I looked at a lathe the other day...

[jaded13640]

In my other thread title, "picked up a few items today" or something to that effect, I didn't mention that the guy has a lathe for sale.

I didn't check out the brand but it's a long one, about 5 feet overall, runs on single phase 220, has a couple of different chucks and a bunch of cutting tools.

The problem is he wants 1500 bucks for it and even though it's probably worth every penny, a lathe is something I'd rarely if ever use. That's why I didn't bother to check what brand it was or actually measure how long or about of throw.

He's already had two strokes and even though he says he's gonna walk again and get back out and do some work, I kind of doubt it. Chances are he'll have another stroke soon or die long before he makes it out there.

When that happens his son will be in charge of prices. I'm not willing to pay any more than 500 bucks for a lathe and even that's a stretch because, well, again, I really have no use for one at this point.

In reality, for what I do, I could have gotton away with a drill press with a vise that has x and y travel. But I've always wanted a mill and got it cheap. It's more than likely going to just sit there unused for 99 percent of it's life but if I do need it I'll have it. A lathe on the other hand, I really can't justify having one. Especially for 1500 bucks.

But you never know, I might end up with it in the end. I'll try to find out what brand and size it is and update the post.

Wayne

 

[pdentrem]

Please do update.
The owner would likely want it find a good home. The son? What usually happens is the kids are left to clear things out and have not a clue what their parents have. They do not do their research and throw away their parents hertiage and hard earned cash. If they would take the time to itemize the stuff and research it, they would yeild a better return instead of filling the dumpster full of un replaceable stuff that they consider junk. Seen this happen too many times and pisses my off. The only people that made money are the auctionneer since he will have spotted the goodies and the scrap metal dealer.
Pierre

 

[pineyfolks]

He may live forever or you may die tomorrow. Go talk to him, show some interest in it, ask him what he made with it and tell him what you would like to make. Offer him what you think its worth if you really want it, before someone else. A picture would help others give you some idea if its worth your time.

 

[d.brown]

He's already had two strokes and even though he says he's gonna walk again and get back out and do some work, I kind of doubt it. Chances are he'll have another stroke soon or die long before he makes it out there

I hope you're wrong about that. Better that he's able to use even one more time than sitting unused in your garage.

 

[d.brown]

In rereading my above post, it sounds snarky & it wasn't meant to be. There was a point but I failed to make it. Like most everyone here I love the hunt & have spent 30+ yrs. at it. Over the years I've found some great tools at bargain prices & as a result, now have the shop I want. Your post reminded me of a garage sale I attended many years ago. An old guy was selling his tools which wasn't out of the ordinary.......the cycle of life & all. As was typical of my m.o., I asked if he had any old handplanes. I used & collected them and was knowledgeable on their value. He said yes & returned with what was a rare & valuable plane that I really wanted. I asked if it was for sale & he said he guessed so & probably wouldn't use it again. Something about how he said it & the look on his face stopped me cold. I listened to him wax nostalgic.for a bit & finally said, you better hold on to it........never know when you may need to plane a door or something. He beamed, someone-anyone still had a little confidence in him. On some level, his self worth was tied to that plane because it spoke to his usefulness in life. That lesson has stuck with me & ever since I always tread lightly when dealing with the elderly & infirmed. I never found that particular plane but didn't miss it a bit & life was fine.

 

[jaded13640]

Wow, I'm impressed! Usually by the time stuff get's to the yard sale anymore the kids have already picked everything clean as far as tools went anyway. Probably the money too but that's another story. I've actually had many opposite experiences. Where there's a low quality screwdrive that was in pretty bad shape and the guy would want 20 bucks for it. Instinctlivly I'd say out loud, "twenty bucks for the screw driver" and the old guy would walk up and tell me how many years he worked for the telephone company and I think about it now and I realize that 20 dollar price tag was just a setup. We must of talked for an hour about this and that. He was looking pretty rough. As in not long for this world rough. So I sat with him and we talked about our jobs and I'd tell him about my engineering work. His eyes would get so wide when I'd explain that now they take the whole big long sheet of paper and do it on the computer. His head would cock sideways like a dog that's confused...it was fun. I always enjoyed talking with my granfather about his experiences. Amazing stuff and the astonishment when tell them you're doing something new that they saw on the news. And get questions like how do you actually draw in 3-D when the screen is two dimensional? That's a tricky one. I don't even fully understand that one yet and I've been doing for many years.

I didn't push this guy on most of his stuff even though I was a little ticked that we went all the way over there to look at all his machinist tools only to find out he gave em all away when he sold the mill. But after a stroke or two...he forgot he got rid of all that stuff. But wouldn't consider selling this, or that...oh no, I'll use that he said. LOL...I'll be shocked if they get him walking again before he kicks. Oh well.

 

[AR1911]

I'm also one of those that loves the hunt for old tools. As much as I enjoy finding the tools and the process of returning them to their former glory, I most cherish the visits with the people that are selling. I have met quite a few old codgers who were in the final years of a lifetime of achievement and artistry.
One gentleman was a model builder for NASA and various space museums. He made large cutaway models that graced the entry halls of major NASA facilities, and museums all over the world. He showed me his trophy room, and the hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles about his life's work. A true craftsman! I spent two hours with him, and could have stayed longer. Did not buy a thing from him, enjoyed the visit.
Many others were retired engineers who had been key to large projects I recalled from decades past. Most had enjoyed 2 or 3 different careers over a lifetime. They all continued to create and explore well into their retirement.
I often wish I had a fraction of the skill those men had.

 

[d.brown]

Along those same lines, I was asked to liquidate a friends shop this past year. I didn't immediately agree to it, he didn't need the money or space & I couldn't understand the urgency. In talking to he & his wife, it was a combination of memory/lack of concentration & his hands shook. I asked if he couldn't just stay out of the shop on days that he wasn't feeling up to it. I guess the fact that he wasn't able to do what he once could made him uncomfortable & his wife concerned for his safety....they wanted the stuff gone. Nothing about that process was pretty. First we had to inventory & then agree on prices that he would be satisfied with & that stuff would actually sell for. That was not easy & took considerable time to work out. I told him that people would be coming over who didn't know him or the beautiful things he'd made on those machines & would just be looking for the best deal they could make (nothing wrong with that). I asked if he wanted to hold off & think about it some more, he said no. Before anyone showed up, I went around & boxed up his partially done projects (Larry was a very talented & artistic woodturner) & put them in my car. I will finish them at some point & give them to his wife. The machines & related tools found new homes but as each left the shop, I saw that look again. Some of you may be asked to do this for a friend. It's ugly but better done by a friend than an outsider.