Several weeks ago, I scored an old jointer on Craigslist. It is a 1940s Boice-Crane 6x36" jointer, made in Toledo, Ohio.
When I went to check it out, I checked all the mechanical parts. The tables were parallel, and both adjustment wheels turned without too much effort. The cutter head spun quietly and easily. It was a tool of which someone had clearly taken a great deal of care. It's nearly 70 years old and wasn't rusty or corroded.
It didn't have a motor or a stand, but was otherwise complete and in great shape.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my boss's business partner. Turns out he had a 1/2hp motor that he couldn't use. It was a compressor duty motor and it kept shutting down after about 5 hours of use. He told me it'd be a great favor to him if I got it out of his shop, so I graciously did so.
Then of course I needed to build a stand and wire the thing up. So I did that this weekend.
Total cost of the project: ~$91
$20 for the jointer
$0 for the motor and wiring
~$36 for the lumber, screws, and nails (and hammer...no, I didn't own a hammer...not much use for one in instrument building)
~$14 for the belt, pulleys, switch, switchbox, and switch plate
~$21 for mounting hardware
It works very well. I did a test joint on a 4/4 stick of maple and some 8/4 basswood, and it produced very smooth, flat joinable edges. I haven't had the knives sharpened yet, so I am anticipating nice results when I do.
Score!
When I went to check it out, I checked all the mechanical parts. The tables were parallel, and both adjustment wheels turned without too much effort. The cutter head spun quietly and easily. It was a tool of which someone had clearly taken a great deal of care. It's nearly 70 years old and wasn't rusty or corroded.
It didn't have a motor or a stand, but was otherwise complete and in great shape.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my boss's business partner. Turns out he had a 1/2hp motor that he couldn't use. It was a compressor duty motor and it kept shutting down after about 5 hours of use. He told me it'd be a great favor to him if I got it out of his shop, so I graciously did so.
Then of course I needed to build a stand and wire the thing up. So I did that this weekend.
Total cost of the project: ~$91
$20 for the jointer
$0 for the motor and wiring
~$36 for the lumber, screws, and nails (and hammer...no, I didn't own a hammer...not much use for one in instrument building)
~$14 for the belt, pulleys, switch, switchbox, and switch plate
~$21 for mounting hardware
It works very well. I did a test joint on a 4/4 stick of maple and some 8/4 basswood, and it produced very smooth, flat joinable edges. I haven't had the knives sharpened yet, so I am anticipating nice results when I do.
Score!
I was just referring to the process of building. I think its a good score. Most of the benchtop setups I've seen were newer jobs that are largely pointless. That thing looks to be built like a tank. Should do fine for a long time.
