How long do manufacturers produce parts for machines ?

[Clarence Martin]

Anyone know how long Companies produce parts for machines they no longer make ? Got a SEARS 15 inch electronic variable speed lathe with the 2 hp motor. I looked up replacement parts from the SEARS website, and noticed many of the replacement parts are no longer available. Thankfully, the Lathe is running fine, but when it does break down , where do I get parts ? Or do I just throw the 150 LB chunk of Cast Iron out for scrap?


I thought Delta used to advertise that you could get parts for their machines made back to 1938 or something like that .

[Rod Sheridan]

I believe Delta sold off most of their old parts.

It's up to the manufacturer, of course most companies don't manufacture machinery, they're just resellers.

Fortunately for larger machinery there are often aftermarket items available such as electrical parts, bearings, belts etc.

Apparently Felder can supply parts for their old machines as they're the manufacturer/designer...........Hopefully I won't have to try that out....LOL..........Rod.

[John Piwaron]

I believe Delta sold off most of their old parts.

It's up to the manufacturer, of course most companies don't manufacture machinery, they're just resellers.

Fortunately for larger machinery there are often aftermarket items available such as electrical parts, bearings, belts etc.

Apparently Felder can supply parts for their old machines as they're the manufacturer/designer...........Hopefully I won't have to try that out....LOL..........Rod.

That's a strong argument for buying machines from a manufacturer/designer.

[David Nelson1]

Sears may have taken a different stance since the 70's. They claimed to fix/repair anything they sold. Which leads into parts availability... the Shady Grove Warehouse and repair facility replaced a ladies old gasoline powered washing machine with a brand new unit due to lack of inventory. The hitch was she was the original owner and had proof of purchase. Doubt that you can count on that today.

[Ed Labadie]

That's a strong argument for buying machines from a manufacturer/designer.

Until they get sold off multiple times (Delta & Powermatic) and parts support goes out the window.

Ed

[Loren Woirhaye]

It varies, but for this reason I suggest avoiding machinery with electronic features. Sears abandoned support of their digital radial arm and table saws long ago. Allegedly they just weren't much good.

I know Hitachi supports tools for 7 years and after the last run of a particular model and after that considers them obsolete.

Quality machinery holds up pretty well though. A lot of woodworking hobbiests acquiring machinery are concerned about parts availability and honestly, I seldom have had to replace anything on a used machine except motors, belts and switches. A machine that appears not to have been used hard probably hasn't been and if that's the case, a non-benchtop type machine will usually hold up for a long, long time in hobby use. One thing to watch out for is worn-out feedworks in vintage planers though. Most other common woodworking machines are mechanically simple and tough.

[Bill Huber]

Most of the time it is 6 months before I need the part and then they are sold out.

[Erik Loza]

You know, I had this very conversation with the Italian trade managers at SCM Group's open house, recently. There is no "grand plan" to render machines obsolete after x-many years. More often than not, it is a case of newer units, with newer technologies, being brought to market and less and less spare parts to support the earlier technologies being ordered by the factory. But it really depends. For example, if someone calls the parts department for a cast iron wheel for, say, a 20-year old S45 bandsaw, they're going to be out of luck. On the other hand, the main switch would probably still be available. Major structural components and drive assemblies will be more challenging to find than simple wearables like bearings, belts, and switches.

I would say that, based on my experience, if the machine is in the 10-15 year old range (assuming we are talking about a manufacturer as opposed to a reseller...), I think you ought to be able to get parts for it fairly readily. Just my thoughts of course.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Jim Andrew]

It is really disappointing to find that the manufacturer of your American made tools has been sold to some foreign company who has no interest in backing your tools with parts. I had a hammer stapler built by Bostitch, which was bought by Stanley, and lasted for 30 years, used it to install insulation, felt paper, house wrap etc, and the spring broke. So I went to the tool repair place to get a spring, and was told they no longer make the stapler, and parts are not available. This model of stapler was built for probably 60 years or longer, with a few updates, and was used by pros all over the country. Was hard to wear one out.

[David Hostetler]

Funny thing you mention that. I have a Ryobi BT3100-1, and aside from the table, stand, and main housing, I have enough spare parts to build a new saw. I have been collecting them since I bought the saw used a few years ago. The idea was to beat planned obsolescence on a saw I actually like...

For many pieces of equipment, particularly larger, cast iron machines, and even cheapies like my Harbor Freight band saw, they utilize standard belts, pulleys, bearings, motors, switches etc... Some pieces, for example the tension assembly, are specific to that model, but so close as to be interchangeable with parts from just about any other 14" C-frame type band saw. Riser block, guide assemblies etc... need to be sized right, but are obtainable, and if not, then a machinist would need to be turned to in case something serious goes bad...

Lathe, again in my case, a Harbor Freight 12x36 Jet clone, and can use most of the parts from the JWL1236, or the Grizzly of similar configuration...

Sears, under the Craftsman name has done a LOT of rebranding of other tools, the band saws of late are nothing more than Rikons painted black and silver for example.

Perhaps your lathe is like that? You just need to do some research and find out what is compatible with your machine...

[John Piwaron]

Until they get sold off multiple times (Delta & Powermatic) and parts support goes out the window.

Ed

Maybe. All of my big iron is Delta. I've never had to repair any of it. As long as repairs are not needed parts availability is irrelevant. But only until that time. I suppose that there comes a time in the life of anything when parts will become unavailable. As to whether or not that's reasonable when finally happens is going to depend on how old it is when that happens and if the owner thinks they've gotten their moneys worth.

[curtis rosche]

Theres plenty of places to source parts if you know where to look. Which lathe do you have

[Dick Strauss]

Clarence,
I'm guessing your lathe is a tube lathe and is the same as a Palmgren lathe of the same vintage. As Curtis suggested, you might be able to find Palmgren parts that are a direct replacement for your lathe if needed in the future.

[Benjamin Miller]

In California, manufacturers are required to supply parts for 3 years from $50-$99.99, and for 7 years from $100+. Most companies don't want a separate California model, so they will supply parts to people in any state for at least this amount of time.

1793.03. (a) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with
respect to an electronic or appliance product described in
subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and
Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of not less
than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than ninety-nine dollars and
ninety-nine cents ($99.99), shall make available to service and
repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts
to effect the repair of a product for at least three years after the
date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether
the three-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.
(b) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to
an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i),
(j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code,
with a wholesale price to the retailer of one hundred dollars ($100)
or more, shall make available to service and repair facilities
sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the
repair of a product for at least seven years after the date a product
model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the seven-year
period exceeds the warranty period for the product

[Phil Thien]

In California, manufacturers are required to supply parts for 3 years from $50-$99.99, and for 7 years from $100+. Most companies don't want a separate California model, so they will supply parts to people in any state for at least this amount of time.

1793.03. (a) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with
respect to an electronic or appliance product described in
subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and
Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of not less
than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than ninety-nine dollars and
ninety-nine cents ($99.99), shall make available to service and
repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts
to effect the repair of a product for at least three years after the
date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether
the three-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.
(b) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to
an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i),
(j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code,
with a wholesale price to the retailer of one hundred dollars ($100)
or more, shall make available to service and repair facilities
sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the
repair of a product for at least seven years after the date a product
model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the seven-year
period exceeds the warranty period for the product

Hey Ben thanks for posting that. That seven years is almost folkloric, people often mention federal law but I don't think there is any.

Do you have anything that would indicate our tools fall into the category of electronic or appliance device?

[Jim Finn]

I have a 1986 Hegner $croll $aw that I can still get part$ for.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Delta WAS great until B&D raped them! I ordered parts from Delta in 1996 for a twenty five year old saw. Had all of them in three days from order. A used machine is worth more parted out now.

[Don Huffer]

I have a Unisaw that is over 25 years old. The only thing I've needed was the rule. I'm betting my grand son will have the parts problem.

[Dave Lehnert]

You can get most, if not all parts for a Shopsmith MarkV new from the factory. Must be 40+ year old units still in use.
Funny thing is people pay more for a used part off the bay when new can be had for cheaper. Guess people don't know Shopsmith is still made in Dayton Ohio.

[Curt Harms]

If it comes to that, would it be possible to retrofit a non-Sears 3 phase motor and control it with a VFD? For other parts, as others have said figure out who the OEM was. For Sears machines with a model No. xxx.xxxxxx format, the first 3 digits are the manufacturer. For example, 113.xxxxxx contractor saws were made by Emerson.

[Duane Meadows]

If it comes to that, would it be possible to retrofit a non-Sears 3 phase motor and control it with a VFD? For other parts, as others have said figure out who the OEM was. For Sears machines with a model No. xxx.xxxxxx format, the first 3 digits are the manufacturer. For example, 113.xxxxxx contractor saws were made by Emerson.

Not without a lot of work. The spindle would need to be replaced, support fabricated for a 2nd bearing, motor support, pulleys, etc. The motor is attached to a reduction gear box that is actually part of the motor assembly. I have one of those lathes. As I understand, Palmgren won't even admit they exist, so no help there either.

Sears, for a while, was replacing the whole head stock assembly with the later model reeves drive unit under warranty or if you have a service contract on them. The retail price was very near what the complete lathe sold for. I no longer have that part number available, and doubt they are still available anyway.

Bearings and brushes are available(standard parts from third parties).. I have replaced both on my lathe. Above and beyond that Craigslist or Ebay, buy a 2nd lathe for parts is the only option I am aware of. I see them fairly reasonable from time to time.