Efficiency was not the only reason why line shaft driven shops disappeared. The working conditions in those shops were simply horrible. The noise was deafening, the workers were surrounded by hundreds of moving belts eager to grab their limbs. Thank God the working conditions have been improved. As Keith rightly says, that planer is an obsolete toy that fits perfectly in the shop of the Vintage Machinery channel.
When I was in my early 20's, I worked at a die cutting factory (mostly beer coasters and table displays) that was completely run by line shaft. The building was five stories tall, and had an elevator that was just a cage on the sides. The old steam engine was still there, but the power was converted to an electric motor, which itself was antique! The pulleys and belts were amazing, and the machines were ornate dinosaurs still producing after 100 years or so! They closed their doors about ten years later, having never upgraded from the line shaft!
That old machine makes a lot of noise, is quirky, old fashioned and an absolute gem that is functional and versatile. What a treasure. Thanks for sharing another great video Keith.
An outstanding feature of the old machine is the large amount of exposed hand scraped ways. I'm a retired scraper and appreciate all the work and skill in getting them flat and aligned. My guess is it's a more accurate machine now than when it was new. More than a museum piece, she was rebuilt to high standards and is doing useful work once again!
I love the fact that your planer was designed by engineers using a slide rule. The mechanical interplay of this machine is wonderful to watch and you have to hand it to those engineers who designed and built machines that would last 125 years. They may be slow, they may be noisy, but the elegance of them cannot be overstated compared to the sheet metal enclosed boxes that are todays CNC's. Thanks Keith!
In its day, this machine must have been mind blowing in its capabilities. I took machine shop in HS in the 1960's. We had a few machine shop rooms and one had the belt drive in the ceiling. We called it the belt jungle. My dad attended the same school in the 1940's where the students were using the machine shops to make war parts. We also had a foundry in my school. I made aluminum castings.
Fantastic......Your use of this mechanically operated machine is wonderful and I personally cannot say enough. I can appreciate your comments on running this type of equipment and the attention/effort it requires. I have a 1913 Overland and it too requires a good amount of maintenance / attention to drive.
When I first started working the company I worked for had a massive machine that had a turbine powered line shaft built in the mid 1960s The gear boxes for this machine were huge square boxes filled with massive gears and snowmobile like gear change devices. I had the opportunity to take one of these apart and replace , it was amazing
I too think it's a cool machine. I do a lot of vintage type things in the garden, but I leave the tilling to my diesel tractor, most of the time. But honestly I love doing things the old way. It ties me back to my grandfather and the days we spent together.
When I watch you work with the old machinery I can see men working in the old shops making our country the Industrial Giant that it became! Thank you for the inspiration.
Super video and a super machine. I used to run a hydraulic planer on machine tool refurbishment. Every job was a one off and needed careful consideration. I love how you explained your clamping process as I have seen other people push jobs halfway down a machine table as they thought "its only a light cut and so that will do......oops"
'Bowden cable' is the name for these. You'd probably need something a bit more heavy-duty that a bicycle one (maybe unless it was arranged to have the inner cable in tension, similar to a bicycle's brakes).
I love old machines like this one because it's fascinating to see how people met the needs of their time with the technology that they had available. I like to observe the operation of things like Wurlitzer pipe organs, pneumatic transport systems, punch-card looms and similar machinery for the same reason.
I love watching the big noisy machine do its slow but accurate work. The long leather belts shifting from from side to side by pure mechanical action are mesmerizing. Heat the cast steel crank red hot and bend it into an appropriate S shape to clear the obstruction. The curved crank will solve the problem and enhance the artistic design of the machine.
Rather than making a spacer and limited the amount of engagement on the square ends of the adjustment screws. Just bend the handle to get the clearance - 2 min job with your blow torch
When so was a boy my grandpa still had a welding and machine shop in a tiny Texas town. His shop had line shafts and flat belt.machines. I have very fond memories of working and learning to do machining on those old machines. The sounds and smells in those old-time shops were very distinct. Having to climb around in the overhead to clean, lube, and adjust everything. I don't think many people today have ever experienced anything like it. Keep up the good work! I love the.sounds and memories!
Who doesn't remember watching the model trains run in the shop Windows near Cristmas? Watching this machine running gives the same pleasure. The explaining of the operations adds more satisfaction. Great video! When it's about shapers, watch Rustinox channel! He does almost anything with his shaper. It wouldn't surprice if Rusty one day drills holes with the shaper.
I'm sad to hear that about the comments Keith... you're a treasure and I love the videos you put out! Don't listen to all the haters, the anonimity of the internet gives people the feeling they can say anything they want.
Great thing about the old flat belt machines is that they can work as long as something is turning a shaft. I can remember my grandpa hooking up the old Farmall Model M to a flat-belt auger and we moved corn when others couldn't because the lines were down and the power was out.
Some of my old machines had crank handles that had a curve in them that would clear your interference. I think B&S milling machine of the same era as your shaper JIM ❤
In the mid 70's had a plumbing service call in a machine shop that was right out of the 19th century, everything was belt driven from a DC motor the size of a VW Beetle, the workers all over 70yrs old. Though the plumbing system was modern being installed around 1910, had a fun time repairing the problem. FYI, the owner did not want to update period. 😎
Watched a video “old steam powered machine shop 60” running a vintage planer similar to yours. It was set up to index the tool at the back of the return stroke and the tool glided over the previous cut without noticeable cycling of the clapper box. The operator periodically brushed the chips off as they accumulated but did not lift the clapper during the cut. Food for thought.
It's the same principle as using a file. Wives tales would have you believe that the file must never touch the work surface on the back stroke, but in reality during use files were historically kept in contact with the work surface and only tool pressure was reduced on the back stroke. Lifting the file completely off of the work surface is horrendously inefficient due to wasted motion and a need to consciously reset the tools alignment every cut. All that being said it's a matter of how heavy the cutter side of the clapper box is which determines tool pressure on the return stroke. But then only by close examination of the tool edge in comparison to cut quality can you determine if that return pressure is too high. If a job can be completed without retouching the tool edge is there really a problem that requires solving?
A really simple way of implamenting a clapper box lift on this machine would just to use a cord tied to the top of the tool holder. Run that to a little pully to line it up with the fork shaft so when the fork shaft moves in the reverse direction it pulls the tool up.
You can make anything with a Shaper/planer except money. You gotta love these machines. I have a 7" South Bend shaper and I love taking expensive metal and making cheap swarf and chips with it. To me these machines are links to the past. Links that I don't want to lose. I like the modern lathes and mills but I really love the old machinery. KOKO!
Fascinating piece of machining heritage. Watching those flat belts going backwards and forwards across the drive & idler pulleys is just plain AWESOME. Thank you Keith for making it happen 👏👏👏 Regards Robert
Engaging content as always Mr. Rucker. I for one like to see the old iron. See how it was done in the past. The history of craftsmen and their tools shaped our current environment and will shape our future. Well done to you sir for preserving and celebrating those craftsmen and tools.
Air operated actuators for the head, small steam whistle for start & stop and an antique air compressor connected to the belts. A perfect sound for that machine.
Keith, I find it interesting, but 100% get it. There is 100% a love/hate relationship here. That machine is freaking amazing piece of engineering to think it was not just designed over 120 years ago, it was cast and built. I see castings today that shops say "Nah man, I can't do that here without HP Casting methods". I show them some of the castings done 150 years ago and ask "HOW did they do it?". The answer is usually "cheaper labor, less overhead, and way more time", but the fact is? It isn't. With all that we have gained, we have forgotten so much. Thank you for bringing some of the old back, but I get it...love/hate relationship with those old machines. I will say though, my wife's old company still employed oilers, lubricators, and more as full-time jobs...granted, their 'newest' production piece of equipment was built in 1968, but hey...LOL...
I know you like belt driven shop tools. When you are visiting Mystic Seaport they have a belt driven cooper shop in their historic village. It was once water powered and now has an engine to drive the belts. They do not run it all day; so you will need to ask when it is opeerated the day you are there. They also have a ship smith shop; it makes iron parts for ships rather than the land version that deals with horses and wagons. I hope you enjoy your journey! TM Mystic Member
Sometimes it is about the journey not the destination. In this case the telegraphing of the gears into the piece can be considered the fingerprint of this machine: unique. Enjoy the unique results. I am sure you will find uses that celebrate its uniqueness,
There are times and places where doing things in a "Vintage" manner adds to the authenticity of the work. Bang on, that if you are just trying to make parts use the modern equipment. But if you want to experience the history fully use the tools of the day. I'm not a machinist but I do find it interesting. What I am is a musician and I firmly believe in the practice of authentic equipment. As an example, a friend of mine who live in Virginia is one of the better Appalachian style fiddle players out there, on a recent recording the group huddled around a big cone putting the sound waves direct to wax as per the earliest recordings from the turn of the last century...no microphones, no amplifiers, just a turntable, cone, cutting needle and fresh wax. Despite the faults in the system it is one of the best albums they have recorded. What you do has a similar vibe!
Being a Limey I was big on Fred Dibnah back in the day. He restored the engine I think on Atlas. A very big traction engine in his workshop run on steam power and belts and pulleys. Discarded obsolete machinery at the time which you could pick up for scrap metal prices. Anyways the fella who hired him to do this work did it in part "like you say" because of that was the same that made them and he wanted the partial restoration done the same.
I like your enthusiasm for the machines. I saw you via videos produce a flat surface on the V ways to get this machine to get oil to all surfaces. That takes passion. So thank you Keith for that display of your abilities
I love the old school machines my grand dad used to run one of these when i was a kid he worked for eaton axle and took me there a few times on summer break
G'day Keith. I've worked on lots of planers over the years. The biggest was an old Loudon planer made during WW2. It was probably 6-8 times larger than yours. Heaps of power. It had 2 tool posts on the bridge and a tool post either side on the columns. All the tool posts had hinged clapper boxes like yours and they were actuated by an electrical solenoid. When the table got to the end of its forward stroke the solenoids were actuated which lifted the tool away from the job. When the table got to the end of its return stroke, the solenoid deactivated and a coil spring returned the clapper back to its cutting position. In later years the planer was converted to a giant milling machine. I worked on this planer during my apprenticeship and on one night shift i had an accident with it. I was maching the deck plates for a diesel electric loco and i got some swarf caught under the deck plate. On the next cutting stroke the twin tool holder bars loaded up and couldn't take the cut. It bent and snapped off the tool holder bars that were 4" square steel bars !! As i said .... heaps of grunt !!
I think my grandfather’s factory had a belt driven planer. An idea for a tool lifter I had pop into my mind was a simple one. Using strips of spring steel bolt them onto the cutting head so as to allow the retracting to be effected by the shape of the strips of spring steel. Achieve the desired curves of the strips through adjustment. And I think this planer is an extremely bad assed industrial machine!
For an automatic clapper-box lifter... I'd suggest using a long Bowden cable, with the addition of a few simple brackets, etc. The Bowden cable would transfer motion from somewhere on the reversing mechanism (e.g. the lever at the side of the bed), up to the clapper-box, with plenty of flexibility to allow the toolpost to be moved around freely.
Great video Keith. All your content is awesome. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos. I’ve learned a lot from them and spent a lot of money buying some of these tools/tooling. Thank you sir.
Old, clunky, inefficient, but fascinating to watch and fiddle with. And a wonderful restoration that is nice to see up and running. Enjoyed very much cheers!
Fascinating machine! If I could go back to high school metal shop, you'd be my choice of teacher. I've learned so much from your videos, and I'm a woodworking guy.
It is such nostalgia as line-shaft powered flat belt driven machines and steam engines which is why I also like to watch David Richard's RUclips videos.
Keith, thanks for all of your videos. And thanks for this one in particular. I watched the videos of you restoring this machine and its cool to see it in action. Sorry that some folks don't have anything better to do with their time than leave mean comments on RUclips.
When modifying that adjusting crank, it might be better to try to keep the socket where it is and remount the handle outboard of the socket. That would preserve the engagement and minimize chances of damaging the square over time.
I’d love to see the design for the special planner stops . I like that it was built in the 1800s could be used to build Robots or Spaceships in the 21st century. Yes not as fast or efficient as newer machines but still able to get the work done . Thanks Keith
I cannot think of another machine to make press brake dies. Think of it. Machining a precision shape on a 20 Ft. piece of steel without circular tool marks. The G.A. Grey made these in Cincinnati, OH. Many are still in use today making press brake tooling.
The mechanicalness of the machine is awsome, definitely wouldn't want to work 12 hour days on it, but if it were a live display at a museum i would definitely be watching it for a while, Another thing i noticed, and i think you could measure it, is the cutter looks to be digging at the beginning of the cut, i know the more modern planers have a lock for the clapper, just something to think about if your going to make a lifter
Hello Keith, I've never commented, but will be very interested to see how you tackle lifting the cutter at the end of the stroke. On an old machine like this it, to preserve its identity, a mechanical action would seem more fitting, but an electrical or hydraulic solution might be easier in the long run. I know nothing about machining except what I've learned on your channel, and appreciate all you have taught me about it.
@Keith, you need to check the decibel level that that planer works at for the noise it produces especially on the return stroke. I got new hearing aids which pick up noise frequencies that I couldn't hear with my old aids and that machine hurt my ears with my new hearing aids, so you might need to think about using noise reducing ear protectors if you are going to use that planer a lot in the coming years. If it is regularly working above 85 dBA you need to protect your ears. 👍
It may be ancient, it may be obsolete, it may need improvements, but that is a magnificent piece of machinery.
Would you mind please just be quiet. Thanks so much, have a nice rest of your day.
@@TheDude19Echo LOL!!!! I just about spit my drink out when I read this I laughed so hard. LOL....
Efficiency was not the only reason why line shaft driven shops disappeared. The working conditions in those shops were simply horrible. The noise was deafening, the workers were surrounded by hundreds of moving belts eager to grab their limbs. Thank God the working conditions have been improved. As Keith rightly says, that planer is an obsolete toy that fits perfectly in the shop of the Vintage Machinery channel.
When I was in my early 20's, I worked at a die cutting factory (mostly beer coasters and table displays) that was completely run by line shaft. The building was five stories tall, and had an elevator that was just a cage on the sides. The old steam engine was still there, but the power was converted to an electric motor, which itself was antique! The pulleys and belts were amazing, and the machines were ornate dinosaurs still producing after 100 years or so! They closed their doors about ten years later, having never upgraded from the line shaft!
That old machine makes a lot of noise, is quirky, old fashioned and an absolute gem that is functional and versatile. What a treasure. Thanks for sharing another great video Keith.
An outstanding feature of the old machine is the large amount of exposed hand scraped ways. I'm a retired scraper and appreciate all the work and skill in getting them flat and aligned. My guess is it's a more accurate machine now than when it was new. More than a museum piece, she was rebuilt to high standards and is doing useful work once again!
I love the fact that your planer was designed by engineers using a slide rule. The mechanical interplay of this machine is wonderful to watch and you have to hand it to those engineers who designed and built machines that would last 125 years. They may be slow, they may be noisy, but the elegance of them cannot be overstated compared to the sheet metal enclosed boxes that are todays CNC's. Thanks Keith!
In its day, this machine must have been mind blowing in its capabilities. I took machine shop in HS in the 1960's. We had a few machine shop rooms and one had the belt drive in the ceiling. We called it the belt jungle. My dad attended the same school in the 1940's where the students were using the machine shops to make war parts. We also had a foundry in my school. I made aluminum castings.
Fantastic......Your use of this mechanically operated machine is wonderful and I personally cannot say enough. I can appreciate your comments on running this type of equipment and the attention/effort it requires. I have a 1913 Overland and it too requires a good amount of maintenance / attention to drive.
Great to see the planer running.
Yeah, Thanks for restoring, maintaining and using that old planer.
That planer is a time machine and you go back to the thrilling days of yesteyear when using it. Have fun!
When I first started working the company I worked for had a massive machine that had a turbine powered line shaft built in the mid 1960s
The gear boxes for this machine were huge square boxes filled with massive gears and snowmobile like gear change devices.
I had the opportunity to take one of these apart and replace , it was amazing
I'm with you...I love the vintage, flat belt-powered machines. Thank you for preserving these old machines and for providing videos for us to watch.
8:23 I love how Keith "Gets used to the machine" Changning 5 different settings in 2 minutes, without talking his eyes off the cutting tip :)
I too think it's a cool machine. I do a lot of vintage type things in the garden, but I leave the tilling to my diesel tractor, most of the time. But honestly I love doing things the old way. It ties me back to my grandfather and the days we spent together.
When I watch you work with the old machinery I can see men working in the old shops making our country the Industrial Giant that it became! Thank you for the inspiration.
Working on the old machines is part of the fun of using them.
i love the old machines too, my woodworking shop has a lot of old machines the oldest of which is 1915.
Super video and a super machine. I used to run a hydraulic planer on machine tool refurbishment. Every job was a one off and needed careful consideration. I love how you explained your clamping process as I have seen other people push jobs halfway down a machine table as they thought "its only a light cut and so that will do......oops"
An idea for lifting the clapper: use a bicycle-style brake cable with one end attached to the belt shifter and the other to the clapper.
Great idea
'Bowden cable' is the name for these. You'd probably need something a bit more heavy-duty that a bicycle one (maybe unless it was arranged to have the inner cable in tension, similar to a bicycle's brakes).
@@gary5407 True. Maybe a clutch cable from a car would be a cheap source for a stronger one?
I love old machines like this one because it's fascinating to see how people met the needs of their time with the technology that they had available. I like to observe the operation of things like Wurlitzer pipe organs, pneumatic transport systems, punch-card looms and similar machinery for the same reason.
Thanks for restoring, maintaining and using that old planer.
That was the brightest smile on your face, I remember over all the years following you. ❤
Beautiful machine, built an era when machines were built to last, especially if maintained as specified.
I love watching the big noisy machine do its slow but accurate work. The long leather belts shifting from from side to side by pure mechanical action are mesmerizing.
Heat the cast steel crank red hot and bend it into an appropriate
S shape to clear the obstruction. The curved crank will solve the problem and enhance the artistic design of the machine.
Thanks Keith for the video. Nice job with the old gril working.
Grateful to you and people like you for saving these old machines from the scrap man, I love watching these old planers.
Rather than making a spacer and limited the amount of engagement on the square ends of the adjustment screws. Just bend the handle to get the clearance - 2 min job with your blow torch
When so was a boy my grandpa still had a welding and machine shop in a tiny Texas town. His shop had line shafts and flat belt.machines. I have very fond memories of working and learning to do machining on those old machines. The sounds and smells in those old-time shops were very distinct. Having to climb around in the overhead to clean, lube, and adjust everything. I don't think many people today have ever experienced anything like it. Keep up the good work! I love the.sounds and memories!
Who doesn't remember watching the model trains run in the shop Windows near Cristmas? Watching this machine running gives the same pleasure. The explaining of the operations adds more satisfaction.
Great video!
When it's about shapers, watch Rustinox channel! He does almost anything with his shaper. It wouldn't surprice if Rusty one day drills holes with the shaper.
I'm sad to hear that about the comments Keith... you're a treasure and I love the videos you put out!
Don't listen to all the haters, the anonimity of the internet gives people the feeling they can say anything they want.
Great thing about the old flat belt machines is that they can work as long as something is turning a shaft. I can remember my grandpa hooking up the old Farmall Model M to a flat-belt auger and we moved corn when others couldn't because the lines were down and the power was out.
Some of my old machines had crank handles that had a curve in them that would clear your interference. I think B&S milling machine of the same era as your shaper
JIM ❤
In the mid 70's had a plumbing service call in a machine shop that was right out of the 19th century, everything was belt driven from a DC motor the size of a VW Beetle, the workers all over 70yrs old.
Though the plumbing system was modern being installed around 1910, had a fun time repairing the problem. FYI, the owner did not want to update period. 😎
They truly are very cool old machines. You've returned them to good producers. Thanks for showing us how well they still perform.
Watched a video “old steam powered machine shop 60” running a vintage planer similar to yours. It was set up to index the tool at the back of the return stroke and the tool glided over the previous cut without noticeable cycling of the clapper box. The operator periodically brushed the chips off as they accumulated but did not lift the clapper during the cut. Food for thought.
I wondered about that too. Indexing the tool at the END of the cut doesn't seem optimal!
It's the same principle as using a file. Wives tales would have you believe that the file must never touch the work surface on the back stroke, but in reality during use files were historically kept in contact with the work surface and only tool pressure was reduced on the back stroke. Lifting the file completely off of the work surface is horrendously inefficient due to wasted motion and a need to consciously reset the tools alignment every cut.
All that being said it's a matter of how heavy the cutter side of the clapper box is which determines tool pressure on the return stroke. But then only by close examination of the tool edge in comparison to cut quality can you determine if that return pressure is too high.
If a job can be completed without retouching the tool edge is there really a problem that requires solving?
Keith, are you kidding? Your shop IS a museum!
You are letting a lot more people experience the history in these videos than if it were in a museum. Thanks for sharing
A really simple way of implamenting a clapper box lift on this machine would just to use a cord tied to the top of the tool holder. Run that to a little pully to line it up with the fork shaft so when the fork shaft moves in the reverse direction it pulls the tool up.
The movement of the table has to be taken into consideration. Not only changing direction but changing distances.
Philosophy, functionality, and practicality- another whole dimension to restoration- Thanks.
You can make anything with a Shaper/planer except money. You gotta love these machines. I have a 7" South Bend shaper and I love taking expensive metal and making cheap swarf and chips with it. To me these machines are links to the past. Links that I don't want to lose. I like the modern lathes and mills but I really love the old machinery. KOKO!
This machine is so cool !!! Great job, Keith!
I have only one humble suggestion summed up in two words... hearing protection.
Fascinating piece of machining heritage.
Watching those flat belts going backwards and forwards across the drive & idler pulleys is just plain AWESOME.
Thank you Keith for making it happen
👏👏👏
Regards
Robert
Engaging content as always Mr. Rucker. I for one like to see the old iron. See how it was done in the past. The history of craftsmen and their tools shaped our current environment and will shape our future. Well done to you sir for preserving and celebrating those craftsmen and tools.
Air operated actuators for the head, small steam whistle for start & stop and an antique air compressor
connected to the belts. A perfect sound for that machine.
Feed the RUclips algorithm with a comment. Great video. Thank you!
Keith, I find it interesting, but 100% get it. There is 100% a love/hate relationship here. That machine is freaking amazing piece of engineering to think it was not just designed over 120 years ago, it was cast and built. I see castings today that shops say "Nah man, I can't do that here without HP Casting methods". I show them some of the castings done 150 years ago and ask "HOW did they do it?". The answer is usually "cheaper labor, less overhead, and way more time", but the fact is? It isn't. With all that we have gained, we have forgotten so much. Thank you for bringing some of the old back, but I get it...love/hate relationship with those old machines.
I will say though, my wife's old company still employed oilers, lubricators, and more as full-time jobs...granted, their 'newest' production piece of equipment was built in 1968, but hey...LOL...
I know you like belt driven shop tools. When you are visiting Mystic Seaport they have a belt driven cooper shop in their historic village. It was once water powered and now has an engine to drive the belts. They do not run it all day; so you will need to ask when it is opeerated the day you are there. They also have a ship smith shop; it makes iron parts for ships rather than the land version that deals with horses and wagons. I hope you enjoy your journey! TM Mystic Member
Sometimes it is about the journey not the destination. In this case the telegraphing of the gears into the piece can be considered the fingerprint of this machine: unique. Enjoy the unique results. I am sure you will find uses that celebrate its uniqueness,
There are times and places where doing things in a "Vintage" manner adds to the authenticity of the work. Bang on, that if you are just trying to make parts use the modern equipment. But if you want to experience the history fully use the tools of the day. I'm not a machinist but I do find it interesting. What I am is a musician and I firmly believe in the practice of authentic equipment. As an example, a friend of mine who live in Virginia is one of the better Appalachian style fiddle players out there, on a recent recording the group huddled around a big cone putting the sound waves direct to wax as per the earliest recordings from the turn of the last century...no microphones, no amplifiers, just a turntable, cone, cutting needle and fresh wax. Despite the faults in the system it is one of the best albums they have recorded.
What you do has a similar vibe!
Being a Limey I was big on Fred Dibnah back in the day. He restored the engine I think on Atlas. A very big traction engine in his workshop run on steam power and belts and pulleys. Discarded obsolete machinery at the time which you could pick up for scrap metal prices.
Anyways the fella who hired him to do this work did it in part "like you say" because of that was the same that made them and he wanted the partial restoration done the same.
Your planer is cool and produces period correct finishing.
I like your enthusiasm for the machines. I saw you via videos produce a flat surface on the V ways to get this machine to get oil to all surfaces. That takes passion. So thank you Keith for that display of your abilities
I love the old school machines my grand dad used to run one of these when i was a kid he worked for eaton axle and took me there a few times on summer break
I can see a big difference in your mental health since you retired keith. Good to see you happy 🎉
G'day Keith. I've worked on lots of planers over the years. The biggest was an old Loudon planer made during WW2. It was probably 6-8 times larger than yours. Heaps of power. It had 2 tool posts on the bridge and a tool post either side on the columns. All the tool posts had hinged clapper boxes like yours and they were actuated by an electrical solenoid. When the table got to the end of its forward stroke the solenoids were actuated which lifted the tool away from the job. When the table got to the end of its return stroke, the solenoid deactivated and a coil spring returned the clapper back to its cutting position. In later years the planer was converted to a giant milling machine. I worked on this planer during my apprenticeship and on one night shift i had an accident with it. I was maching the deck plates for a diesel electric loco and i got some swarf caught under the deck plate. On the next cutting stroke the twin tool holder bars loaded up and couldn't take the cut. It bent and snapped off the tool holder bars that were 4" square steel bars !! As i said .... heaps of grunt !!
I think my grandfather’s factory had a belt driven planer.
An idea for a tool lifter I had pop into my mind was a simple one. Using strips of spring steel bolt them onto the cutting head so as to allow the retracting to be effected by the shape of the strips of spring steel. Achieve the desired curves of the strips through adjustment.
And I think this planer is an extremely bad assed industrial machine!
Your enthusiasm is infectious! It is the same reason that people love mechanical watches.
Of all your many machines, that one is my favorite.
Amazing machine. Can't wait to see the automatic clapper lift.
Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination
For an automatic clapper-box lifter... I'd suggest using a long Bowden cable, with the addition of a few simple brackets, etc. The Bowden cable would transfer motion from somewhere on the reversing mechanism (e.g. the lever at the side of the bed), up to the clapper-box, with plenty of flexibility to allow the toolpost to be moved around freely.
i totaly understand i love using and seeing old machinery , lathes, mills shapers, and anything steam
I enjoy watching all of your machines. Keep doing what works for You ! Thank you for another Great video. Cheers
Great video Keith. All your content is awesome. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos. I’ve learned a lot from them and spent a lot of money buying some of these tools/tooling. Thank you sir.
I love watching the old machines in good working order.
I love those old machines still being used today
I enjoyed watching the restoration of this machine and I'm intriqued to see what your "real" project for it is.
Lovely machine and I enjoyed the "rambling".
Old, clunky, inefficient, but fascinating to watch and fiddle with. And a wonderful restoration that is nice to see up and running. Enjoyed very much cheers!
Fascinating machine! If I could go back to high school metal shop, you'd be my choice of teacher. I've learned so much from your videos, and I'm a woodworking guy.
The planer is my favorite piece of equipment in your shop, always my favorite videos.
It is such nostalgia as line-shaft powered flat belt driven machines and steam engines which is why I also like to watch David Richard's RUclips videos.
The machine may be as old as the hills but it's still cool to see it in action.
Keith, I watched you re build the planer piece by piece. I am very glad to see it in operation. Bill Poust
Keith, thanks for all of your videos. And thanks for this one in particular. I watched the videos of you restoring this machine and its cool to see it in action. Sorry that some folks don't have anything better to do with their time than leave mean comments on RUclips.
Great to see it in action , great work all the time
Looks good seeing old machines in use
Thank you for proving me wrong about the straight cutter. The video was great!
On your handle, cut a groove inside then put in a retaining ring to make a bottom register so it can only go so far onto the square head
When modifying that adjusting crank, it might be better to try to keep the socket where it is and remount the handle outboard of the socket. That would preserve the engagement and minimize chances of damaging the square over time.
I’d love to see the design for the special planner stops . I like that it was built in the 1800s could be used to build Robots or Spaceships in the 21st century. Yes not as fast or efficient as newer machines but still able to get the work done . Thanks Keith
Yeah, we know you want a shop like David Richards Old Steam Powered Machine Shop. 😄 It did a beautiful job. That is nearly a mirror finish.
LOVE seeing the old machines doing what they were built for!
THESE were the machines that BUILT the Modern World!
I love the gizmosity of that machine!
I cannot think of another machine to make press brake dies. Think of it. Machining a precision shape on a 20 Ft. piece of steel without circular tool marks. The G.A. Grey made these in Cincinnati, OH. Many are still in use today making press brake tooling.
I have old wood working machines, do what you like. I agree with you having the old shaper.
The mechanicalness of the machine is awsome, definitely wouldn't want to work 12 hour days on it, but if it were a live display at a museum i would definitely be watching it for a while,
Another thing i noticed, and i think you could measure it, is the cutter looks to be digging at the beginning of the cut, i know the more modern planers have a lock for the clapper, just something to think about if your going to make a lifter
Man, there’s a lot going on with that thing running! Very cool.
Love your old planner, Keith ! I'll always love machaning but live brouth me in the aerospace industry 34 years ago .... to late for me
Hello Keith, I've never commented, but will be very interested to see how you tackle lifting the cutter at the end of the stroke. On an old machine like this it, to preserve its identity, a mechanical action would seem more fitting, but an electrical or hydraulic solution might be easier in the long run. I know nothing about machining except what I've learned on your channel, and appreciate all you have taught me about it.
Keith, you need an off-set crank handle. Adding a spacer to the existing one will result in less engagement of the square drive.
The “Doctor of Machining” sure has a lot of fun. Awesomeness Extreme.
Great to see the old girl doing what it's supposed to do. Thanks Keith.
@Keith, you need to check the decibel level that that planer works at for the noise it produces especially on the return stroke. I got new hearing aids which pick up noise frequencies that I couldn't hear with my old aids and that machine hurt my ears with my new hearing aids, so you might need to think about using noise reducing ear protectors if you are going to use that planer a lot in the coming years. If it is regularly working above 85 dBA you need to protect your ears. 👍
That planer is great. Wow. I wish I had more space. Bigger machines seems to be cheaper actually. Nice work
I watched the restoration, got a peek of the machine in person, and now get to see it in action. What more could an old machine buff ask for?
Nice work Keith - it’s great to see the planer working!
It may be old but it sure looks like it did a pretty good job.🙂🙂
I enjoyed watching the planner in operation, I am eager to see the job you have coming up for it.
I love the old stuff to