Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - 37-220 Professional 6" jointer

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Jointer
Machine Size:	6"
Submitted By:	Jeff Joslin

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	37-220 Professional 6" jointer
Date of Manufacturer:	1977
Serial Number:	257222
Last Updated	9/14/2009 8:47:03 PM

Comments:

I bought this jointer in about 1997 from Semler Hardwoods of Perth, Ontario (no longer in business). They were reselling it for a farmer who had stored it in his barn, which explains the rust at the bottom of the base. The jointer is mechanically OK so I have not bothered to restore it (it is far from the ugliest thing in my shop, even when I and my woodworking projects are excluded).

Serial number is 257222; I called Delta Canada shortly after I bought it, and if I remember correctly I was told that the jointer was made in 1977.

This is a good small jointer. Everything is square and straight, the fence mechanism works well, it is easy to adjust. The bad part is replacing the knives. There are no jack screws to maintain the height of the knives, and my gib screws are battered enough that the peaks of their domed heads are no longer exactly on the centerline of the screws. When the gib screws are tightened the knife squirms around a few thousandths of an inch. Not even Bob Vaughan's terrific knife-setting video was able to help me past this one.

There are two solutions to this problem: grind the knives in situ, or pony up the big pennies for a new set of gib screws. I haven't priced them lately, but recall that they are about $5 apiece, or $60 for the set. That's a lot for a jointer I plan to sell for $350 (Canadian), but would easily pay off in terms of time and frustration saved.

Not visible in the pics are the skateboard wheels on back of the plywood base; I transferred the wheels from the original base that was rotted away. Note dust collection pipe in background, made from random plumbing castoffs. Did I mention ugly? Microswitches on the gates start up the collector. This was a two-hour upgrade to the dust collection system (OK, probably more once the trip to Radio Shack is included) that has paid off many times over.

In November 2005 I replaced this jointer with an 8" Poitras that is in a different league altogether. And it has jack screws under the knives.

Photo 1:

Comments: Jointer, dust collection pipes, 120 VAC switch for the 240 VAC motor.
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Cutterhead with knife, gib, gib screws. No jack screws.
Source:

Direct Link
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