Pardon my ignorance, I’m a young carpenter but my dad was a furniture and cabinet maker for most of his years, reecently while cleaning out his shop I found an old Elu buiscut joiner. I’ve never heard of this brand before but recognized the logo as the same one on some dewalt routers does anyone know the history there? I’ve only used the Elu a couple of times and admitedly Im still learning how to use it, I havent quite been able to make a butt joint line up correctly, it feels like a quality tool none the less.
Thanks in advance for taking the time..
Replies
I'm not too sure, But I remember using an Elu biscuit joiner in about 1980. Don't think Dewalt was even around then
Elu in the '80s
If memory serves me right, Black +Decker company, bought Elu power tools and sold under the DeWalt label. DeWalt, in ether 1984 or 1994, took over Elu power tools, the German wood-working power tool company and used Elu technology.
I was told that Elu power tools were based on their router motors.
As a casual wood-worker, in the '80's, I replaced a numner of power tools with the Elu brand (all 220Volt). All the Elu tools i had were fabulous tools and incredibly smooth. Since moved from 220 volt country to one with 110Volt, so disposed of the power tools
I hope information is use to you.
Download the Best Woodworking Plan
I did lot of review about wood working plan and I found One of the best website, I am using for my wood working, it contains all woodworking plans include workbench plans, shed plans, chair ... blueprints and detailed instructions for building all kinds of wooden, Have a great day.
I think Elu was good Eurpean line of tools bought by B&D. I know their Blue routers turned yellow when B&D began slapping the dewalt name on 'em.
Dewalt/Black and Decker bought Elu. Not too much remains of the original Elu line, the 625 router is the only one i can think of of the top of my head.
They still market a very nice CSMS under the Elu brand in Australia and UK[?] and I have an Elu belt sander but Black and Decker, parasites of the tool world, will doubtless drag the quality down-market as they do with everything they touch.
IanDG
HERE HEER!
Elu was/is a Swiss company and Black and Decker bought them.
I have their router which is the 625's predecessor.
Mike
Hi ,in the workshop i started out in we always used Elu power tools and i am still using a small router i bought 17 years ago i have not found anything to match it , balance , ergonomics, and simplicity. A point about the biscuit jointer , the return spring on the early model did not always return the blade to the housing .and as i was jointing a top together one evening my index finger brushed against the spinning blade and dragged it into the housing !.After that my concentrasion never strays when using one. My finger still works .......just. Enjoy the wood work.
I have the Elu 3.25 HP router which became the DeWalt after converting the metric screws. It's a workhorse.
ELU routers are now being badged as CMT routers, italian made (according to an executive of a specialty supplier I know) - apparently, their earlier biscuit jointers had a safety flaw but I don't know if it's fixed as yet.
Just another data point.
Cheers,
eddie
Wow! Thanks for all the responses, good info. I'm a bit of a tool nerd so its been fun learning a little about the tool world before it was so consolidated.
Lumo: thank you for the warning about the return spring!
My first plate ("biscuit") joiner was an Elu. Still have it. Does your Dad's cut to the side, with a pivoting motion, instead of plunging straight in and out like modern versions? Mine does, and by retracting the pins that engage the work, I used to mill grooves on the edges of boards fairly easily in the days before I had a fully equipped shop or a table saw. As I recall, the bearings didn't sound quite right, even when the Elu was brand new, but it has always worked very well.
Have fun,
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
yes jazzdog mine does pivot in rather then push/plunge straight in. Im glad that parts are available because the swictch on mine is broken and although its usable its a pain in the neck to fiddle with it every time i want to make a cut. Thanks again for all the info everyone, im blown away with how cool this forum is! so much info, this last week ive been out of work (back problems) so i've been at home glued to this website and its made being stuck at home pretty nice!!
Elu equipment is good quality. I use their 1 1/4 and 3 hp VS routers and an 8 1/4" SCMS. All are nice to handle and very well made. Parts availabilty seems to be pretty good through Black and Decker. The Dewalt routers were direct take-offs from Elu equipment; I don't know about the quality though.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled