Buying A Chainsaw At Auction?

[hotajax]

I have an auction house nearby, pretty reputable guy. Occasionally he'll just clear out an old farmhouse, and sell everything. Often there's outdoor power equipment. I have seen classic chainsaws there in the past. My question to you:

As a prospective buyer, do I take some fuel, a can of starting ether, and possibly some carb clearner before I bid on an old saw? Suppose I get it running. Now everyone looking at that saw will be interested and possibly bid up the price. Or,,,,,,,,do I keep my mouth shut and keep my knowledge to myself and hope to "steal" the saw, not knowing if it will even run at all? What have you guys done?

 

[Wilhelm]

You gotta take a chance and hope You get a "steal".

 

[kneedeepinsaws]

There is the possibility that its a look dont touch policy.

if i were you i would not try to start it just buy it assuming its a non runner. Set yourself a limit of 100$ or something and be prepared to not overpay.
Either way you should get some pics to share with us addicts

 

[hotajax]

There is the possibility that its a look dont touch policy.

if i were you i would not try to start it just buy it assuming its a non runner. Set yourself a limit of 100$ or something and be prepared to not overpay.
Either way you should get some pics to share with us addicts

Some stuff can be "repaired" by just putting in some fresh gas and running it. Did that a few times as a kid for my lawn cutting biz and needed a mower.

 

[SimonHS]

To me an untested saw is a good buy if the resale value of its serviceable parts is greater than its purchase price. You can estimate whether the piston, cylinder and crankshaft are OK by pulling a saw over, if you are allowed to touch it. Then use your judgement. Could you make your money back, or make a profit, by parting it out if you couldn't get it working?

It's worth keeping a note of the sale price of vintage saws that you see online. It will give you an idea of what is popular, rare and valuable.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I repaired ten auction saws last year for a guy at an average of $60 apiece. They cost him an average of $20 apiece at the auction. I saved him a few grand had he bought them all new. He then sold half of them for about $200 apiece and that more than covered his cost for all ten. He kept the other five that he liked the most for himself.

So, did you add it all up? How much did he put in his pocket by buying auctioned says that he could then repair if he hired me to repair them? LOML says my repair price was way too low. WDYT?

 

[hotajax]

There is the possibility that its a look dont touch policy.

if i were you i would not try to start it just buy it assuming its a non runner. Set yourself a limit of 100$ or something and be prepared to not overpay.
Either way you should get some pics to share with us addicts

If anything was running at the auction, it seems I recall that the auctioneer started it, it wasn't there for buyers to do. So yeah, you may be right that I probably wouldn't get a chance to play with it. Thanks for answering up.

 

[Lightning Performance]

If anything was running at the auction, it seems I recall that the auctioneer started it, it wasn't there for buyers to do. So yeah, you may be right that I probably wouldn't get a chance to play with it. Thanks for answering up.

Just because it runs doesn't mean it's worth very much to resell.
Most need some repairs. Knowing when to buy and when to pass is going to be experience working for you. Year of the saw and the color have little to do with a good buy imo. Knowing what to avoid is very important.

 

[hotajax]

Just because it runs doesn't mean it's worth very much to resell.
Most need some repairs. Knowing when to buy and when to pass is going to be experience working for you. Year of the saw and the color have little to do with a good buy imo. Knowing what to avoid is very important.

How far "east of Philly"? Atlantic City?

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Set a price and try to stick to it.
The more you buy the less you will spend on them.
It's an education tax we all pay.

 

[hotajax]

Set a price and try to stick to it.
The more you buy the less you will spend on them.
It's an education tax we all pay.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Lightning Performance]

How far "east of Philly"? Atlantic City?

No... ten minutes via I295

The fun ground is on the way to AC in the pines

 

[MarcS]

Never seen a saw that wasn’t complete junk at the farm auctions I’ve been to. Not to mention any Amish will bid on a non running saw as if it were fully serviced and ready to rock. Could just be my area though.

 

[hotajax]

No... ten minutes via I295

The fun ground is on the way to AC in the pines

I'm about 15 minutes from the little Washington Crossing bridge on the PA side. That crappy little silver bridge that's so narrow you have to pull your mirrors in. Don't drink in that bar at the bridge. The cops watch it like a hawk, and they are uber pricey.

 

[hotajax]

Never seen a saw that wasn’t complete junk at the farm auctions I’ve been to. Not to mention any Amish will bid on a non running saw as if it were fully serviced and ready to rock. Could just be my area though.

I don't have to deal with that gang here. But I know you'll never get the best end of a deal with them. In another vein, I've seen Amish bring their friends to an auction just to bid up the price out in Lancaster.

 

[furb]

I don't have to deal with that gang here. But I know you'll never get the best end of a deal with them. In another vein, I've seen Amish bring their friends to an auction just to bid up the price out in Lancaster.

Did you ever go to the buggy auction in Gap? I took some Amish there and they were paying new prices for used Dewalt tools. They pay through the nose for harbor freight too.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

If you are allowed to start any of the saws you want to bid on , first don't use ether in it , starting fuild can/does strip the oil film from the cylinder. Obviously creating a fubar situation, fuel mix only.
If its an older saw chances are theres 30wt oil carbon in the muffler and it has a very good chance to break off and fall into the cylinder after sitting .
Auctions are a good deal because everyone excepts the gamble part, and if all the known quantities of the items were available prices would reflect that.

 

[hotajax]

If you are allowed to start any of the saws you want to bid on , first don't use ether in it , starting fuild can/does strip the oil film from the cylinder. Obviously creating a fubar situation, fuel mix only.
If its an older saw chances are theres 30wt oil carbon in the muffler and it has a very good chance to break off and fall into the cylinder after sitting .
Auctions are a good deal because everyone excepts the gamble part, and if all the known quantities of the items were available prices would reflect that.

"Fubar" and Maintenance Chief - Navy or Air Force?

 

[2stroker]

It's always a crap shoot. Get a price in mind and stick to it. You won't win them all even if your the high bidder.
I've watched guys start a saw before the auction begins and then whip out a knife and cut the pull rope so no body else can test it. Very dishonest!
Stihl or Husky only due well at auctions here for modern saws, but 2 man saws always command good money.
2stroker

 

[Maintenance Chief]

"Fubar" and Maintenance Chief - Navy or Air Force?

I'm in a Navy family, but was dissuaded to join. I'm one of the Maintenance Chiefs for the South Carolina state park service now.