How hard to rehab an old jointer?

I, too, am a CL lurker and found a decent Jet 8-inch jointer there about 8 years ago. IIRC, I paid about $150 for it. The motor died about 2 years l ater and I got a new replacement (not Jet) for less than $100. My jointer works fine for my purposes, although I think its time for me to learn how t o remove the blades for sharpening (and then get them back where they belon g).

Larry

PS: Yes, CL is a daily entertainment venue when one considers the various p ermutations of tool names.

If you can get an old working Craftsman for 80 bucks (and you can make a lo wer offer), you might be set. If the motor dies on you, having a name brand (the other poster mentions Jet) means you will more likely be able to repl ace the motor. I really don't know how much reconditioning you will need to do on these. You can get the blades sharpened for less than 20 bucks. They come off with an allen wrench and are a little tricky to get back on corre ctly, but it's certainly do-able. They will rust a little bit, but that's e asy to take care of.

"Grant Edwards" wrote

Shaft bearings nice and tight, quiet and smooth. Most are.

Look at the ways where the moveable table goes up and down, make sure it is not rusted up, and in good shape.

Move the infeed table all of the way up to the same height as the outfeed. Get the straightest straight-edge you can find and make sure it touches on the whole length of both tables. If it does not, walk away. It is not worth trying to fix that, and if you do not, it is un-useable.

If one or both of the tables are warped I would agree. However, if they are both flat but just need to be properly aligned that is certainly not a show stopper. It just takes a little work and some Patience.

Here are some adjustment videos:

"Gordon Shumway" wrote

Many of the Craftsman jointers do not have adjustments anything like the video, and are extreemly fussy. I stand by my stay away statement.

Some of the prices are pretty amusing as well. Here's a set of 6 spade bits for which the poster is asking $17:

They're the Menards 'Tool Shop' house brand, and that _exact_ set sells brand new at Menards for $6.98:

I suppose if you desperately want some Menards-brand spade bits and don't have a car or bike and are within walking distance of the seller's house, the $17 is probably cheaper than taking a taxi to Menards and buying them for $7. But, that's sort of niche market.

depends. motor, belt and blade sharpening to just use them.

Else complete disassemble, sand blast, wire brush and / or place in a spouge tank, lube. prime, paint, motor, belts, new blades, then use.

I have a '48 / 49 4" homecraft jointer. I am not a professional anything when it comes to wood working, but this little 4" does what I need, when I need it.

Mike > While glancing through the local craigs list I somewhat regularly see

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The little Delta Homecraft aren't a bad light-duty machine; I'd stay away from all of those Craftsman w/ the solid beds--besides being virtually impossible to align, their fences are flimsy at best.

On the last, I've never seen a _5_" jointer...