I'm pretty sure there isn't a "blue book" on sawmills and equipment so I must ask how do you establish a fair market value for used equipment.
I have a WM mill and can look at various adds to see what everyone is asking but are they selling at that price?
What about used Shavings Machines? (I'm looking for a shavings machine to accompany my operation.
Eric
I'm not sure about other mills, but Wood-Mizer has the "Orange Book".
You just plug in what year, your mill is and what it has for accessories or add-ons and it will spit out the fair market value for that particular mill.
Beyond that, the appearance and condition of the mill will be factored in!
Woodmizer... Um, worth only $1,000.00. Cash, check, or money order. When can I pick it up? ;)
Actually my WM isn't for sale, I can buy parts, and it saws fast enough for my one man operation. Best of all it's tolerant of the tramp metal I get from the local tree service, oh and parts are only 3 days fedex usually.
I am looking for a shavings machine and trying to figure wether to buy new or used. Does the new machine have excellent resale value if I bail after a year? Should I look at the used market and pay 75% of new? Risk a turd?
the rule of thumb is at best any machine is 75% value of new. if its only 1 yr old ,still 75% of new.
as to answer your question on a shavings mill, you can find them used. do you have all the other equipment to go with a shavings mill? the burner, triple pass dryer, fines seperator, converyors ect. storage buildings.
the biggest item is wood , you'll need a steady market of cheap round wood it takes something like 20cords of round wood for 1 van load of shavings.
We aren't planning on running storage, chip straight to the truck with airdry slab and some round wood, nothing directly green.
Loaders and log/timber is not a problem, I am more concerned on the MC of the final product. I could see running a dryier might make the system unprofitable, or at least I'm afraid of that.
Eric
You mentioned tramp metal. Shavers will not like metal.
There are some exceptions to that 75% rule, and it depends on the economy. When we trade in New Holland skid steers, think we are getting on top of that. Back when the lumber markets were good, I know WM used mills were bringing more than that, depending on hours. In some cases, they were bringing about new price, just because of inflation. We have a used WM 40HDE25 with the whistles and bells. Have a guy that has calling wanting to buy it. WM thought maybe an outright sales price of 10,000 to 12,000. They are considerably higher on the sawmill exchange. But that doesn't mean they are getting it. In this market, I would not pay 75% of new personally. I have seen too much wood equipment go too cheap. Go to IRS Auctions and look at past sales of what you are looking for has brought. They might have some listed. Ex Factory and Kittrell auctions might list past sales prices, or be willing to tell you. Browse CMS on the forum. They usually have asking prices listed.
CustomSawyer,
I'll have to scan for metal prior to shavings applications. It's hard to find nails 5"inside the bark line with a hand held detector. I should be ok on the shavings mill, notwithstanding and occasional oops, planning on sharpening my onwn blades as well if possible.
Kansas,
Good point I didn't think of hitting the auction results.
Eric