Need help on sellling a Shopbot

[kenbak]

A friend died and I am helping his wife close his shop. It is a PR/PRT96 from 2001. Used very little the last three years. What features should I look for? He had other software associated with the machine for design. Just need some clues on what to look for and how to price.

[zeykr]

Whether it's a PR or PRT is a big difference - PR's had unistrut as rails, PRT's had blue steel angle iron. What type of router or spindle? What type of table - wood, shopbot steel, user made steel table? Does it have prox switches, zzero plate? Does computer go with it - is it running windows or DOS version of software? Do any bits go with it? Any other accessories like an indexer or? If you can answer these questions and maybe post a picture or two, someone can probably help with pricing.

You can call me at 479-789-2611 if I can be of any help.

Ken

[gene]

Kenneth,

Photos will go a long way. Take them from all sides

[coach]

Kenneth, I am sure I speak for many offering condolences to you and your friends wife.
You came to the right place for information and possibly the sale of the machine. If there are other business items you need to sell I am sure under the circumstances nobody would mind if you list them.
Good luck,
David

[kenbak]

Here is what I saw looking at the ShopBot. Please tell me what I am seeing. Blue rails, The cross supports(bed)is black steel with a u shaped wood pieces on top. Spoil board on top?

There appears to be two computers associated with it. One window base with a number of programs. One was ShopBot v3. The other computer says "ShopBot".

Could not find any info on the spindle other than electronically variable speed and made in the USA.

Bits? Shop has lots of bits most look like router bits to me. Any thing special about the bits for the machine?

One limit switch on the machine. There are some blue plastic tabs sticking out from under the rail in a couple of spots.

There is metal item hooked to a wire which I think was used by Dave to set the z axis.

As we have been using the only large flat surface(ShopBot table) in the shop to store items as we inventory pictures will not tell much until we move them. Also two interior walls will need to be removed to get enough room for pictures. This will happen next week or so larger equipment can be removed. Planning on leaving the ShopBot in place untill sold.

Do you think it would be useful to start another thread on our problems liquidating the shop. I sure don't want my wife to have these problems when I'm gone.

[gerryv]

Ken,
Gene hit it on the head. You'll always get asked for pictures anyway so a number of well lit, high resolution pictures from all sides and, where visible, pic's showing model numbers & spec's on the motors etc. will make the machine easily recognizable to many of the people on the forum who will help you. Don't overlook things like the tooling (router bits) clamps, etc. No need to struggle with figuring out the various components and terminology this way. You might also indicate what the machine was used for earlier on. Also, it's important to give a general indication of what part of the world the machine is located in. good luck.

[gene]

Kenneth,
I dont know what all type of equipment he had and the grade of the equipment but as for my shop if something was to happen to me i would have my wife to hire an Auction Co to liquidate it. Advertise it heavily and sell it all at public Auction. If she had no need for any more monies i would leave everything to my helper. He would appreciate it more than anyone else i know and to be handed a operating buisness i think he would do good at.

[kenbak]

Money is an issue. Medical bills on a 5 year struggle make it important. Auction companies take a good bite. We belong to a Woodwokers Guild that has both pro and hobby folks. This group is providing help and a ready market for many of the items. Dave's was a one man shop. From an ease point of view auction is first but we want to take as much cream off the top as we can. The lack of a shop inventory and original costs is making it hard to set prices. As we clean we find new tools and fixtures. Big ticket items such as the Shopbot, Unisaw, planners and jointers are things that seem to get sold for little on the dollar around here(SW Michigan North west Indiana).

[rb99]

If you post pictures of what you have here I am sure you will get accurate advice as to what you have and what it might sell for.

You will probably sell most of the Shopbot stuff as well.

Richard

[gene]

A lot of auctions i have been to seem to bring top dollar. If you sell off the best and leave the rest to auction then you will NOT do good on that route. Have you looked at the site woodweb.com and exfactory.com. There are people who will buy the entire shop but they usually dont want to pay much. I think that you are doing the best way so you can control what things are being sold for. DO YOUR HOMEWORK and research the selling price of simular equipment in the same shape. If someone it trying to buy something real fast then they know that they have a bargain and you may be selling too cheap. I dont know how people can take advantage of a situation like your friend has found herself in to save a few dollars. I had a friend that his dad had a shop and passed away , i bought a lot of the stuff that he had with no use for it and eventually sold it just to help him out, I wish you the best of luck, your a good person for helping them.

[kenbak]

The ShopBot is in SW lower Michigan about 20 mile North of South Bend, IN. Here are some pictures. Excuse the saw dust.


7441
7442

[zeykr]

That is an early model PRT with a porter cable router and a homebuilt steel table. It's probably around 2001 vintage.

[ken_rychlik]

If you call shopbot they will be able to give you the age and background on the machine also, based on the person that bought it new.

I bought a used one (2004) just like it early this year for $5.500

If everything is operational you should be able to sell it for around the same price.

Good luck with it.

Kenneth