Davis and Wells shaper

[Mike Reinholtz]

I found this listing CL for a 5hp Davis and Wells shaper. I know it's 3 phase and although I do have a rotary 3 phase converter I would swap the motor out for a single phase (long story, but I have both a 3 and 5 hp motor sitting on a shelf). Any thoughts or opinions on these machines? I know quite a few people on here like older machines.:D

Thanks for the help!


Mike

forgot to post the listing: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/1468934182.html

[David DeCristoforo]

Davis and Wells machines were heavy duty, rugged machines with very simple designs... not many "bells and whistles", just the basics. I would not hesitate to spend two hundred on it if I needed a basic shaper. You can still get a lot of parts for the DW machines here:

http://www.davisandwells.com/

The company went under in the early eighties so the current site is mostly for repairs, parts and used machines. There is a little more info on owwm.com

PS In one of the pics, it looks like the shaper has a feeder base bolted onto the table. If it comes with a feeder for the two hundred, you better buy it fast!

[Josiah Bartlett]

That sounds like a steal. I have a Davis and Wells 6" jointer. I haven't had a lick of trouble with it.