Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - #1188

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:	Shaper, Wood
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Stephen Rockwell

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	#1188
Date of Manufacturer:	1930's
Serial Number:
Last Updated	4/21/2003 11:09:21 PM

Comments:

This machine came to me serendipitously, as I think they all do. I went to the local tool store one evening with a premonition that the long-sought 14-inch band saw would be there, and I was half right; one had actually turned up there that day, an occurrence which generally happens once a year, but it had sold before the store doors had opened for business. So while perusing what was available, I studied the basic frame of a 1/2-inch-spindle shaper, missing many parts; a regular customer, noting my interest, said I should buy his instead. It would not be inexpensive, but it would be complete he told me. That assertion did not sell me on it, because I could probably put the parts together for about a third of his price, but still the following evening found me at his packed basement. I had the money and bought the shaper, and have never regretted doing so. It belonged to his grandfather, and about a month ago I asked about the full provenance of the machine. It was purchased as a gift for his grandfather Gerritt Bruins in the 1930s by a son of that grandfather, an uncle who worked at Sager-Spuck Supply in Albany NY. It sat unused without a motor in grandfathers basement 15 years, I was told, until about 1954, when it was given to the grandson from whom I purchased it. He bought a motor, a 3/4HP PowrKraft, and wired it with a reversing switch. He built the cabinet and drawers and painted the stand, though he left both the decals showing on the old Delta stand and the patent decal on the shaper leg. I noticed for the first time today some overspray on the patent decal and the circular logo, so it is fortunate that things are in as good shape as they are. The machine carries no serial number. The two most salient features for estimating its age are the Delta Manufacturing emblem on the front edge of the shaper table, and the beautiful circular logo affixed to the top of the motor pulley and belt guard. Judging by the scarcity of sightings and by catalog photos, this emblem was not featured for a very long period of time; the last catalog I show it pictured in is 1940. Since I have the clear testimony of the previous owner, I believe this shaper to be of approximately 1938 or 1939 vintage. It has a small cast belt/pulley guard for the arbor end of the shaper, up underneath the table and difficult to see. I supplied it with kick-down casters to ease moving it around. The drawers are sufficient and ample enough for all accessories except the sliding jig for the shaper. It is not a heavy enough machine for many shaper jobs, but it is useful to have on hand as an auxiliary, to avoid changing set-ups where possible, and is a nice bit of fairly early Delta machinery.

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