Found a dinosaur

[better-lathe-than-never]

Looking for a hobby mill - came across this Clausing-saurus below. The ad reads:
"Clausing 8520 Mill - Needs to be wired from switch to outlet. That's it. Comes with partial collet set." He's asking $2000 for it. What to check and what's a fair price for it?

 

[better-lathe-than-never]

He also has another fossil described as this: "Clausing 8525 Mill - Needs to be re-assembled. After that, needs a switch and belt, and a new belt guard if you care to add one. Comes with new full collet set. Asking $1,000.00". Is there any potential in this one?

 

[NC Rick]

I’m not going to be of any help but I see it as a two prong thing. It is a really cool little machine and I think a lot of people would want it. On the other side, all the small import machines are out there. I have never seen a little Clausing like that, it’s cute. I’d really check into parts availability and maybe make an offer afre checking it out.

 

[Alcap]

Because prices vary in different parts of the country . If compared to here Eastern Pa . Way high I think .. I thought I paid top dollar for my 8520 , $2000 , very good condition , original Clausing vice , collets , 1/2” and 1/4” Albrecht keyless chucks just for a slight comparison

 

[jwmay]

There's a ton of potential, but I wouldn't choose the disassembled one for my first machine. Plus it's missing the base cabinet. And I think his ask is pretty high from just some guy on the web. Assuming he was a hobby machinist, I might be more interested. I got a bunch of thoughts about it. But meh. Most of what I could type had already been put all over the Internet. Search the brand and model number on google. There's a lot of info.

 

[pontiac428]

If you have limited space or small projects, the baby knee mill would be awesome. Assuming it's all there and working.

 

[woodchucker]

I have an 8520.
I paid 1500 for one in similar shape. Mine did not have a Servo drive on it... that's nice.
It looks like the unassembled unit was for parts for the full one.
the handles on the disassembled unit are wrong.

2000 is not unreasonable , it has the Feed... location drives price, so if you don't have a lot of machines there it might be reasonable.
I have seen asking prices of 2500... which I thought was too much.

 

[MikeInOr]

For $2000 I would expect the ways to be in good shape. I am kind of doubting that from the picture. My guess is that you will be fighting the mill trying to get any kind of accuracy out of it. For an expert machinist I am sure milling accurate parts on a sloppy mill would be no problem but for a rookie like me I would want to start out with mill that doesn't leave me wondering if it is me or the mill.

If the ways are in good shape $2000 seems reasonable. If the ways are well used and not properly maintained I would pass, I think you would be better off with a bench top mill in good shape.

I passed up several mills that were tight on the far ends and loose in the middle. I do not know if you can use a good straight edge to evaluate the dissembled mill? My guess is the disassembled mill is disassembled for a reason. Reassembling the disassembled mill should not be to difficult... but I bet there are some nasty surprises waiting for you when it is reassembled.

 

[woodchucker]

For $2000 I would expect the ways to be in good shape. I am kind of doubting that from the picture. My guess is that you will be fighting the mill trying to get any kind of accuracy out of it. For an expert machinist I am sure milling accurate parts on a sloppy mill would be no problem but for a rookie like me I would want to start out with mill that doesn't leave me wondering if it is me or the mill.

If the ways are in good shape $2000 seems reasonable. If the ways are well used and not properly maintained I would pass, I think you would be better off with a bench top mill in good shape.

I passed up several mills that were tight on the far ends and loose in the middle. I do not know if you can use a good straight edge to evaluate the dissembled mill. My guess is the disassembled mill is disassembled for a reason.

that does not look in bad shape, it looks like it has not been used in a while.
it should have been stored oiled.

 

[MikeInOr]

that does not look in bad shape, it looks like it has not been used in a while.
it should have been stored oiled.

I am thinking your guess is as good as mine as far as the condition of the ways. What I found when purchasing my first mill; trying to separate the duds from the gems was very difficult due to my lack of experience. I went by how the table moved when the gibs were tightened. If the OP is able to evaluate the ways and they are in good condition I would not flinch at paying $2K for it. I certainly do not have the ability to assess the ways as good or bad from the provided photos.