Using the "industrial revolution'" as a break point could be somewhat problematical.  The Parks Service History of Saugus Ironworks says it began the industrial revolution in America and that was mid 1600s.  It did have a "power tool" - a water powered forging hammer to work the billets cast in the ironworks.  Then you have Lowell Massachusetts which led to the industrialization of the Textile Industry.  Neither of these of course apply to woodworking but they sort of do apply with respect to a time frame.  And then there is the second industrial revolution when powered transportion took over (railroads and steamships).   I had a tredle powered wood lathe in the steam powered machine shop at Greenfield Village which I used to turn core patterns for the foundry and it was C 1900.

Great feedback Ernie, thanks for that. Those are great examples of time lines in our own region, but what about world wide?

old machinery to me is from when manufacturers actually designed machines to do the job well rather than add flashy stuff that looks good at home depot.  that ideal seemed to disappear in the mid 70's

my old machinery dates from around 1915 up to early sixties, most of it from just after ww2(so late forties, early 50's)

many people ask me about finding parts, but rarely have I ever needed any except bearings, belts and electrical stuff and they are all common items available at any decent hardware store or industrial supplier.  its much easier to find a new v belt for my 70 yr old lathe than it is for many new machines with their wide flat belts.  try to find a drivebelt for a modern dewalt planer on a Saturday afternoon, I can get one for my old parks at the nearest automotive store

Thanks Steve! It's obvious there are many ideas of what old is, and what timelines are seen that separates the machinery dates. 

John,

It's kind of like old cars/trucks.

They don't become COOL until they're OLD.

You have the restorers, and the HOT RODDERS.

I'm sure you know what category I fit into. 

 

 

"Old" is certainly a relative term any more.  As far as machines are concerned, I agree that the machine that got replaced is now my "old" machine.  Hand tools that have electric replacements are "old" machines.  I have several machines that I received from my father's collection that are somewhere between "old" and "ancient".  Some of my "old" machines work better than some of my "new" machine look-alikes.

Some folks (grandkids) consider ME "old".  My kids consider me "getting up there".  My consider me"just right and I don't want to train another one".

So I go back to my original statement - "Old" is certainly a relative term any more.

 

old machinery to me is from when manufacturers actually designed machines to do the job well rather than add flashy stuff that looks good at home depot.  that ideal seemed to disappear in the mid 70's

my old machinery dates from around 1915 up to early sixties, most of it from just after ww2(so late forties, early 50's)

many people ask me about finding parts, but rarely have I ever needed any except bearings, belts and electrical stuff and they are all common items available at any decent hardware store or industrial supplier.  its much easier to find a new v belt for my 70 yr old lathe than it is for many new machines with their wide flat belts.  try to find a drivebelt for a modern dewalt planer on a Saturday afternoon, I can get one for my old parks at the nearest automotive store

Although some old machines had very ornate castings.  Some gothic arches on Vertical Steam Engines.  Other machines including early wood and metal working machines had ornate castings as well.

John,

It's kind of like old cars/trucks.

They don't become COOL until they're OLD.

You have the restorers, and the HOT RODDERS.

I'm sure you know what category I fit into. 

 

 

Yep I do!