Delta Rockwell Jointer (1953)

I get a hankering for a jointer. I had previously purchased the Oliver 13" benchtop planer, and it's great - but for a jointer I wanted something rather sturdier. The old shop had a big Jet or Grizzly cast iron jointer and I'd like something similar. I hit the eBay and found someone selling what looks like an amazingly well maintained 6" Delta Rockwell jointer that's over 70 years old. I decide to call it a late birthday present.

I drove to Virginia, and spent an hour chatting with the seller. He's an old dude, and has been woodworking for over 50 years. He got the jointer 40 years ago. He still had the original manual! When I ask him why he's letting it go, he says (paraphrased) "you let the tools move on they die with you." Poignantly, a friend of his had recently passed and left him a big Powermatic. He found himself using that instead of the old Delta, and he didn't want it to go to waste. I was very pleased to give it a new home.

He had added a cover for the pulley, and dust collection. It works great.