Cancel the Yorkie... it's big, older cousin came to town

[Mike Weaver]

Hello everyone,

It's funny how things happen...

So LOML agreed that I could get the Yorkcraft 8" jointer for a combo Father's Day/Birthday present. Well, I went, looked, liked & placed an order for one to be delivered (I'm about 30 min from Wilke).

Fortunately for me, they hadn't scheduled delivery yet...

...and the crowd here says "What? He got the marital OK and is *happy* he hasn't gotten his new toy?!?<img>"

Yup! That's right...

See, just for grins, I went looking at owwm.com because I'm a closet-fan of old iron and found a nice 12" Jos O Colladay jointer for sale.

I got it yesterday and it's in good enough shape that I think I could reassemble it and use it as is! But, I'm going to take the time to clean her up since it's already disassembled.

Oh, the best part? It cost less than the 8" Yorkie...

I'll attach a couple of photos of the pieces and a link to it's bigger brother I found on owwm: 16" Jointer (http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=1071)

It will probably take me 6 months to get it moved to the basement and cleaned up, but it should be worth it. I'll also post pics when it's done (and on owwm in case anyone here checks that site).

Cheers,
-Mike <img>

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Mike,

Great find!! I was watching for some big Iron like that when I bought my DJ20, but I never found anything that seemed like it would work.

I can't wait to see it finished!

[Michael Gabbay]

Mike -

That's a great find! I hope you have a walkout basement and can drive this beast around :eek: . Please keep the photos coming of the restoration.

Mike

[Mike Weaver]

Mike -

That's a great find! I hope you have a walkout basement and can drive this beast around :eek: . Please keep the photos coming of the restoration.

Mike

Mike,
I sorta left a small detail out on purpose... That base is actually two pieces.

It really wasn't too bad to move - no individual chunk was over 200 lbs.<img>
At least there are decent handholds on all pieces.

I'll do my best w/ pics.
Thanks,
-Mike

[Jonathan Szczepanski]

I got it yesterday and it's in good enough shape that I think I could reassemble it and use it as is! But, I'm going to take the time to clean her up since it's already disassembled.

That is a find. Good luck with the restoration. I know I would not have the patience to get it done.

[Jim Becker]

Wow, that's going to be a really kewel addition to your shop, Mike!! I can't wait to see all your progress reports ;) as you take it from "now" to "then"...

[martyphee]

Looks nice, did the fence come with it? How are the babbitts?

Your lucky the base breaks down into two parts. My Porter 16" is one solid casting. The full machine weights in at around 1500#'s.

[Mark Riegsecker]

That's a great project. You'll really have something when that's completed! Please take time for progress pics.

I wanted a Fathers Day/ Birthday (AUG) combo gift. My wife's boss is selling his '04 Corvette.

The difference is you got yours:(

[Mike Weaver]

Looks nice, did the fence come with it? How are the babbitts?

Your lucky the base breaks down into two parts. My Porter 16" is one solid casting. The full machine weights in at around 1500#'s.

Yes, the fence came with it. I'll attach a pic of that.

At first glance, the babbits look ok, but I haven't checked w/ instruments.
(no play I could detect).

I can see the shaft through one of the oil ports and it looks very clean and the seller said that particular babbitt had like an oil paper in it for shimming.
I've been researching pouring new babbit just in case.

Heck, I'll put a better pic of the cutterhead up too. <img>

-Mike

[scott spencer]

I like the built in anti-theft device! :D Enjoy the jointer....great piece of iron with some history behind it.

[Dev Emch]

Mike...
Nice Score!

I also like the fact that the tables appear to move in and out from the cutterhead yoke, This can be convenient.

Yes, babbits are often shimed out and as the babbit wears, you pull or add shims. There is nothing wrong with babbits but you need to keep a couple of things in mind. Make sure you get the correct oil and keep it oiled. Marty, what is the oil again your using?


If you need to learn more about maintaining babbits, check out the OWWM mother ship site as well as the yahoo owwwm discussion groups forum. Lots of folks there. Also, Craig Prucha is an awsome vintage machine restoration machinist. I think he is an engineer by trade but he loves working with old iron. His website is

www.antique-engines.com or antinque-engine.com

You will be blown away by what he has done. But he also does babbit repours and scrape outs for hire.

Best of Luck....

P.S. I too am working on a vintage machine. Its a 1904 Fay & Egan 20 inch planer and it will be too cool when its finally working again.

[Mike Weaver]

Dev,
As usual, you are a wealth of information.

I have scratched the surface on the owwm site, but have lots to learn.

Thanks for the pointers and info!
Good luck with your restoration.

-Mike

[martyphee]

Mike...
Yes, babbits are often shimed out and as the babbit wears, you pull or add shims. There is nothing wrong with babbits but you need to keep a couple of things in mind. Make sure you get the correct oil and keep it oiled. Marty, what is the oil again your using?


McMaster-Carr ( http://www.mcmaster.com/)
ISO Grade 68 Way oil
Item: 1017K11

Make very sure the SUS rating is high like this one (310). I previously used spindle oil which was wholefully inadequte. It's a rating of how well the oil will holdup under heat. Basically how much will it thin out.

After changing to the way oil my bearings stay nice and cool.

[Mike Weaver]

Thanks Marty!
-Mike

[Aaron Montgomery]

Now that's sweet! Be sure to post pictures when it's up and running!!

[Dev Emch]

Mike...

Craig Prucha's website is www.antique-engine.com

Best of luck in the restoration....

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Very nice find! Can't wait to see your progress reports!

I love older machines. There's a shop close by here that deals in old iron as well as new Italian RAS's, etc. I saw a 24" bandsaw that was a good 10' tall in the back shop. Maybe I'll go over sometime and take some pics.

[Mike Weaver]

The worst thing is that I haven't even been able to touch it yet, and I walk by it every time I go into the garage (like on the way to/from work...) <img>

After I get my DC ready, that jointer is first on the list (I may sneak in some cleaning in the meantime).

BTW, I asked the previous owner how long he'd had it - 1 1/2 years.

Around my house, that's a NEW project! <img>

-Mike