| Blog series by brianinpa | updated 404 days ago | 9 parts | 11784 reads | 87 comments total |
Part 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 1...
Part 2: 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...
Part 3: 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. ...
Part 4: 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 thi...
Part 5: 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...
Part 6: 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 int...
Part 7: 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 Crafts...
Part 8: 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 i...
Part 9: 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 obvi...
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