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Craftsman/Belsaw planer - $300 (Currie) GONE
- Thread starter Martin Roper
- Start date
I had one of these for about 15 years. It's an old fashioned, cast iron, heavy-duty tool. I replaced it and my 6" jointer with a jointer/planer combo to save floor space in a small shop. Some parts are available, but it's not the kind of machine that is going to need a lot of maintenance other than blade sharpening. Chip collection is problematic. I rigged up a generic shroud that helped, but it was still not ideal.
Amen!! Don't forget that machine also runs molding. Forty years ago, cabinet shop up the road from me ran one of these. He ran the rough 3 X 10 yellow pine board (air dried)that is the mantle over fireplace for me-gratus!
Belsaw is still sort of around. https://www.belsaw.com/
In your shoes, my interest would depend on whether this is in good working order and whether its a 12" or larger machine (Craftsman/Belsaw also made some 8" and 10" wide machines).
If its in good working order now, it wouldn't scare me for $300.
Belsaw also made some molder/planers for/with Powermatic. In fact, I have the bigger brother version..the Powermatic PM15 planer molder.
-Mark
In your shoes, my interest would depend on whether this is in good working order and whether its a 12" or larger machine (Craftsman/Belsaw also made some 8" and 10" wide machines).
If its in good working order now, it wouldn't scare me for $300.
Belsaw also made some molder/planers for/with Powermatic. In fact, I have the bigger brother version..the Powermatic PM15 planer molder.
-Mark
There's a world of information in this series planer over on owwm.org. Lots of rebuild photo essays.
The Belsaw is an inexpensive industrial machine. The DeWalt and its ilk are merely light weight portable power tools in comparison.
The Belsaw is an inexpensive industrial machine. The DeWalt and its ilk are merely light weight portable power tools in comparison.
I have had that model planer since the 70's--------still running strong. I did change the feed rate gear and chain to increase feed rate from 12 ft. per minute to 22 ft per minute. Would not trade it for a dozen lunch box planers.
Another wonderful detail about that planer is that the big crank raises the bed 1/16" exactly. Precision thicknesses are easy.
A down side is that every turn of the crank moves the bed 1/16" so when you're going from 3/4" down to 6", you're going to be busy for a minute or two.
A down side is that every turn of the crank moves the bed 1/16" so when you're going from 3/4" down to 6", you're going to be busy for a minute or two.
That looks like an older Unisaw or shaper to the right hand side of the planer— I’m going to guess the seller has power to run the Belsaw.
If no power, then what price are you comfortable paying if it doesn’t work? I bought my Belsaw planer without firing it up from a seller that told me it was 3 phase and he didn’t have three phase. My planer is single phase and fired right up after replacing the plug.
If the crank is missing a slotted lug wrench or even slotted socket on an extension would work (obviously not the most elegant solition!). Or others have converted to a motor drive.
The crank is replaceable.
Keep in mind, the planer is sort of noisy but not like the screaming noise of a suitcase planer.
I'll give you a perspective. I think I paid about $900.00 for my Sears/Bellsaw planer in 1974. Adjusted for inflation, that's $5400.00 in today's dollars.
What you'll be looking for is a deal breaker. Grab the chutterhead pulley and move it up and down to see if there is any slop in the bearing. That could mean a worn shaft or it might mean nothing. Look at the castings for a crack. The rollers should be in good shape but if not, replacements are available.
I bought one of those planers for cheap once because it didn't feed well. After looking at things once I got it back to the shop, I could see the problem. The feed rollers aren't adjustable. The bronze bushing simply sits down in a slot. It seems that over time, that slot got filled with sawdust and raised the level of the feed roller significantly. The 'repair' was quickly executed and all was right again.
I am not sure that is in his shop but we shall see.
Glad to know the missing crank has workarounds
WOW!!! Thanks for that perspective.
Please excuse my ignorance but what is the Chutterhead pulley?
Excuse my sloppy typing. Cutterhead.
Below is the shaft sticking out that the pulley goes on. This is where to test. (its the best photo I've got)
Go on line or to vintagemachinery.org and get a manual and parts list and look at the internals of the machine. Its pretty simple for a planer.
Taking 1/8" off at a pass on a 12" board is no big deal for that planer.
Echoing all the 'built like a tank' comments - and all the other comments here.
This is my current planer and it will outlive me. Yes takes some floor space, but if you have the electrical to run it, I consider a far superior options to a lunchbox planer, especially if you run larger boards. Mine is about a 12" capacity so it is not super wide. I don't use it much, but have had it 10 years or so I think and never had an issue.
This is my current planer and it will outlive me. Yes takes some floor space, but if you have the electrical to run it, I consider a far superior options to a lunchbox planer, especially if you run larger boards. Mine is about a 12" capacity so it is not super wide. I don't use it much, but have had it 10 years or so I think and never had an issue.
OMG - I should have figured that out...I am a total noob with planers. That is why I appreciate everyone's input here.
And Henry W, I wired my shop so I could add 220 and I have a bit of room so I think it will do very nicely. From everyone's input, I think this is the model I want even if this one doesn't pan out.
Anyone know how heavy this is? I will need to lift it into my pickup
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