Should I buy 10” Artisan Home Joiner Combination?

[419]

I’m considering buying this machine which seems to be in good condition and recent use, partly because by combining what are presently my separate machines it will free up floorspace in my workshop; partly because the jointer and thicknesser are probably noticeably less noisy than my modern screamers when they’re not even cutting; and partly because I’m having a bit of a love affair with old machines after being surprised by and delighted with a couple of recent acquisitions.


I’ve searched the threads on this forum about Artisan combos of various sizes and combinations and they seem to be well regarded by people who have had them for many years, although some of those posts are going back to the early 2000s when the machines were a bit younger.


The one I’m looking at has a 1 ½ HP single phase motor; 10” saw; 6” jointer above a power fed 6” x 6” thicknesser; mortising table and disc sander, with wheels at one end and wheelbarrow handles at the other so I should be able to move it around my shed if necessary. Everything about it suits my needs, on paper anyway.


I accept that new original Artisan spare parts won’t be available.


I've looked at manuals for other Artisan combos but haven’t found a manual for this specific model, so the things I’m uncertain about are:

1. Is everything running at the same time off a central drive shaft, so that the cutter head is probably creating more noise than the saw blade at no load when I just want to use the saw? Or are there removeable belts or other controls to run each function separately and, if so, how difficult are they to isolate and switch between functions?
2. Are the jointer / thicknesser blades a standard size or able to be made by a saw doctor or sharpening service?
3. Are bearings likely to be available from a bearing specialist?
4. Is there anything unusual about this machine that could make it difficult to get what is necessary for it to work properly for the foreseeable future, such as some weird size saw arbor that is no longer made?
5. Any other traps for young players?


Thanks for any answers to these questions, and especially any comments from those with experience with this or related Artisan machines.

[auscab]

If I was looking for a second hand table saw buzzer horizontal drill combo around that size I would be looking for an Charles and Hunting or Woodfast Alta . Woodfast bought out C&H and continued building the Alta .
They are great. I worked on one for years and they are the best quality Aussie machine of that size and date .


https://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/...highlight=Alta

They show up for sale every now and then.

[Charlie_6ft]

I really like the Robland Combo machines (single phase) and some other bigger 3-phase combo machines. The one your eyeing off will get you going no doubt - If you have the space and the budget get something like the Robland.

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[orraloon]

I dont know the Artisan combo but had an old Ezycut combo for many years. Think it was 50tes vintage.
I just sharpened the blades that came with it but planer blades should not be hard to get. Bearings were easy to get at a bearing place and also the grub screws to hold the blades in. Belts were also not hard to get. Just took along the old ones to compare sizes. When I went to see it I had the bloke cut a few bits of wood then felt the motor to see how hot it was. Not a very high tec assessment but it worked fine for me the next 15 or so years.
Regards
John

[419]

Thanks to all for your replies. Machine was sold while I was dithering, so I'll never know what I missed.