Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 15, 2008 03:27pm | #1

   This is a tough call. The Foley Belsaw planers that I'm familiar with are light industrial machines with a good reputation but they aren't really classic heavy duty machines that just beg to be restored to their former glory.

   You also have to consider that you can buy a brand new, decent quality, benchtop planer for under $500 that will probably leave a slightly better finish on most woods than the restored Foley machine, although the Foley will probably be able to remove more wood per pass than a benchtop.

   I believe that Sears sold them for awhile under the Craftsman name and the line was briefly sold as Powermatic machines when the parent company of Powermatic bought up the Foley Belsaw company when it fell on hard times. So it may be possible to track down parts through either source but I'd rate your chances as slim. That said, aside from the rollers, it is quite possible that the machine won't need any parts other than knives, bearings and belts which are almost always standard size and easily obtainable.

   There are companies that specialize in rebuilding rubber rollers, which are used in all sorts of machinery, so you will be able to get them restored, though it will probably cost you one to two hundred dollars to get the pair of them recovered.

   Another good source for parts, or entire machines, is E-bay, but the first place to look is the OWWM.org site which has lots of well organized information on old machinery, an active discussion board, and classified ads for all manner of parts.

   Hope this helps,

   John White

1. 
   levelwind | Oct 16, 2008 07:21am | #2

   Thanks for your time and your reply!

2. 
   roland_johnson | Oct 27, 2008 07:50pm | #3

   I've owned a Foley-Belsaw 12-inch planer for several decades and it's always performed admirably. The machines are worth refurbishing and all of the parts, with the exception of the main castings, are still available. Many years ago The Belsaw Company split from Foley-Belsaw and is now located in California. Their website is http://www.belsaw.com or you can phone them at 800-468-4449.
   Good luck with your restoration and enjoy the planer.

   Roland Johnson

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 27, 2008 09:04pm | #4

   Thank you Rolie.John W.