Operating RPM's

[Kurt Bernat]

Hello All,
I bought theses old tools a few months ago and have finally started trying to match them to motor and get them mounted.

First is an old, heavy, but small craftsman shaper:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll71/kabatc/shaper.jpg



Next is the similar style of jointer:




http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll71/kabatc/jointer.jpg

My question is what RPMs should these tools operate?
Thanks,
Kurt

[Alan Schaffter]

Typically, shapers have at least two pulley selectable speeds - 7,000 and 10,000 RPM are common. With Jointers it is a function of the journal diameter, number of knives, and RPM- that will give you a certain blade speed and cuts per minute. That being said, look at the jointers on Amazon and try to match journal diameter and convert to the RPM needed on your machine. My 8" Delta, which has a larger journal than the jointer you show, spins at around 5500 RPM so I would think somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 RPM would be good for yours and seems to be fairly typical RPM range for small jointers. The current Sears 4 1/8" and 6 1/8" benchtop machines spin at 8000 RPM.

[Kurt Bernat]

Thanks for the good information Alan.