Hello!

I just seen this part of the forum and thought I’d add one of my gems to the thread.  About 8 yrs ago, I went to an auction of a gentleman who was obviously a wood worker.  I got this Bellsaw surface planer for 20.00. From what I have found, it was built in the 1940’s.  Instead of redoing it into a show piece, I opted to make it a functional piece as it is a beast. Tips the scales close to 500#. I did sharpen the blades (even though I got 4 new sets of blades with the planer), clean, oil, change belts and add a new cord and safety switch. I read the plate on the motor and it is 20amp at 110v. Had to run a special circuit for it.  I also made a dust collection port without defacing the Bellsaw. Since these pics were taken, I did put larger locking casters in it which keeps it from rolling away and relocated the switch to the infeed side for safety. It is one of my prized pieces that is still quite useful in my shop.  Thanks for looking!

Nice!  That’s quite a motor on that thing!!

Yes sir it is.  Here is the tag from it. It’s not the greatest picture but it does say 2 hp at 25 amps. Needless to say it has never bogged down.  I did blow a few breakers till I figured out it was 25 amps and put in a 30 amp breaker on a special circuit. 

That is a great piece of machinery Jake. Glad you're  still keeping it busy.

 

IIRC correctly, Sears-Craftsman also had a branded version of this made for them by Belsaw. I'm pretty sure I have a cutter head with knives, rollers, some sprockets and other various parts that would interchange. The cutter head is a mass of steel within itself. They were in a "surprise" tote of miscellaneous items I purchased at an auction. Unfortunately, they're buried away until warmer weather prevails next spring or summer.

I am very appreciative of you sir! I have access to old Sears catalogs so this winter I’ll have a look and see what I see.  Parts definitely are scarce as “hens teeth”. The 905 direction sheet said to “make sure you remove your tie”. From a much different time in American history for sure. The original owner had a lamp cord and a single pole light switch on it when I purchased it. I found that to be humerus but hey, it worked for him.  When I have time, I’ll post the jointer I got.  It is beautiful old steel craftsman 48”. Surprisingly, I can still get blades for it.  Once again, I appreciate you and will make a note to ask about those parts next summer. 

31 minutes ago, SigmundJake said:

Once again, I appreciate you and will make a note to ask about those parts next summer.

I'll look back in my picture archives Jake. I may have taken some when I first unloaded. That was mid to late August 2024 time frame. A couple weeks or so later I ended up in the hospital for a week for an "emergency" surgery. To add to that surprise, I had several ischemic strokes during or immediately following surgery. Took a few months to recover from that. I didn't prioritize going back through the inventory this past summer trying to catch up before I had another (planned) surgery at the end of September. By the time I was released from that, had to play catch-up again just in time for winter to arrive a month early. At almost 73, I don't bounce back like I used to...who am I kidding, I don't bounce at all, just thud...anyways, that sob story concluded, I have continued my addiction to on-line auctions to maintain and build inventory for my eventual estate sale. 🤣

Thanks for sharing your challenges. I admire your “thud” humor sir.  I have had my share of them as well. I had long Covid in January of 2021 and life hasn’t been the same since. I completely finished my shop by late fall of 2020. Yesterday, I was on my 8’ ladder (shhh don’t tell my bride) to hang some chain for my new air scrubber and after 3 trips up and down, moving my outfeed table and my table saw, I was in pain and plum wore out. I planted on the sofa and wrote this post. It helped me feel “useful” in some regard.  It’s hard to explain. I’m 62, medically disabled after the long COVID and a low back fusion. I apologize if it is more info than you needed.  I admire your attitude Dave. Possibly another good reason for joining this group. 

Original hoarder was kind enough to include the original tag. I'm sure I cross referenced this to Foley-Belsaw

Some of the parts including both end frames

 

More pieces parts

 

Cutter head. That darn thing is heavy.

 

I had several other pictures but apparently my photography skills that day were a bit shaky. 

16 minutes ago, SigmundJake said:

 It’s hard to explain. I’m 62, medically disabled after the long COVID and a low back fusion.

No I get it Jake and feel your pain literally. I went thru unplanned, unexpected, "emergency" back surgery, March, 2021; L4/L5 laminectomy; had to learn to walk again. Fortunately, I didn't catch COVID until that fall; no lasting effects thankfully but to be sure tried COVID again in 2022. Before all this and more recent stuff I was...well I was young and healthy😜

Pondering this and doing a little research, I think the last four numbers on the Sears plate equates to a Foley-Belsaw 9123 planer. The preceding 360 correlates to the manufacturer.

I once again appreciate your efforts Dave. I’ll look deeper into that particular version of the surface planer, although the parts do resemble my planer. I posted a link to the scanned Sears catalogues in a new thread.