older Kwik Way boring bar wanted

[rpivinton]

I'm looking for an older Kwik Way boring bar, not real picky on model. I have a complete tool kit and literature for a model F, which I understand is a pretty old machine, but would work fine in our small shop, since we only build 12 - 15 engines a year. I'm not sure what other models this kit would work with, but probably most of the older units.  I'm not real particular on the condition of the machine, since there's not much on it that can't be repaired, and I've been a millwright all my adult life anyway.  Would like to stay within 2 - 3 hours driving distance from East-Central Iowa so I can pick up and avoid shipping.  Anyone got a machine they don't use anymore or any leads on a machine sitting in a dark corner not being used?  I've looked at most of the used equipment websites and their stuff is either more geared to a production shop or else nearly new and/or too expensive.
Thanks

[rpivinton]

After thinking about this, I probably should clarify a little.  I do need to bore up to about 4.5" so that leaves out the smaller bars (FX, FS, & FR?).  I also would be willing to ship if not too expensive.  I'm not trying to get something for nothing here, I just can't justify nor afford to step up and buy a new or nearly new boring bar.  Really want to stay with Kwik Way if at all possible since the rest of the automotive repair equipment I have is Kwik Way and also a little local product loyalty, I guess, since the company is only 30 miles from me.
Thanks
Bud

[ProPower]

I here ya there on cost! However the big issue here is what cost is to high? I recently seen a model F bar and tool kit go for $2500.00us last week on ebay and it had 14 bidders on it. I was amazed how in demand these bars are. Most of the equipment dealers  have them and if I was going to but one I thought there cost was decent. I personally have dealt with Joe Baker equipment and Jamison equipment. They have some really good deals on stuff and both will dicker some. I started with a model F then went to a FN bar cause the F took all day to bore a big ford or chev. I did upgrade the tooling to replaceable cutter bits and that did speed things up cause I did not have to keep resharpening the bit.I would suggest bite it and get a newer bar.I believe that it would pay you for itself in time saved. I know it did in my case. I also have a CV-616 but I still use my FN bar and 054 stand to bore all my blocks because I get straight round holes every time!I done know what the goin' rate to bore blocks is where you are located but up here in Canada we get $25.00 per hole up to 4.00" that said it did not take me long to pay for my bar upgrade.

[rpivinton]

Thanks for your insight on this.  You raise some interesting questions.  How high is too high?  I'm not sure, I guess.  I've been watching Ebay pretty closely for boring bars for the last six months or so.  I see a lot more Van Norman bars come up for sale than anything else, and the price is all over the map, anywhere from $650 to over $2000 depending on condition and what comes with it.  Just a V-N tool kit will often go for $200-250.  Kwik Way tends to not come up for sale nearly as often and they generally tend to be more at the top of that scale.  Obviously Ebay is not the only place to buy something like this, but it does give you some idea of what the market and demand is like.  I'd like to spend somewhere in the middlle of the $750 to $1250 range for a rebuildable KW boring bar.  Maybe that's not realistic, I don't know.
Where I'm at is this.  I want the better centering and clamping ability of a Kwik Way, and I just would prefer one for the other reasons I mentioned earlier.  I would be perfectly content with the slower model F you mentioned since I'm a one man shop most of the time and have other things I can do while the bar does it's thing.  If it's a little slower, I don't care.  I can buy a late model or rebuilt KW bar from a Jamison or Baker most any time I want for $3500 - 5000, but for the volume I do that makes very little sense and the cash flow through the shop simply can't support that, anyway.  Brand new would be great, but is an even worse scenario.  I have a tool kit for an F.  I'm hoping that if I keep my nose to the ground maybe I'll stumble across an older bar that someplace has mislaid the toolkit to and now considers worth somewhat less, or is more or less cleaning out some 'needs work' older equipment that they don't consider worthwhile for their higher production shop.  Hoping somebody out there can give me a lead.
There's recent thread on here from a guy that picked up an F with a shaky motor and fixed the thing up and is now boring good holes with it.  That's what I'm looking, for I guess.
Thanks for you input on this.
Bud

[ProPower]

You are right there. The kwik way bars go for more $$$ cause they are a better Way to go. Most of the old V/N stuff is old not to say it is bad stuff but KW I think will last longer and machine truer.I am not suggesting you have a to pay top dollar if it can be avoided but I guess it is all in how many blocks you do but also resale value as well. Lease/purchase??you get the best of both worlds from kwik way. keep your cash flow and update your shop just an idea from a guy like you makin a livin'. Check out that option you may be surprised how little it is

[machine shop tom]

Sometimes you can fall into some good deals. I got my FN bar along with an IDL 700 with complete tooling together for 1500 bucks. The boring bar was a little rough and had an incomplete tool box, but I fixed it up for little $ and it works fine.

tom

[Packardv8]

Hi, Tom, et al,

Good deals on Kwik Way bars are hard to find, I would have told anyone.  I looked for many years and never found one . . . until yesterday.  Complete, one-owner, lightly used Model FT with complete tool kit AND the optional large diameter slow speed gearbox - all for $200.

thnx, jack vines

[HelenJames]

I think this topic was discussed loads of time before at this forum