Does anybody else use an old Kity 5 function machine?

[powertools]

As per title really I have an old Kity 5 function machine that I bought new in the 1980's and still use it today although it has many limitations I am still happy with it and have lately started to modify it to make it a bit safer and more usable.
I was wondering if there are any other users of Kity machines this old who would want to share ideas on upgrades to the machines.

 

[Lons]

As per title really I have an old Kity 5 function machine that I bought new in the 1980's and still use it today although it has many limitations I am still happy with it and have lately started to modify it to make it a bit safer and more usable.
I was wondering if there are any other users of Kity machines this old who would want to share ideas on upgrades to the machines.

I have one I bought new late eighties and have sent out well over 100 copies of the manual all over the world.
Do a search on the forum and you'll find loads of posts
regards

Bob

 

[powertools]

I have noticed how many people have asked for instructions for the machine and how willing you have been to supply them but have been a bit surprised how few come back for further help.
I have done many upgrades to mine and was thinking of taking the time to share what I have done but it would seem that you and I are the only active members of the forum who still use such old old machines so there seems to be no point.
Thanks for the reply

 

[Lons]

I have noticed how many people have asked for instructions for the machine and how willing you have been to supply them but have been a bit surprised how few come back for further help.
I have done many upgrades to mine and was thinking of taking the time to share what I have done but it would seem that you and I are the only active members of the forum who still use such old old machines so there seems to be no point.
Thanks for the reply

Hi Powertools

I think if you can it would be worthwhile to post them. I for one would be interested and I'm sure there are others.
Most of the questions seem to be about spares which is understandable but all of the requests for the manual have come because owners have found the link to me on UKW. Your posts might well encourage some of them to join which must be worthwhile.

Your modifications might also be transferable to other machines and therefore of general interest.

cheers
Bob

 

[Paul.J]

I have the KIty K5 combi and was one of those getting the instruction manual from Bob.
I did make my side table for the saw which i did post on here to share but don't think it had much response,but it works for me,so i would love to see what improvements you have done to yours PT
One thing i am not keen on is that i have to manually raise and lower the saw bed and it doesn't allow for shallow cuts as the bed doesn't raise up high enough??
I love the planer thicknesser on mine but haven't used the spindle moulder nor the tenoner.

 

[dazzer]

I also have the older model of the Kity combination machine (I don't have the morticer table) and its been a great machine

The 10" x 6" planer has given sterling service and has performed well whatever i have put over or under it!

I would like to do more with it and would be grateful for any ideas anyone has to improve it

Cheers
Dave

 

[Lons]

I also have the older model of the Kity combination machine (I don't have the morticer table) and its been a great machine

The 10" x 6" planer has given sterling service and has performed well whatever i have put over or under it!

I would like to do more with it and would be grateful for any ideas anyone has to improve it

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dazzer

That can't be a K5 though with a 10" x 6" planer. K5 is 6" x 4".
Modifications could still be relevant across the range however.

Bob

 

[powertools]

There are many different variations of Kity 5 function machines and at the time I purchased mine you bought the table and chose the machines you wanted on it all powered from a central motor.
Over the next few days I will take a picture of mine to share what I have got and then expand on the modifications I have made to it.
I was thinking of making a few youtube videos to show the set up process but just wanted to know if many of these machines are still in use before I put the time into that.

 

[SteveB43]

I remember a series called the Reclaimers with Tommy Walsh and Will Mockett, they used a Kity combo machine and always thought that looked just the job n size for a small workshop such as mine....
In someways maybe the Festool MFT is the 21st century equivalent.
Cheers!

 

[Lons]

There are many different variations of Kity 5 function machines and at the time I purchased mine you bought the table and chose the machines you wanted on it all powered from a central motor.
Over the next few days I will take a picture of mine to share what I have got and then expand on the modifications I have made to it.
I was thinking of making a few youtube videos to show the set up process but just wanted to know if many of these machines are still in use before I put the time into that.

I don't think that's accurate powertools.

The combinations you describe were base on a concept larger than the K5 which was introduced as a smaller complete machine in 4 or 5 function mode. The difference was the slot morticer. It was aimed and marketed at the small one man band business and hobbyist
The larger machine was exactly as you describe with options additional to the usual such as bandsaw, grinder, planer blade grinder etc.

Without looking I think it was the 703 It also had a more powerful motor. I have some literature in my collection from the eighties when I was branch manager of a company who sold these machines.

Cheers
Bob

 

[powertools]

There are many different variations of Kity 5 function machines and at the time I purchased mine you bought the table and chose the machines you wanted on it all powered from a central motor.
Over the next few days I will take a picture of mine to share what I have got and then expand on the modifications I have made to it.
I was thinking of making a few youtube videos to show the set up process but just wanted to know if many of these machines are still in use before I put the time into that.

I don't think that's accurate powertools.

The combinations you describe were base on a concept larger than the K5 which was introduced as a smaller complete machine in 4 or 5 function mode. The difference was the slot morticer. It was aimed and marketed at the small one man band business and hobbyist
The larger machine was exactly as you describe with options additional to the usual such as bandsaw, grinder, planer blade grinder etc.

Without looking I think it was the 703 It also had a more powerful motor. I have some literature in my collection from the eighties when I was branch manager of a company who sold these machines.

Cheers
Bob

My machine is not a K5 it predates that and I didn't say that it was so I think that what I have said is accurate but many of the functions are the same but on a smaller scale on the K5.

 

[powertools]

Just to clarify what I actually have my machine comprises of a 652 morticer 617 table saw 535 planer thicknesser and 627 spindle moulder all driven by a single centrally mounted 6847 motor on a 700 table with 701 casters at the time I also purchased extras including sliding carriage for both the table saw and spindle moulder and grinding jig for the planer blades.

 

[Lons]

There are many different variations of Kity 5 function machines and at the time I purchased mine you bought the table and chose the machines you wanted on it all powered from a central motor.

Sorry if I misread Powertools but that's what you wrote. :?

As I said, to the best of my knowledge there were only 2 versions of the K5 made. The basic 4 function ( saw, planer, thicknesser, spindle moulder) and the 5 function which had the optional slot morticer fitted. There were no other machines available for the K5 and the table and machines weren't supplied seperately.
You could however buy each one as an individual machine meant as stand alone item.

There were some very early models produced without the spindle moulder as standard but not for long as it didn't sell.
The initial K5 came on a table with splayed legs followed by slightly upgraded spec on a table with straight legs which at the end of 1980 got a colour change and again slight changes and rebadged as a Bestcombi but the format stayed the same. A totally new Bestcombi 2000 followed later.
I have one of the original sales brochures in my hand as I write.

Your machine as you say is larger and out of interest if you want any of the info on yours I have an even older full brochure which lists the options and accssories available and outlines the concept. Plenty of pics and very interesting info. PM me if you need to ask about anything.

As i said, we used to stock and sell them and I have a lot of affection for the old Kity brand. It was pretty much ahead of the game at the time even though expensive and there are still a lot of the machines in regular use

cheers

bob

 

[Lons]

Just to clarify what I actually have my machine comprises of a 652 morticer 617 table saw 535 planer thicknesser and 627 spindle moulder all driven by a single centrally mounted 6847 motor on a 700 table with 701 casters at the time I also purchased extras including sliding carriage for both the table saw and spindle moulder and grinding jig for the planer blades.

The brochure has all those in it if you're interested.

the motor you have is the 1.5hp 240vlt with 2 drive shafts if I remember?

cheers
bob

ps was a really nice machine at the time btw. We sold loads to the trade as they were a bit big for hobby use

 

[powertools]

Just to clarify what I actually have my machine comprises of a 652 morticer 617 table saw 535 planer thicknesser and 627 spindle moulder all driven by a single centrally mounted 6847 motor on a 700 table with 701 casters at the time I also purchased extras including sliding carriage for both the table saw and spindle moulder and grinding jig for the planer blades.

The brochure has all those in it if you're interested.

the motor you have is the 1.5hp 240vlt with 2 drive shafts if I remember?

cheers
bob

ps was a really nice machine at the time btw. We sold loads to the trade as they were a bit big for hobby use

Thanks for the offer but I have both the 1981 and 1984 brochures and price lists from the time I purchased the machine.
It was a big investment at the time but considering that over 30 years later it is still in full working order and a source of great pleasure it was a bargain.
Having purchased the basic machine over the next 2 or 3 years I purchased more accessories and tooling for it but then as happens we went through a period when money wasn't so free and easy and I didn't spend any more on it. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 7172 grinding block as to this day that vacant space on the table reminds me that I would have liked to have had it but fortunately I have got everything ealse I could want including the flexi drive that I rarely use.
I'm not up to date with modern machines but I doubt if there anything available with such a small footprint and able to do so much without spending a vast amount of money and in truth even if I were to win the lottery I don't think I would change the machine.

 

[dazzer]

I also have the older model of the Kity combination machine (I don't have the morticer table) and its been a great machine

The 10" x 6" planer has given sterling service and has performed well whatever i have put over or under it!

I would like to do more with it and would be grateful for any ideas anyone has to improve it

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dazzer

That can't be a K5 though with a 10" x 6" planer. K5 is 6" x 4".
Modifications could still be relevant across the range however.

Bob

Bob you're correct its not the K5 and I'm not sure what the correct name is for it

All the machines are attached to a green chipboard table with a frame with castors so you can move the machines about!

I bought it about 8 years ago from a guy in his 90's who had bought it new in the 80's - that sounds a bit of a tongue twister lol

If anyone has any modifications that can improve then that will be great

Dave

 

[Lons]

Bob you're correct its not the K5 and I'm not sure what the correct name is for it

All the machines are attached to a green chipboard table with a frame with castors so you can move the machines about!

I bought it about 8 years ago from a guy in his 90's who had bought it new in the 80's - that sounds a bit of a tongue twister lol

If anyone has any modifications that can improve then that will be great

Dave

Hi Dave
As powertools says it's a great machine and you'll be amazed at what can be achieved with it
As far as models are concerned if it is a 700 table with the saw / planer thicknesser / moulder then it was listed as "combination 7040". Add the slot morticer and it became "7042" and with the grinder block set up it was " 7044". any other accessories were just additions.You're lucky yours has the "701" retractable roller kit, It was a great help for mobility but wasn't a popular accessory at the time.

Bob

 

[Lons]

Thanks for the offer but I have both the 1981 and 1984 brochures and price lists from the time I purchased the machine.
It was a big investment at the time but considering that over 30 years later it is still in full working order and a source of great pleasure it was a bargain.
Having purchased the basic machine over the next 2 or 3 years I purchased more accessories and tooling for it but then as happens we went through a period when money wasn't so free and easy and I didn't spend any more on it. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 7172 grinding block as to this day that vacant space on the table reminds me that I would have liked to have had it but fortunately I have got everything ealse I could want including the flexi drive that I rarely use.
I'm not up to date with modern machines but I doubt if there anything available with such a small footprint and able to do so much without spending a vast amount of money and in truth even if I were to win the lottery I don't think I would change the machine.

I bet you've had your moneys worth. What I do remember about the Kity machines is that we had very few aftersales problems.
I rescued some bits when we had a clear out and managed to get the base plate and 642 planer knife grinder but not the 641 grinder unfortunately. I did see the 7172 block on ebay a couple of years ago and I think it went for abou £50

Bob

 

[Paul.J]

Bob while the combi machine is in discussion,can i ask how i can plane longer lenghts of timber where the spindle mouler is situated,do i need to keep taking it off all the time??

 

[Lons]

Bob while the combi machine is in discussion,can i ask how i can plane longer lenghts of timber where the spindle mouler is situated,do i need to keep taking it off all the time??

Doesn't it swivel as on the K5?
Locking pin under the table.