Can you inspect a machine for me?

[Ultradog MN]

Is there a forum here where you can ask for someone to inspect a machine for you?
I am looking to upgrade from my ancient Leblond lathe and have been scouring the Craigslist ads around the country. I'm willing to travel for the right machine/deal but a guy isn't just going to jump in his pickup and drive 800 miles to look at a machine to see if it's worth it. If there was someone local who could do an inspection for you, even if they charged you for it, how great would that be.
I belong to several other forums. A couple of antique tractor forums, hunting forums and a vintage Airstream Trailer forum.
On the Airstream forum you can add that you are a volunteer inspector in your profile and set the type/age of trailer you are knowledgable of and distance you'd be willing to go. I've inspected trailers 3 times in the last 15 years I've been a member there.
Or on the tractor boards I've looked at tractors for others and even picked up parts. (Prepaid of course) and stored them at my place till the buyer could come and get them.
You do it for free of course but usually you can ask for gas money or you get lunch for your efforts. Mostly you just do it for the love of old iron.
I have taken advantage of it too: I bought a tractor engine at auction near Lincoln NE and a guy picked it up and stored it for me for several months till I could come and get it.
And you get a chance to put a face on a member that you only know from the forums and make a friend in the process.
Just thinking out loud here. Sorry it got so long.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

if you need something form CA, i'd be happy to take a look

 

[wa5cab]

I think that the way that it would be done here is that in this Forum, you would post a request for someone to go and look at (descripton and location of machine) and time frame that it needs to be done in, if you can. Then if someone can do it, they would send you a PM (conversation) and you can work out the details, trade phone #'s and/or email addresses. Etc. But please no phone #'s or email addresses here.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Anyone want to look at a machine in AL for me?

Btw, how many posts do you need till they go straight to the forum with out needing moderator approval?

 

[vtcnc]

Anyone want to look at a machine in Muscle Shoals AL for me?

Btw, how many posts do you need till they go straight to the forum with out needing moderator approval?

At least 2 posts. Helps cull the spammers.


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[Jim F]

I am in North Central PA, if anyone needs help.

 

[vtcnc]

Made it sticky. If those of you are comfortable inspecting machines for others, please post your willingness to do so here. Also, please do not share personal information in this thread. Use the private message (conversation) system to discuss details and personal info.

Thanks,
The H-M Staff.

 

[DiscoDan]

Happy to help in MD, northern Virginia, Delaware and southern PA around York.

 

[vtcnc]

At least 2 posts. Helps cull the spammers.


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Upon further review, I looked into our history on why this sub-forum is moderated and continues to be so. The primary reason is that scammers have been targeting people in the classifieds area so we decided to moderate. This affects all members at the moment. I'm going to further review and determine if we can lift the restriction of moderation from donating members to make things a little easier.

 

[sdelivery]

I am in the northern part of Ohio. Familiar with HGR and other local dealers.
Willing to inspect