Subject: Do you know these machines?

From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Dec 1996 06:03:06 GMT

I will be attending a few machinery auctions in the near future. These
machines have been mentioned in the ads: Sharp 15x40 gap bed lathe, Lion
17x60 lathe, Webb mill, and a Romi lathe. I have never heard of any of
these before. My budget for a lathe is under $3000. Anyone  out there able
to give me some kind of a clue as to quality or value of any of these
machines?

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From: [email-masked] (Jonathan M. Elson)
Date: 9 Dec 1996 19:54:05 GMT

[email-masked] wrote:
: I will be attending a few machinery auctions in the near future. These
: machines have been mentioned in the ads: Sharp 15x40 gap bed lathe, Lion
: 17x60 lathe, Webb mill, and a Romi lathe. I have never heard of any of
: these before. My budget for a lathe is under $3000. Anyone  out there able
: to give me some kind of a clue as to quality or value of any of these
: machines? 

Romi makes the basic lathe that is sold under the Bridgeport name as
their EzTurn CNC lathe.  We just got one in our shop, and it looks quite 
nice.  Romi is apparently in Brazil.

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From: [email-masked] (Scott Logan)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 01:21:13 GMT

On 9 Dec 1996 13:08:27 GMT, [email-masked](Dave Ficken) wrote:

> As a machinery dealer, I would be remiss if I didn't try to explain
>why you might want to consider buying from a dealer. You may pay more
>than the auction price, but you will be able to inspect under power.
>You will be able to return the machine if something is wrong. You will
>be able to speak to someone who is knowledgeable about the machinery.
>Most importantly, you can still get answers and help months later.

I will emphatically second all that Dave has to say.  I've bought at
auctions, and sometimes you can find a good deal.  I've also seen lots
of things go for MORE than new cost.

Keep in mind that virtually all auctions are "where is, as is" and
generally, they WILL NOT allow you to inspect the machine under power.
You will also be responsible for moving the item or arranging to have
it moved, and there may be a limited time frame in which to move them.

Scott Logan
[email-masked]
www.loganact.com

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Dec 1996 21:15:53 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
[email-masked](Dave Ficken) writes:

>machinery, you should plan on attending several. You will be in a bad
>position if you have the attitude that you must buy a particular item
>that day. Set your price well in advance, and walk away if the price
>goes beyond that. There will always be another auction around the
>corner.

That is the single most important item to keep at the front of our brain
when at ana auction. Please remember Dave's words.

>Most importantly, you can still get answers and help months later.

I have zero argument with this advice. Having bought probably a hundred
machines for business and hobby over the last 20 years, I can attest to
the importance of paying the dealer a margin. Go haggle with them by all
means but auctions are auctions. You see it, you buy it, you own it.

Peter

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 12 Dec 1996 12:05:40 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
[email-masked] writes:

>auctions are auctions. You see it, you buy it, you own it.

That is the fun of machinery.  You pays your money, you takes your
chances.  At least if you lose, it will bring $44/ton.   Not like Vegas.

Cecil in OK

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From: [email-masked](Dave Ficken)
Date: 9 Dec 1996 13:08:27 GMT

>to give me some kind of a clue as to quality or value of any of these

Gary,
 I think the most important step should be to assess your needs and
wants as far as machinery goes. What for example do you hope to make
with these machines? Then assess your budget, space limitations etc.
Be sure to include the cost of tooling somewhere in the budget
equation! 
 With this information in hand, you will be in an excellent position to
pick the collective brain of this news group. You will then be in a
position to make an informed decision. I am quite certain there are
lots of people in the group who bought the wrong machine the first time
around.
 At a glance, I would say there is nothing at this auction to run out
and buy in a hurry. If you feel that an auction is the way to buy your
machinery, you should plan on attending several. You will be in a bad
position if you have the attitude that you must buy a particular item
that day. Set your price well in advance, and walk away if the price
goes beyond that. There will always be another auction around the
corner.
 As a machinery dealer, I would be remiss if I didn't try to explain
why you might want to consider buying from a dealer. You may pay more
than the auction price, but you will be able to inspect under power.
You will be able to return the machine if something is wrong. You will
be able to speak to someone who is knowledgeable about the machinery.
Most importantly, you can still get answers and help months later.
Regards,
Dave Ficken
Meridian Machinery
http://hre.com/meridian