Went down to Iowa to get a Berkel meat slicer and came back with 3. Now what?

WeberWho

The other day my buddy mentioned that his work was thinking about buying his 2016 Silverado HD from him and using it strictly for work. (His brother's business.) So being my friend is looking for an older Toyota Tacoma, I thought I might be a nice friend and do a little searching for him. I checked the local Twin Cities Craigslist but didn't see anything that caught my eye, so I decided to expand my city parameters. Next thing I know I'm looking down in Des Moines, Iowa. After about 10 minutes and 300 miles I stop searching. A few minutes go by and I completely forget that I'm still in the Des Moines Craigslist search engine. So I click on Craigslist "general" section to browse. Sure sheet I see a Berkel slicer post come up 3rd or 4th from the top of the most recent postings. Oh no, I thought. This isn't good. I see a Berkel slicer listed for $80 and now see that it's in Des Moines. What do I do? Do I think about this or do I call to be the first person? I called! Call first, figure out details later. So I send a text to my wife saying that we are headed down to Iowa after she gets off work. She was down for the road trip. She asked what's going to happen to the 1930's Globe slicer I'm restoring. "Ahhhhh.....my dad's sand blaster is down for the moment. That's the next step. I can't work on it until my Dad finishes his work project." (Which is true. The sand blasting cabinet needs some tlc. My dad's anal about his equipment. If it's not 100% it will sit until he has the time to make it 100%) I also probably have $150+ in powder coating that will need to be done with it. See this slicer only costs  $80!"   She didn't care about the price. Maybe it was me trying to convince myself that if I buy this slicer the other project is going to sit. Still couldn't pass on a $80 Berkel slicer. Iowa, here we come!

When talking to the owner on the phone he mentioned he had another couple slicers available if I was interested. I didn't ask much about them as it was just a quick mention towards the end of the conversation. So the whole trip down there my mind was wrapped and twisted around what the other slicers might be. He did mention that they were bigger than the Berkel. Talk about a tease! 

We finally make it down to Iowa to pick up the Berkel slicer. The owner had several people try to buy it from him that day at their garage sale. Fortunately, he put it off to the side for me knowing I was serious about the purchase. He even got numbers from people in case I didn't show. Right place right time I guess. Well...technically wrong place right time!

As I was packing the slicer in the truck he mentions if I want to look at the other slicers. "Ummm...YES!!!!!" I thought but played it off more like "sure I can take a look". I didn't want to show my excitement and have to pay more because of it. He pulls back a blue tarp and I see these huge slicers. I notice one is a Hobart and the other I didn't recognize. I say, "what are you thinking on price for these?" He says, "I sold my business in California and I'm sick of storing them. I'd let them each go for the same price as the Berkel." Whoa I thought. These are the big dogs. 12" slicers. I had my eyes glued on the Hobart but I noticed it was missing the depth gauge lever, a big chip in the blade, and the plastics on the tray are looking a little sad but still a Hobart. Then I thought maybe I get the other one that looks brand new and is just as solid as the Hobart. Literally all I need to do is wash it down and I have a perfectly good running slicer where the Hobart will need some $$$ put into it. I had to apologize to the owner on which one to get. The Hobart that needs work or the other slicer that I don't recognize the name of. It was a good five minutes of contemplating between the two and I hated wasting the owner's time. Then my wife comes out of left field and says, "Cut us a price and we will take both!" Hell yeah!!!! I like how she thinks. No BS straight to the point. I seriously couldn't make up my mind. He goes, "I can do that". Next thing I know we're coming home with 3 slicers! Now I'm just as puzzled on what to do with them. Do I keep the smaller 10" Berkel 825  that comes with the blade sharpener? A little more kitchen friendly but still big. The 12" Hobart 512 that will need $$$ and time to fix back up but runs and works the way it is, or the 12" ABM slicer that looks brand new if cleaned up.

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions which to keep around or has comments on any of them.@Focker I saw your post about your Hobart 512 when looking for information on the web. Thanks guys for the help!

caliking

Go ahead.  Open a deli. You're ready

blasting

Nice score.  Without question, I'd have done exactly the same thing.  Whatever you decide not to keep, you'll make money on.

I do the same thing with eggs.  I meet good people, and it helps fund some of the "necessities" this forum tells me I need.

Focker

Cool story V, great score!
You could probably find an indexing knob and dial on the net, shouldn't be too much $.  Scroll down a little on this link.
http://www.oldhobartslicerparts.com/hobart512meatslicerparts.html

Got a pic of the chip?  

Mine isn't accurate at all, I just eyeball.  The plastic isn't a concern.  A knife is where it will get pricey.  Couple hundred for a new knife from Hobart.  You'd be 300 in, not bad really for an old Hobart.  I'd run it, and listen to the motor before investing, if that is what you want to do.  

The one on the left (Berkel?), looks like a keeper for sure V.

Between Jer and I, we could buy, and then part out that 512. 

WeberWho

Focker said:

Cool story V, great score!
You could probably find an indexing knob and dial on the net, shouldn't be too much $.  Scroll down a little on this link.
http://www.oldhobartslicerparts.com/hobart512meatslicerparts.html

Got a pic of the chip?  

Mine isn't accurate at all, I just eyeball.  The plastic isn't a concern.  A knife is where it will get pricey.  Couple hundred for a new knife from Hobart.  You'd be 300 in, not bad really for an old Hobart.  I'd run it, and listen to the motor before investing, if that is what you want to do.  

The one on the left (Berkel?), looks like a keeper for sure V.

Between Jer and I, we could buy, and then part out that 512. 

@Focker

I did a little more research and I found out that the one newer slicer is a Omcan slicer. I spent probably 5 hours trying to get the blade to run flat with the  gauge plate. No luck. Finally figured out that the gauge plate isn't dead flat. If I put the gauge plate on a flat service you can feel a little play from corner to corner. I don't think I'll ever be able to get a perfect thickness on cuts if the gauge plate isn't dead flat. I'll probably clean it up, lube, and sell on Craigslist. Should be good slicer for a deer hunter or someone who isn't looking for paper thickness cuts. 

I think Berkel is the nicest slicer out of the bunch. I'd imagine it would suit me for everything I need. It just seems a little small when next to the 12" slicers. The downfall is the tray is a little smaller than the 12". The meat grabber will only go so far back on the tray. You can lift the grabber up for larger cuts that extend pass the tray but with the bigger 12" slicers you wouldn't run into that issue as often. I think I'll keep it around for now.

The Hobart is the real deal but unfortunately it needs the most work. It's absolutely insane what businesses are asking for used parts. That's what has me worried. I noticed a used Hobart 512 in Omaha that is missing a couple pieces to it for $125. I emailed him yesterday asking if he would sell individual parts from it. Hopefully I hear something back but probably unlikely. I looks like I can find a new blade around $150 online. (Current one is junk) The index knob/worm gear doesn't move on mine. I can't really try to move it as it's threaded and can't clamp on it. Other than that it's mostly cosmetic. The front plastic door will need to be replaced. I think a diamond plate door would look bad ass on it. The meat grabber and handle need some attention. The previous owner drove some screws into the meat grabber for better grip. I'm sure it grabs better now but not my style. I'm pretty sure I can remove the screws and fill with some food safe epoxy and make a diamond plate insert that would hide any trace of screw holes/fillings on the meat slide. Probably be magnetic to clean around/under it. The handle is missing a chunk. I'd imagine my Dad could get the handle mocked up on the mill and possibly remove some material since it's not structural in any way. Round over the edges and make it look like how the handle was meant to be made. Will this actually happen? Who knows. Winters are long here as you know. 

Focker

Sounds like a MN winter project for sure.

Man that knife is toast.

Diamond plate is a great idea.
My plastic plate is gone, broke off at that seam an inch down.
You might want to spray some PB Blaster down the two moving parts on the gauge plate.  When I did that it really freed it up, you could see some corrosion.  I would hit the index unit too.  Then clean and lube.

Some food grade spray silicone is your friend, along with food safe grease for the worm gears.

If you haven't already, print out the 512 manual, helps a ton.

Good luck bud, seems like you got a solid plan.

DoubleEgger

Now you can tell everyone that you own more meat slicers than 10,000 Subway stores combined.