What would you pay for a Little Giant?

Mace

Mace

Joined
Apr 8, 2003
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I know this question is subject to the machines condition, but what would you pay for a 25# Little Giant?
Also, what should I look for when looking at one?
Thanks
Mace
 
I have seen them go for as little as a few hundred up to almost $3000 when fully restored. Mine was in good shape and I got a steal on it.

Things to look for are any obvious repairs such as welded arms and sow blocks. Looks for oblong pin holes that indicate poor maintenance and lubrication.

Look for play in the babbit bearings that hold the main drive shaft in place. If there is play, try to see if there are still shims in between the bearing caps and main frame. If there are shims and play you might be able to get away with taking some shims out and tightening things back up. If no shims and play, you might have to re pour the babbit.

Also look for play where the brass connecting rod attaches to the fly wheel. Same deal with shims here except there is no babit to re pour, just the connecting rod to be replaced.

Check how much play there is between the ram and the guides. Some play is desired but not too much. Check for shims here too same deal as with the connecting rod. No shims and excessive play means replacement.

Try to get an idea of how much clutch friction material is left and if it is in good shape. If it is bad you will have to replace that also.

Other than that, i would always replace the main spring, no matter how good it looks. You just don't know and if anything blows up on you while running it, it will most likely be the spring.

Luckily all parts are available through Sid Sudimier (sp).

Editied to add: If the hammer is in good operating condition, the $1500 to $1800 range seems typical from what I have seen. I got mine for $300 and added about $300 in parts, not including new dies that I had built.
 
I just bought one today for $1200 but so far it looks like it is pretty much plug and play we are going to tear it down tomorrow to make sure but in my case i had been looking for one for so long that wasn't froze up it was worth the money.
 
I've seen them sell for twice that tacmedic45/knifemaker. And they sold! In my opinion, Little Giant are starting to become more scarce (rare?), because of the renewed interest in blacksmithing, and bladesmithing. I have a 100 pounder, and would like a 25 and 50 pounder, just to have a "set". There are even a couple of more beyond the 100 pounder, being a 250 and 500. Although I'd like those also, I don't feel they are practical for what I do. I haven't seen a $1,200 25 LG in years and years around in the Texas area, or at least it ended up selling fairly quickly. Yours sounds like it is in good shape, and even if not, Sid can help you out on what you need. Someone mentioned about replacing the spring, no matter what it looks like, and that's a good idea, that's the first thing I did to my 100 lb LG. A hammer that's in the shape of the one you just got will bring what Sean just mentioned, up to $3,000. You made a great buy! Wish I had it! :p
 
rhrocker, yeah i know what you are saying about them being scarce i remember watching them sell for $10.00 at auction sales when i was a kid and then twenty years later when i start looking for one they are usually 2500 and up. since i found this one i have heard of several more for sale within 200 miles. Funny story about picking the hammer up yesterday walked in the ladies shop where i bought it and there was a 300 lb plus anvil sitting there i looked at it looked up and she said "don't even think about it." apparantly she had other people notice to.
 
rhrocker said:
I've seen them sell for twice that tacmedic45/knifemaker. And they sold! In my opinion, Little Giant are starting to become more scarce (rare?), because of the renewed interest in blacksmithing, and bladesmithing. I have a 100 pounder, and would like a 25 and 50 pounder, just to have a "set". There are even a couple of more beyond the 100 pounder, being a 250 and 500. Although I'd like those also, I don't feel they are practical for what I do. I haven't seen a $1,200 25 LG in years and years around in the Texas area, or at least it ended up selling fairly quickly. Yours sounds like it is in good shape, and even if not, Sid can help you out on what you need. Someone mentioned about replacing the spring, no matter what it looks like, and that's a good idea, that's the first thing I did to my 100 lb LG. A hammer that's in the shape of the one you just got will bring what Sean just mentioned, up to $3,000. You made a great buy! Wish I had it! :p
Click to expand...
Robert: What don't you collect??? Chain to airplanes.HEHEHE!!!
 
indian george said:
Robert: What don't you collect??? Chain to airplanes.HEHEHE!!!
Click to expand...

I know IG, it's horrible! If I ever do get rid of anything, it's because I traded it off for two or three more items just like it. I'd hate to go to a shrink, they'd have me committed in a second :eek:
 
rhrocker said:
I know IG, it's horrible! If I ever do get rid of anything, it's because I traded it off for two or three more items just like it. I'd hate to go to a shrink, they'd have me committed in a second :eek:
Click to expand...
I don't think it would take that long. :eek: :D
 
OK, lets try another question. What would be some good places to try and find a hammer? I live in Connecticut...a very popular place during the industrial revolution.....there must have been thousands of hammers around here at one time.
Mace
 
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