charlese
05-23-2008, 01:20 PM
Was going through my newest issue of "American Woodworker" magazine (#136 July 2008)and was amazed to read an review of a really old (antique) multipurpose tool.
This magazine features a tool review of "favorite tools" submitted by readers. This month the feature shows a tool named "The Electric Carpenter". I'll take some quotes from the article, but sorry, can't reproduce the photos. The owner/writer is Monroe J. Mechling
"The Electric Carpenter. It's a 14-in. band-saw, 10-in table-saw, 6-in jointer, 4-ft lathe, 3/4-in shaper, and a mortising machine all rolled into one, belt driven by a single motor. It was built in 1930 by the American Floor Surfacing Machine Co. of Toledo, Ohio, and sold for $375."
Again from the article - "The Electric Carpenter has served my family well for over 75 years. My Dad upgraded the motor to 1-hp in the early 40's, and replaced the band-saw's jack shaft and bearings in the 60's. I've since passed the machine on to my brother-in-law Dan Edgar, who has made four tables, two bookshelves and a four drawer chest with it.
"...No part of the machine must be removed to run another operation, but you have to remove belts. "
The two belts look like about 4" wide leather belts of the kind used on older machines.
The saw blade is stationary. There is no sideways tilt to the table, so you can't bevel with the saw. The front of the saw table is hinged. The depth of the saw blade is changed by cranking up the back of the table.
This magazine features a tool review of "favorite tools" submitted by readers. This month the feature shows a tool named "The Electric Carpenter". I'll take some quotes from the article, but sorry, can't reproduce the photos. The owner/writer is Monroe J. Mechling
"The Electric Carpenter. It's a 14-in. band-saw, 10-in table-saw, 6-in jointer, 4-ft lathe, 3/4-in shaper, and a mortising machine all rolled into one, belt driven by a single motor. It was built in 1930 by the American Floor Surfacing Machine Co. of Toledo, Ohio, and sold for $375."
Again from the article - "The Electric Carpenter has served my family well for over 75 years. My Dad upgraded the motor to 1-hp in the early 40's, and replaced the band-saw's jack shaft and bearings in the 60's. I've since passed the machine on to my brother-in-law Dan Edgar, who has made four tables, two bookshelves and a four drawer chest with it.
"...No part of the machine must be removed to run another operation, but you have to remove belts. "
The two belts look like about 4" wide leather belts of the kind used on older machines.
The saw blade is stationary. There is no sideways tilt to the table, so you can't bevel with the saw. The front of the saw table is hinged. The depth of the saw blade is changed by cranking up the back of the table.