1850's Oliver Snow planer

troyintriumph · May 5, 2013

Ive been trying to figure out what exactly this piece of machinery is for quite a while now. It doesnt have any markings Ive been able to identify. It feels like it weighs at least 400 lbs; stands about 2 feet tall and almost 3 feet long. Although I haven't found anything that looks exactly like it, Im thinking it seems most similar to the Straight Line Engine Machines?Please overlook the skateboards I had to roll it on to get it outside to take the photographs. I sincerely appreciate anyone willing to take the time to look and hopefully point me in the right direction.

johnoder · May 5, 2013

It is a planer

enginebill · May 5, 2013

It's a metal planer probably made in the 1850's to 1860's.

steamachine · May 5, 2013

Willcox and Gwynne Planer. Looks like the 3rd one to appear on this forum. I identified mine here about 4 years ago here http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-history/another-small-old-planer-174709/ Nice that your's came with an indexer. I wonder if it is original. Your handle drive appears to be on the opposite side as mine but makes more sense to put it on the side of the cutting head controls. Mine was probably changed when the power drive was fitted.

Todd

steamachine · May 5, 2013

Another difference in yours appears to be a chain drive between the would be handle and the table driving gear. Is that true? Mine has a rather large gear that transmits the power from the handle.

Joe in NH · May 5, 2013

Chain drive might be considered earlier. Not necessarily better since the move for both lathes and planers was from chain to direct geared.

Not mentioned by the others - this is a SIGNIFICANT find. Probably one of the 500 oldest planers extant in the country.

Not worth so much though as the market for antique machine tools is only starting to develop. Think about one lunger gas engines of the 1950s which could be had for as little as $10 from a farmer. My friend the engine collector wishes today he had all the one lungers he turned down because the farmer wanted $25 instead of the standard $10 - and my friend turned him down. Today these engines (depending on make/style/appointments) are worth upwards of $1K.

But money not the only measure. This one significant and worth holding onto. Or getting into the hands of those who appreciate these things. Or learn to appreciate yourself if you don't already.

As one of the respondents here opined when asked what he DID with his planer.

"I don't do much at all. Nothing actually. But I get a BIG SMILE every time I come into the shop and see it sitting there."

Smiles from whatever source are pretty few and far between in this world.

Joe in NH

northernsinger · May 5, 2013

It's sitting on skateboards?

Frank R · May 6, 2013

I would buy it from you because I think it is cool.

My brother lives in Gwinnett County.

MetalCarnage · May 6, 2013

Same here. Good thing I'm far enough away so I can't feed my "addiction".

-Ron

Bruce Johnson · May 6, 2013

There is something comical about seeing an 1850's planer on skateboards.....Lots of good potential captions to that photo.

A beautiful old machine, well worth carefully restoring. And using too.

timekiller · May 7, 2013

My Lathe and Morse planer circa 1864-1871 uses the same chain design. Looks like a lot of the main parts would interchange.

Ray

cutting oil Mac · May 7, 2013

If you are planning on taking it on vacation, the least you can do is get the little fellow a decent sized skateboard!

troyintriumph · May 10, 2013

Talk to me Frank. #404/218-1321. [email protected]

troyintriumph · May 10, 2013

Many thanks to everyone who made time to reply and point me in the right direction of where to go with this machine. My searching patience and time resources had gone beyond their critical level. Also thanks for not making me feel stupid, even about the skateboards, it was my first forum post and somewhat intimidating.
Not to seem lazy but Ive got a couple other really old machines that I could some guidance on that Ill probably post momentarily if anyone is still in the mood to share more knowledge.

Rob F. · May 10, 2013

Troy,
I think I speak for everyone in that we are always happy to help "point you in the right direction" with regards to machinery like you have.
Thank you for caring and taking the time to ask.
Please show us what you have, we love pics.

Rob

PS you should send Frank a private message if you have not done so. Better chance of him seeing it sooner than later.

athack · May 10, 2013

Post away....please. :drool5:

We love old machines.

PDW · May 10, 2013

troyintriumph said:
Many thanks to everyone who made time to reply and point me in the right direction of where to go with this machine. My searching patience and time resources had gone beyond their critical level. Also thanks for not making me feel stupid, even about the skateboards, it was my first forum post and somewhat intimidating.
Not to seem lazy but Ive got a couple other really old machines that I could some guidance on that Ill probably post momentarily if anyone is still in the mood to share more knowledge.

Nobody here objects to antique tool porn. I'm currently using a photo ruston3w posted on my planer thread as wallpaper on my computer.

More pix of antique tools is a *good* thing.

PDW

troyintriumph · May 17, 2013

Some accurate measurements and better planer photos

Some possibly better photos without the skateboards:

from toe to toe the planer measures 27 3/4" Long X 20 1/2" Wide X 27" High.

Hit Miss Engine · Jan 15, 2018

Would anyone happen to know where this planer ended up ? I spoke to the fella that originally listed the planer... He sold it to someone on PM but can't recall the persons name...

Robert Lang · Jan 28, 2022

Again another old thread I had been planning on updating.
This planer is not a Willcox & Gwynne. It is an Oliver Snow planer from the 1850's.

Here is a partial catalog, from 1851, of some of the machine tools Oliver Snow made.
Printed in the back of this book. Starting on page 100.

Description of Farnam's patent hydraulic apparatus, for raising ... - Full View | HathiTrust Digital Library

Oliver Snow was born in 1808. He started his company in 1839.
He died at the age of 59 in 1867.
His company went through quite a few name changes.

Oliver Snow & H.S. Snow (his brother).

Snow & Hotchkiss.

Snow, Hotchkiss & Co.

Oliver Snow & Co.

Meriden Machine Co.

Snow, Brooks & Co.

Parkers, Snow, Brooks & Co.

Parkers, Snow & Co.

Meriden Manufacturing Co.

Rob

1850's Oliver Snow planer

Plastic

Diamond

Stainless

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

Diamond

Titanium

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Plastic

Plastic

Diamond

Stainless

Diamond

Plastic

Cast Iron

Stainless

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