many has been the time when I wish I had a lot of money with me, (almost never), or regretted having to unload all that cheep junk form the trailer at home. (also almost never). If it doesnt work out, there is Craigs list and Feebay to clean the clutter with. I quit bidding against a guy that ran a second hand tool sale. He appreciated me not bidding him up and often reduced his store price for what I really needed, and I got to pick and choose the best on the shelf after he did all the cleanup work. He also bought from the street, so he had all manner of stolen tools.

At this late date I am still buying brass candle holders from India and the orient for $.50 and dollar in the second hand stores, as brass is worth about $3 a lb for golden decorator brass. So I always hit the Red shield store and its ilk when I am padding around the farm store right next door. Ineveitably I find some piece of cast off junk to drag home for pennies. Corded drills, saws, and shop vacs.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
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ALCOSTEAM
Posts: 762
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2003 9:20 am
Location: illinois

Re: Machine shop auction

Post by ALCOSTEAM »

200 bucks for one of those SB blueprints,, somewhere around here I got one that other than the creases from being folded up forever is still in its original SB mailing envelope.
earlgo
Posts: 1794
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:38 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Machine shop auction

Post by earlgo »

With that you can retire early. Or, maybe Blue Chips is interested, he knows more about SB lathes than anyone I ever hear of. :wink:
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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