Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 63

Thread: What's your oldest woodworking machine?

  1. #1

    What's your oldest woodworking machine?

    I got this idea from another woodworking forum.
    I thought it would be interesting to see what SMC members have for old woodworking machines.

    My oldest is a circa 1900 Putnam sliding gap bed pattern makers lathe, s/n 13. This is a cross between a woodworking lathe and a metalworking lathe.
    It was made in Fitchburg, MA.
    The swing over the ways is 24", swing over gap is 36", and the max length between centers is 86" when the bed is completely open. It weighs somewhere between 3000 to 3500 lbs.
    It is a very smooth running machine - no vibration.

    IMG_1260.jpgIMG_0826.jpg
    IMG_0829.jpgIMG_1259.jpgIMG_0845.jpg

    Regards,

    Phil

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Grafton NY
    Posts
    275
    Besides me. My Great Grandfather’s turn of the century Stanley #5
    Some Blue Tools
    Some Yellow Tools
    A Grizzly Collection
    ShapeokoXL
    Blue and White 50 Watt

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Waterford, PA
    Posts
    1,225
    My Atlas Bandsaw or maybe one of my hand planes. I've never cared enough to date the planes.

  4. #4
    Is a hand plane a machine?

    In terms of power tools, I have an Oliver 166 12” jointer that dates from 1940 and a Tannewitz Model U table saw from a few years after. Both are still singing sweetly after all these years (knock on wood.)
    Still waters run deep.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Northeastern OK
    Posts
    301
    My nearly 100 year old #5 Sweetheart plane is the oldest. Unfortunately, I am not very good working with these experienced tools. The coolest is my new in the box Stanley #4 from the 1940's. It still has the price tag on the box ($4.95 for anyone who cares).
    Most everything else is from this century.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Elmodel, Ga.
    Posts
    798
    You guys are killing me. All I have is my Granddad's early 70's Craftsman scroll saw. Still works like a champ, although the new operator needs more help.
    My Dad always told me "Can't Never Could".

    SWE

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Western Nebraska
    Posts
    4,680
    Oldest machine is my old Oliver 36" bandsaw. 1919 I think. Just shuffled the shop so it's still on it's pallet, doesn't get used much but works fantastically when I do. I have a few 1700's hand planes too, but they aren't machines. I bought it from a guy who intended to make it work in Montana, he got it from a trade school. It was a line belt machine originally, been converted to more modern drive. Still runs babbit bearings which will no doubt last much longer than I will.

    That is a sweet lathe Phillip! I have an Oliver 159 that looks really modern compared to that beast.

    Bandsaw.jpg
    Last edited by Steve Rozmiarek; 02-21-2021 at 5:25 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto Ontario
    Posts
    11,247
    I have a Powermatic Model 81 bandsaw, circa mid sixties and. a Walker Turner drill press, mid fifties and a Canadian made Rockwell lathe, maybe 1970?

    I have a late 19th century Stanley #7 plane that gets frequent use, although it’s not a machine...Regards, Rod.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    919
    Just got my Dad's 1956 Shopsmith. Had fun replacing all the bearings and belts. Runs like new now. I plan is to use it as a disk sander, horizontal drill press, and try turning.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Saratoga NY
    Posts
    64
    Beaver 6 inch Jointer Model 3800.
    Jointer - 1.jpgJointer - 2.jpg

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675
    The only power tools remaining from my first acquisitions for the tiny, one-car shop I started this affliction with is my Jet 17" DP and 12" Delta miter saw...so that would be circa 1997 or so for both. The latter doesn't even live "in" my present shop. It's upstairs where I store my lumber since I only really use it for breaking stuff down and occasionally cutting a piece of aluminum angle. The DP works great and just recently got a new shop made table to replace the original one I made in about 2000.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Cashiers NC
    Posts
    603
    I have a Rockwell floor model drill press. A guy that was closing his shop for retirement gave it to me along with some other things about 25 years ago. I don’t know when it was made, maybe in the 70’s . I had an Atlas that was a lot older. I gave it to my son. He still has it.
    Charlie Jones

  13. #13
    My first thought was that the oldest machine in my shop was me. But then I remembered that I have a few type 11 Stanley planes that are older than me.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  14. #14
    Brookman 25 spindle automatic dovetailer, in the 50's at least, service tech in England sort of dated it once but forgotten. All different years mostly older stuff. 60's to 80's.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    1,370
    Blog Entries
    3
    Oldest stationary would be a 1943 newman #60. Oldest tool would be a 1870s Disston back saw

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •