Working with a machinery locating company to find mill and lathe, is what they found reasonable?

[Bjartr]

I'm outfitting a home shop and found a company near me that offers a "machinery locating service". They're a long time member of MDNA (60+ years according to the MDNA site) Should I consider that to mean they are more trustworthy? How much due diligence should I be putting into this when working with them? Here's what they've found for me.

Clausing Model 5310 12" x 36" Lathe, ..................................................$1,950.00

SPECIFICATIONS:
SWING OVER BED ............... 12"
DISTANCE BETWEEN CENTERS ..... 36"
SWING OVER CARRIAGE .......... 7-1/4"
SPINDLE BORE ................. 1-3/8"
SPINDLE SPEED RANGE (12) ..... 29 - 1300 rpm
ENGLISH THREAD RANGE ......... 4 - 224 TPI
FEED RANGE ................... .009" - .013" PER REV
TAILSTOCK TRAVEL ............. 2-7/8"
TAILSTOCK SPINDLE TAPER ...... #3 MT
OVERALL DIMENSIONS ........... 72" x 36" x 50"
APPROX WEIGHT ................ 1,100 LBS

EQUIPPED WITH:
THREADING
CARRIAGE FEEDS LONGITUDINAL & CROSS
8" 3-JAW CHUCK
DRILL CHUCK FOR TAILSTOCK
MACHINE IS WIRED FOR 1 PHASE OPERATION

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Bridgeport 1-1/2 Hp Vari-speed Vertical Mill..............................................................$2,450.00

SPECIFICATIONS:
Table size................................................................................. 9" x 36"
Number of t-slots................................................................................. 3
Longitudinal table travel.................................................................. 24"
Cross travel...................................................................................... 12"
Quill travel......................................................................................... 5"
Knee travel....................................................................................... 16"
Ram travel........................................................................................ 12"
Infinitely variable speed range……………..........…….. 60 - 4,200 rpm
Spindle taper……………………………...…….………………….. R-8
Max collet capacity………………………..….…………………… 3/4"
Quill feeds……………………………......…. 0.0015, 0.003, 0.006 ipm
Motor………………………………....…………………………. 1.5Hp
Dimensions (approx.)……………………............ 72"W x 48"D x 82"H
Weight (approx.)……………………………………………… 1,900 lb.

EQUIPPED WITH:
Acu-Rite 2-axis digital readout
Bridgeport vari-speed milling head

 

[ttabbal]

If they are in decent shape, I would get them. My Bridgeport is older and was similarly priced. The lathe is a good price if the ways are in good shape. It looks like threaded chucks, but that's not really an issue and they are more common in the used market, seemingly.

If they are decent to work with, bring an indicator stand and test the ways and runout on the spindles. Or see if they offer any guarantee on that when it's set up at your place. If you can get them under power, check the speed adjustment on the mill and the gear box on the lathe.

 

[pontiac428]

It looks to me like the choices they provide are hand picked from production environments and are ready to re-enter production if needed. In other words, yes, those are nice machines at good prices. Heck, if that zero-set chuck is included with the lathe, add $1000 to the value of the purchase right off the bat.

Careful about sharing too much, these deals don't look like they will last at those prices. Just kidding, hobby machinists don't snipe each other's spotted deals. That would be unforgiveable.

 

[Eddyde]

Problem with buying machines from a dealer they don't include anything. Have you looked locally on Craigslist and FaceBook Marketplace? Often you can find machines at a similar price/condition with lots of tooling included.

 

[sdelivery]

I think those are good prices for those machines. Seems like he wants your business.
Definitely spend the time to inspect the machine but I don't generally take an indicator. Move the slides and feel for looseness. If you can plug the dro in you can watch it while pushing against the slide, if the numbers change there is looseness

Remember, It doesn't matter if it's new or used it needs something.

 

[Richard King 2]

You can post Machine wanted ad's on 2 websites that send the machine wanted ad's to all the dealers in North America. Be specific on what your looking for and you will get quotes from the dealers. You can usually negotiate a lower price of 10 to 20% as that's what they give to other dealers. You can place the ad's for free and can cut out the middle man or the machine locator you found. Surplusrecord.com and Machinetools.com

 

[bl00]

The lathe is $1500 at machinery values in NJ. https://www.machineryvalues.com/inventory/clausing-5310-engine-lathes/163703/6 I had one of those and would consider this one overpriced do to the lack of tooling. They were made in the 1950s and this one doesn't appear to have a hardened bed. Expect significant wear.

 

[pontiac428]

Good call Richard, good catch bl00. It is an unwritten rule for buyers to seek the originator and avoid middle men on aggregator sites.

I found my machine listed on surplusrecord and machinio. They don't make any effort to prevent you from talking to the originator; all the info is provided. Just pick up the phone and start asking questions. Dealers can help with logistics. They may have lines on parts and attachments for common machines like that, too, because there are a lot still in circulation. All depends on the dealer. Most dealers are trying to sell much more expensive and niche equipment, they are used to making much more difficult sales, so they may really hook you up if you can strike up a conversation over the telephone. The only way to know is to ask.