Well, after a lot of looking, reading posts on this fourm, and research, I decided to buy an old green model 60 8″ jointer. The owner of a local cabinet shop / wood supplier had one for sale for only $400 bucks , it had been retired 7 years ago and was relegated to light duty at the owners home. What I found amazing is that the tables are within .002″ of being dead flat, even after 25 plus years of use. However, those 25 plus years have worn out a few parts. Powermatic told me to contact redmond machinery in Atlanta for parts. Are there any other sources for parts? does anybody have experience in finding parts for their old machines? I am looking forward to many good years with my new old, 100% made in the USA jointer.
Replies
Seajai,
What's worn out? If it's bearings there's no need to look for PM. Just take a sample to a bearing distributor. They are all standard. I get mine here in WA from a place called Bearings Inc. down in Seattle. Seals are the same way.
If it's something brand specific first contact PM, then go online and Google "Antique Woodworking Machines" and see what happens. There is a site that I'm sure someone will post soon called Old Iron or something like that. They have a host of resources for parts. Your PM is not that old. Should be no problem getting almost anything for it.
Good score! Best of luck with it!
Mack
"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Welcome to the joys of “old iron”! Once started you’ll never look back, amazing how those seasoned castings stay flat huh? There isn’t much to go wrong, as has been stated bearings and belts are standard and that’s about all that will wear out.
Napie,
I think the old iron bug has bit! I am looking forward to bringing my machine back to its former glory, unfortunately, its had a little (ab)use over the years. My stand is rusted out on the dust chute side and has partially collapsed, the cutterhead guard is missing a chunk, and my infeed table adjuster wheel rod is bent. I am hoping that the guys over at redmond can help. The cosmetic stuff is a relatively easy fix, the most important thing about this machine is that everything is as true as the day it was machined.
I sent an e-mail to powermatic with the serial number hoping to get a production date. Some of the model 60 pics I have seen on owwm.com, had s/n# higher than mine and were mid 70's vintage.
Seajai,
Some thoughts on the broken piece. I bought (25 years ago) a 1966 model 81 green band saw with a broken table mounting casting. Being young and not knowing any better I welded the casting back together using my college textbook training, cast iron rods, my arc welder, and no practical experience. It actually worked and has held for 25 years. A pro could weld it back together but would likely cost $$$.
Another option is "JB weld". Just glue the piece back on. I repaired a crack in a tractor engine block with JB weld and it has held for 10+ years.
I'm sure there are other ways but those two worked for me.
Jim
If it is the bearings that need replacing (my PM66 TS needed new bearings after 25 years) you might look at installing a Byrd Shelix cutterhead while you have the bearings out. Look on Byrd's website for the right head and you will really fall in love with that machine. We put a Byrd Shelix in my old DJ-20 and it is a better machine then the day it came out of the Invicta factory in Brazil.
Terry
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