Powermatic 50 Jointer

[Michael Alu]

Ran across a Powermatic 50 jointer on Craigslist today. Link is below. The guy is asking $200 for it. He lives 5 minutes from my work so I decided to drop by just to take a look at how much TLC this thing will need. In talking with him I found out the the motor has been replaced with a 3/4 HP motor. I couldn't get inside to see the plate for the motor. Any guys on here have dealt with a Powermatic 50 restoration or just have one. I'm looking for any info on the cost of restoration and if this motor will provide enough RPM to spin the cutter head properly.

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/tls/5520594075.html

335114

[Dimitrios Fradelakis]

This site should help:

http://vintagemachinery.org/

and this one:

http://www.owwm.org/

[Cody Jensen]

Well most induction motors run at one of two speeds, so you are probably okay there. If there is an issue, it should be able to be addressed by changing out one of the pulleys to increase/decrease cutterhead rpms. I am currently working on restoring a Delta jointer that, although never used, is missing some parts that I am fabricating myself (fence mount and blade guard). Hard to know what needs replaced, but assuming there are no broken pieces, the only moving parts are the motor and cutter head with a couple of bearing, so I can't think it should cost much to repair. Timewise is a question of if you want it to look close to new again or purely to be functional.

[Andrew Hughes]

Looks like a nice old machine.The T handles look just like the ones on my Oliver.If it were near me I'd buy it just for that reason.

[Rich Riddle]

I had one and sold it. I learned the hard way and went from that size, to a little bigger, to a little bigger, to a little bigger...... If you want one that small, fine, it's a solid performer. If you want bigger, wait.

[Harold Weaver]

Michael, I have one just like it. As a 6" jointer it will do anything needed in that category. Some like larger jointers, but for a hobbyist, as I am, it does the job well. The 3/4 HP motor on it is probably just right. Most of the older 6" jointers, especially the Delta's all came with 1/2" HP. I wouldn't hesitate on a Powermatic in the least. Built like tanks and easy to work on.

[Walter Plummer]

I just got done with one. Manual says 1/2 or 3/4 hp motor. Mine has a 3450 RPM motor with a 3.44" sheave and the cutter head has a 2 1/2" sheave. The manual says 5,000 rpm at the cutter. An online calculator says it is 4470 rpm actual. I put $165.00 in mine but $75.00 was for automotive two part paint. It is an easy machine to start on. Here is mine: Before335214 and after335215335216