Is this worth the $300?

Looks like it has been abandoned. Rusty and sitting in a weed covered field doesn't inspire much confidence. But, wouldn't cost much to call the guy and go look see... big question is, do you really need something like this?

Glenn
 
Paul, how many machines do you want apart or slowly rusting away in your shop? Machine reconditioning is rewarding and satisfying work -- when you get them done. Buying does not count, finishing the job to a good outcome does. Dissembling and abandoning them part way into the project earns many negative points. Some of us seem to love having disassembled machines cluttering our shop, and I am pretty sure that having more of them does not contribute to getting any of them finished. Find a machine worth starting on, and work on it steadily to a good outcome, a good candidate. Convince yourself it will be a straightforward job to rehab. Work hard and get it done on a timely basis. Bask in the glow of success until you want to do another one, then pull the trigger...

Edit: The differences between good surface grinder rehab candidates and poor ones are difficult to tell apart. The bad ones are scrap iron. Don't buy scrap iron, and know the difference before buying. Scrap iron has negative value after you realize that you will be moving it twice for ~$50/ton, you deliver...
 
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Paul, how many machines do you want apart or slowly rusting away in your shop? Machine reconditioning is rewarding and satisfying work -- when you get them done. Buying does not count, finishing the job to a good outcome does. Dissembling and abandoning them part way into the project earns many negative points. Some of us seem to love having disassembled machines cluttering our shop, and I am pretty sure that more of them does not contribute to getting any of them finished. Find a machine worth starting on, and work on it steadily to a good outcome. Bask in the glow of success until you want to do another one, then pull the trigger...

:) Thanks Glenn and Bob I'll shut the door on buying more machines until something is done. Glad I have some idea wranglers I can count on!

Paul
 
Paul, I think what Bob was trying to say is- If you decide to recondition an old machine- go for it and keep pushing forward. Little bit every day if necessary. Case in point, ive got a nice old Van Norman 12 mill that I partially disassembled to repair a year ago. Still sitting there waiting for me to work my way back to it! Bad, bad, bad... I'd really like to use the machine...

Just beware of what you might be getting in to.

Glenn
 
Paul, I think what Bob was trying to say is- If you decide to recondition an old machine- go for it and keep pushing forward. Little bit every day if necessary. Case in point, ive got a nice old Van Norman 12 mill that I partially disassembled to repair a year ago. Still sitting there waiting for me to work my way back to it! Bad, bad, bad... I'd really like to use the machine...

Just beware of what you might be getting in to.

Glenn

Bob and a few of the guys are kinda familiar with all the things I've got my hands in. I just got through the full rebuild of my Bridgeport mill head. Although still on the table stand I've got to do the table...screws....dro...scraping etc. But there are 3 ...or 4 other projects going on now. Pretty sure I've been identified as a loose high wire when it comes to wanting to do everything at once and I REALLY appreciate being brought back to earth. I also have an 11 year old project gingery hacksaw that needs to be done... But that's something I get to use the mill on now that I've waited a decade.

That Van Norman is a neat looking mill. I went and looked up some pictures. You gotta get on that! :)
 
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