I originally started this blog as a way of showing that old woodworking machines and tools a still very useful and really inexpensive. It has morphed into a restoration blog, because I now find that my wood working projects have become my wood working tools. It started with the planer that I just bought, then on to the grinder just to make it look nice, and now I have redone my jointer.
It is a Craftsman 103.23340 4 3/8” that I bought about one year ago for $10.00. When I brought it into my garage it was sporting a gray coat, and I was content with that but after completing the planer, I knew what I needed to do.
I had the jointer on a work table that had lots of open space so I knew the planer was going next to the jointer so everything would be on the same surface. After spending all the time making the planer look so nice I wasn’t going to put the planer next to the jointer with it looking the way it did, so I decided it was time to spruce up the jointer.
I completely disassembled, cleaned, and painted the jointer to match the planer. I also had the table the jointer was on with a big open hole on one side, so I filled it with the planer. Now I have my table for two.
As I stated earlier, I believe that old wood working machines are more reliable than new tools, they are really inexpensive compare to the price of new tools, and with a little bit of effort, they can look just as good as new tools. This is now my third complete restoration and I think I am in trouble…I am having too much fun, and the local auction house has tools for sale.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
6 comments so far
Max
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14359 posts in 1165 days
posted 388 days ago
They both turned out well. I have that same manual feed 6” Thickness planer in my shop. I haven’t used it for about 8 years though….
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
lightweightladyleftie
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413 posts in 605 days
posted 388 days ago
What a transformation! Maybe you can turn your shop into a tool museum!
-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
griff
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922 posts in 654 days
posted 388 days ago
They look great, you did a great restoration
-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none
dsb1829
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369 posts in 520 days
posted 388 days ago
They all look great. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1192 days
posted 387 days ago
Nice restoration,
I like the Gold, & Black color coordination.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 615 days
posted 387 days ago
Thanks to all for the compliments.
Leftie – I would be afraid that I wouldn’t be able to use them if I turned my shjop into a museum and that may upset my wife – the one who makes me use them :)
Dick – I got my inspiration mfrom my table saw. Now I just have to finish the saw to match this table.
I knew I wanted to restore all my tools, but wasn’t sure which way I was going to go with them – now I know.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.