Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 18, 2002 06:01am | #1

   Don't waste your time on that old junk!!!!!  I'll take it off your hands and save you a lot of grief........

   I don't see where age is a factor.  When was the last time you saw a new tool made of "heavy cast iron"? I'm sure they're worth restoring.  Don't know what you can do but start running the things and see how they work.

   • The band saw may require some alignment and new tires - if you're just going to use it for wood and not metal you can get rid of all those pulleys and have only two.
   • I may be wrong, but I don't think the belt sander would need more than 1/2 hp.  It would be a good idea to add an adjusting mechanism to get some of the tension off the bearings.
   • The jointer may have some rust on the race ways.  You'll be able to tell when you try to adjust it.  Check the infeed and outfeed tables for flatness and alignment.
   • Start checking different sites, books, etc.  I know FWW has some good bandsaw adjustment video on its main site, and the magazine did a rather extensive jointer tune-up article not too long ago.

   Good luck, and let us know of your progress!

   Jeff

1. 
   Joby | Sep 22, 2002 09:37pm | #3

   Thanks for your help.  What is the best way to mount the motors.  The tools now are hung by the weight of the motors.  what is the proper way?

   Is there any advantage to variable speed for a band saw?

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 23, 2002 02:54am | #4

   The weight of the motors may be putting too much tension on the belts.  If you can move them 1/2" with "moderate tension" they're fine, otherwise you'll have to rig a threaded rod or similar device to lessen it some.

   Variable speed isn't necessary on a band saw, unless you're cutting metal, since that would require much slower speed.

   Jeff

1. 
   Biscardi | Sep 23, 2002 05:55am | #5

   Speaking of old iron, whatever happened to EMC?

   Frank

2. 
   RW | Sep 18, 2002 06:37pm | #2

   You've nothing to lose, and education to gain. Old tools are prized in some circles. You might have to clean them up and get a few replacement parts, but the energy is worth it. A friend (the dog) came across an old jointer that hadn't been used in years and picked it up for $50. It's kind of big - all cast, 16", about a 6 1/2 foot bed. The motor is big enough it has a heat sump on the back. We took it apart, he had it soda blasted, and now with new wiring he's still under $400 for everything and has an enormous jointer that works fine. The size of motor issue depends some on useage. I would think a 1/2-3/4 would suffice for the belt sander if it isn't huge. Once you get things running, load them down a little and see if "normal" usage bogs down the old motor. If it doesn't, keep it. If it does, upgrade. I was lucky enough to get a circa 1950 Delta / Rockwell 14" bandsaw. Plus replacement parts I'm still under $300. Not bad for a working saw. A local tool buyer offered me $300 before I fixed it up. Nah, you gotta hang on to grandpas stuff.