Delta Unisaw Platinum Edition worth $350?

[Philip Carroll]

I am relatively new to this site but find it extremely helpful with a lot of very good information. I am just starting to put a shop together and have been watching tables saws on CL and auction sites. I found this Unisaw Platinum Edition on CL today and they are asking $400. I called to ask a few questions and asked if they would take $350 for it and they accepted. I am scheduled to go see the saw on Friday. It is about a 4 hour drive one way so wanted to make sure it was worth the trip. Below are pictures of the saw along with a snip of the add itself. Any opinions or information would be greatly appreciated.

[Patrick Kane]

If that were an hour drive of me, id be there to buy it from underneath you for $400. I sold a unisaw in fantastic/mostly reconditioned shape before Christmas for $1100. Id say a single phase unisaw in the condition of the one you posted is worth $900-950 most days of the week. Maybe in the $800s if the market is sluggish in July/August when most guys are fishing/golfing and not woodworking.

Id confirm its single phase, and then id ask if you can paypal them a deposit to hold it for you. I dont want to panic you, but as a seller if someone offered me full asking price and was on my doorstep, id accept and never return your call. This is craigslist, and i run a mildly ruthless first come, first served mentality. $350 on that saw is less than half of fair market value, and usually the type of deal you strike when you find the ad 5 minutes after it has been posted and are on site within the hour. 8 hours round trip is a journey though.

[Bruce Page]

Probably worth more than twice that.

[Bill Orbine]

Cheap.... better hurry up!

[Bill Space]

This is one case where it is smart NOT to show your location. :D

[Patrick Kane]

This is one case where it is smart NOT to show your location. :D

My post probably seems jerky, but yeah, i would absolutely buy and flip that saw if it was closer. Its about 2 hours for us, Bill. I missed a PM66 2 weeks ago for $150 in new castle. that is one where i called the guy an hour after he listed it and he already had someone coming to get it. I often wonder what deals i never even know about because they go so quickly.

The OWWM rules are very much a real thing. I get we all want validation when making decisions,but it can bite you when its a good deal.

[Don Jarvie]

If you watch the sale sections on the various forums you start to get an idea on what machines are worth. A lot of times when something is cheap the first thing that comes to mind is “what’s wrong with it”. It could be a piece of junk, the owner has no idea what it’s worth, they know what it’s worth but wants it gone.

If it looks good then get it. The fence alone is with the price of the saw.

[Jeff Duncan]

First rule in buying used equipment.... never show, tell, hint, or imply anything until the machine is in your hands. You've just let everyone on this site know of a steal in your area and are hoping nobody jumps on it before you! Luckily it's a bit too far from me;) Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but that was just not the best idea, and while I do hope you get it, just don't be at all surprised if it disappears before you get there:(

In the future I highly recommend doing your homework first, then buying, then coming here and gloat about the great deal you got:D

good luck!
JeffD

[Gordon Stump]

I've seen this with bankruptcies, business break-ups and real break-ups aka divorces. It does not look like a work-shop. It is $.50 on the dollar. There is probably a back story and some pain.

[Jim Becker]

Phillip, unless there's something wrong with that machine, it's easily worth twice the asking price or even more, depending on condition, etc.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

Run Forest Run

[Bill Space]

Now for the next pertinent question: Will Philip be posting his second post at SMC tomorrow?

Hope we get an update and he gets his saw...:)

[Marc Jeske]

Just be aware it is Right Tilt.

Marc

[Philip Carroll]

Well, I did not get the saw. Confirmed before I left that it was still there and our deal was still in good standing. An hour into the trip I got a call that they sold it to someone else. Not happy! Wont make the mistake of advertising until I have it in my possession next time! The search continues.

[Patrick Kane]

Not surprised. I doubt that had anything to do with posting it here. More or less, the real take away you should have is dont second guess yourself and waste time. If a screaming deal presents itself, go look at it. Listings like that one typically last hours and not days.

Also, why does everyone think right tilt saws are the devil? Nearly all sliders are right tilt so you dont cut into your crosscut fence. Each has its pros and cons.

[eugene thomas]

And person that bought probably paid him the $400 .........

[Bruce Page]

And person that bought probably paid him the $400 .........

Very good point.

[Wade Lippman]

Well, I did not get the saw. Confirmed before I left that it was still there and our deal was still in good standing. An hour into the trip I got a call that they sold it to someone else. Not happy! Wont make the mistake of advertising until I have it in my possession next time! The search continues.

Buys like that... you contact immediately and start driving when you have the address. If you go slowly, it will be gone for sure.

Well, that's if it is worth a 4 hour drive to you. I wouldn't be so quick to spend an entire day to save a few hundred; especially when you don't even know if it really works.

Frankly though, the guy was scum to sell it to someone else after promising it to you; though there is a lot of scum out there.

[Doug Garson]

Been there done that. Saw a 1950's Milwaukee Delta drill press for $150 and asked (on another forum) if it was a good deal, response was yes but it was gone when I decided to go for it. Six months later similar drill press came up for $75, it's in my shop now. Consider this a learning experience.

[Carl Beckett]

Hard to know. I buy stuff on cl often, and get all kinds of behavior.

It is equally possible that the person was overwhelmed with responses (some willing to pay more than asking price even), realized it was under priced, and then cancelled. Or a relative or friend learned about it and wanted it. Etc etc. A zillion possibilities.

Until its loaded and cash exchanged, the deal is not done.

[David Kumm]

If it makes you feel better, I figure a $1/ mile for travel. Dave

[Ronald Blue]

That's the type of deal that seldom lasts for long. It's also doubtful that it was someone from here. That was a steal and you weren't the only one undoubtedly that would have recognized that and been in touch. As others have said there are many possible scenarios. That's the type of deal that required immediate response and action. You will never know who ended up with it. That's CL for you. It's more frustrating when someone advertises something here and when you contact them and start a dialogue and then they sell it to someone else when you are ready to go see it and pick it up. Not everyone here is a straight shooter. Most are though. Just like anywhere though. Keep looking but be aware deals like that one don't pass by often. Good luck.

[Patrick Kane]

That's the type of deal that seldom lasts for long. It's also doubtful that it was someone from here. That was a steal and you weren't the only one undoubtedly that would have recognized that and been in touch. As others have said there are many possible scenarios. That's the type of deal that required immediate response and action. You will never know who ended up with it. That's CL for you. It's more frustrating when someone advertises something here and when you contact them and start a dialogue and then they sell it to someone else when you are ready to go see it and pick it up. Not everyone here is a straight shooter. Most are though. Just like anywhere though. Keep looking but be aware deals like that one don't pass by often. Good luck.

Ive actually run into strangers that beat me to awesome craigslist deals twice now. Last one was a single phase pm72 with the huge 40" cast iron extension wing for $300-400. Guy had it partially disassembled in his garage two weeks later when i was randomly buying something unrelated off him. I asked him about it, and it turns out he was the buyer. Its a small world out there.

[Charlie Hinton]

I am not in the buy/sell tools business so while the saw was a great deal, it being a right tilt machine is a show stopper for me.

[Marc Jeske]

Right tilt is very interesting.

I think it is safe to say the majority of woodworkers are used to left.

Right is not bad, but different.

I run an old PM w left.. and am apprehensive to resurrect an old arn Delta/Rockwell 12/14 sitting in storage.... but I know I will love it overall and get used to the right tilt.

I hope anyway.

Lots of opinions in below link.

Marc

https://www.google.com/search?q=right+vs+left+tilt+tablesaw&oq=right+vs+left+tilt+tablesaw&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.11752j1j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Marc Jeske]

This is known and DOH !!!! obvious to many...

But you can tell a R from a L machine a mile away...

Just look at which direction the arc cutout in the cabinet goes.

Marc

[Marc Jeske]

Maybe smeone can help me here..

My early 70's Contractor PM 10" saw has the belt driven motor hanging off the back.

AFAIK.. It is NOTHING special... and it has a regular toggle on/ off switch.

Heres the question-

When I turn it off it seems to have an electric brake cuz it stops the blade in about ? 5? seconds.

I can like hear/ feel something sounding like a dynamic brake.

How is it doing that ?

THAT is also my concern about the D/R 12/14 ready in storage to revive..

WHAT will be my blade stop time on that?

AFAIR it has a factory stock 5 hp 240v motor... I think w a small mag starter.

Marc

[Ronald Blue]

Phillip, I would have pm'd you this but apparently with you only being a free member that's not an option. That or I am not able to find the PM tab. Either way here is a couple items that might be in your area but only guessing.

govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.AdvSearchResultsNew&kWord=table%20saw&whichForm=vehicle&searchPg=Main