What's a new Biax worth (to you)?

[Michael G]

I looked at Ewan's Biax find in the ebay thread and thought the price was the sort of thing that I'd pay for a power scraper but those ones being for 110V would need to be rewound for Oz voltages. I also went to the Dapra website to see if they listed that model. They don't but currently they have some 220V models (both 7-ELM and BL-10) that they want to clear out for only around $2k (US) (Remember to add GST, shipping and duty to that). According to another US web site these things (new) are around $3200 (US) - and we can always trust websites for accurate pricing.

I don't know even at $2k I'd be buying one (but then I can be really mean when buying things online). As a point of interest for those with a passion for scraping what would you pay for a new Biax? Is that price a bargain or only to be approached if you need a proper power scraper (like Phil - Machtool - does)?

Michael

[morrisman]

I looked at Ewan's Biax find in the ebay thread and thought the price was the sort of thing that I'd pay for a power scraper but those ones being for 110V would need to be rewound for Oz voltages.

Michael

You can solve that by using a 110/240V step down transformer . They were a common item years ago, most brands come in a self contained box, with input and outlet sockets . They turn up at the HAMFESTS and electronic swaps etc.

I use one for my US made valve tester . EBAY would have them maybe ?

here you go, one of many on ebay

2000W STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER STEPDOWN 240V - 110V BLACK | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2000W-STEP-DOWN-TRANSFORMER-STEPDOWN-240V-110V-BLACK-/300765012973?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item4606fde3ed)


Mike

[RayG]

Hi Michael,

Good question..

My reasoning is roughly as follows, if you are rebuilding a machine that you've purchased at auction, then the cost of the rebuild should take into account the tools and equipment required to do the rebuild. On that basis I couldn't justify a new biax, but I could justify the cost of a second hand one ( I got an old model off german ebay for 375 ) The ones Ewan listed, and there are 6 from that seller are all around the 400-500 mark, you'd still get that price if you chose to sell sometime in the future. They are pretty robust, with the exception of some of the gearing, if you snap the gears you might be in trouble.. :)

I wish I'd got the model with the built in speed control, ( I got an external speed control ) but I've noticed when Josh uses it he doesn't use speed control.

Sorry for the round about answer, but for 500, and if you are into building / restoring machine tools the answer is yes, but 3000? that's too rich for my budget, I'd rather spend the money on tooling.

Regards
Ray

PS you can buy a lot of 110v transformers for 3000 :)

[Greg Q]

I paid around $200 shipped from the US for my 7EL, but it was listed as having an issue. It was fine when I got it, but I had it locally rewound for around $220 I think. The motor is a bog standard Fein unit from the seventies, but I don't know the model number. That information came from my motor rewinder. While I was seeking brushes I found ten pairs of similar sized on ebay for $8.00.

I have an inline speed controller for it, but rarely use it. I made a bunch of blades from carbide brazed to shop made mild steel shanks.

I think a Biax is best found on ebay, but not within some weeks of a US scraping course which just happened. You can always resell it if you don't have it rewound for 240v, smaller market if converted I think.

I bought an Endo spring tool balancer on ebay which I find invaluable.

I expect to get maybe twenty hours use of a tool made for constant professional use, so a used purchase was a good choice for me.

Greg

[.RC.]

Prices are all over the place...

I recently saw a 7ELM sell for $250, it was a BIN though, Back a couple of years ago the 7ELM's were selling for around the $600-$700... That was when the GFC was in full swing.... Since then the price has crept up a few hundred dollars..

The 7EL's are all over the place as well... I paid I think $200 for mine with a dead motor.... Rewound by the same chap that did Greg's... I also have another spare motor here in 110V..

Brushes are the big thing in the 7EL's to keep in top shape....

If I was chasing a newer model I would go the BL-10, Phil had one at the scraping class and they are just nice and light to handle... They only have a max of 12mm stroke or is it 10mm? But I do not think many of us will be rescraping a 60ft vertical borer so we probably do not need the full sized Biax that much...

The flakers go for big sums....Ironically they are the less useful item, well for the HSM like us anyway....Different for the professionals...

[Ueee]

I would pay up to the $500 right now. But for a new one? Maybe $1500max.....having seen how long it takes to scrape a little master the thought of a 1300mm long shaper ram by hand is a bit daunting. Its one of those tools i guess you will have for life though, at least at the rate we use them.
I have looked around for Renz too but found absolutely nothing.

Whilst one the subject, could someone enlighten me on the different models? The only references i could find on the Dapra site are for the new ones.

[Stustoys]

Currently I might pay about $400?(which of course means I wont get one). That price will either go up or down depending on how long my Bunax(?) lasts. Its currently working just fine. Assuming the part that fails is from the sawsall and not something I made, I have a spare what just needs two tapped holes in one of the gears and everything else will bolt on.
18 or so months on its not exactly finished as I fully expected it to need more work in the sliding bearing department(as its currently alum running on black M/S). I have the design, some brass from Phil and offer from Ray to make some tool steel inserts but it seems to be holding up fine(thats not to say a pro wouldnt kill it in a week). Maybe I baby it? I dont think so.

Stuart

[Dave J]

It seems to be doing it's job Stuart, and if it can stand up to work over a 18 month period I think you have a decent tool that should last a while.
At least if something wears out it's not expensive to fix.

I have seen the battery powered ones, I wonder what they would work like as they have the batteries sorted these days.

Dave