1940's Beaver Jointer

[steve morris]

a photo essay on rebuilding a 1940's beaver 3800 jointer

designed and built by the callander foundry, guelph ontario, production ran until the mid fifties when rockwell, who bought the candian operation in 1953, replaced it with the 37-220 aka beaver 4800

the 3800 had some unique features, such as the tapered roller bearings and the somewhat walter mittyish fence assembly

 

[Charles Hans]

That will be a beautiful machine when your restoration is completed.

 

[Ted Calver]

Very interesting. I'm glad you're giving it a new life.

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

Looks like a cool project. Looking forward to seeing it all as it progresses. Thanks for sharing the photos, Steve.

 

[Toni Ciuraneta]

Giving a new life to old machines and tools is very rewarding ( at least to me) I hate seeing fine tools and machines let decay on a barn just because new models have appeared. In those times machines were made to last, period.

 

[Roger Tulk]

I don't know if you are in Canada, but those Beaver machines have a cult following amongst some Canadian woodworkers. I have a 1981 Rockwell/Beaver bandsaw, also made in Guelph, which gives me good service, and unlike other 10" bandsaws, has a 6" depth of cut. Those machines are worth fixing up.

 

[steve morris]

I don't know if you are in Canada, but those Beaver machines have a cult following amongst some Canadian woodworkers. I have a 1981 Rockwell/Beaver bandsaw, also made in Guelph, which gives me good service, and unlike other 10" bandsaws, has a 6" depth of cut. Those machines are worth fixing up.

i am in sarnia, ont, about 3 hours west of you
i know the beaver line well, ive owned, rebuilt, used and sold every model except the small scrollsaw and the 10 inch cabinet saw. this my 4th or 5th 3800 jointer
at one time my shop was all beaver stuff but ive been going towards bigger and older stuff

i'll post a shop tour if there's any interest

 

[Carol Reed]

Steve, there is ALWAYS interest in shop tours here! Post away.

 

[steve morris]

and it continues:

 

[steve morris]

and then while the paint dries on the small stuff, we'll build a stand using a set of the beaver castiron legs