"Alien" Invasion (103.1801 Planer)

[Larry Buskirk]

On 6/15/2023 at 5:48 PM, Tom2506 said:

I recently purchased a very old vintage series and roebuck 6 inch planer. It turns on it seems to be working fine, but how do I adjust the blades to come down further I raised it all the way up and steel could not get it to plain any wood or how do I replace the blades? I have a new set of blades

Tom,

There is a gage required for setting the blades.

First check to make sure the pulley set screw on the machine is tight, the one on mine was loose and when I tried to use it the cutter head would not spin under load. 

[Cal]

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Oh, wow....a King Seeley. Quality machine for sure.

 

Hey Fred, what am I missing here?  Never hear of the Sears stuff as King Seeley?

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Sears never made anything, they sold stuff other companies made. So the first 3 digits of a Sears model # indicates the manufacturer. In this case the 103 indicates King Seeley made it; the only other one I know is 113, which is Emerson Electric. There is a list of the companies over at OWWM (Vintage Machinery).

[Larry Buskirk]

2 hours ago, Cal said:

 

Hey Fred, what am I missing here?  Never hear of the Sears stuff as King Seeley?

 

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Sears never made anything, they sold stuff other companies made. So the first 3 digits of a Sears model # indicates the manufacturer. In this case the 103 indicates King Seeley made it; the only other one I know is 113, which is Emerson Electric. There is a list of the companies over at OWWM (Vintage Machinery).

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=222

 

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=497

[John Morris]

This little guy is really starting to grow on me

What a neat planer!

[Jestonboice]

@Tom2506 @Larry Buskirk 
Hey all, first post on this forum.  I found one of these planers near me, working condition minus the table and motor.  Motor is no big deal but the table or platen is obviously a problem.  For those that have experience with these, what are my options?  I can obviously scour ebay until i find one but could i fabricate one to get it at least operational?  I could machine a metal plate or use wood.  How complicated are the details?  Would just a flat plate with a few fastener holes work?  Any thoughts are appreciated.  

[Larry Buskirk]

@Jestonboice

It might be possible to fabricate a table for it. 

I'm listing the manuals I found for these machines.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4359.pdf

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/1217.pdf

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/606.pdf

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4778.pdf

[Grandpadave52]

On 8/26/2024 at 12:22 AM, Jestonboice said:

Hey all, first post on this forum.

First off, welcome to The Patriot Woodworker. Glad you found us and great to have you come aboard. Hope to see more updates about your Alien restore as well as other projects.

 

Won't be much help as my knowledge of these planers is very limited but a couple thoughts;

++besides eBay, keep an eye out on Craigslist and Facebook Market Place for parts &/or complete units

++you might be able to make a serviceable, stable table using MDF or MDO then applying a laminate; not sure how you would attach it not being familiar with how the original was attached

++perhaps locating an old Craftsman 8"/9" table saw from the same era then adapting that cast iron table to work

 

Keep us updated. We do love pictures here.

[Jestonboice]

I may have to pass on this one.  The guy only wants $80, but by the time I throw a motor, stand and table at it I’m probably in $180, not to mention the time which is at a premium right now.  There is another one for sale near me that is complete and working for $200 and if I really wanted one that would be the way to go. 
 

the deal is,  I really don’t need it.  I already have a 15” planer and 6” jointer.  It’s really just the cool factor of the way it looks and the history.  I am a sucker for vintage machines!   

 

thank you for the responses and thoughts!

[Grandpadave52]

16 minutes ago, Jestonboice said:

I am a sucker for vintage machines!   

You just said the secret words. You may now move to Level 2. Planers, jointers, routers, clamps...you never can have too many.

[Larry Buskirk]

 Doesn't everyone have at least 3 or 4 drill presses, table saws, jointers etc. ... 

[Ron Dudelston]

Welcome to VA.   Vintage Anonymous

[seldom seen]

i picked up one of these planers 30yrs ago at a tag sale in maine. never used it. anyone have an idea on motor size and pulley size. txs

[Larry Buskirk]

1 hour ago, seldom seen said:

i picked up one of these planers 30yrs ago at a tag sale in maine. never used it. anyone have an idea on motor size and pulley size. txs

Not sure what RPM motor you'll be using but the manual states pulley sizes for both 1725, % 3450 RPM motors along with recommended HP ratings.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4778.pdf