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Anyone here have any luck restoring and re selling antique reel mowers? I'd like to give it a try on one or two, only if there's any $ to be made though.

Most folks I know that are into 'antique' anything are so into them that They do any restoration needed...

Almost any 'good' mower shop would be able to repair any reel mower... I doubt that there will ever be a need large enough that someone could actually restrict a mower shop to restorations of 'antique' reel mowers... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

Most folks I know that are into 'antique' anything are so into them that They do any restoration needed...

Almost any 'good' mower shop would be able to repair any reel mower... I doubt that there will ever be a need large enough that someone could actually restrict a mower shop to restorations of 'antique' reel mowers... :smile:KennyV

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You bring up a good point of the buyer wanting to do the restoration themselves. I thought it might be a good cold weather project since I'm no mower shop owner, or employee

Fireman 123 said:

Anyone here have any luck restoring and re selling antique reel mowers? I'd like to give it a try on one or two, only if there's any $ to be made though.

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If you have a desire and a passion for trying to rehab antique/older reel mowers,then by all means try it and see what happens with a couple mowers. a lot of people don't have the mechanical ability to spin wrenchs but would still like to own a piece of nastalgia,and those people plus others will buy what they want. look at the success of the new mustang/camaro/challenger/vw beetle cars that were very close to their original versions,for the people who want to own a piece of yesterday.

Fireman 123 said:

Anyone here have any luck restoring and re selling antique reel mowers? I'd like to give it a try on one or two, only if there's any $ to be made though.

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it all depends on where you live, and your intentions.

i'll endress location first. if you live were i did till resently, you could make a nice profit, but i lived in hamilton, il where we hosted a old threashers event every year for three days. but if you live in a less rural area, with low numbers of mower collectors, then it's alot harder.

if you mean make anything to count as income, i would say not very likely, and that's if you were to live in hamilton, but if you meant just to make money while doing other things, then i'd say very much so.

KennyV said:

Most folks I know that are into 'antique' anything are so into them that They do any restoration needed...

Almost any 'good' mower shop would be able to repair any reel mower... I doubt that there will ever be a need large enough that someone could actually restrict a mower shop to restorations of 'antique' reel mowers... :smile:KennyV

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i would agree with you, but what about the all might reel. i wouldn't know how to sharpen, or repair a reel, and i'm known for coming up with a way, be it redneck to the max.

i mean think how much stuff you hit with your normal mower, then take in that the reel probly won't be as strong a the blades of your mower. i could see how it could be a challenge.

Murry Furry said:

i would agree with you, but what about the all might reel. i wouldn't know how to sharpen, or repair a reel, and i'm known for coming up with a way, be it redneck to the max.

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HELLO again... Murry Furry, it's good to see you Back...

Actually reels are not too difficult to maintain.... They are just limited to short grass mowing... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

HELLO again... Murry Furry, it's good to see you Back...

Actually reels are not too difficult to maintain.... They are just limited to short grass mowing... :smile:KennyV

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then maybe it wouldn't be as profitable as i thought as a side project, but it would be fun.:laughing:

Murry Furry said:

then maybe it wouldn't be as profitable as i thought as a side project, but it would be fun.:laughing:

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I'll agree with that!:wink: I've got a Jacobsen Park 30 (1954 vintage) on the bench right now. I bought it for a whole $30.00, and I doubt if the thing's going to be worth more than $150.00 after I put 25 hrs of my time, plus parts into it. But, I bought it because it's a big old heavy monster that I happen to like, and not necessarily because it makes good economic sense. The tradition continues, I guess.:ashamed::biggrin::wink:

I would guess that there would be little money in this type of venture. Most people interested in old mowers would be able to restore one themselves. It's not like old cars, where those who are into them don't necessarily know how to work on them. Mowers? Most people think of them as a tool for a nasty, hard chore. Only sick individuals (us) can really appreciate old mowers. And I can't see spending money on one that someone else had the fun of restoring.

Well I just joined your forum, a few moments ago and I am glad that there are a few sick people left out there that still enjoy old reel lawnmowers. I just bought one on the weekend , I don't know much about it, only that it is old and that it was made in England. I cannot wait to restore it. I am sure I will have plenty of questions so thanks in advance for being there. I would rather be on the ground as apposed to the 8th.
Don

Hello Don...WELCOME to LMF...

Nothing like a well set up reel mower for short grass...
Are you referring to the band Eighth Ground? "I would rather be on the ground as apposed to the 8th."
:smile:KennyV

No in our part of the country we all the 8th floor the phyciatric ward . Better on the ground then to be on the 8th

Hi, I have recently found an old reel mower on my property. It is a Great States model 400. Does anyone know the history or time period of this piece. thank you

kckcapps said:

Hi, I have recently found an old reel mower on my property. It is a Great States model 400. Does anyone know the history or time period of this piece. thank you

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Don't know the model number but WalMart sells GreatStates Reel mowers...:
Great States 204-14 14" Deluxe Hand Reel Push Lawn Mower: Gardening & Lawn Care : Walmart.com
:smile:KennyV