Popular Woodworking 2004-10 № 143, страница 40

Great Woodshops

A Passion for Old Cast Iron

One woodworker's quest has become a historical treasure trove for all to share.

Dana Batory didn't start out to become the authority on vintage woodworking machinery. His college education was leading him to a career in geology, but that didn't take. After stepping back to reassess his interests, he came up with a list that included writing, history, woodworking and machines. Suddenly the answer to what he should do with his life became obvious.

Today, Batory is the go-to guy ifyou have a question about an old woodworking machine. His knowledge is not just for those who collect machinery. More often (and more to his preference) it's for woodworkers who have found a bargain and need to know how to rebuild, maintain and use an old tool in their shop.

And we're not talking about hand plane s: We're talking about machines such as 16"-wide, heavy-duty, cast-iron jointers. Why would anyone buy such a machine, you might ask? Let's compare: Batory's 16" J.A. Fay & Egan Co. Inc.'s jointer (shown at right in his Crestline, Ohio, shop) cost him $250 in 1985. A 12" jointer from Delta costs about $4,100 today. Talk about a bargain.

Of course, it's not that simple. To get this vintage 1912 jointer up and running, Batory applied a lot of elbow grease to remove a heavy

by David Thiel

Comments or questions? Contact David at 513-531-2690 ext. 1255 or david.thiel@fwpubs.com.

layer of rust that was covering the entire machine. Then there was the squirrel's nest in the base that had to be cleaned out. He also needed to find some replacement parts, including flat cloth belts and a new set of screws for the cutterhead. But the end result of this labor of love is an amazing machine and a piece of history that's back in action.

A Quest for Catalogs and Manuals

When Batory purchased the Fay & Egan jointer, he quickly discovered he needed information on its care and maintenance. He also wanted to know the history of the machine. So he started looking for old, rare, entertaining and useful catalogs and manuals

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Popular Woodworking October 2004