Howdy!
I just came across this weird molder, and can't figure out what it is.
It looks like a small multisided molder which is what i'm looking for. Maybe its too old and obsolete for me, but i thought i'd give it a try. It appears to have a number of different motors and cutter heads on different sides. The only clue i have is that the owner says her father used it for his custom staircase manufac operation. Any help? It might be cheap! I've got 2 days!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11006/machine.jpeg)
Smithway XL...made with three different names. Two sizes...2" X 4" and 2" X 6"...four heads and called a push feed moulder. All kind of different motors used. It was an extremely popular machine for small mill work shops making windows and doors years ago. Still has a lot of uses and one in good running condition will bring maybe $3,000...and could sell for even more if you part it out.
Go over that shop with a fine tooth comb and see if ya can find tooling, extra heads, or anything else for the machine. If you find an instruction manual or book on it make me a copy...be glad to pay for it.
This is a picture of one that following me home along with lots of tooling...I would tell ya what I paid, but some people would call it a felony.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/2005_11110012.JPG)
Ran into FF member GregS at an auction and we looked over a machine very close to the one in Larry's photo. Greg, do you remember the brand?
Anyhow, the point of my post is to give you another point of price reference. A machine similar to that with all 4 heads, three motors with associated belts and some cutters sold for $850 at that auction.
Seems it would make a great flooring or panelling moulder if it will adjust wide enough and have wide enough moulding heads. Looks like a 'hard to resist' machine :)
Just cleaned up and running would likely increase its value a bunch.
Just buy it and worry about the details later.
bought it for $150 sight unseen accept for some bad photos and a promise that "Everything is around here somewhere as my dad was using it"
We'll see how it goes, but what can you loose at that? Maybe i could sell it for parts if its not functional?
Thanks for the input.
I'm still kicking myself for not buying it. I think it was a Smithway. After the moulder sold I talked to the owner and he said it produced excellent flooring. I looked around on the net and found similar machines from $3k - $5k. He had to pour salt in my wound to tell me that was a very nice machine and I missed out. He had nothing to gain by telling me this....oh well. Win some.
Oh, well. I think i paid $150 too much! Picked up what was left of it today. 4 hrs of driving for scrap metal. The guy told me it was all there in pieces. What he meant to say was, nothing was there come, give me some money and clean up my garage for me. What a waste of a day. Missing feed mechanism entirely, top cutterhead and assembly, plus complete motor. This machine uses 1.5hp motors? Can't believe it can even run much of a cutter at that. No wonder its only a 2x4 size. Well, i hope i can get some big bucks by parting out whats left on ebay! Watch out world!
KElvin
Started out buying from the 'daughter' and now a 'guy' entered the scene. ???
And finding it missing parts not found nearby, why did you still pay the $150 ??? ???
I'm confused now too. Seems your 'deal' went down the tubes when you arrived. What am I missing? ::)
Sorry to hear it wasn't a fruitful trip.
I actually won it on ebay, and its a sight unseen bid, you still should stick with it. You were suppose to go inspect before you bid, but i couldn't stand driving that much, but, i also did some research and saw that they wanted $3k for the same thing. I thought parts might be worth the trip. We'll see about that.
Also thought that i might use a power feeder instead of the feed mechanism, and maybe find a head or use it as a 3 sided molder? When life gives you lemons... you know. Anyone out there with ideas let me know what you think?
Kelvin