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My dad gave me an old Montgomery Ward 4" jointer plater from the 50s. Its missing the cutter head and so far my search results come up with cutters costing more then a brand new 4" benchtop jointer. Anyone have any recommendations I can check out. ps. I know I should go to a woodworkers forum but you folks here really know your stuff and I hate to register with more forums then I need to . Thanks

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Build it cause then you know it's Made in the USA or **insert your country**

Hey Frank,

I can't be of too much help, but the folks over at Vintage Machinery Dot Org should be able to help.

Unfortunately, you probably will have to register for their forum...

Good luck!

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
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Unless you get very lucky , you will be better off getting a new one or a good used on. Finding parts for something that is 60 yrs old is not easy or cheap.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

The antique forum is great. Registered, checked it out, new time sink for me . As far as buying new meh they just not made good unless you want to invest a small fortune even then I tend to question the construction of the newer stuff.

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Build it cause then you know it's Made in the USA or **insert your country**

Montgomery Wards wasn't as high end as you may think . Walker turner is something else. A good jet would be better money spent that working on the old stuff unless you can find parts at a fair price. Unless you have machinist skills getting things back together and perfectly squared is not as easy as you may think.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Montgomery Ward sold Powr-Kraft machinery. They also sold Duro and McGraw Edison machinery under the Montgomery Ward name.

Duro isn't bad gear at all, so it depends on what Frank has. If he can get the part at a reasonable price, it's probably worth fixing.

I'm swapping out all my Jet machines for old iron. If you know where to look, parts are readily available, and the quality is so much better.

I'll be going to look at a 50's Rockwell cabinet saw this week. $300.00. If I wind up getting it, I'll do a full restoration that will cost around two to three hundred plus my time. When I'm done, I'll have a saw that will blow away a comparable modern saw for a fraction of the price.

It's a give and take. Do you have something worth restoring? Do you have the time, and the skills? Only the person pursuing it can answer those questions for themselves.

-Mark

_________________
Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
OR
Find me on Facebook

This is more of a side project challenge for me. As far as machining I have my dad to fall back on he has the tools and experience. Navy aircraft mechanic and Embry-Riddle grad.

I know what you are saying blues. Would love to have a full complement of Jet tools in my shop but there is something satisfying about restoring building for yourself be it tools or guitars . As my next project will be a homebuilt 18" Bandsaw.

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Build it cause then you know it's Made in the USA or **insert your country**

Walker turner is pretty good if you can find them . Rockwell is another . Chances are some of the old beds may be warped and you need to be careful of cracks and these you often can't see with the naked eye. I did get rid of my old jointer ( craftsman from the 60's) replaced it with a Grizzly and it does the job ok.
I prefer a Shop Fox or Jet but I think they are all made in the same place. The designs are similar but the better machines use a higher grade Motor.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

If you have time management issues, be careful, I used to spend a lot of time on that forum, I think my wife would say too much.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.