Old Craftsman Jointer

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Hey guys, I found an old Craftsman jointer at the local Habitat Restore,
it looks just like the one in the photo that I found on the web including the
missing blade guard.
I think it's from the early 50s.
It looks like it's in pretty good shape except for the chips in the blades.
They've got the price marked at $85, is it worth that?
What are my chance of finding the missing blade guard and replacement
blades?

Thanks for your help.



.

 

[rsanter]

Those are good units
Don't go for a ton of money but last a long time.
Blade guard will be hard to find if you want original but if you just want a functional guard I can take pictures of mine and you could copy it
Check that the guard return clock spring is still there under the hole for the guard pivot

Bob

 

[Steven67fr]

Fantastic unit - the blades are 6 1/8th I believe. I found replacement blades at a local sears and set them up. The bearings were good in mine had a 3/4 hp cman motor with it... I LOVE the unit... It's loud as heck... but it cuts cleanly and accurately and does not bog down at all.

Mine too was missing the blade guard. I just got an allen wrench (not sure the size off hand) and attached a piece of oak to the top of it that is the same shap (about) as the original and it works fine.

If you need a jointer and it's in good shape I don't think $85 is a bad deal as it is a solid unit.

I'd say a good price would be $50.

 

[bseant]

i agree with the above post for about 50 bucks. Blades shouldn't be a problem at all. Make sure the bearings are good though, otherwise some of those stinkin bearings can get expensive. I got lucky with my boice crane jointer and found a bearing dealer who got them for me super cheap. but if i didn't i would have been looking at about 60$ for two bearings.

 

[zkling]

Does it come on the craftsman stand and a good older craftsman motor or the like? If so I'd day $85 is a good deal as long as nothing is broken. They are good little jointers. Unless you plan on doing a bunch of larger, wider boards for most DIY stuff it will be enough.

 

[justanengineer]

$50 is about the "going rate" in the NE/midwest, Id prefer to be less than that. Not to say youll find much anything better for that lil money unless youve got room for a full sized antique jointer, just that its more than I see them for.

FWIW, I paid $5 for mine a year ago, blasted it apart and painted it, now its sitting in my basement waiting on winter to keep me inside long enough for reassembly.

 

[jakemac]

I paid $75 at an auction for a slightly older version in 1994. Mine was on a cast iron stand, w/ 1/2hp motor, and ready to run. $50-$75 would be a fair price for one that "needs a little work". Keep a "saved search w/ email notifications" on ebay for the parts you need, eventually something will turn up. It just may take a while, and cost more than you want.

 

[DWise]

If you can't find blades, let me know, I think I have a new set hidden somewhere.

 

[skippy24]

I agree that $50-$60 is more in line as to what is is worth. If you do pick it up please do not use it without a blade guard.

 

[scaron]

you don't necessarily have to go by the posted price at habitat restore, oftentimes they are willing to haggle a little bit with regard to price.

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

It's in the trunk of my Park Ave.
I think I'm going to have to wait for a friend to come over
and lift it out for my. The manager at the Habitat store looked
like he was really straining to put it in there.
He's been really good to me over the last few years, when anything
electronic comes in he leaves it in the back until I can see it.
I told him what you guys here on GJ said about the price and
he sold it to me for $50.
I looked on ebay last night and there's a blade guard for it listed,
I'm going now and see if I can close that deal.


DWise, I'll need a set of blades these are really chipped up,
let me know what you'll charge me for a set of new blades.

It's been a good day. While I was out I went by our local tool
store, W.T. Tool, that's a dangerous place, I could clean out the
bank account in no time at all.

Cheers,



,

 

[nine4gmc]

Glad you got it, post up when you get it inside and running!