a new home for the General

[Jeff Hallam]

I just wanted to share my find. I caught and add for several General machines that were actually nearby for once. Drove down to look a few days later and came back with a new to me 8" jointer.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDTUNP-jS7I/AAAAAAAANHY/6T43nqiO_Hg/s800/IMG_2049.JPG

She's a model 480, not sure of exact age but guessing 15 to 20 yrs old. Originally equipped with a 3 phase motor so the previous owner put in a 1 HP single phase replacement.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDTUOnjZ-XI/AAAAAAAANHg/bdd_q4pIOEQ/s400/IMG_2052.JPG

I plan on tearing it down to re-grease the slides and replace the bearings. It has been repainted twice but you can still see the original green when you start removing some parts. I don't know if it is gloat worthy but a new one is $4100 when not on sale and I got mine for $1200 so I am very happy but I don't think it was a steal. The guy has more machines for sale too and I was very tempted to empty even more of my wallet, but common sense (i.e. SWMBO) prevailed.

Thanks for looking,

Jeff

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDTUQFLQEeI/AAAAAAAANHo/OFXpYX7XaNw/s800/IMG_2053.JPG

[glenn bradley]

Those General jointers are very well designed and executed. If the tables are coplanar I would really resist messing with the gibs and DT ways. That is one area where if it ain't broke . . . Congrats on a wonderful machine.

[lawrence dosson]

Jeff
I use one of those often . and every one of us has an opinion of the value but i think you did realy good for a well made solid machine .i would not have hesitated for a minuite on that machine

[Rod Sheridan]

Great price on a great jointer. I sold mine for a lot more than you paid for yours...........Enjoy.............Regards, Rod.

[Jeff Hallam]

Well I'm glad to hear that, it's hard to know sometimes if the cost is worth it.

You guys can sympathize with my other temptation: he has a General 14" planer for $1600 (it is over $5000 new). I may be calling him in a month or so to see if it sold.

[Doug Mason]

The General Canada stuff is a lifetime tool--rock solid and worth the cost. I don't think people give it the attention it deserves.

I have a General Lathe and drill Press (both Canada) and the quality is vastly superior to the Grizzly I have (I don't have any Delta or PM).

[Rod Sheridan]

Well I'm glad to hear that, it's hard to know sometimes if the cost is worth it.

You guys can sympathize with my other temptation: he has a General 14" planer for $1600 (it is over $5000 new). I may be calling him in a month or so to see if it sold.

I sold mine along with the jointer previously mentioned for half price, your price looks like a deal.......Rod.

[Jeff Hallam]

Jeez Rod, you sold all these machines that I've been coveting, I have to ask what you upgraded to?

[Rod Sheridan]

Jeez Rod, you sold all these machines that I've been coveting, I have to ask what you upgraded to?

Hi j
Jeff, Hammer A3-31 jointer/planer and Hammer B3 Winner sliding saw/shaper with scoring saw and a power feeder.

Regards, Rod.

[Gary Herrmann]

Congrats, Jeff. I've got that jointer. It's a very well built tool. Great gloat.

[gary Zimmel]

Sweet machine Jeff. Congrats.
I've had mine for 3 or 4 years and love it.
Enjoy the new toy....

[lawrence dosson]

Jeff
The planer at 1600 is a great deal also I would be on it like stink on a skunk good deals like that usualy do not pop up to often .
And maybe it is a good thing to if they did we would all be broke have fun with the jointer look in your phone book under bearings that should get you a bearing suppier and personally i would not use chineese bearings in a wheel barrell lawrence

[Rick Fisher]

That is a heck of a deal.. even if it was $500 more.. in 5 years.. you have a General Canadian made Jointer..

That is a fantastic machine, in the league of Northfield. Its a lifetime jointer.. something your kids can fight over when you go into an old age home.. lol.

[Jeff Hallam]

You know its funny, but as I make some progress on the tear down of this machine it becomes apparent to me that some real thought was put into making this machine maintainable for the long haul. The construction is straightforward, all of the fasteners are good quality (no sheared off bolt heads etc..) and all of the fasteners are accessible. Here are a couple of pictures of where I am now:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDmt4eunUVI/AAAAAAAANJQ/Ue1MF7-Lv9Y/s800/IMG_2056.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDmt5MJpf4I/AAAAAAAANJY/VNWEJ8r5gGw/s800/IMG_2057.JPG

There was no grease left on the dovetail ways, only gummy sawdust and surface rust, so I'm glad I have the chance to clean it up and re-grease.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDmt6GraDFI/AAAAAAAANJg/KbgzHqRtSbs/s800/IMG_2058.JPG

I just put all the nuts and bolts, really anything with rust on it, into a bath of EvapoRust and i'll let it sit until i'm ready to re-assemble. The product works great if you've never tried it.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDmt7A2Xo4I/AAAAAAAANJo/sMuXe7iBrW0/s800/IMG_2059.JPG

Found out once I took the blades out that I have HSS blades from DIMAR (nice surprise).

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/TDmt8LtfAmI/AAAAAAAANJw/r1ENarCxFHM/s400/IMG_2060.JPG

The jack screws for adjusting the blades were different than what I had on my previous jointer. Clever system, but two out of six were bent due to (i'm guessing here) a previous owner really torquing these screws while the chipbreakers were still holding the blade in place.

Only problem so far has been trying to remove the cutterhead pulley so I'm going to soak in in some EvapoRust to see if that loosens things up.

Jeff