Speaking of lathes..... here's a C-L "beauty".... look closely.....

[J Tiers]

There seem to be a few folks on this and other sites who take some sort of pleasure from prowling eBay and C/L ads for "ads from dummies" to post for some reason. ...................
As with any purchase, the ad copy will be optimistic, you wouldn't expect the seller to state his wares are a bunch of worn out crap. ................. You can also expect, just as you would with a used car from a private seller, that some additional expense will be required for the purchase to meet your standards, this is all part of the cost of aquisition.

Hardly...............

I regularly "cruise the ads" purely for my own purposes, but felt that this "Great condition" description was a bit much for a machine with large pieces broken off.
Your opinions clearly differ, and I suppose that difference is what keeps things interesting.....

As for optimistic copy, I feel that is a form of lying..... and that persons who do that are liars. When I post an ad on CL, I make certain to mention ANY actual faults, such as "compound broken and partly repaired", which would have been appropriate here. At least the guy put in a picture..... it would have ticked me bigtime to drive some distance to see a machine and find large pieces broken off of a machine described as being "in great condition".

I have several times REFUSED TO SELL a machine to a potential customer when I can see that they will expect more from it than it can deliver.

That, to me, is basic honesty, which apparently others neither subscribe to, expect, nor even value. Those people may do as they choose.... as it is written, "they have their reward".

[jep24601]

There seem to be a few folks on this and other sites who take some sort of pleasure from prowling eBay and C/L ads for "ads from dummies" to post for some reason.

Ouch!!

[JCHannum]

The ad says it came from a school, which I do believe by the number and condition of the accessories. This being the case, little use is also believable. The paint again is unfortunate, but the photos show no obvious damage or abuse.

There seem to be a few folks on this and other sites who take some sort of pleasure from prowling eBay and C/L ads for "ads from dummies" to post for some reason. Granted there are lots of them with descriptions that are vague and poor cell phone photos that leave the potential customer hard pressed to decide if they are of a lathe or a '64 Econoline van. Neither of these fall into that category by miles, if flylo had dragged either of these home and posted here, he would have earned several you sucks.

The prospective machine tool buyer should make up a list of what he is looking for and set a realistic budget. He should also get an education of what to look for and how to do a quick assesment of his intended purchase. He should also be prepared to make a reasonable counter offer and back it up with cash right now.

As with any purchase, the ad copy will be optimistic, you wouldn't expect the seller to state his wares are a bunch of worn out crap. Cruise the ads with an open mind, look past the hasty paint jobs or accumulated dirt, look only for hard facts in the text, just as you would if looking for a used car. You can also expect, just as you would with a used car from a private seller, that some additional expense will be required for the purchase to meet your standards, this is all part of the cost of aquisition.

[vpt]

Because he painted the carriage to the ways so he couldn't use it.

[J Tiers]

The ad does not say barely used, it says very little use. Judging by the condition of the accessories, I could believe that. The paint job is unfortunate.

Maybe..... agree there are goodies with it.

I think it was beat in regular use, then this guy re-painted it right over a lot of the dirt, AFTER WHICH it was used very little............

[JCHannum]

............... Does that "individual" really expect anyone to believe his "barely used"?

The ad does not say barely used, it says very little use. Judging by the condition of the accessories, I could believe that. The paint job is unfortunate.

Take a look at the accessories included, micrometers, granite surface plate, dial indicator, metal stock shop texts and more. It sounds like a good start to outfitting a shop. Once again, if you are looking for a lathe and this one fits your needs and budget, you would be foolish not to take a look at it.

Both of these ads differ from the usual CL ads in that they include enough good photos to get a good idea of what the machine looks like and enough of a description to get an idea of what is included. A couple of optimistic words in the description should not discourage the potential buyer.

By the way, does anyone know what the two round items are in the box on the right side of the first photo?

[vpt]

Speaking of craigslist.

Trade my junk for your nice working stuff? http://appleton.craigslist.org/bar/3279761486.html

[J Tiers]

That one's nice....but I like this "barely used" south bend.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/tls/3278698906.html

Chuck

The number of liars and cheats in teh world appears to exceed the number of honest people by a substantial margin............... Does that "individual" really expect anyone to believe his "barely used"?

I guess it only takes ONE person to make his day.......

[vpt]

That one's nice....but I like this "barely used" south bend.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/tls/3278698906.html

Chuck

Well you can see in the pics it was barely used if ever used, the paint is still on the ways.

[The Artful Bodger]

Yea, barely used at all, except for painting practice!

[Chuck K]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3263119593.html

It's in "great shape", remember.........

That one's nice....but I like this "barely used" south bend.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/tls/3278698906.html

Chuck

[J Tiers]

"Some other machines"???? - just about every other machine! I saw one for a AA craftsman for $20 recently but most are a LLT more than that.

Yeah... anywhere from $75 to $200, depending on how rare the seller thinks it is, and what they think they can get... i.e. the highest price they ever saw on ebay..

AA? $5......

[jep24601]

20 bucks?

Good if you can do it.... Never looked for one of those, but for some otehr machines they run higher.....)

"Some other machines"???? - just about every other machine! I saw one for a AA craftsman for $20 recently but most are a LOT more than that.

[lowcountrycamo]

First thing I noticed was the new looking dials. Maybe it took a fall while moving.

[J Tiers]

I'd actually just find a used compound casting on ebay for $20 and forget all about it.

20 bucks?

Good if you can do it.... Never looked for one of those, but for some otehr machines they run higher.....

Clearly the repair is to replace the compound (or not use one, per JS...... who has a point about solidity, and it ain't just on top of his head...)