What's a fair price for a bandsaw?

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Wood Butcher

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Jun 8, 2005
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Westfield, IN, USA.
A friend gave me a bandsaw he has no use for, he's not a woodworker, that he was given by his father. It is a Craftsman 12" exactly like the one I owned for 23 years plus and it is in really good shape. It's old, a 1987 model, and looks to have been used maybe half dozen times. I cleaned and tuned it and it runs fine and cuts straight. Has a 1/2HP motor and the guides and table surface look like new. My bud didn't want anything for it, just to get it out of his way, but I will give him half of what I can sell it for. I put it on Craig's list for $175 but no calls so far. Am I way off base with that price? Thanks for any input.
WB
 
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The problem with bandsaws is that it is really easy to put as much money into "upgrades" to make it cut well as the cost of the saw.

Most band saws come with rubber tires (upgrade to urathane $50), replace crappy blade $25, add Krieg precision fence $100, change to "cool blocks"- $20, zero throat plate $10, change v belt to link belt......and the list goes on!

So, when you list it, make sure to list all upgrades.
 
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Hmmmm

I got a decent Ryobi new for about $100 a couple of years ago....and it does what I need it to do. Used tools --- tough to value.
 
I'd say about 50 percent of new is right for most power tools, if in good condition.

I see some CL ads with tools advertised at higher amounts. And then I see those same ads again and again, with no buyers. Buying a tool from a total stranger is a risk. You need to make it worth their while. Discounting it by only 20 or 30 cents on the dollar isn't going to generate much interest when someone can buy brand new for a little more.
 
I would try to get $150 for it ... I think compared to what you can buy new (cheap 10") it will be worth that to someone, or could be worth it to you to keep. Just my 2cents.
 
I had one of those -- uses an 80 inch blade.

If tis stock and old, advertise for what ever but do not turn down an offer of $50 to $75


It will need new tires, blade, and the stock steel guides need to be replaced with cool blocks or better.
 
Craigslist is funny. A while back I was selling a Maytag washer, older but in very good condition for $150 with pics. When I first put it up I was low balled with $25 to $50 offers, one person called to let me know how high my pricing was, and that I'd never sell it! I took it off and relisted it a couple of weeks later, within a couple hours it was sold at full price. You just need the right buyer.
Cheers,
 
I had one of those -- uses an 80 inch blade.

If tis stock and old, advertise for what ever but do not turn down an offer of $50 to $75


It will need new tires, blade, and the stock steel guides need to be replaced with cool blocks or better.

I agree - I bought one of these 6 years ago or so for ~$75 on eBay, and then when I picked it up the guy threw in a PSI 1HP dust collector for another $50. That being said, for what it is, it is a pretty good little saw. True 6-inch resaw capability as long as the bulk of the stock is outside the blade, easy to find blades (my small-town hardware store keeps Olson blades in stock), and easy to move around in the shop if need be.

Craigslist is funny. A while back I was selling a Maytag washer, older but in very good condition for $150 with pics. When I first put it up I was low balled with $25 to $50 offers, one person called to let me know how high my pricing was, and that I'd never sell it! I took it off and relisted it a couple of weeks later, within a couple hours it was sold at full price. You just need the right buyer.
Cheers,

Have to agree with this as well - you never know what reaction you will get on CL.
 
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