Powermatic 3520B - good deal or walk away

[Curtis Myers]

Found a local powermatic 3520B for sale. Going through a divorce and he is asking $3000.00 firm. It is 5 years old. Looks new so it was well cared for. Comes with outboard bed extension, vacuum pump, two vacuum chucks, Large nova chuck, and Oneway steady rest. Currently it is disassembled due to moved across state.

Is this a good deal or should I walk away?

Curt

[Doug Ladendorf]

Pretty good deal without the extras. WITH them you had better act fast. IMHO

[Mike Goetzke]

I'm pretty new to turning but I'd say that is pretty close to 65% of new. I'd say pretty good deal but would want to see it run before I bit on it.

Mike

[David Delo]

When PM does their 15% sale a few times a year you can get the lathe and extension for $3.750. New would be $4,400. I'm guessing on the other stuff (if bought new) to be around 600 bucks. Depends on how bad you want/need a 3520B. IMO, not a gloat deal price wise but that's a lot of coin to spend on a machine without warranty. I was in that boat a couple years ago and looked for a long time for a used one but wasn't going to go over 2,500. For me, anything higher was just too close to the price of new. Only had to cry once when I bought new. There's probably nothing wrong with the machine but I don't like the fact you can't turn it on and run it through its paces and hear how it sounds. Too many bad things can happen during moving and you don't have any recourse. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Bob Bergstrom]

6 years ago I paid $3200 with tax for my 3520B. If the pump is a new Gast they're $450. Chucks could be home made for little the Oneway steady $150. I would buy new because of the 5 year warranty.

[Bill Blasic]

That is a good deal, the sales that I've looked at recently did not include the bed extension. Make sure the deal is not final until you know the machine runs.

[Thom Sturgill]

Since its been moved, check the castings for cracks and plug the headstock in and test that. If everything is good, the price is right in my book.

[Justin Stephen]

Agree with others that, based on price, this is a pretty good (but not amazing) deal. However:


Currently it is disassembled due to moved across state.

Is what would concern me. If I cannot see it operate and kick the proverbial tires on all of it, vacuum chuck included, I think I'd be reluctant to drop $3000. In other words, I agree with David Delo. You only have to cry once when you buy new.

[Curtis Myers]

I'm walking away. Thank you all for the input

[Len Mullin]

Ok Curtis, now that you've made your decision, why did you decide to pass on the deal?
Len