It took a lot of patience yesterday as the auctioneers waded through tons of stuff at a large farm and auto/truck sale but slowly and surely they waded through it inching closer towards a drill press I had my eye on.
Our farm has been stuck with a little Taiwanese drill since my brother broke a gear on our 1900 vintage drill that used taper attachment bits over thirty years ago and I now had my eye the Mother Of All Drill Presses! (MOADP)
Finnally, one of the two auction teams swung onto the row where the MOADP stood.
I had just one true challenger and we'd become friends, but I did not I realize he was the only one till the dust settled.
My new friend was only wanting the table from the press but I needed that and as he wanted it for a friend he was not going to out bid me anyway.
What he really wanted was some of the big bits that sold seperately in an apple bin that came with the press. I told him I'd be pretty easy on him if I were to also get those bits!
A couple of bids came on the press but when the dust settled I had bought the MOADP for 500 bucks!
Next were the apple bin of bits!
Now things heat up!
My new friend turns to me and in the middle of the fray he offers to split the cost ....... the competition ends with me on top at 700.
The day of the long wait ends our farm's long wait for a substantial drill press!
What I bought is a radial arm press which weights somewhere north of 4 tons, it's an Archdale with about 50 inches of travel and it uses up to 5 MT bits.
During the wait to pick up our treasurers we got more acquainted and he builds cannons, does re-enactments, recently took up handloading, has his first Dillon press.
We split up the bits in a logical fashion and after he paid his share I am only out about 850 for press and bits. I already have a bunch of MT bits from our old press and also a large lathe so that gave me a head start.
I also offered our great grey digger resources to him, you know when you have a machinist hunting your ranch you can pick his brain. LOL!
Life is grand when you are in the company of good people!
Best Regards and Happy Easter!
Three 44s