How To Buy From Machinery Auctions (5 Tips for Cheap Tools)

In this video I go over some of the frequently asked questions I get regarding buying machinery and tools from online auctions. I have bought many tools for my shop and for other peoples shops through auctions and have saved THOUSANDS of dollars. Auctions are always a risk, but have been very well worth the reward for me and my friends.

Here are some of the auction houses I use:

Be sure to check WHERE the auction is located before you go and start bidding on stuff. Equipment is heavy and hard to move, try not to travel too far with it unless you really know what you are doing.

Got questions? Ask them below!

Thank you to Pferd abrasives for supporting my shop and my channel. For links to some of the grinding discs I use most see below:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Flap disc:

Inside corner disc (AMAZING):

Wire Wheel:

Thanks for watching! Be careful, know the limits of your skills and your tools! Don't try this stuff at home!

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We teach classes in woodworking and welding here at the shop, if your interested see the current schedule here.

For PDFs of some of our project check out our profile on Instructables:

Below are some links to tools I use in the shop on a daily basis.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bosch Miter Saw ( My Favorite miter saw)

Sawstop Table Saw:

Wen Tabletop Metalcutting Bandsaw

Articulated Vise:

Bosch Portable Bandsaw ( 18V)

Porter Cable Restorer:

Lincoln 120V Welder ( good for a home shop)

The Camera I use:

The Tripod I use:

[WorksbySolo]

Those are all very solid auction tips. Thanks for sharing. A tactic that I use, for my own sanity is to predetermine my maximum price, and stick to it. I watch myself get out bid quite often, but oh well, I don’t over pay.

[michaelkenefick]

Tip #6, do not fear three phase. VFDs are cheap and easy to set up.

[kevinnathanson]

VERY well done sir, and based on my 10+ years of buying via auction for my personal shop—one very much like yours—I concur with everything you said.
Here is one additional tip for the non-beginner buyer, but one that people MAY not be aware of...
Many online auction sites that hold timed auctions (as opposed to broadcasting a live auction) will allow the bidders to set a maximum price that they are willing to pay, and then 'auto-bid' up to that maximum price, using an established bid value increment (i.e $5 or $20, etc.) as competing bids are entered. In that way you do not have to go back and counter-bid so frequently. This is helpful, as it is vitally essential that you either use this method or ensure that you are online at the exact time that your targeted lot is set to close. MANY prices don't even BEGIN to move until 5 or 10 minutes prior to close, so this is critical.
OK, here is the more advanced part, and why it pays to read the fine print: A few auctions will do something that many consider unethical with those maximum price bids, but they are required by all state laws to DECLARE that they do it, in the terms of the auction.... So read!! What they state they reserve the right to do is to view your max bid amount, and then bid as a competitor in order to get you to pay more, up to your max amount. This is commonly referred to as 'shilling' for the house, and without clearly stating that they reserve the right to do it, is illegal. So pay attention! For THOSE auctions, you probably do NOT want to enter a max bid, but rather just bid on-the-fly so that the auction house does NOT know how much you are willing to pay. So buyer beware, and good luck; even with all these details, TONS of bargains are there to be had!

[DeanWilhite]

I really like your style. You’re very personable. The kind of guy that’s easy to trust. Thanks for doing your channel.

[crazyrat]

I have done this, buying from machinery auctions for years. EXCELLENT way to get equipment for literally "pennies on the dollar!....I do have a working machinery back round, and I always go to the previews if local, (within reasonable drive distance). If it is something I am not that familiar with, I research the hell out of the item!...I have purchased a Doall 1612 Bandsaw that was built in 1941, and works everyday!...I have gotten bandsaw blades that are too long for my 10 foot blade length, I built a jig to cut and weld/silver solder the blades to my size, I now have enough blades to last a life time...total purchase price...LESS than $30.00 total, for various widths and tooth counts....Pexto stomp shear...new blades, ...$600.00....Pexto slip roller...$125.00....Enough various sizes and types of TIG welding rods....309, 308, ER80-2, 625 Inconel, ...over 200 pounds of rod....1/16", 3/32", 1/18"...$60.00....deals can be had, you just have to look...

[jeremyspecce]

Awesome rundown and some very good tips and warnings. Get that rigging/shipping quote before you bid!

[paulwilliams]

Found your post interesting to watch. I can't wait to see your new videos soon. Good Luck with the upcoming update. This YouTube channel is very informative and effective.

[philipbender]

10:12 I buy Gold and silver at auctions all the time. Sometimes people will set there "starting bid price" much higher than the value of the item that they are selling. For some reason no one will bid on those items :0)

[jackbrennan]

Someday I'll have a shop big enough for a metal lathe and a mill...But it's really cool to see yours:) All my machines were bought on craigslist.

[Rob-Hannon]

Great vid. You should do one on your bad experiences too.

[partsandresto]

Great vid. Machinery auctions are the best. Most of my tooling and Bridgeport accessories came from them.

[mamabearssheshedtracykeato]

I think this is a great bit of information. Thank you so much for sharing. Starting out can be very hard on your wallet.

[dporrasxtremeLS]

Looking at your shop, you walk your talk. Thanks for this.

[garybrooks]

Thanks for the info, it was very helpful!

[mikepetzold]

I found bidspotter last month and always go to the woodworking part, I see I will have to bid against you now, nice deal on the sawstop

[metalworksmachineshop]

Good video. I'm a rigger. And move, load and deliver machines all the time. I have a lot customers that call me to look at machines for them.
So they dont have to travel to the preview. I also bid on items for customers wile on the phone with them.

[flashpointrecycling]

This is a great intro to auctions. I buy at auctions and have probably made every mistake I have also identified several scams and am very weary of which online auctions I will participate in. I hope you do a follow up to this video with more in depth discussion. If you need ideas, I can name names and addresses.

[cpcoark]

Add one other comment. After you have established you are a reliable bidder, many auctioneers will wave the deposit fee. I have found out that if I send in my registration to bid, they will approve it. To get establish, start with small auctions and purchase small items. Then follow through. Like your credit rating, that will establish you auction rating.
Good video

[RibeyeReaper]

Amazing video! Any suggestions on how to find local machinery auctions other than google?

[techedfireman]

Thanks...you are making me spend more money ;-P