Photo Index - Spiegel Inc. - 4" Jointer

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Spiegel Inc.
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
Tomlee Tool & Engineering Co., Minneapolis, MN

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Jointer
Machine Size:	4" Jointer
Submitted By:	Jim Finlaw

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	4" Jointer
Date of Manufacturer:	Early 1940's - 1950's
Serial Number:	Unknown
Last Updated	4/13/2017 9:25:35 PM

Comments:

A good friend of mine gave me this Precision-Bilt 4" Jointer Saw because he knew I was going to need a jointer saw to build some custom kitchen cabinets soon for my wife. He had acquired it from a friend of his who was afraid of it and as I had soon discovered for a good reason. As for a little history; this 4" Jointer Saw was manufactured by Tomlee Tool & Engineering or Toro for the Spiegal Catalog Company under Spiegal's tool line name "Precision-Bilt." I believe this machine was manufactured anywhere from the early 1940's to the mid 1950's. The model of this machine is unknown. The data tag on the machine itself was never stamped with a model number and I suspect there was a decal on the data tag there at one time with the model number on it. If there was a decal there from the factory, its been missing for quite some time. The electric motor is the original motor that came with this machine. It is a 1/3 horsepower single phase 5.5 amp electric motor turning 1725 rpm's that also has the Spiegal name on the data tag. When I acquired this machine from my good friend, it was in very rough shape. The top was rusted, all the knives had several nicks in them, one of the knives was very loose and was about to depart the machine, the in feed and out-feed tables were badly misaligned, electric cords were dry-rotted and the original wooden stand was very unstable. Surprisingly, the bearings for the cutter-head were still in excellent condition with no play whatsoever in them. I decided to tear this machine completely apart, clean, inspect all the parts, lubricate and then rebuild the machine from the ground up. The original knives were manufactured by the Ohio Knife Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. I replaced all the knives with new ones made by CMT. I designed and built a new stand for the machine out of some pressure treated lumber I had laying around in the shop. I rewired the motor because the insulation on the old wires was crumbling apart. I added a new safety switch and 3 prong safety plug. I was able to clean the machine so well that it still has its original factory paint and it still look good. Once restoration was completed after three weeks of work, I tested the machine repeatably and each time the machine cuts very smoothly with very little vibration. I plan to keep this machine and get many years of good use from it.

(Admin BAK,4/13/2017: This jointer was actually built by Tomlee Tool & Engineering or possibly Toro who bought out the Tomlee designs and tooling in the mid-1950s.)

Photo 1:

Comments: This is the Precision-Bilt 4" Jointer machine after restoration. I added a new safety switch and built a new base for it. I added the casters that raise and lower so I can move the machine anywhere in my shop.
Source: Jim Finlaw

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Photo 2:

Comments: This shows the new knives I installed in the machine. The original knives were manufactured by the Ohio Knife Company in Cincinnatti Ohio, but they were badly nicked in several places. I replaced them with new knives from CMT and they work great!
Source: Jim Finlaw

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Photo 3:

Comments: This shows the Precision-Bilt nametag with the Spiegel company name. There is a place for the Model, but it is blank. There may have been a decal with the model number on it at one time.
Source: Jim Finlaw

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Photo 4:

Comments: This photo was taken after testing the new knives. Note the wood chips. The machine cuts very smoothly with little vibration.
Source: Jim Finlaw

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Photo 5:

Comments: This shows the multi-speed pulley on the motor. The 1/3 horsepower motor is original to the machine.
Source: Jim Finlaw

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Photo 6:

Comments: This shows the data tag on the electric motor itself. Not sure who manufactured it for Spiegal.
Source: Jim Finlaw

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