Found a “deal” on the local facebook

[D.sebens]

I’ve been looking for a mill. Honestly one small enough to go down a flight of stairs to my basement but beggars can’t be choosers so I just keep looking at what out there.

I found a guy selling a horizontal hardinge mill for $1200 and messaged him to see if he had the vertical head. He did not but he did say he had two surface grinders and a hartford vertical mill and would sell all 4 for $2000. I don’t know that the machines are a fit for me. They would go in a unheated shed due to their size. I thought about trying to sell what I don’t want but there’s probably a reason he’s selling all 4 together. They are located in milford il.

I’ve attached pictures, what do you guys think?

 

[sdelivery]

The price is good....in the industrial market surface grinders are not bringing much as most grinding operations have been eliminated by new tooling and engineers.
The table on the Bridgeport clone looks mint.
Sorry to put it this way for some of you,
But scrap is going almost 300.00 a ton so if your machine weighs 3000 lbs that would be roughly 450.00 4 machines at scrap price that look like they have seen little use is a no brainer. Just the BP clone is worth a grand minimum depending on where you live....and Illinois has lots of used machine tools meaning you have lots of pickings at a good prices.
If you can purchase all four and sell what you don't want reasonably to someone else.

 

[Shotgun]

If you get those four machines for $2k, there are a lot of people on this forum that will tell you that you suck.

Including me.

 

[D.sebens]

lol. Side note. What am I looking at dollar wise for a dro fit and a 3ph converter? I assume I would want a vfd? They make all in one vfd’s right? Also what about it being in a unconditioned shed. Would a heavy oiling and a cover in the winter protect it from condensation?

 

[projectnut]

Since you're not all that far from Chicago this post from PM may be of some interest. The guy is a scrapper and has a warehouse full of machines he has so far saved from the blast furnaces. Some of it appears to be in good condition and for low prices. Others seem to be a bit overpriced for their condition.

Lathes, Mills, grinders, saws, iron workers, shears, breaks. Little bit of everything

I am liquidating out my building that's been collecting machines for years. I AM NOT a buisness, a auction house or anything of the sort. I scrap and have scrap contract. I have been working with the same scrap company for 30yrs. I would bring the stuff i thought was neat back. As of Mar 4th i...

www.practicalmachinist.com

 

[Shotgun]

lol. Side note. What am I looking at dollar wise for a dro fit and a 3ph converter? I assume I would want a vfd? They make all in one vfd’s right? Also what about it being in a unconditioned shed. Would a heavy oiling and a cover in the winter protect it from condensation?

You would need a 3ph converter OR a VFD. Not both. The VFD can be had for less than $100, or $250 for one with decent documentation and support.
Glass scale DROs are around a couple hundred now, I think.

 

[D.sebens]

You would need a 3ph converter OR a VFD. Not both. The VFD can be had for less than $100, or $250 for one with decent documentation and support.
Glass scale DROs are around a couple hundred now, I think.

I wasnt sure about the vfd if I would still need a phase converter. That being said is it something of interest vs a static phase converter? Also I assume I’ll not be pushing it to 100% if I had it. Is a vfd or static converter enough to drive it without losing noticeable power?

The glass scale dro’s you mention, is that assuming I source a tablet and use touch dro or is that a standalone unit?

 

[D.sebens]

Also any input about it potentially being in an unconditioned unheated area? Anybody have theirs in that situation and found a way to make it work?

 

[Shotgun]

My tools are in my garage in NC. I run a heat lamp in winter to keep the temps bearable. The only real issue is when we have warm, humid Gulf air roll in after a cold spell. All that cast iron takes a while to warm up, and it does so by condensing water out of the air. My lathe and mill look like they got a shower. Have to keep the door closed on those days.

You loose about 30% of power running a static phase converter, as the motor is really running on two of the three. The VFD doesn't cost you anything if sized correctly, and allow for speed changes.

The glass scale. . a little more than I thought: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Digital-Readout-Milling-CUSTOMIZED/dp/B088K6ZW2P/

 

[D.sebens]

What should I inspect when looking at them?