I am looking at a Oliver 399 planer 18", it is not in the best of shape. I have a planer in my shop that works (like shit) but works. I was thinking of purchasing the Oliver and rebuilding it on my free time. The guy is asking $1000
Any thoughts about this? I have no expierence rebuilding a planer.
Thaks,
Kirk
to buy or not to buy
Moderator: crzypete
-
Captain KIRK
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:40 pm
- Location: New York
- Contact:
-
mr douglas t
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:58 pm
- Location: Westhampton, MA
- Contact:
Rebuilding machinery is a pain in the butt. It really only makes sense in two situations.
Situation 1: you have no money, but lot's of time. If you pay yourself nothing you can save money buying a junker, spending the time to fix it up. You will still spend money on parts, but you should come out with some savings in the end.
Situation 2: You are insane- This is the category I fall into. I like things to be just so, I cannot find machines in the condition that I prefer, so I might as well fix a crappy one that will be cheap rather than a pretty good one. I believe anyone who actually enjoys the rebuilding process fits into this category.
I think you are better off buying a machine that is plug-in ready. This Oliver sounds like it need a lot of work and is $1000. Woodworking machines are cheap. I Sold my 18" Delta wedgebed for $1000- it was painted in plug in condition. There are plenty of other 18" planers out there for under $2000- it's a saturated market right now.
If you really want to go down the road of insanity, that is you choice. Offer him $600, let him think that over. Or perhaps buy a nice working planer and something a bit smaller to try that first rebuild on, like perhaps a drill press.........
Pete
Situation 1: you have no money, but lot's of time. If you pay yourself nothing you can save money buying a junker, spending the time to fix it up. You will still spend money on parts, but you should come out with some savings in the end.
Situation 2: You are insane- This is the category I fall into. I like things to be just so, I cannot find machines in the condition that I prefer, so I might as well fix a crappy one that will be cheap rather than a pretty good one. I believe anyone who actually enjoys the rebuilding process fits into this category.
I think you are better off buying a machine that is plug-in ready. This Oliver sounds like it need a lot of work and is $1000. Woodworking machines are cheap. I Sold my 18" Delta wedgebed for $1000- it was painted in plug in condition. There are plenty of other 18" planers out there for under $2000- it's a saturated market right now.
If you really want to go down the road of insanity, that is you choice. Offer him $600, let him think that over. Or perhaps buy a nice working planer and something a bit smaller to try that first rebuild on, like perhaps a drill press.........
Pete
-
Captain KIRK
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:40 pm
- Location: New York
- Contact:
Nico,
I am in a co op with 8 other woodworkers. The planer we are running is a Cresent 24" (sound familar Doug) The cresent is dated from the 30's and was rebuilt 25-30 years ago by one of the guys in my shop.
The way the shop runs know is you shove a board through the planer, getting close to the thickness then we run it through a wide belt sander. This system works ok. Here is an example of where this system breaks down. This week I wanted to make some long splines to fit into a groove. Sanding the the splines to the proper thickness did not work real well. I wish that I could have sent them through a good planer.
Doug, I would love to have a visit from you carrying a new planer, but the reason I was thinking about buying the planer was for the expierence of rebuilding one. I think this is some way of me proving my manhood.
I think being able to replace the Cresent beast would be a second bonus.
I am confused!?!?
I am in a co op with 8 other woodworkers. The planer we are running is a Cresent 24" (sound familar Doug) The cresent is dated from the 30's and was rebuilt 25-30 years ago by one of the guys in my shop.
The way the shop runs know is you shove a board through the planer, getting close to the thickness then we run it through a wide belt sander. This system works ok. Here is an example of where this system breaks down. This week I wanted to make some long splines to fit into a groove. Sanding the the splines to the proper thickness did not work real well. I wish that I could have sent them through a good planer.
Doug, I would love to have a visit from you carrying a new planer, but the reason I was thinking about buying the planer was for the expierence of rebuilding one. I think this is some way of me proving my manhood.
I think being able to replace the Cresent beast would be a second bonus.
I am confused!?!?
Kirk,
I was going to suggest the same thing - why not buy one of those portable 12 inchers? They'd be perfect for all those spline-y type things, you could use it without worry of beating up the knives, and it's small enough that you could just hide it in your section of the shop and not share your little toy.
Then, of course, to prove your manhood, you could just go out and kill a helpless animal or get a tattoo on your forehead.
We miss you up here, man...
I was going to suggest the same thing - why not buy one of those portable 12 inchers? They'd be perfect for all those spline-y type things, you could use it without worry of beating up the knives, and it's small enough that you could just hide it in your section of the shop and not share your little toy.
Then, of course, to prove your manhood, you could just go out and kill a helpless animal or get a tattoo on your forehead.
We miss you up here, man...