- Joined
- Oct 31, 2016
- Messages
- 2,649
777 auction in Atascadero, CA has a Cluasing vertical mill up for auction. https://777auctions.hibid.com/catal...1th---vehicles--tools--farm--ranch-and-more-/
I think that's the one that was on CL for months for $2500. It's got 23d to go and already $70. Crazy.
I get that these are sought after machines like other classic names but like those other classic hobby names to me they are overpriced. Especially when I can buy a J or M head Bridgeport for $1500+/-. But that's just me.
Several years ago there was 8530 with collets, RT, all kinds of tooling in basically new condition on CL for $800. I could never the people to respond and it was on there for 4mo. I guess it broke me of jones'n for one.
Not just the shop space, but getting it moved and installed. One strong guy with a pickup can haul a Clausing 8520, take it off the base and hand truck it into a basement. Try that with a Bridgeport.If you have the space for a Bridgeport or even the various "2/3" size mills there are just so many more options available to you. A free Bridgeport is kind of worthless if it won't fit in the shop.
In my case a Bridgeport would have involved removing part of a wall to get it inside and then cutting a hole in the ceiling so the head could extend into the middle of the kitchen. Not surprisingly that idea did not survive contact with my normally supportive wife.
The much smaller Benchmaster and Atlas mills are maybe half the size but not much cheaper. These are the hidden costs to having a small shop.