4fingersleft wrote:
I've been looking for a (reasonably priced) used lathe for several years now. When one shows up on Craigslist it's usually overpriced for its current state (no motor, bad bearings...). I don't have much stamina to look at garage or estate sales generally and most ads around here don't usually list woodworking equipment, newspaper ads are extinct. So where do ya'll find used power tools?


Do you have a local auction house in your area? We have 2 near
us, only one of which features some tools every week (the other
evidently due to their facilities, doesn't show many tools).
You don't mention what you mean by "lathe". Quite small ones show
up regularly. Larger ones may show up once or twice a year.
I bought a Delta TS, planer, a dozen hand planes, and more at the
auction house during the course of a year or two. I even bought
some of my finest "home furnishings" there--some nice wooden
furniture I would probably have to pass on, at retail. Sometimes
it's surprising what you have after all the dirt comes off! The
"shopping" does take up some time. Note: If I buy something big,
I go to one of the "big box" stores and rent a truck for an hour
for $25. My wife was impressed when I moved in a double chest of
drawers and mirror by myself while she was gone (the key of
course, is to remove all the drawers). I had to repair a drawer
which was broken into 3 pieces and better afix the mirror--but I
got an otherwise lovely piece of furniture for $80. I guess the
"resellers", who frequent the auctions, couldn't be bothered with
the repairs. Good luck and hope this helps!

Note: The more items you are shopping for, the more you'll get
out of your time. Spending a lot of time looking for one thing
could get "expensive".

Note 2: Play it "cool" or there may be people who will help you
to "bid more". I think this has happened to me a few times.
Maybe I need to buy a hat or something! ; )

Bill