Selling old Delta woodshop equipment

[Gary W]

I'm looking for advice and suggestions about how and where to sell.  Do I refurbish, all or partial?  What about shipping away from my location? How to price?

I have my father's woodshop equipment bought in 1948 (have original invoices).  Includes table saw, scroll saw, band saw, shaper, wood lathe, grinder, drill press, and belt sander, located in Washington State.

[John Morris]

Gary, you can typically sell locally, try Craigslist, it's pretty good. Take a lot of pictures, and sell each machine individually. I would not refurbish, typically you would not get your money back, there is a ton of labor in restoration of old machinery, yet typically there is no profit in it. Folks restore old machinery for the love and fun of it mainly, and if they do sell their restored machine, they may break even and get enough money to continue their addiction

 

For now though, I'd post images of the machines here on this forum, you may find you have a member near you who may be interested in buying one or all.

[HandyDan]

In my area the local auction houses do well selling shop equipment.  It is done as an online auction and seems to bring a good many bidders and thus some pretty good prices.  You get what the item sells for and their commission to tacked onto that.

[Grandpadave52]

In addition to both John and Dan's recommendations, if you are a Facebook user, you could list on the FB Marketplace. You might also web search for woodworking clubs in your area then contact them as a resource as well.

 

Of course you could keep everything, then engage in the dark world of woodworking along with the rest of us...just saying.

[Ron Dudelston]

Gary,

 From experience I can tell you that some items will bring some serious cash.  The Unisaw should be worth at least $400-$500 depending in on whether or not it has the original “goose egg” cover.  The cover alone is worth $100.  I have a ‘47 Uni and I paid a bargain basement price of $250 for it about 10 years ago.  Be patient and don’t give it away.

[Woodman]

Lighting makes the image. Sell the sizzle.  "Time vault woodworking shop" will bring out treasure seekers.

 

Craigslist is a great idea. A $10,000 price with 20 images. Across the bottom of the ad something like this:

 

Tags: table saw, scroll saw, band saw, shaper, wood lathe, grinder, drill press, belt sander, Washington State, delta, vintage, woodworkers, woodworking, wood shop, woodshop

[Gary W]

Thanks Guys, appreciate all the input, great suggestions, will probably try all the above.  

 

The only problem I see is the pricing, doing a little research, I've seen listings on shoppok.com and machino.com.

 

Gary

[John Morris]

Gary. Perhaps if you provide photos here, we may be able to help with the pricing.

[Larry Buskirk]

A lot has to do with location as to pricing these items.

Population density can/will effect what you can get for these items. Shipping costs could be a deal breaker. 

Is there a woodworking club in your area? You might find a buyer for the whole shop by contacting them.

 

[Gary W]

Here are the tools I'm trying to price.  All input is appreciated.

All tools are ready to use, all motors run.  The only thing I've done is clean the rust off the machined tables and surfaces.

10" Unisaw, 4 speed drill press, grinder, shaper, 6" belt sander ( horizontal & vertical), 24" scroll saw, 36" lathe, 14" band saw.

Purchased new in 1948 by my father.

[Grandpadave52]

WOW Gary! You have some awesome and still very desirable old 'arn in your possession. Very high end DIY'er user tools for the era.

 

I can only tell you what I've seen similar listed on CL here in Central Indiana. What they actually sold for IDK. I'll include in my range some I've seen sell on on-line auctions.

 

I realize what I've shown is a broad range for each, but reflect what I've seen over the past 2 or 3 years. I peruse CL almost daily based on searches covering mostly Indiana and Eastern IL. Your geographical location may differ greatly.

 

You might consider consulting with a local auction service that specializes in tools for an appraisal as well. Hopefully others will chime in as well with estimates from their locales.

 

Hope this helps some? Please keep us posted. You do have an amazing collection in your possession.

 

Table Saw: $350-$650

Grinder w/stand: $250-$$500

Lathe: $150-$450

Drill press: $100-$400

Belt Sander: $250-$400

Scroll Saw: $100-$250

Vertical Belt Sander w/table: $250-$650

Bandsaw: $100-$600

[Woodman]

I'm still on the 'time vault' package deal idea. Some people will pay for the story, the collection, with all of its provenance. 

 

One listing, one price.  You can always break it apart later. 

 

$12,000

[Gary W]

Update:  FYI, based on my market pricing, I put them out there all together at $4,000 and sold them all to one guy setting up a woodworking business, totally fell in love with the machines!  Gary

[Grandpadave52]

1 hour ago, Gary W said:

Update:  FYI, based on my market pricing, I put them out there all together at $4,000 and sold them all to one guy setting up a woodworking business, totally fell in love with the machines!  Gary

Thats awesome! Congrats on the sale and better yet knowing how someone else appreciated the potential for old 'arn. Great to know they'll be back in production. Thanks for the update Gary.

[Al B]

I believe the buyer got a great deal, and if you're happy with the sale, that is all that matters.