I went to a cabinet shop auction Saturday. The shop was closing because the owner was retiring, not just going out of business. They were selling everything up to and including building. The owner had a good selection of stuff, nearly all Delta tools from the late 50's/early 60's. I went with a few friends, looking for a shop cart but not really interested in actually buying another machine since my shop is fully equipped and mostly operational.
The weather was good and attendance plentiful, and there was three flatbed trailers full of misc small lots, so the machines go up until maybe 4 hours after the start time. First up was a 12" Delta disk sander, single phase, very good condition--sold for $50. (All other machines were Delta too, so I'll stop saying that.) Next was a 14" RAS--more on that later.
Then a 17" drill press--$160. Sawbuck--$440 (must have been two guys who really wanted that.) 20" wood/metal bandsaw, excellent condition, single phase--bidding stuck at $275, but finally moved up to $500. 8" jointer w/sheetmetal base in perfect shape--$200. 18" wedgebed planer, clean and ready to go, 3hp single phase (you never see 1ph versions of these)--$500. Two Unisaws, both with goose egg motor covers, long rails, and original guards and splitters, both 1 ph--$275 and $300 respectively. HD shaper, both wings, 1 hp R/I motor--insanely low $150 (without cutters). I thought I had a great deal getting a 3ph one last February for $350-sheesh. 7" grinder--a more realistic $125.
OK, back to the RAS. This was a long arm Delta 40-C-L, 3 hp 1ph motor, with tight ways, a good original table, and almost no rust. Opening bid was for a hundred. The auctioneer called for $150 at least a dozen times, but no bidders. Finally, I stuck up my hand--somebody had to respect this tool. $150 to me. I figured somebody would bid $200 and at least they'd pay more than a junky Craftsman off of CL. But no--40 guys standing around and not one had the gumption to go--so it was mine.
Fortunately it was only about 2 miles from my house, so I could run home and get my trailer. The guy who bought the wedgebed called in a friend with a tractor, and he loaded the RAS for me. Lots of folks helping each other. I wasn't the only guy who bought something just to save it from humiliation--the guy who got the shaper told me he didn't need it either, but couldn't pass on that price.
Anyway, here are some RAS pics:
As you can see, I got my cart too--$17.50 for an old style cast iron & wood Hamilton 30x60 cart in great condition.
The saw had all it's manuals, two extra blades (non-carbide, but sharp), and a 1959-ish Dewalt catalog.
Here's the same saw, as built today, on Amazon:
Price: Well it lists for $10,353, but you can have it now for a low, low $6,599!
Kirk
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They had brand new cabinet type saws that sat when no one bid the opening $200.
I havent even seen a good ww auction in over a year.....
Originally Posted by Tom Cullom JR.
