SCMI F3a Jointer Refurb Completed (lots of pics)

[Joe Jensen]

I searched for a long time for a Rockwell/SCMI F3a 12" jointer. It's built just like the bigger 16-24" jointer. SCMI built it for Rockwell in 1975 and 1976. I'm told it sold for $6-7K back then. I found one that was complete but in rough shape at auction in Las Vegas. I was able to win the auction for $750, but by the time I got it delived I had about $1100 in it. I completely disassembled it, cleaned and repainted, and added a Byrd cutterhead, new bearings, and a TECO VFD.
Here are a few before pictures, and several after pics.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK2946Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK2947Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK2950Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK2954Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3338Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3339Large.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3327.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3344.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3346.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3328.jpg

[John Peterson]

Holy Cow!! Very nice. The more refurbs that I see the more I want to go that route. Very nicely done.

[Chris Rosenberger]

Very nice Joe !!!!!!

[Ben Martin]

Great job Joe!! Fixing up a machine that will give you years of work is a truly gratifying feeling.

Holy moly is that phase converter big, what HP does that thing go up to? I needed the 2HP model, but I thought it was a tiny thing...

[Joe Jensen]

Great job Joe!! Fixing up a machine that will give you years of work is a truly gratifying feeling.

Holy moly is that phase converter big, what HP does that thing go up to? I needed the 2HP model, but I thought it was a tiny thing...

The reason it's so big is that it's sealed with a huge heat sink on the back. Most units have fans that pull air into the VFD to cool it. Being an electrical engineer, the idea of pulling wood shop dust into the electronics was worrisome so I went overnboard and bought the sealed one...joe

[Bill Karow]

That's a great looking unit. Is the finish powder coat, or did you respray?

Pardon my ignorance, but does the reference to phase converter mean you went from 3 phase to one phase power? If so, can I ask what the converter cost?

[Joe Jensen]

That's a great looking unit. Is the finish powder coat, or did you respray?

Pardon my ignorance, but does the reference to phase converter mean you went from 3 phase to one phase power? If so, can I ask what the converter cost?

I just sprayed it, but with a high quality catalyzed acrylic enamel.

The machine had a 3PH motor, so I needed a converter. The TECO is a qwell known brand and I was able to get it for $350. The place I purchased from is based in Florida and they were 30-40% cheaper than everyone else. Sadly I can't find their website or name...joe

[J.R. Rutter]

Joe - That turned out very nicely! Good job.

[Joe Jensen]

For those who are interested, the TECO FM50 in a NEMA 4 sealed chassis was $302 from Power-Components in Florida.

http://www.power-components.com/price-list.htm

[Jeff Duncan]

Hmmm how do I break this to you....once you start buying these big boys there's no turning back. 12" is nice and all, but one day you'll be at an auction and you'll see a 16" (insert favorite name here) staring you down. Sure the 12" is enough, but that 16" will be calling....Joe....buy me!!! You'll try to resist but it's 4 more inches;)

From the guy who looks at his 16" EMA while thinking about a 20" Oliver:D

Seriously though, nice job!
JeffD

[Aaron Berk]

The fit and finish look beautiful. Those leveling have to be the toughest I've seen.
Very well done.

[Paul Gatti]

Wow.... very sweet! The phase converter looks like it was part of the original design. I bet it cuts like a dream.

[Garth Keel]

A fantastic refurb! You are one talented guy.

[Bill Karow]

Thanks for the info on the converter, and I'll second the vote for you being a talented guy!

Not to hijack the thread...much...but I've seen discussions on converting 3 to one phase power. I'm assuming given the quality of your renovation that this converter gives you a clean conversion, no motor issues etc. Is the issue simply that some folks are trying to do the conversion without investing in the correct technology? I mean, if these converters are available, sure they're not cheap but it opens up a whole new way of looking at surplus industrial auctions. Lustfully!

Please note my wife would like you to tell me three to one-phase conversion is not possible under any circumstances :D

[Joe Jensen]

Thanks for the info on the converter, and I'll second the vote for you being a talented guy!

Not to hijack the thread...much...but I've seen discussions on converting 3 to one phase power. I'm assuming given the quality of your renovation that this converter gives you a clean conversion, no motor issues etc. Is the issue simply that some folks are trying to do the conversion without investing in the correct technology? I mean, if these converters are available, sure they're not cheap but it opens up a whole new way of looking at surplus industrial auctions. Lustfully!

Please note my wife would like you to tell me three to one-phase conversion is not possible under any circumstances :D

Bill, I was a non-believer in 3ph to 1ph conversion forever. When I bought the jointer I was planning to just replace the motor. Other sage members here convinced me that 3ph motors are way smoother than 1ph so I decided to take the plunge. All I can say is WOW. The 3ph motor starts incredilbly smooth and runs completely silent. This from a motor that is over 30 years old and has clearly never been overhauled. I did a lot of research on phase conversion. Static converters don't deliver full power, and motors are not smooth with them. Some converters use electronics and motors, and I think they generate true 3ph, but they are large and would consume too much floor space. VFDs range from very good to not so good. VFDs are only suitable for motors, but they output a 3ph power (albeit not a true sine wave). I chose the VFD because I wasn't comfortable with a static converter, and I wanted to be able to just walk up and start and stop the jointer with the original buttons.

[bob gugerty]

WOW very nice job!

[Rob Floyd]

Did you build or buy the mobile base?
How much does that beast weigh?

[Joe Jensen]

Did you build or buy the mobile base?
How much does that beast weigh?

I built the base out of 1/8" thick 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" angle. The plate that the caster bolts to is 3/16" thick, 2" by 4", and the brace under each caster plate is 2" by 2" by 1/8".

The jointer isn't crazy heavy, just 638 lbs, but I can say that it is incredibly well constructed and the machining is pefect. I rented a precision 6" straight edge and the beds are less than .001" off perfect flatness. I was able to get the beds aligned to within .001" within about an hour.

[Jim Becker]

WOW....you really did a bang-up job on that refurb!!! That looks like a machine just off the manufacturing line! Wonderful job...

[Maurice Ungaro]

Massively beautiful!

[Chip Lindley]

Joe, Quite a fine job! Looks Great, Works even better I'm sure!! How did you clean up the tables, if I may ask???

[Dewey Torres]

Sweet refurb. I am guessing you have about $2K into a 12" jointer plus a nice conversation piece. Great job Joe!

[Phil Thien]

Very nice. That white finish looks better than new!

[Joe Jensen]

Sweet refurb. I am guessing you have about $2K into a 12" jointer plus a nice conversation piece. Great job Joe!

Just over $2K, but that's with a new Byrd head, and I'm convinced it's better built than the Asian import stuff.

[Marcus Ward]

I think you need to paint big white Xs on that table so that aircraft flying overhead don't think that runway is actually open.

Nice job. :)

[Joe Jensen]

Joe, Quite a fine job! Looks Great, Works even better I'm sure!! How did you clean up the tables, if I may ask???

SCMI "scrape planes" their tables so there are ridges in the direction of wood travel. They do this so the wood slides better. I didn't want to wear down the ridges so I used a "fine" graded wire brush in a drill. It worked pretty well.

On a related note, I bought a black oxide chemical kit to redo some of the black oxide parts that were badly rusted. I have thought about putting black oxide on the table tops and then hitting the ridges with 600 grit paper. Not sure it wouldn't be too "Pimped" if I did.

[Jon Grider]

Bee A You Ti Full. Nice job on the restoration.

[Bryan Cowing]

Love the crisp white color. Great refurb!

[John Bailey]

Great refurb Joe. I just got the TECO 50 2hp. unit. After seeing yours, I wish I had gotten the NEMA model. Again, congrats, looks great.

John

[Chris Deming]

Hey joe! The pictures aren’t coming through but I’m pretty sure I have that same jointer! Do you happen to know where I could find a manual for it? I need to change the blades and order new ones, but am not having much luck finding any information online. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!

[Jim Becker]

Chris, you must be a Contributor to be able to see images, use the private messaging system and participate in the free Classifieds. Just click on the "Donate" button up at the top of the page. The minimum ask is only $6 a year.