Author Topic: Local guy selling ball "drill machine" (Read 3689 times)

KingofKings696 · « **on:** September 09, 2008, 11:42:47 AM »

He says he is selling an AMF 3500 sidewinder and was wondering if this is of any good and I also wonder about it as I can not find any info online about it he is including 2 NIB balls an ebonite hook again system as well as ALL the bits for 800 just wanted to know thank you.

JohnP · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2008, 10:45:51 PM »

I drill on a 3500. It's not as good as an upright press, but if you know how to use it you can do almost anything except mill oval holes. There are "tricks" to using sidewinders, get the seller to give you lessons on how to use it and if you decide to buy it and have questions, contact me. If you decide not to buy it I might be interested, but probably at less than $800. -- JohnP

KingofKings696 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2008, 02:52:54 PM »

So you feel 800 for it is too high even with all bits, a track phenom and nitro/r2 both undrilled and with the ebonite hook again system. I ask as I want to start drilling my own stuff and all I will need it for is to drill the finger holes for my grips drill my thumb slug and then oval it to properly fit my thumb. Other than that I just need to make sure I can accurately get all the pitches and distances right and Ill have more then I want.

solid9 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2008, 03:25:27 PM »

This machine does not do ovals.

KingofKings696 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2008, 03:29:59 PM »

yes but with a slug do you not drill as a circle and then use sand paper, rasp etc to actually shape it to your thumb?

qstick777 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2008, 04:04:22 PM »

I don't have any experience with the sidewinder, but $800 to get started drilling isn't awfully bad. Really depends on how much you are going to drill.

My old pro shop had 3 of them - kept them around for parts, so I don't know if that means they are prone to breaking or maybe parts are expensive? Don't think I ever got 2 balls drilled exactly the same from there, but I don't know if that is because of the drill or the driller

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stormed1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 09:23:57 PM »

As far as longevity goes i have been drilling on my 2500 for 12 years and it still works fine. As far as apans go that's operator error

Rev_O · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2008, 09:25:44 PM »

i used one of these for years with no issues. If he teaches you how to correctly use it, I'd say go for it.
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solid9 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2008, 09:54:08 PM »

I have one in the shop that is well over 20 years old, still a good machine. Just can't do some of the things with it that you can with a newer machine.

JohnP · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2008, 11:10:15 AM »

quote:
My old pro shop had 3 of them - kept them around for parts, so I don't know if that means they are prone to breaking or maybe parts are expensive? Don't think I ever got 2 balls drilled exactly the same from there, but I don't know if that is because of the drill or the driller

Parts are almost impossible to find, if something critical to the machine breaks and it isn't a standard bearing, belt, motor, etc. you will probably have to scrap it unless you can find one used. I broke a bullseye (plastic, used to line the ball up in the jig) a couple of years ago and our center manager did find two of them and bought them both. If you know what you're doing and the machine is in good condition, you can duplicate drillings as well as can be done on an upright press. I based my price comment on a 3500 that sold on e-bay about a year ago for around $250 (I would have bought it but it was 3000 miles away and the seller refused to ship it). Sidewinders in general have a bad reputation among drillers because folks haven't taken the time or don't have the understanding to learn the "tricks" I mentioned earlier. To drill ovals you do have to have a mill, a sidewinder simply won't do that. If you want to drill a round hole and work it out by hand that's fine. And several companies make oval thumb sleeves. -- JohnP

qstick777 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2008, 10:11:42 AM »

quote:
quote:
My old pro shop had 3 of them - kept them around for parts, so I don't know if that means they are prone to breaking or maybe parts are expensive? Don't think I ever got 2 balls drilled exactly the same from there, but I don't know if that is because of the drill or the driller

Parts are almost impossible to find, if something critical to the machine breaks and it isn't a standard bearing, belt, motor, etc. you will probably have to scrap it unless you can find one used. I broke a bullseye (plastic, used to line the ball up in the jig) a couple of years ago and our center manager did find two of them and bought them both. If you know what you're doing and the machine is in good condition, you can duplicate drillings as well as can be done on an upright press. I based my price comment on a 3500 that sold on e-bay about a year ago for around $250 (I would have bought it but it was 3000 miles away and the seller refused to ship it). Sidewinders in general have a bad reputation among drillers because folks haven't taken the time or don't have the understanding to learn the "tricks" I mentioned earlier. To drill ovals you do have to have a mill, a sidewinder simply won't do that. If you want to drill a round hole and work it out by hand that's fine. And several companies make oval thumb sleeves. -- JohnP

Using eBay to base prices is very difficult with drilling equipment. As you said, the seller was not willing to ship. Trying to find somebody that is close enough that wants to buy at the same time that you are trying to sell is a crapshoot.

I got my setup (press, jig, bits, and extras) for around $500 because I was willing to drive 600 miles (one way) to pick it up. Likewise, I've seen Ruddell jigs sell on eBay for $400-500 just for the jig.

If the seller isn't willing to seperate, they will usually take a loss on the whole package. Freight shipping for a press is pretty ridiculous. I've seen several setups listed and inquired as to just buying the jig - no need for the press.

The last quote I had for shipping a press and jig was around $800-1000. The seller wasn't interested in selling just the jig. Had he done so, he would have easily gotten $800-1000 just for the jig (Jayhawk Pro model), and I believe he was asking $1200-1500 + shipping for the drill and jig.

It's pretty similar to buying/selling a used pool table. Because shipping/setup fees are so high, you really take a hit on the resell value. Most people don't have the space for the stuff and want to sell it quickly, so they take a loss just to get rid of it.

As for the entire package for $800. If you want to learn to drill, it may be worth it. As others have said, parts are hard to find and the sidewinder takes a while to learn.

If you are interested in just buying to resell:

Depending on the number of bits and condition, you could probably sell them for $100-200 or more. A new set of 17 bits is almost $500 from Jayhawk.

The 2 balls are up to you. Those are older balls and probably have limited value. I would guess about $25-50 each.

The Hook-Again system sells for about $40-50 for the chamber and product for one ball.
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Author Topic: Local guy selling ball "drill machine" (Read 3689 times)

KingofKings696

Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

JohnP

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

KingofKings696

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

solid9

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

KingofKings696

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

qstick777

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

stormed1

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

Rev_O

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

solid9

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

JohnP

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"

qstick777

Re: Local guy selling ball "drill machine"