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110K views 120 replies 68 participants last post by  brianinpa 
#1 ·
Power Tools

Through the years I have amassed a collection of vintage woodworking power tools.

The most expensive tool that I have bought is a Rockwell/Delta 11-100 bench top drill press:

It cost me $25.00. I didn't need it as I already had one; a newer Craftsman 9 inch. After starting up the Rockwell the first time, I decided to never use the Craftsman again. In fact, I took the chuck off of the Craftsman and use it as a light weight press for small projects.

My table saw is my work horse! A 1960's Craftsman 10" table saw model # 113-29991:

This is a contractor type saw with a big motor - 1hp. I can cut wood that is 4" think and the motor doesn't even think about slowing down. The cost for this saw, so far, has been 22 years - I got it from my father-in-law. I have used Powermatic's and Unisaw's, but for me, this one is more than enough.

My radial arm saw is a 1960 DeWalt Powershop 925:

I got this as a hand-me down from my dad. I am a radial arm saw type of woodworker: I don't like miter saws! I grew up using radial arm saws at home, in school and every shop I have worked in and I treat them with the utmost of respect. I like the versatility that I have with this saw: dados, ripping, crosscutting, miters, molding, etc…

I have a 1962 Powr-Kraft TPF-2020A 36" lathe:

I had to pay $1.00 for at a local auction. The next week I bought a set of 8 lathe chisels for $25.00. Does that say anything about the woodworker when lathe chisels costs more than the lathe? One of the reasons the lathe went so cheap is because there wasn't a motor: I had a vintage 2-speed ½ hp motor sitting in the shop waiting for it. I am a relative novice when it comes to turning, so this lathe is more than enough for me at this time.

My jointer is a 1950's Craftsman 4":

I paid $10.00 for at the same auction house that I have bought all of my tools at: for me the place is a Gold Mine! This one came with a motor ¾ hp and I guess a big motor on a small jointer is better than a small motor on a big jointer. I can surface plane 4" white oak with ease.

My band saw is a 10" Rockwell:

I paid $15.00 at: yeah - the auction house. This is the only tool that I have refinished, and this was out of necessity. It was a God awful yellow color that was really hard on the eyes in the sunlight. I want to move up to a Delta 14", but the right deal hasn't come along yet, but when it does, it will have to be a 1950's model.

In addition to wanting the bigger band saw, the final power tool I am trying to acquire is a vintage Craftsman planer. These are commonly referred to as a "Gnome Planer" because they look like a yard gnome or the alien in the Alien movies. That will complete my shop's power tools.

I like using the older power tools: they are stronger and more reliable than tools made today. They were made in a time when steel was steel and not aluminum. These tools I have will be working long after I am finished using them because they were made to last a lifetime. In the case of these tools, they will last several lifetimes.

In addition to the superior construction of vintage power tools, I also like the cost of them: I have outfitted my shop for less than $100.00. Most people pass older tools up thinking they are less than desirable and this is where a woodworker can capitalize. My advise for beginning woodworkers, don't drop thousands of $$$ for new tools right away: spend a few bucks on vintage tools and learn how to use them, then if you want to drop the big bucks when you know your capabilities.

I am only a hobbyist woodworker so I don't need more than what I have. I enjoy woodworking because for me it is relaxing and it is a way to take my mind off of the everyday worries. In addition, I gain a great deal of satisfaction when I finish a project on tools that are older than I am. It isn't just the woodworking, but also the HOW behind the woodworking. Since my power tools collection/assortment is almost complete, my new focus is on hand tools and what type do you think I am looking for? Vintage!
 
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#27 ·
Great old tools. I am new around here so I am digging through some older posts. I have that same saw. My grandfather bought it new, my dad had no use for it, now it is here. It's a joy to use. Quiet and strong. I would lobe to find a blade guard assembly for it, otherwise I have everything that came with the saw. Do you have any dust collection on yours?
 
#28 ·
Surfacing tools

I only have a meager collection of planes, but this is mostly because I haven't used them too much until now. My problem was that I could not keep a sharp edge on the iron for more than a few passes. I have done a lot of reading on the subject (both online and in magazines) and recently bought a simple tri-stone (it works for me), so I think I have that problem solved. I recently surfaced a piece of white oak without any problems. Most are older than I am and still function as good as the day they were first bought.

As of now I only have a few different models, but I think I have the key planes to do what I need to:

  • Stanley #130 Double ended plane - This plane is fast becoming my fall back for smoothing most surfaces that are not too large. I bought this one at my favorite auction house and all I paid was $12.00 for this one and a;
  • Craftsman 37039 duplex rabbet plane - This is equivalent to the Stanley #78 that provides 2 different beds for the iron to attach at. This plane makes killer rabbets both with and against the grain. There is a three pointed spur that actually scores the wood as you work the plane against the grain. I was once of the opinion that the only way to make a rabbet was with a router or table saw, but since buying this jewel, I have changed my mind. I love to see the wood curl out of the planes body and it doesn't take long to see some results.
  • Stanley #220 block plane and Sears look-alike - The Stanley came from my dad (a retired carpenter/pattern maker). I have this plane mostly for sentimental reasons, but I reach for it occasionally just to use it. I bought the Sears look-alike for $5.00 and also got a;
  • Stanley #4 smoothing plane - This is the one I like the most for smoothing large surfaces. The feel of pushing the plane over the wood and see the slivers curling out of the body is, well priceless. To hear the iron shaving the wood better, I usually turn off the shop stereo, and listen to the music coming out of the wood.
  • Stanley #5 jack plane - For surfacing the rough stock I reach for this one before going to the #4. I was able to get this one from my father-in-law and it was once his father's.

In addition to my planes I also have a few draw knives and spoke shaves.

  • The big draw knife may not look nice, but it will shave the bark off of a slab of wood in not time. I used it when making a few benches for my mother.
  • The spoke shaves are miniature brass models: I have both flat and curved shaves and these came from my dad. They have seen a lot of use over the years.

As of yet, I do not own a power planer, so these are the tools I go to in order to surface the lumber that I am using for my projects. Someday I will get the planer I am looking for but until I do, these planes will do the job. I really enjoy listening to the tools/wood when I am working with these. As with my power tools, I always have a special smile on my face knowing that I am using tools that are either as old as, or older, than I am.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. If anyone can recommend a plane that I really should have, let me know.
 
#32 ·
I don't know why I do it!

I go to an auction and there are vintage woodworking tools there so I look at them really close. Not to buy them but just to see how they were made. I think to myself that there is no way I am going to buy it because I don't need it, but when tool comes across the block, my helium hand goes up in the air. My wife is sitting beside me and she elbows me in the ribs and that deflates the helium hand, but the affects are final - the gavel falls, and I am now the owner of a new tool or tools.

I didn't need these because I already own one of each.

In Part #1 I showed my Craftsman 10" table saw, and 4" jointer, but the 10" table saw can at times be too big if I am working on something small. Again it wasn't a need, but rather a want. This is an early 1940's Dunlap 7" tilting top table saw. On this one the table top raises and lowers not the blade arbor. It needed some work, so I spent the weekend cleaning and painting it so it looks new again. Currently working on the way it is mounted to an old rolling stand.



The jointer is a mid 1940's Powr-Kraft 4 ½" model. For those who aren't aware, Powr-Kraft is the line that was made for and sold at Montgomery Wards. Not sure what I am doing with this one yet, but I may now have a jointer for just rabbets. I spent all weekend on the table saw so I was only able to disassemble it for cleaning later this week. I noticed real quick, that this jointer is well made. The in-feed and out-feed tables are mounted with only one bolt/nut for each side. The table slide up or down the incline formed in the base of the jointer. The fence seems to be the Achilles on this machine: one bolt for two different plains, so once it is set, that is where it will stay.



As I stated earlier, my helium hand got me in trouble again, but it wasn't too much trouble: $7.50 for both. Have I stated that I like auctions?
 
#34 ·
The Alien Planer

A few years ago I saw one of these planers listed as for sale and knew that I wanted one. From the first time I saw one, I knew I was going to get one. For the next several months I looked for the one for me at the price I wanted to pay. I saw several, but you would have thought these things are gold plated. This past week I had one fall into my lap for $40.00.


It was a bit "aged" and needed some work, but it cleaned up nicely.




With the purchase of this tool, I think I have all that I need, but there are still several things on my "want" list but those are for the future. For now, since I have restored this planer, I now need to strat restoring the rest of my vintage tools.
 
#53 ·
Grinders

Every lumberjock has at least one - some might not consider it a woodworking tool, but I think if it is used for your woodworking hobby, then it is a woodworking tool.

When I started my quest for vintage tools, I knew that I would be cleaning up some rusted metal. I was in a Big Lots store and saw a 6 inch grinder for $12.00 and thought: "It can't be that bad." So I bought it and realized quickly that my original thought could not have been further from the truth. It took a long time to get up to speed and it didn't take much to get it to slow down. I knew right away that I would need another grinder and that I would not be buying any tools from Big Lots.

Here is the one I got.

It is a Companion 6" ¼ HP. For those who don't know it, Companion was the inexpensive brand name for Sears and Roebucks tools from approximately 1933 to 1941: in 1941 the Companion brand name was replaced by Dunlap and in the late 1990's Sears brought back the Companion line.

I got this one from my father in-law - having my wife by my side for over 22 years has been good for me in more ways than one. I have used the grinder in its un-restored condition for several years but after finishing my planer, I decided it was time clean this one up as well. I am not an electrician so the motor had me a bit worried. When I took everything apart, cleaned, painted, and put back together again it did not work. It would not start spinning unless I "helped" the motor spin fast enough to start. Once it was started, it would run fine. Ah oh! I knew I did something to cause this.

I took a crash course on electric motor repair and figured out that the centrifugal switch housing was not depressing the switch on the inside of one of the motor end caps. This was due to the centrifugal switch housing sliding on the rotor shaft. I had to fabricate a permanent bushing to keep the centrifugal switch housing from sliding on the shaft and when I re-assembled everything, this time it started fine. This is a grinder that can be used to sharpen or clean almost anything. It doesn't even begin to stall when a heavy piece of metal is being ground. I think I may have extended the life of this grinder at least another 60 years.



In addition to the Companion, I also have this little belt driven jewel that I have no idea what the manufacturer is. This one has several different uses from grinding, buffing, polishing, and cleaning. I use it mostly with a wire brush and a scotch-brite flap brush. In this set-up it removes rust in a hurry.


What's next? I'm not sure yet, but you can bet it will be something vintage.
Thanks for reading.
 
#60 ·
Jointer Restoration

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.
 
#67 ·
A work in progress.

I haven't posted anything in my blog for several days because I have been too busy researching my latest acquisition. This is a 1940's Craftsman (made by King-Seeley,) scroll saw model 103.0404. I was able to get this one for only $10.00, but it didn't come from the auction house, but rather craigslist. It looks like it is in pretty sad shape, but I see a diamond in the rough.



This saw has a 24 inch throat with a 14 inch table. My current scroll saw is a newer version of the Craftsman line that reads 16", but I wouldn't cut anything over 12 on it because it is too small. I have been working with wood for most of my life and have seen 24" inches countless times but it never really seemed fitting until I saw this saw for the first time.



Photos do not do this saw any justice. The first time I picked it up, I grunted. It weighs in at about 80 pounds without a motor (it actually mounts on the bed of the saw in the trough behind the table). With the motor installed (I have a vintage Wagner ¼ hp set aside for this one) it should top out over 115 pounds. This saw will not be very portable, but it won't vibrate away either.



The table is 14" X 14" and even has the capability of accepting extensions and a rip fence. The upper arm can be removed and the saw can be converted to a saber saw, and there is even a router attachment. (Sadly I fear that searching for some of these parts may be a wild goose chase, but I know the accessories exist. Half the fun I have in owning these tools is the search for the accessories.)



There are so few moving parts that this saw is simplistic. Why do I like vintage tools, because they hold up a lot better than those built today, and not only that, but they look a whole lot better!



More to follow…
 
#81 ·
The Finished Scroll Saw

Two weeks worth of work standing behind the wire brush, shaking and spraying paint, and it is now useable. It's not completely finished yet, but it is close enough to it.





The only things left to do are repainting the logo plate, finding or making a cap for the pump tube, and remake the model number plate.



I also need to get the right size belt to fit properly (I think I am going with the link belt), but I put one on to make sure it works and it cuts fine.



The motor is an old Wagner Electric ¼ hp motor that a little bit of work to fit this application, but I think it adds to the appearance of this vintage saw.



When I made my sister in-laws music stand, I went out and bought a new Craftsman scroll saw. I was cutting ¼" oak and the saw was being overworked the entire time. Today I was cutting some ¾" pine without any hesitation. I have a slightly used scroll saw for sale: anyone interested?

When I was all finished for the day, I had to move the saw off of my table saw and onto my work bench. This saw now requires two people to lift it. The next project will probably be a mobile stand to mount it on.

It has come a long way in a short time.






Thanks for reading and I hope you see that just becasue it is old and dirty, doesn't mean it can't be cleaned up and used for another 60 years. I am really liking this gold and black color scheme.
 
#102 ·
Dunlap Belt/Disk Sander

Here is my latest basket case, and yes it needs some work.



It is an early 1940's Dunlap 4"x36" belt sander that is missing a few pieces. This is a 103.08011: the 103 means it was made by King-Seeley for Sears and Roebucks. Dunlap serves as the economical part of the Sears tool line.



There is supposed to be an 8" disk that goes with it and tables for both but they have parted ways years ago. In addition, the drive wheel was broken and needs to be replaced. Aside from the obvious missing pieces and broken wheel, not much else is wrong with… other than the color.



When I am finished, I hope to have as complete a machine as possible. I have a newer (Japanese made) AMT belt sander that is going to sacrifice the drive wheel, and I also have an 8" disk wheel and table from another machine that died a few years ago, so I am going to make one complete sander out of the three. I just want to make sure that my attempt as Dr. Frankenstein has better results.



Oh yeah, the price for this piece was free: I just had to get it from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania, so $39.00 in postage is all it cost me. Now if it stays worm enough I can get rid of the blue color and convert it to my black/gold color scheme.
 
#112 ·
Completed Shop

In the last two weeks, I have bought the two pieces of equipment that I have been looking for and now I think my shop is complete as far as vintage power tools are concerned (until I see something else).

I have a Rockwell/Delta drill press, but for me it just wasn't old enough. I walked into the auction house as a way to get away from Trick-or-Treat night. Wasn't really looking for anything but then I heard this little beauty calling my name:





It is a Companion (Companion is the cheaper Craftsman line that ceased manufacturing in 1940) model 101.03540 11" bench top drill press: complete with keyless chuck from 1939 with a matching vise as a bonus. It had an old GE 1/4 hp motor on it, but the power cord was three pieces spliced together and I happened to have a spare Companion 1/4 hp motor, so it had to go.

Now all I need is an older Band Saw. I have been looking for a Delta 14" but it seems like current owners think these models are gold plated. I did not want to pay the prices that people were asking for. I decided that a 12" Craftsman would also be a model that I would accept. I searched the local auction house listings and read CRAFTSMAN Band Saw. Figured I'd go look and see.

Last night I bought the last piece:





It is a model 103.24260 (King-Seeley) 12". I think that is the shortest drive belt I have ever seen. I paid a little more than I wanted to to get the Band Saw, but like I said, it completed the shop. $80.00 for both pieces. They are both a little rough to look at but that isn't anything I haven't dealt with before and that is half the fun of buying these pieces of old Gold. So now with this Band Saw replacing my Rockwell that I have, all of my power tools are older than I am. I know that Craftsman woodworking tools get a bad reviews and comments, but I think that is because people are not truly aware what they were like years ago. All totaled I have spent approximately $250.00.

Now all I have to do is finish refurbishing everything that needs it.
 
#113 ·
There's nothing like a classic. I think that the older machines are just as sexy as older muscle cars. A friend of mine has and old table saw that I think is a Craftsman but I'm not sure. From what I've seen online the original color looks like bronze. You would know better than I. Anyway, I can't wait till he refurbs it. The bad part is that he gave away the universal stand that was original to the saw. Evidently there was only one kind of stand for the various power tools in that line. All I know is that I love the look of those vintage power tools. They seemed so art deco.
 
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