Has any one ever purchased a Haas mill

[l u k e]

on ebay?


I'm a tad leery about dropping that amount of money when I don't know the guy selling the machine, especially with it being out of state. How are large money transactions like this handled on ebay?

[djr76]

Call a HFO or the factory and see if you can get any history on it. I would never buy a machine without fully investigating it. I've always bought brand new from my local HFO.

[Donkey Hotey]

You need to make sure that Haas has released the final 'turn on' code for it. They don't do that until it's paid for. If Haas financed it, they will have a record of any liens against it. I don't have a clue how you'd find out about other liens from private banks. It's not like a machine has a pink slip.

You might consider an Escrow company if you're worried about it. It's pretty basic though: write up what his obligations are (is he supposed to load it, just make it available to riggers, or?), both of you sign it, wire him the money and send the movers to get it.

I would absolutely drive to see it first, while running, and get a feel for how it's been used. I bought some vises from a guy who beat them to death, machining cast iron all day long, and rarely cleaning them. I would not want one of his machines.

[l u k e]

Originally Posted by djr76 Call a HFO or the factory and see if you can get any history on it. I would never buy a machine without fully investigating it. I've always bought brand new from my local HFO.

It's out of state so "my" HFO does not have access to that info, been there, done that.

[l u k e]

Originally Posted by Donkey Hotey You need to make sure that Haas has released the final 'turn on' code for it. They don't do that until it's paid for. If Haas financed it, they will have a record of any liens against it. I don't have a clue how you'd find out about other liens from private banks. It's not like a machine has a pink slip. You might consider an Escrow company if you're worried about it. It's pretty basic though: write up what his obligations are (is he supposed to load it, just make it available to riggers, or?), both of you sign it, wire him the money and send the movers to get it. I would absolutely drive to see it first, while running, and get a feel for how it's been used. I bought some vises from a guy who beat them to death, machining cast iron all day long, and rarely cleaning them. I would not want one of his machines.

Haas has released the final 'turn on' code for it.

I've never heard that before. How would I go about that?

[Donkey Hotey]

I could be wrong but I think the HFO database is global: it follows the machine for any service done by an HFO--anywhere. Older machines aren't necessarily in the database but I assume you're talking about a 2004ish machine. Everything should be in their database. If your local HFO isn't willing to help you, that may be an indicator to search for a different brand--not sold by that dealer (or move).

Moving a machine into their 'area' means that they'll have a new customer (whether you buy new or not). It should only take them a few minutes to look up the history and whether the unlock code was released. Hmmm...I need to get the code for my lathe. The fact that it hasn't timed out on me in over a year is something I should be ashamed of.

[HuFlungDung]

You could perhaps hire a lawyer to do a lien search for you based on the actual serial number of the machine, who owns it, etc.

Surely, if you had the model and the serial number, you could phone Haas and they could tell you if the machine is free and clear from their viewpoint?

[timlkallam]

I bought a machine on e-bay I called the seller before i bid and told him if I won the bid I would bring a bank ckeck with me and if I liked it I would buy it if I didn't like the machine I would pay the $400 listing fee charged by e bay and go home .He said ok .

The machine was 3 states away I rented a car to drive down to florida , I liked the machine so I droped the car of at the rental agency and rented a large uhall truck and came home with the machine. Every thing worked out great.

[l u k e]

Originally Posted by timlkallam I bought a machine on e-bay I called the seller before i bid and told him if I won the bid I would bring a bank ckeck with me and if I liked it I would buy it if I didn't like the machine I would pay the $400 listing fee charged by e bay and go home .He said ok . The machine was 3 states away I rented a car to drive down to florida , I liked the machine so I droped the car of at the rental agency and rented a large uhall truck and came home with the machine. Every thing worked out great.

What machine was it?

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by l u k e What machine was it?

If it fit into anything that U-haul rents, it wasn't a full-size CNC machining center and it was probably overloaded (technically speaking). I rented a 1-ton stakebed to move a conventional kneemill. Techincally, that's about double the load that truck should have carried. Their household moving trucks just aren't rated for moving heavy machinery.

To do it right, you'd need a 10Klb forklift to load & unload it and a 10-ton stake-truck for the trip.

I've moved three smaller machines and watched the installation of my VF-2 & TL-1. I'd still probably hire riggers for a VF1/2. You're probably looking at $3-4K for the whole job, by insured riggers. What will you do if you have a small fender bender and the machine falls off the truck? What if it rocks on the forklift and falls off? If you don't have enough cash to risk that, don't.

My employer had an old Bridgeport machining center moved from California to Missouri for $4K. Call either HFO (on the Arizona or California side) and ask them for the number of their riggers. They'll already be familiar with everything, including where & how to pick up the machine. If you buy new, you'll still be paying for shipping, though it will be at a discounted rate. Don't let this discourage you though: it's do-able.

Try here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&n...rs&btnG=Search

The great Pharoh, Geof, will be along shortly to remind us of moving a Minimill using nothing but sticks, boards and a thousand slaves.

[kingfisher]

If the machine was purchased new in the area then the local HFO has all records of it. I use to sell Haas through the Michigan HFO. I ran into this once before. I had a friend who wanted to buy a machine on ebay. Guess what?.....it turned out to be a scam. Last I heard he was still trying to track down his money. Too bad we have to deal with so many corrupt people. You just don't know anymore.

Don't take anyone's word. You or make sure someone you know, get's to see the machine. It might be all on the up and up but to much money to learn the hard way.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by INFO WEAPON Your employer got ripped off.

Awww, heck, they ripped themselves off. They have a truck that makes the trip twice a month and is half loaded most of the time. Some Lean process genius said that the trip costs us $5K so hiring the job out saved us money. Never mind that our truck made the trip anyway. Middle management morons.

You know of riggers that will pick up a machine and move it that far, for less money? Cough it up, man. This guy needs help gettin' his new machine delivered.