Guidance on buying a G&E shaper

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alright so I stumbled upon this shaper today, and yes its in a field and its not in great cosmetic shape but I think it could clean up. He asked me to make an offer, it is 15 minutes from my house. If I bought it I would take it apart on sight and do 2 trips. what do you guys think its worth, I dont think I would pay more than $500 and I was personally thinking offering 300. if you guys think I should offer less just let me know.
 

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personally, i would hitch up and go get it, but i am NOT a sane person :grin:

unfortunately for most folks, a shaper is too antiquated of a technology to be sexy enough to put in their shops.
i do not subscribe to those thoughts personally.
i find the technology enchanting, if not mesmerizing and hypnotic.

regardless, i would be inclined to offer $300 as you had initially thought and see what they say.
i would expect a retort of $350, if you were to be haggling with an initiated seller.

the machine was made to excellent standards.
the machine is robust and capable of moving large quantities of material, at will.

in other words, i would be proud to have a beast like her in my shop.
the machine appears to be in good shape, less the paint.
you should clean/inspect/lube very well before putting any power to her.
but on the surface, you have a very viable candidate in my opinion.

i wish you good luck, whichever direction you go.
 
P.s. ......
if you get it, can i fly back to NY and hear it run?????? :grin big:
 
It looks like the vise, clapper box and table (parts that are commonly missing on a shaper of that size) are there. The vise alone is probably worth $200.00 or more. I would try to move it through one complete cycle by hand just to see if all the internal parts that move the ram are still there and functional. If it does move through a cycle I would offer the $300.00 you were thinking about. I was offered a G&E 16" shaper a couple years ago for $250.00 It was complete and in a shop running. I passed on it primarily due to it's size and weight. If I recall correctly the 16" weighed in the neighborhood of 4,000 lbs.

Moving it from a field could be a chore.
 
whats the scrap value?
If its less than the 300 then offer that then if he haggles just say worth a try what about 300 etc.
 
That machine likely dates to the 1920s, it could likely made to run well, with a whole lot of cleanup, I'd offer no more than $200.
 
Yes! you must buy it, so I can live vicariously through your ownership. I have yet to see a large one like that anywhere within 300 miles of me, or I would have one. Perhaps one day the machinery Gods will see fit to send one my way. Mike
 
FOMOGO said:
Yes! you must buy it, so I can live vicariously through your ownership. I have yet to see a large one like that anywhere within 300 miles of me, or I would have one. Perhaps one day the machinery Gods will see fit to send one my way. Mike
Click to expand...
I was lucky enough to happen upon this one, I was looking at some 1800's equipment like a bandsaw just kinda for fun and then he said he had the shaper and I was so excited, I had never seen one in person before
 
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