Has anyone tried organizing a regional area welders "swap meet"? (Atlanta GA)

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I have about 20 years worth of random welding stuff collected and it's time to thin the herd. I really don't like doing business on Craigslist/Ebay and much of what I have is too small by itself to be worth the hassle of listing. I was thinking that surely there's a lot of other welders and collectors of assorted industrial equipment are in the same situation.  Perhaps something similar to a meetup/multi-family garage sale, but only with welding related items?  Any thoughts?
Reply:Sounds like fun and a good idea but take some pictures of groups of tool / equipment so you don't have to do each individual piece an post them in the buy, sell, trade portion of this forum. You'd be suprised how many people search and buy stuff here. I have bought plenty of stuff here & don't mind paying shipping if the deal is right.
Reply:Don't Discriminate! I'm in Montana. I don't know what you have to sell or what condition it's in but I NEED it. I NEED it BAD. Well, ok. I'd like to look at it. I wouldn't have a problem buying from you guys from the forum. I buy stuff on feebay and I don't know those folks. Here we have a bit of a relationship. Anyway, list it here if you don't mind putting it in a box and sending it off. U-Ship can be something for larger items. Things are negotiable with those guys. We get enough listings we could attract some sort of shipping service? ??????????Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:I'd load up my stuff and show up.  I got a fair amount of stuff no longer in use but functional for some one in need of the particular item.
Reply:Sounds like this might work. You're only about 1/2 hour drive from where I work (West End) Let me talk to my shop owner and make sure he's OK with hosting a small event on a weekend.  What do you think would be a good tentative date to shoot for? Before Christmas or after the holidays?If you a non-local person don't worry, I'll list some of the more valuable items over in classifieds. I really don't think you'd want to pay shipping on half of this junk though. A lot of it wouldn't be worth more than a few bucks.  (Random boxes of stale rod, old safety gear - stuff like that.)
Reply:I'm in Dalton, and drive to Atlanta all the time. I'd sure like to see what you have. I could probably bring a few things.Would be like a Hamfest for Ham Radio equipment - Georgia WeldFest 2013.Would you consider having some time to weld and learn from each other? We have had 3 of these "Clinics" in NWGA and were fun and very valuable for learning new stuff. Good to meet some of the guys on here in person. Let me know what you plan to do. The week between Christmas and New Year is usually a slow time for most people unless they are doing plant maintenance during shut-down.You could PM a list of equipment and pictures to anyone close by and interested.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I'd go for a date after the new year.  I agree that business slows between the holidays but everything else ramps up and lots of folks are traveling.
Reply:Im in.
Reply:Why not see if your local welding supply would sponsor it? I'm sure they would have a pile of stuff. They could combined it with a new equipment demo. Good way for them to meet new customers. Welderbob
Reply:The only LWS that I'd be willing to work with just got bought out by Airgas, so I doubt they'd be interested in attending an event at a little two bay shop located in the middle of the "hood" in Atlanta. I Talked to my shop owner and it looks like the "1st annual Atlanta Area Welder's Swap Meet" is a definite *GO*. How does January 11th work for everyone? (second weekend after New Year). Show up around 9am for table setup if you're selling junk, 10am or later if you're just there to talk shop or look at used welding gear/junk. On until 6 or 7 pm?If that seems like a good day let me know. Once it's finalized I'll make a formal announcement in the classifieds with a map, directions, official time, and all the nitty gritty details. I have about a dozen easy parking spots available and *one* toilet so I'm trying to get an idea of how big/small this event is going to be. If 3 people show up it's not going to be much of a swap meet but if 50 people arrive at 9 am looking for a place to set up a table I'm going to be in a world of hurt trying to organize this myself.  Also, If you want to be the official BBQ vendor/Weenie Roaster/Purveyor of beverages I'm taking volunteers - drop me a PM or just reply here if you want the job.Some stuff I'll have there: * Smith Argon/CO2 proportional gas mixer - with or without pressure regulators to go with it * Aronson 300Lb weld positioner (Good motor and gear reduction box, needs a new DC speed control or fix the old one)   * Old Hobart CC/CV suitcase feeder with no gun. (Not sure what model it is. Pre Hefty. looks late 60's early '70's vintage?) * Miller XR 15 water cooled pull gun for heavy duty aluminum work (Needs a new liner, Looks mostly complete but operating condition unknown because I don't have an XR control box to power it up) * Possibly a Lincoln LN-25 cc/cv feeder (I have an offer pending on that one) * Oddball welding rod - stuff like 7024 and some Stoody 2110 hard facing rod * Welding leathers and a few hoods ( I don't need 4 sets of leathers) * Misc oxy acetylene stuff - including a few torches * 'Bout 1/2 dozen electric motors - AC and DC mostly 1/2 hp to 1 hp * A pallet of miscellaneous porta power attachments and hydraulic "stuff" * Assorted Mild and Stainless - odd pieces (scrap value) * Random machinist stuff  (at least one large angle vise for now) * Probably some random hand tools/ tool boxes * a big 'ol No 3 Arbor Press * Shop Owner is considering selling his Precision TIG 175
Reply:Matt how far are you from Smith? i was sad when brian told me =XI live in cumming.im coming to the swap.
Reply:Ill have a couple 150 cuf tanks. Everlast Tig/plasma
Reply:I'll look around my shop. I have an extra scratch start TIG rig.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I have a facebook page for selling and swapping welding equipment and machine tools, anyone is welcome to join, link is down in my signature..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...31#post3467831Add picures if you want.
Reply:Thanks  to Matt57 for hosting the first attempt at a swap meet.  It was a pleasure to meet Matt and the shop owner Walt.  I hope we can do this again on a day when we're not having torrential rains storms passing through.  Of course now that Matt let me try out dual shield mig and tig with his Dynasty 200 I see I need to upgrade my hobby class gear.