So!
I've been wanting a bench top Drill/Mill for a very long time. Keep my eyes on auctions, Craigslist, FB Market place, word of mouth,
but no luck so far.
Limited space in the garage has it narrowed down to a couple of old "Mini" ENCO's, Grizzly's, Rong Fu's, or Atlas units. One pops up in Pacifica, and it's listed with tooling, collets, and two vises. It's a 1978 Jet Model 16, and I start
Call, I'm third in line, think I missed it, but he calls me back and the other two have flaked out. He says it's the size of the ENCO's, and the pictures are up close but wide angle. Can't really tell the size, but it looks great.
I load up the trailer and head out on Saturday (first strike) of Mother's Day weekend (second strike) to the OTHER side of San Francisco.
Warm weather is calling everyone to every beach around.
What should be an hour and a half drive turns into three with the WORST traffic I've seen in the city in years.
Fog is still around and makes for a cool looking drive over.
Get there and it's NOT a "mini" mill, it's really a "mid size". To me, it's HUGE! Not a full size knee mill, but I ask for a tape measure.
46.75" from the back of the motor to the tip of the knob in front. This thing would stick out PAST the workbench 18".
Level headed thinking prevails and I pass on it, I tell him it just won't work.
"But what do you want for just the vise?" I ask.
"$50 with the handle, but it needs cleaning."
Vintage Bridgeport 6" vise staring at me that I see all the time for sale.... for $200-400 !!!
Dumbfound by the deal in front of me, I just stare at it.
Then he pipes up, "but I feel bad you drove all this way for nothing.... give me $20 and it's yours"
Trip wasn't a total loss, but it took me three hours to get home too.
Cleaning next week.
Whats that?
You want me to do this so some other guy can fix it.... 
