The purpose of this post is to give even an amateur interested in restoring old woodworking machines, some of the basic tips and information required to start and complete a machine restoration. There are hundreds of old machine manufacturers and many of those older tools, when restored, are far better quality than anything you can buy today. But it would be almost impossible to cover all of the different makes and models of machine types here. This post, however, should be a good starting point.

Restoring old woodworking machines can be a great way to give old tools new life. Whether you’re an experienced woodworker, someone interested in old tools, or just getting started, it’s important to take the time to understand the basics of machine restoration so that you can get the most out of your old tools.

Getting Started Restoring and Old Woodworking Machine

The first step in restoring old woodworking machines is knowing how they come apart and more importantly, remembering how the parts go back together. When my dad and I first started buying woodworking machines for our woodshop, we immediately tried to get a copy of the original machine manual if possible. If it was a craftsman tool, we contacted Sears and we could get the tool manuals that came with new tools. Those manuals usually always included a parts schematic with part numbers and a picture of how they go together.

Try to find out the brand of the machine, a model number, and/or serial number if possible. Many older machines included that information on a metal tag that was riveted some where on the machine, usually at the back or side.

You can most likely locate a copy of the original machine manual if you know the brand of the machine and the model number. There are several sources online that have copies of old machine manuals.

Old Woodworking Machine Tear-Down

I also recommend that as you disassemble your machine, you take pictures all along the way. There’s nothing like a photograph to remind you of what parts went where when you start putting your machine back together. It’s pretty easy to forget if it’s a week or two later even if you have the machine manual.

Be sure to get pictures from all sides and angles and also get plenty of close-up shots of complex sub-assemblies, etc. If you have video capabilities, then I would use that as well to make sure you’ve got plenty of visual documentation of what the machine looked like and how it came apart.

I used zip-lock baggies and covered plastic lids to keep small parts in as I took apart my old machines. Using a black sharpie or 3×5 cards, or cardboard price tags with string are great ways to add notes about what parts they are and what part of the machine they came from.

The second step in restoring old woodworking machines is removing rust and dirt from the surface of the parts once you get the machine disassembled. There are several schools of thought on this and no one way is always right. Some machine restorers advocate using chemicals to remove old layers of paint or rust. Others say no to that and instead use steel wool, WD-40, and fine sand paper to remove dust, paint, grit and grime. Still others advocate sand blasting all of the non-machined parts once you get them apart. Wire wheels, wire brushes, and compressed air are also indispensable for cleaning old parts. There is no one correct way, so use the one that fits best with your goals and your access to equipment to do the job.

You can start by using steel wool or sandpaper to remove any old layers of paint and corrosion. You can also use compressed air to blow away dust and debris. Once this has been done, inspect for any damage and make sure all moving parts are working properly.

After you’ve cleaned all of the parts, decide which ones will be painted and which will not. Most likely a lot of your sheet metal housings or castings may be painted. Most important parts with close tolerances and machined surfaces will simply be cleaned and lubricated to protect them.

Next, lubricate all moving parts with light oil before putting them back in place. This will help ensure that old machines run smoothly and efficiently for longer periods of time. Make sure to use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any excess lubricating oil from the surface.

Once the old machine is cleaned and lubricated, you can begin to paint or refinish it however you wish. Consider using a primer coat before finishing with your desired color so that the paint won’t chip or fade easily over time. Getting original paints for woodworking machines used to be a real problem. Most companies didn’t sell it and if they did, if it’s an older machine, the paint is probably no longer available. I have a couple of old rattle cans of Delta OEM spray paint in their machine tool grey color in my garage. Machine paint these days is easier than ever by taking a sample piece to your local paint dealer. They can match the colors using their digital color analyzers and give you an almost exact match.

The last step in restoring old woodworking machines is making sure they are safe to use again. Check all wires and cables for breaks and frays, as well as inspecting belts, pulleys and other components for signs of wear and tear. Put some belt dressing on any machine belts. Check all of your wiring. If you find any defects , replace them before using the old machine.

If you’re careful and take your time, restoring old woodworking machines can be a rewarding experience. Not only will you bring an old tool back to life, but you’ll also gain valuable insight into how these old machines work. With a little patience and effort, you can have old woodworking machines running like new again in no time!