price for a used vb36?

Question

I'm looking for some opinions on the selling price of a good used vb36. I've searched all over the internet and can't find any used ones for sale.

I currently have a 12" Delta for small stuff. But I have quite a bit of very big pieces of wood I would like to rough turn before it all splits. I am interested in doing stuff that would exceed 24" in diameter. Someone I know is interested in selling his VB36 for under $5000. It is in great shape. Including the tailstock, etc. the retail price would be around $9000.

My question is, would it be possible for me to get the lathe, spend a year turning my big stuff and then sell the lathe for what I bought it for? Or am I dreaming and trying to justify getting a lathe I could never hope to buy otherwise? In spite of some irrational justification, I really don't want to do anything stupid. Is there a price at which my idea would make sense?

Thanks

BW

Canchippy · Accepted Answer

It has been said many times in many places by better turners than me- "You can turn small stuff on a big lathe but you can't turn big stuff on a small lathe" Think about! What are you waiting for?

Owen Lowe · Answer

Not surprising - very, very few of the "premium" lathes like the VB, Stubby or Oneway hit the used market. I bet most are sold pretty quickly by word of mouth.

$5k sounds very reasonable if $9k is new retail. I don't think you'd have a problem selling if for very near what you buy it for at that price. A Stubby or Oneway will likely be a tad easier to sell just from a familiarity standpoint, but I don't think a VB would sit around long - especially if you advertised it on the national classified boards like the AAW forum.

Walt & Jenne Ahlgrim · Answer

It seems to me that you have stolen this lathe. You could likely sell it for 7000 or more if advertised in a large wood turning form.

On the rare occasion a used stubby come to the market they go for 90% of current new price.

Walt A

price for a used vb36?

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