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The October issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine just mailed to subscribers, and is now available in our online store. While it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite article from a given issue (that’s akin to picking my favorite cat!), it’s made a bit easier this time by circumstance.
I’m in the midst of setting up a small but decent shop at home, and while I have all the hand tools I need (though not all that I want, of course!), I’m in the market for a few pieces of machinery – and I want vintage. On my list: a 1980s U.S.-made Rockwell Delta 14″ band saw, largely because I’m familiar with that solid and relatively inexpensive model from using it at Christopher Schwarz’s shop; a 12″ Parks planer, both because they are awesome and were made about one mile from my house; and a Northfield jointer (preferably 16″…but that might be aiming too high).
So, Jameel Abraham’s article, “Old Arn: Finding and restoring vintage shop machinery,” will be invaluable to me. He tells readers how to find old machines and parts, how best to tear it down for cleaning and restoration, and how to put it back together – with information on variable frequency drives to control a 3-phase motor with 220-volt power. (I am not having 3-phase brought into my house, so that’s key.)
I also love the opening photo (shown above) – Jameel, who is generally one of the kindest and gentlest men I know, clearly doesn’t like having his picture taken! But that’s OK – all eyes are on that restored drill press!
Don’t miss Jameel in the October issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine…
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Drill press looks more like a mill! And I can imagine his mom saying… Jameel! why can’t you smile just once for a picture!?