A couple nights ago after installing new blades in my old craftsman jointer I had a pretty scary experience. One of the blades worked loose from the cutter head, hit the cast iron top (instead of hitting me thankfully), and cracked the cast iron. I was lucky to find this jointer at $75 it will be some time before I am able to purchase another jointer since just started my woodworking journey earlier this year and funds are limited.

 

My dilemma now is this. What are my options for flattening one face on rough lumber before running it through my planer to get the second parallel face? I am going to build a straight line rip/taper jig this weekend with t-track and hold-downs so I will be ok without the jointer on that.

 

i spoke with John Moody about this topic and we discussed the possibility of a planer sled. Has anyone ever tried this. I have seen plans but have yet to try one myself. John also graciously offered to let me borrow a good plane. I do not currently have a quality hand plane or any good sharpening stones but am certainly interested in starting a collection when I can.

 

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated and John I still may take you up on that offer if I get in a bind with the few Christmas presents I need to finish up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have used a planer sled, and they can be made to work very well. The drawback is you are usually limited to shorter lengths of lumber. Shopnotes published a plan (issue 137, I think) for one that adjusts, and if you use it a lot may be just what you need. But a question: that looks like the jointer that has a fixed outfeed table (?). I had one, and mine also had a crack in the casting (little lower on the body).  But here's my question: if you file that spot smooth (cast iron files fairly easily) would you still be able to use the jointer? That piece has some mass, it's unlikely to explode. Of course, that would assume the cutterhead is undamaged....and you tighten the knives securely.

Edited December 5, 201510 yr by Fred W. Hargis, Jr

I agree with Fred on the planer sled because I made a small one and it works well.  As far as the crack in the jointer goes, do you know anyone who could braze the crack.  It shouldn't take much to fix it and the integrity of the piece would be maintained.  The bronze used to braze it could easily be filed flat.

Fred, thanks for the response.

 

Yes assuming I could get it even with The rest of the table. At its highest point it is raised about 1/4" where it cracked. It is an old craftsman model from the 80's and does have a fixed out feed. WAS a pretty good little jointer.

 

The cutterhead does appear to be fine but the wedge holding the blade in place has some minor damage. To be honest this shook me up pretty bad and I am a little apprehensive to fix this one up not being sure exactly how it happened. I am a safety engineer and emergency response team chief for a living working at a large chemical plant and try to protect people on a daily basis so I didn't deal very well with almost having a blade fly at me.

 

Ron, I don't know anyone off hand but will see if I can find someone to take a look at it.

Edited December 5, 201510 yr by Rlbailey3

There's probably a welding shop in your town. Bet they could braze it and have it ready very quickly.

Take it apart, and take it to work.   Have the Maintainence Deprtment repair the crack.    i'm sure someone there knows how to work that sort of repair. 

50 minutes ago, steven newman said:

Take it apart, and take it to work.   Have the Maintainence Deprtment repair the crack.    i'm sure someone there knows how to work that sort of repair. 

Steve,

At the plant I worked at that was considered Government work. 

Rlbailey3,

What is the model number of the jointer?

 

The model number is 113.20680.

Guys thanks for your help and suggestions to Trey. He is a young man about the age of my boys and just starting in woodworking. He came over and spent a little time with me a couple of weeks ago in my shop. I know he would like to get this machine working safety and in the mean time I have offered him the use of my shop if he needs to make something. 

 

Hopefully we can all help him get this going and back in business making sawdust.

 

 

I thought I might have one in the scrap pile, but no such luck. 

Thank you all for your responses and I certainly have many avenues to travel down regarding my jointer now. I was thinking it was a lost cause but now have a little hope.

 

In the meantime I am thinking about trying out a planer sled and possibly a router sled for flattening as well. I am thinking the router sled could have many uses (slabs, large panels, etc...) even with my jointer back up and running. To be honest, I think I enjoy building jigs about as much as anything. What a fun journey this is!

Ok Guys, & Gals,

This is the machine that Trey is looking for parts for.

So if you've got a parts machine in your rat-hole, here's your chance to gain back a bit of room. 

why not take a file to that jointer table and flatten it?  I'd start out with a bastard file.

If successful, then take a drill to the crack and stop it from propagating further by drilling  a thru' hole just at the  very  end of the  crack.  So your jointer table will have a  1/4" hole in it and a shiny spot where you flattened it.  

A I/4" uplift is a lot to file off and keep it flat this may even remove more than the thickness of the casting. Brazing will work but it could cost upwards of $100 for the work and may crack the jointer more. I would use a sled and shims until you can save your pennies to buy a different jointer.

I agree, the 1/4" is certainly more than I expected...that's grinding territory and I'm not sure how well you could smooth it out. May be time to say goodbye to the old friend.