Heavily damaged Jet JMD-18... is it worth it?

[better-lathe-than-never]

I picked up a Jet JMD-18 machine yesterday that has been damaged (fell off a trailer on a highway). I got it for free hoping I can bring it to an ok shape to use it in my shop. Here is the damage assessment with some gory picks:

It has a broken column, missing idler pulley, and all of the hand cranks are missing. There is also a small visible crack in the head casting.

Surprised at a high price of the spare parts for this machine - just the idler pulley was some $255 bucks... wondering if there are cheaper alternatives (Rong Fu parts)?

Assuming I can weld the column back into place, would it be worth fixing the rest of it or are these cracks the death blow to such equipment.

 

[woodchucker]

if it fell off a truck, while driving, it is likely not worth anything except parts. sell the good parts.

 

[pontiac428]

It could be done, but you don't know what else you'll find in the process. If it were free, maybe, but it'll be a long row to hoe to get it up and running. You'll need a friend with a big lathe to rebuild the column. The cracked spider is probably no big deal. Yes, that is a Jet Rong Fu, so Rong Fu salvage parts should fit just about everywhere from what I can see. Personally, the time I'd have to put in is at too high a premium to make it work out economically. My vacation time is $50/hr, so that's my own reality check when I'm tempted. Makes it easier to walk away, right?

 

[better-lathe-than-never]

The cracked spider is probably no big deal. .. Makes it easier to walk away, right?

I'm assuming you mean the Idler base (JMD-080) - that in itself isn't too bad ($130) but the idler pulley that's supporting is missing ($260) + bearing ($50) + shaft + some other bits and pieces that hold it upright... all in all about $500 - for these bits alone. When sourcing them from JET...

 

[pontiac428]

That, and for some reason handwheels accrue a premium charge for simply being handwheels. Huh. Assuming all else is well, you're in a decent spot for cost, albeit with a lot of labor. They are good little mills when they're up and running and dialed in.

I'd manufacture a new column from tube stock rather than welding that one.

 

[markba633csi]

You could use it without the idler pulley and just cobble the rest of it back together- if the spindle seems to work ok that is
Obviously you don't want to spend much on it. I wouldn't. Does the motor even work?
-Mark
ps I would have loved to see that thing tumbling down the freeway, cars swerving to avoid it LOL
Fun
Fun
Fun
On the autobahn

 

[Aaron_W]

I'm assuming you mean the Idler base (JMD-080) - that in itself isn't too bad ($130) but the idler pulley that's supporting is missing ($260) + bearing ($50) + shaft + some other bits and pieces that hold it upright... all in all about $500 - for these bits alone. When sourcing them from JET...

Keep in mind you can occasionally find used but fully functional Rong Fu clones at the $500-1000 price range, sometimes with tooling. $1000-1500 for a good one is quite common. Spending $500+ on parts to maybe fix it doesn't seem like a great deal.

 

[matthewsx]

That’ll buff right out.

 

[matthewsx]

I payed $850 for mine.

I’d part it out or sell it to someone who wants to build a custom what’s it.

John

 

[better-lathe-than-never]

That’ll buff right out.

In about a year + of heavy labor, toil and cursing...