Yager thickness planer opinions

[David Milstone]

I am considering a used Yager thickness planer available for $20 (needs some work but basically functions), said to be model 2421 though I can't locate that model on line. Any thoughts or experience using these planers, made by Kneisley Electric, Co. Toledo, OH? Several are listed at owwm but not much about their quality of cut or as candidates for restoration. Replacement parts might be scarce. Blades may be the most important thing, and sharpening existing blades should work.

Thanks.

[Chip Lindley]

You will find 4 photos of a Yager 10" planer produced in the 50s and 60s at owwm.com. Search for "yager".

For $20, I hope all the parts are there! You can always supply your own 1 hp motor. Good Luck!

[David Milstone]

You will find 4 photos of a Yager 10" planer produced in the 50s and 60s at owwm.com. Search for "yager".

For $20, I hope all the parts are there! You can always supply your own 1 hp motor. Good Luck!

Actually, there is no motor! Only found this out after two emails and one phone call. Old tools certainly are an intriguing business. But I figure for $20 almost anything is worthwhile if underneath it all this is a quality planer that can deliver good results when reasonably well restored (with all parts present). It looks much substantial than anything else I can afford right now. That's why I would like to know anyone's experience using this tool.

The main thing concerning me is replacing the cutters. Are these interchangeable between planers, or are they specific to each model or line. I assume the original blades can always be sharpened by someone knowing how, but is this a reasonable strategy for the long term?

I saw those owwm photos, and the owner says his planer looks "something like them". The history of the company is fascinating, but it doesn't tell me if the tools are any good.

Thanks.

[Chip Lindley]

David, I am not familiar with the Yager, but being from the 50s/60s, it should have a ball-bearing cutter head. If the planer has a round cutterhead with gibs, any 1/8" thick 10" long knife set should fit. Should the knives bolt onto a square head, then you have to hope the original knives can be sharpened again and again.

As you say, for $20 you can afford to be intrigued. If you find planer is totally unusable, I am sure parts of it could be offered on eBay to other restorers of Yagers!

I'd say.....For only $20.....GO FOR IT! (and look for a bargain on a 1 or 1-1/2hp 3450 rpm motor!)

[Dave Lehnert]

20 bucks, You could get that back in scrap $$$ if it did not work out.

[Don Jarvie]

Go to owwm.org - the discussion group and search for Yager. There's information there on the planer.

[Kirk Poore]

Go to owwm.org - the discussion group and search for Yager. There's information there on the planer.

OWWM.org is having some off-and-on technical issues at the moment, and will be down tomorrow for maintenance (9/2/09). Fear not--it will be back, and there are a few Yager specialists, including one or two guys who've done very nice total rebuilds.

Kirk

[David Milstone]

Thanks for your advice. I did purchase this Yager planer, SN 2421, for $20.

The owner was able to free up the table raising handwheel, but the table itself remains frozen. I also planned to buy his 6 inch Craftsman jointer, also for $20 (it actually works), primarily to pirate its 3/4 hp motor for the planer. But then he discovered and included a 1/2 hp Craftsman motor (seems kinda small) that may or may not be original to the planer. He also threw in a smaller Craftsman motor just because ... I'm actually not sure why since it's too small for the planer.

So for $40 I got the Yager planer that needs restoration with a 1/2 hp motor, the working 6 inch Craftsman jointer with 3/4 hp motor plus a 1/6 hp Craftsman motor. I plan to cleanup the jointer for sale on CL since I also recently acquired a functional 6 inch Delta 37-220 jointer with 3/4 hp motor.

The total purchase price should approach zero if I can sell the Craftsman.

I am persuing information about restoring the Yager on the owwm.org forum.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave