Company that updates old machines?(Porter]

[Larry Edgerton]

I have an old porter 12" jointer with Babbit bearings and flat belt drive, motor mounted on the floor, and old school cutterhead. Its not the square head but it is still an old head with too much knife sticking out, and so more dangerous.

What I would like to do is convert it to a more up to date head, maybe get rid of the babbit bearings, and convert to a V belt drive where the motor is hooked to the jointer so I can move it around as I try to find its place in my new shop, which is half the size of the old. If I can update this Porter I will get rid of my Delta and so create more space having just one jointer.

Some time ago I ran across a company that modernized old iron, but a search has not brought it up. If one can point me in the right direction I would be greatfull. I thought about buying a new jointer, but if I can update this one for less I wolud prefer that. It works well, but is a pain in the butt in its current configuration.

Thanks, Larry

[Mike Heidrick]

Maybe try Pleeasent Streety Woodworking Machinery

http://www.pleasantstmachinery.com/

[Myk Rian]

Well, that website is totally stupid. New window for every link, and nothing shows up anyway.

[Mike Heidrick]

http://picasaweb.google.com/pleasantstmachinery

Not exactly webmasters.

Their picassa page shows a porter they have

http://picasaweb.google.com/pleasantstmachinery/Porter300cmJointer12inch3knifeDirectdrive5hp230vMi llwork#

[Matt Meiser]

Heads for old equipment show up from time to time on OWWM.org. A machine shop should be able to handle the rest.

Byrd will also custom make a head to your specifications. Obviously that can get pricey.

[Darnell Hagen]

Ya, the website is terrible, Ben is way more of a phone guy. Call his cell, he knows his machines and will tell you exactly what you need. (815)793-6534

[Bruce Page]

Google “machine rebuilders”. There are plenty of companies that do it but they aren’t going to be cheap. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself ask around at woodworking groups/clubs and you might find someone.

[Chip Lindley]

It's not gonna be Cheap! Machine Shops always = Sticker Shock! Building a motor mount is pretty staightforward. So is including some sort of pulley guard. Reworking the jointer to accept ball bearing journals will be the biggest cost. A new custom Byrd head will be well over $1000. (A 3-knife cutterhead would be much more economical)

There seems to be a small glut of knife-type cutterheads on the market since stock heads are replaced by insert heads. (I even have a couple of old RBI 12" 3-knife heads sitting around that were never applied to of my dream projects)

We will be interested in seeing what kind of quotes you get on the rebuild. Keep us posted, please!

[Jamie Buxton]

http://www.davisandwells.com/index.shtml refurbishes and sells old iron. Dunno what they'd think about your particular machine.

[Larry Edgerton]

Thank you for the replys.....

There used to be a place in Grand Rapids Mi. that did such work but I have not been able to find them. Many, many of the wood related businesses in G.R. have disappeared in the past ten or so years however:(, so they may just be one more on the list.

The babbit bearing are not a deal breaker, and as Chip said a new drive system is not rocket science, so maybe I will get ahold of Byrd and see what they have to say. This particular machine can be used as a molder as well with the current head as the tables slide back and there is clearance, but I have not used it this way. That I would lose, but I would probably never use it anyway.

I like the old machine, and it works well, but the head is such that it will grab a piece and pull it in. Your hand as well.......