Replies

1. 
   PeteBradley | Mar 22, 2006 03:04am | #1

   If you haven't found the Old Woodworking Machines site http://www.owwm.com already, time to check it out.

   Pete

2. 
   hammer1 | Mar 22, 2006 04:18am | #2

   One issue with older power tools is safety. They are seldom insulated and may not even be grounded. The two prong plugs have blades that are of equal size, so it's easy to reverse the polarity when plugging them in. I have an old polished aluminum Rockwell circular saw, when you let go of the trigger, the blade will coast for 20 minutes. I also got a good shock from it when a switch wire came in contact with a case screw on the handle. I would use a GFCI whenever using the hand power tools.

   Stationary power tools can also have some wiring issues that should be looked at. Sort of like an old electric light. Of all the hazards in a shop, electricity can kill. Guards and types of cutters can also be issues with old machines. Be careful with loose blade shaper cutters, square jointer cutterhead's, missing guards, old switches, etc.

   Hand tools are a different matter. I use tools that were my Grandfathers and some of those were his Grandfathers. I sold one of those hand crank drill presses a couple of years ago. It was mounted on a pole in the barn. I'm sure it was used for many things around the farm from the horse and tack days until recently. It may have been the only one in the neighborhood. Some of the farm hands came from all over the world. I wish I had a place to keep it.

   Have fun with your vintage stuff. Those tools were beautifully made and not meant to be disposable. You can fix just about anything on them, when needed.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   cowtown | Mar 22, 2006 09:01am | #3

   I'd confess on both options.

   Handtools of all types from any trades , mindya I is afraid to get too much into the blacksmith type stuff.....neighbours may find that a tad stressfull.

   I do dabble with the smaller powertool stuff, mostly from the aesthetics of their design as opposed to untiligy. A non-reversible 1960's B&D drill don't turn my crank, but there is a "mother-of-all" stanley router downstairs waiting for a roundtoit to get ressurected.

   Eric

1. 
   Vikingvood | Mar 22, 2006 10:37pm | #4

   All my large tools are old: Delta 12/14 t.s. with slide table, lodge & shipley lathe. Orton tilting shaper, Rockwell radial arm saw. Syracuse (sp?) spindle sander,Porter Cable 16" disc sander . Cresant planer,Yates American jointer,Rockwell drill press, Pratt & whitney tool grider,Brown & sharp mill, All purchased Used & all run on 3 phase converter ( built from used parts less the starting capacitors)or D.C. for the variable speed(Vairiac +bridge rectifier)

4. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 24, 2006 11:59pm | #5

   My jointer is a 1957 Northfield.  I recently sold a 36" ancient Tannewitz bandsaw and an 18" Oliver planer from 1928.  I'm presently looking for an Oliver 24" planer.  I also have quite a few old Stanley hand tools, mostly planes and chisels.  Can't beat good ole' american iron.

   Jeff