Conference noted::woodworking_and_tools

    Delta Contractor's table saw $548 at HQ from Feb 20th thru Mar 7;
    a store in Manchester, NH for no sales tax.  Includes everything
    (i.e. motor).

    
    Ah, before anyone runs out there (like I did)... the saw that is $548
    at HQ is the Contractors Saw II - the low-cost redesign.   It is not
    the 34-444 (it's the 36-360 or some number like that).
    
    I bought the 34-444 (Delta 10" Contractor Saw, Jet-lock fence) at
    Woodworkers Warehouse for $599.  Which is about the best price I've
    found (it normally runs ~$649).
    
    

    Well, if anyone likes the thought of owning a UniSaw for $500,
    check out the Trader(? newspaper/magazine) from this week.  I saw
    3-4 of 'em ranging from $500 - $1200.

    Where can I find the "TRADER" newspaper/magazine?

    Just called home and had my wife check for us.  Its 
    called 
    		The "WANT AD vertizer"
    
    and I usually get it at the local Shell station, but I 
    have seen it in convienence stores and supermarkets before.
    Full of used stuff, seperated into sections and there is a 
    Tools section that is 50% woodworking stuff and is about 5-7
    pages long.  

    I bought my Delta Contractor's saw through the Want Advertiser. But you
    have to be quick. Most of them go fast. While I was enroute to see the
    saw, 3 or 4 people called the seller. One of them offered more than the
    asking price over the phone, sight unseen. Fortunately, the person I
    bought it from was honorable and gave me first dibs. This was one day
    after the ad came out. 
    
    The Want Advertiser comes out on Tuesdays.
    
    Art
    
    PS: I've noticed that most of the "Delta" contractor's saws advertised
    in there (and they show up rarely) are pretty pricey. If I were to do
    it over again and didn't get the bargain I got, I'd consider a new Jet
    when it goes on sale at Woodworker's Warehouse.

    You can get great deals from the WantADvertiser if you are fast enough.
    The only problems I've had are the sellers who don't abide by the first
    dibs stuff.  I've lost several items because the seller said he couldn't
    show me the item til (fill in day here), and then ends up selling it
    out from under me earlier.  This was the case with a Unisaw advertised
    for $400.  It was a 3-phase, which isn't a problem for me, and was in
    great condition.  He had some time free up before he expected me and
    somebody else showed up.

    However I have gotten some great deals as well.  It takes a reasonable
    amount of time and diligence.

    Cheers,
    --Dave

Hmmm, since Delta Unisaws and Contractors saws sell so quickly, it would 
seem that the sellers are either underpricing them (quite likely) or there 
is great demand or both. I once went to an open house at an industrial
seller of new and used woodworking equipment. They were asking over
$1200 for a very grungy Unisaw. 

The demand for lower quality (eg, Craftsman) or less well-known brands 
(eg, Jet) may be much less. When I sold my Craftsman table and bandsaws 
through the Want Advertiser, I wasn't exactly besieged with calls in
spite of what I thought were reasonable prices. It took repeated ads to 
sell both for less than I originally asked.