Shopsmith Forums

I thought I’d throw this one out for some input… if I already have a SS stand-alone Pro Planer, 4” Jointer SPT, the SS Molding Package and the SS Shaper Package supported by a Power Pro, why would I want to buy a used Foley Belsaw 684 Jointer/ Planer/Molder? Understating that the Foley Jointer is a 6” bed vice a 4” bed on the SS, the Planer is an 8” bed vice a 12” on the SS. Seems like the Foley Molder capabilities for a single-cut versus multiple cuts with multiple blades/shapers on the SS to achieve the same shape/profile result is the chief differentiator. As I understand it, the Foley has a 1 HP motor that develops up to 2HP to power the entire system. Thoughts?

henecle wrote:I thought I’d throw this one out for some input… if I already have a SS stand-alone Pro Planer, 4” Jointer SPT, the SS Molding Package and the SS Shaper Package supported by a Power Pro, why would I want to buy a used Foley Belsaw 684 Jointer/ Planer/Molder? Understating that the Foley Jointer is a 6” bed vice a 4” bed on the SS, the Planer is an 8” bed vice a 12” on the SS. Seems like the Foley Molder capabilities for a single-cut versus multiple cuts with multiple blades/shapers on the SS to achieve the same shape/profile result is the chief differentiator. As I understand it, the Foley has a 1 HP motor that develops up to 2HP to power the entire system. Thoughts?

That's a darn good question! Why would you?

The important part of the discu$$ion is mi$$ing...

I wouldn't touch it for $2,000.
I would jump pretty quickly for $20.


The Foley Belsaw in my sig line is a 5 HP 12" running on 220V. I would still buy one like you are talking about if the price was right (really right).


.

henecle wrote:I thought I’d throw this one out for some input… if I already have a SS stand-alone Pro Planer, 4” Jointer SPT, the SS Molding Package and the SS Shaper Package supported by a Power Pro, why would I want to buy a used Foley Belsaw 684 Jointer/ Planer/Molder? Understating that the Foley Jointer is a 6” bed vice a 4” bed on the SS, the Planer is an 8” bed vice a 12” on the SS. Seems like the Foley Molder capabilities for a single-cut versus multiple cuts with multiple blades/shapers on the SS to achieve the same shape/profile result is the chief differentiator. As I understand it, the Foley has a 1 HP motor that develops up to 2HP to power the entire system. Thoughts?

Hi,

I'm not to up on the Foley numbering system but I'm thinking this is a molder/planer that lets you mold 6" boards in a single pass? That being the case the answer is it is a tool you don't have and if you need to be able do wide moldings you might want it. (Shopsmiths small collection of molding knifes have a maximum width of 1", a 6" molding could require 6 setups / cutter changes and many passes as compared to 1 set up and 1 pass.)

I don't know what selection of cutters you can get or if custom profiles can be purchased for this machine. I do remember Norm getting custom cutters for his molding machine but I don't recall if it was to make life easier or if it was to match some old molding in an old house??

I'm not sure it was Foley but some of this sort of machine also did sanding.

In my younger years I always thought I would own one of the open side planer but it never happened. Now I don't have the room.

Ed

If you have a need for molding as Ed mentioned, it probably would be useful. The beds are heavy sheet metal, not cast iron. I'd say it would have to be in good working order since Foley is no longer selling planers and it would be worth wile checking whether molding cutters are still available.

pennview wrote:If you have a need for molding as Ed mentioned, it probably would be useful. The beds are heavy sheet metal, not cast iron. I'd say it would have to be in good working order since Foley is no longer selling planers and it would be worth wile checking whether molding cutters are still available.

Here is a start...

http://www.belsaw.com/


.

Also don't confuse a Hobyist machine like a Shopsmith with a Production machine like the Foley. That machine is designed to be used in a production environment cutting wide moldings day in and day out. If you have a production need for wide moldings it may be a good idea.

1. Do you have the extra cash?

2. Do you have the extra room in the shop (though you could tuck it in a corner and roll it out as needed)

3. If you find you don't have a real use for it, are you willing to sell it and can you get what you paid for it back out (or accept the loss)?

A friend used to live in California and could find Foley's for pennies on the dollar. A 684 (804?? think they were considered the same??) could be had with nearly no hours on it for $400 plus or minus - not bad for something with a retail price of $1200 plus freight. That was a few years back so I would presume that one in great condition would be $250 to $300.

Most were / are looking for the 984 so they could use the 12" set up and plane as well as shape / mold. I "think" that the 984 running 220 was a significant work horse, not sure about the power for the 684 but I remember him saying it was more for the part time wood worker generally doing occasional house remodel.

Hope that helps.

Ben