More New Old Tools
January 7th, 2009It Saws Wood & Will Also Serve as an Anchor for a Destroyer
Sorry I wandered off today. I visited the nearest Woodcraft store and asked about a Steel City drill press. The guys working there didn’t seem to know what to do. At first, they claimed they could order one. Then they said they couldn’t. Then they said they had to ask the boss. He’s on vacation.
Meanwhile, I looked at other stuff. I found some interesting band saws. The most intriguing: a 16″ Walker Turner which is still being used in a shop. Price: $500.
This is a really neat piece of equipment. Almost all of it is cast iron. The motor is small (3/4 HP), but people claim they will resaw up to 11 1/2″. If I got this thing and I decided I didn’t want to keep it, I could almost surely unload it for what I paid.
It could use some paint and TLC, however.
I also found a Jet 18″ saw for $549, but it’s a model nobody likes. The resaw height is not good, and people complained about the saws wobbling.
I might give that Walker Turner a try. I can probably dismantle it and shove it in the Explorer, but even if I can’t, I can rent a van for almost nothing. I’d have to drive eight hours, unfortunately. But then I am eccentric, so that’s not a deal-breaker.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:16 PM
There is a 12″ Jet wood planer listed on Naples craigslist under “General” for $250. There is also a drill press and a jointer listed under “Tools”
January 7th, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I really wonder where all of this is taking you. It seems like you are being guided to fulfill some key role in a greater plan.
It will be very interesting when the plan reveals itself.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I understand Walker-Turner was once a highly regarded bandsaw. Still coveted by many. Solid as a rock. You’re right, 3/4 HP is seriously underpowered for that saw-twice that would be a good start. But replacing a motor on that machine would be a snap. I’d give that saw a serious glance.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:55 PM
FWW has a book in their old “Best Of” series titled “The Small Woodshop”. In it is an article by Robert Vaughan about restoring an old Walker-Turner. Check it out if you can.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
One of the barriers you have is that you don’t have three-phase power available. That means that many of the good, old tools you find aren’t usable.
Here you go. Not only a single-phase to three-phase converter, but a variable-speed controller for any three-phase motor. That one runs on 115V single-phase input, and can operate up to a 1-HP motor at up to 3x normal speed (200 Hz). A hundred bucks. There are others that pop up from time to time — keep your eye out for an AC Tech (Friesen) SF210Y, which needs 220/230V input. Friesen themselves sell directly as an EBay store, but the prices are much higher.
Now you have no excuse.
Regards,
Ric
January 8th, 2009 at 6:23 AM
you`re eccentric? good grief, what does that make me?? i have way more guns than you, but you`re catching up fast with the tools. by the way,i`m real jealous of that powermatic- they`re fantastic saws.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:38 PM
“I really wonder where all of this is taking you. It seems like you are being guided to fulfill some key role in a greater plan.
It will be very interesting when the plan reveals itself.”
1-800-GO-4 WOOD