Filson Factory Auction Dozens of 211W151 Starting at $20

[Matt S]

23 minutes ago, Ed in Tx said:

I'm sure Filson products are great but looking at their web site they are definitely not in my price range.  $75 for the cheapest pair of shorts and long pants starting in the low $100 range up to $245 sorry but that is a lot more than I will pay. 

I have two Filson cruiser jackets, a single mackinaw and a tin cloth. The mack is just as good as when I bought it nearly 10 years ago. The tin cruiser is certainly showing its age but what it's put up with would ruin about a dozen "working" jackets and still keeps the rain off me and the stuff in my pockets in my pockets. When I bought them Filson wasn't available in the UK and I had to import. I had no problem paying the price, the shipping or the import taxes. Quality saves money in the long run.

Today Filson is a lifestyle brand, with most of the garments made outside of the US. Unfortunately this foreign construction hasn't reduced retail prices, which have kept creeping up. Filson cooperates with designers from other firms for "limited edition" runs. It's a far cry from the 100-odd 100-year-old patterns they used to keep making, year in year out, for a fair price. Lumbersexuals rather than lumberjacks. Carharrt is now headed down this route.

[dikman]

It's probably just as well that it's nowhere near me!! Lots of interesting stuff there. Of course, I've got nowhere to put a shelf full of thread, but........

[rodneywt1180b]

For those bidding be aware of that "Dynamic Bidding" clause.  It means that the auction for every single item up for bid continues until the last bid on the last active item is in.  I bid in one of their auctions not too long ago on a couple old chainsaws.  I was the only bidder until after the posted closing time then I was bid up by people who had shown no previous interest in the items. The auction drug on for about 6 hours after the posted closing time.  It was small money on a small item but was still a frustrating thing.  Good for sellers and auction houses, not as great for bidders.

[DrmCa]

On 8/31/2018 at 4:38 PM, Uwe said:

If you want to help save the remaining Filson factories, shop here: https://www.filson.com/

Thanks, but I make my own.

[Firestar1485]

I spent a few hours at the factory today.  Problem I see is most of the sale "lots" of fabric are pretty huge rolls.  Thread "lots" are large enough to sew yourself around the world a few times and back.  In terms of the machines, none are plugged in, so you can check a few things but you won't know for sure until you get it home.  The few machines I was really interested in seem to have run up in auction prices quickly and at those prices I would rather buyer from a local dealer/mechanic and at least have someone I can call when I can't get it to run like it should.  PS  Rumor is that Filson removed most of their good stuff about a year ago and moved it to another facility.  The items up for auction seem to be leftovers, part out machines, stuff that didn't make sense to haul to their other locations.

 

Edited September 10, 2018 by Firestar1485

[JJN]

@Firestar1485 Thanks for the update about the auction. I am interested in some of the 'non-machine' smaller items but not sure if I can get up there in time for the pick-up. Or justify the 9 hour drive each way.

[gottaknow]

The vast majority of the Singer and Union Special machines were all originally owned by Pacific Trail Sportswear. At it’s height of production in the late 70’s and early 80’s there were over 600 machines. These are the machines I built my career with beginning in 1980. This factory shut down a year ago. I was the head mechanic there. I have fond (and not so fond) memories of the machines. I worked for Filson for 3 years, but over the course of my career I was the head mechanic for these machines for a total of about 13 years. There were other mechanics in charge during the years I worked in other factories. I worked in this particular factory for 7 years. At its peak in the mid 80’s while it was a contract factory we had 300 operators. So for me, this is the end of an era, I’m happy with my new company, so no looking back. 

The 211 151’s are the best deal. Needle feed, bullet proof. They have been in storage for 20 years or so. Our main machines were Juki 9010’s and 3578’s double needles. Before those we used the Judi 5410’s which meant the retirement of the 211’s. I didn’t look through the entire auction, but there are a few 211W157’s. They actually have reverse and are set to use 135x17’s. Still needle feeds. The Singer 300w’s are my favorite chain stitch machines and we’re still in use to the end. 

The Juki LU562 was rebuilt a few years ago by me and sews like a dream with T135 thread. A few of the Singer 153’s are well loved, but decent. 

I debated whether or not to comment on this thread, but I at least wanted to share some history. Hopefully my PM box won’t blowup with questions, as I likely won’t respond. I simply don’t have time. 

Regards, Eric

[Firestar1485]

Prices skyrocketed toward the end, seemed like most good machines sold above craigslist or ebay pricing.  After placing some 200 bids, I ended up winning three items (2 of which I was only bidder, not much value).

I did not win any machines, dropped out at $350+ on the singer 135's and $200 on the singer 211's.  For me it was just too much to risk, not being able to test run the machines.

If anyone bought thread locally and wants to split/sell off excess, just let me know.

 

[DonInReno]

Eric, thanks for the background info on these machines and the facilities!  Your experiences and knowledge are not only entertaining, but help paint a much more realistic picture.  

[gottaknow]

I went yesterday to the factory where I spent almost 8 years of my career. I bought 3 pieces of equipment that will be a reminder of my time there. It was weird seeing the building so empty. I ended up with the Utica Mills combo slitter. I had rebuilt this machine 3 years ago, so I knew it was in good shape, and we needed another one.  I bought a small heat press while I’ll rebuild, and a 5hp vacuum motor. It had been factory rebuilt a number of years ago. Factories use vacuum systems for various things. I obviously had a huge advantage in this auction since I knew all of the machines. Some people didn’t have a clue what they bought or what the machine actually did. I took a final look around and then walked away, making the long drive back to Seattle. I’ve had a long career and am currently working for the 6th apparel manufacturer during a 38 year span. Not bad I guess for an industry that has been devastated by importing. 

Regards, Eric