Unisaw and other tools? Buy or not to buy?

[Scoly2803]

Please help with my decision. Have an opportunity to buy Unisaw, grizzly 6" jointer and a craftsman radial arm saw for $800. He had tried to sell previously and now is serious. Might take less.

Uni is around 10yrs old but is described as good condition except for the side table. Needs new wood. Fence is the original with rails. 3HP but he could not tell me if single phase or not (how do I tell). No dust collection. He says it just falls out the side. Think I would be able to address that. What potential problems should I look for? In order to use this saw I would have to have an electrician put in a sub panel for the 220 and would probably have to get a new fence at around $300.

The jointer is an older grizzly. He says around 10 yrs old and used very little.

RAS need a table top. Would probably have to sell this since my garage is a bit cramped.

I can set up a time to see and run the equiptment but would like guidance on price, things to check, etc..
Thanks
Steve

[Knottscott]

If they're in good working condition, and the fence is a Unifence or Biese, sounds like a great deal. If the fence is the older style jetlock fence with tubular rails, and has no motor cover, the odds are very high that it's quite a bit older than 10 years...could still be a great saw, but it's nice to know what you've got and that you're dealing with honest people.


Good luck!

[Charlie]

Deleted by me.

[sweensdv]

As long as the Uni is not 3 phase then I don't really see how you can go wrong with this deal. Even if you have to put a few hundred into a new fence it's still quite a bargain for what you're getting. Depending what your needs are, you could always sell the jointer and RAS to help offset the cost of the new fence and the Uni itself. If the Uni does happen to be 3 phase you could get a converter but I don't have a clue as to what they cost.

[Charlie]

Deleted by me.

[LCHIEN]

if he has it at a residence odds are very good its not 3-phase. Or if it is he will have a 1-ph to 3-ph converter to throw in. Because its more or less unheard of for there to be 3-ph service to a residence.

[woodturner]

I was just rumageing through a Grizzly catalog lastnight and you could get a single phase motor for the Uni fairly reasonable

As I recall, the Unisaw has an unusual mount and thus a standard motor will not work. Might be worth checking out if you decide to go the replacement route.

[Knottscott]

As I recall, the Unisaw has an unusual mount and thus a standard motor will not work. Might be worth checking out if you decide to go the replacement route.

Speaking of Grizzly, don't forget that they have the G1023SL on sale for $795 ($889 shipped), along with some other TS deals.

[Charlie]

Deleted by me.

[Rich P]

If you want to date the Unisaw, the serial number info can be found at OWWM. The motor is definitely a special mount.

[Scoly2803]

Lots of good info. Thanks to all for the time and effort. Will have to get by and see what the equipt. looks like and go from there.
Thanks again!!!
Steve

[Scoly2803]

Bought the Grizzly g1182 jointer. Gave $162.00 and feel real good about it. Will require some tweaking (shim tables) but seems to have been used very little.
Replaces a King Sealy 6" tabletop that I got from my fil.
steve

[cabinetman]

Here is some good info on the Unisaw.
.

[Scoly2803]

Thanks for the link.
After a lot of consideration on the uni I decided that with the expense I would have to pass. Did make an offer but doubt that he will take it. I am faced with getting 220 to the shop (requires electrician and a new panel), new fence and rails $300+. Would love a Uni but at around $1000 didn't seem like a great deal.
Thanks again.
Steve