Elu biscuit jointer

[dickm]

Does anyone on the forum have one of the original Elu biscuit jointers (the one where the body pivots to plunge, rather than sliding on rails)?
I bought mine secondhand a long while back, and had not used it much until fitting out the kitchen in our new abode. I suspect the previous owner had lost/damaged the depth adjuster, because the device on it now is a pig to adjust. I wondered if anyone knew what it should be like, or had a pic of it?
(How many minutes before there is an answer from Scrit!? :?

 

[Paul Chapman]

I have one, Dick Great bit of kit. I'll take a photo and post it in a while.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

Here's three views of it

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Hope that helps.

If you need more detail I think there are firms on the web that do spares so you might be able to get an exploded drawing.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Scrit]

Dick

The DS140 made it into the deWalt range as their DW685. It's still in production, although the motor is now slightly different, I'm told. Apart from that all the other parts fit

Scrit

 

[Anonymous]

Last time I saw one like that, there was a thumb one side of it and a hand with 4 fingers (but unfortunately no thumb) the other side :shock:

The hand was supporting the work and the biscuiter rode along the work and over the thumb.

 

[Scrit]

And just what use is a ledft thumb, anyway? :roll:

 

[dickm]

Thanks, Paul, for the photos- I can now see what ought to be on the machine. Now you mention it, Scrit, I think I had seen a pic of a similar looking machine in deWalt colours. Will try following that up, or if I have an idle few hours, might try making up a replacement.
And yes, I can see how it could be a finger remover, as it certainly kicks back on entry to the board. Presumably all biscuit jointers do the same, but I guess with the Elu there is more chance of having a hand in line with the blade because of the way you need to hold it.
But for under £30, it's earned its keep!

 

[Scrit]

Hi Dick

The parts drawings are on line here with parts list here and the instruction manual here

And yes, I can see how it could be a finger remover, as it certainly kicks back on entry to the board. Presumably all biscuit jointers do the same, but I guess with the Elu there is more chance of having a hand in line with the blade because of the way you need to hold it.

The DW685 does kick and move a little when it enters the cut, possibly a bit more than a straight plunge machine does (and I've got one of those, too), but it's not excessive and is controllable if the work is clamped down and BOTH the hands are on the machine. One hand should be wrapped around the motor body whilst the other should be either on the side handle or the knob. Sticking your hands beneath the machine or material is just plain stupid. It's like holding a piece of material in your left hand then jigsawing with your right and can have exactly the same consequences - you trim your fingernails rather close to the palm......

Scrit

 

[Anonymous]

I would just like to point out that I don't think this type of power tool is dangerous, as Scrit says it was poor use of the machine that caused the accident.

 

[dickm]

Don't think I was saying this tool was dangerous, but wondered if there was more opportunity for being stupid with the Elu than with more modern plunge jointers.
While I don't subscribe to the 'murrican idea that "it's not guns that kill, it's people", obviously the tool itself is generally innocent, and it's the way it's used that causes problems. But some machines (for me, it's radial arm saws - they terrify me!) are easier to misuse than others.
And the worst injury I have suffered (so far) was a severed tendon from trying to prune a branch off an apple tree with my pocket knife. But I still carry one.

 

[Lee Brubaker]

Elu was sold to Black & Decker who also own DeWalt & of course B&D folded the ELU into the DeWalt product line. B&D used to make grand & sturdy hand power tools but ditched the activity in favor of buying out competitors then designing a cheaper version of the bought out design then putting it on the market as a DeWalt. I think it must be at least 20 years since B&D has had a new design of their own conception.

Lee

 

[Scrit]

Lee

In this case I don't think that deWalt have substiantially cheapened the design, unlike what they did with the MOF177e/DW625 routers

Scrit

 

[Paul Chapman]

it certainly kicks back on entry to the board. Presumably all biscuit jointers do the same

Hi Dick,

With a biscuit jointer, you are plunging a revolving blade into the work, so the tendency will be for the blade to want to move along the work. When I bought my Elu back in the 1970s and first used it, I found this a bit disconcerting, but soon found that it is relatively easy to hold it firmly so that you hardly get any movement at all. Always have the work firmly clamped down. If you were putting a slot into a narrow piece and wanted to guarantee no movement at all, you could always clamp a piece of wood on the bench either side of the base plate so that it can't move.

Hope you enjoy using it - it's probably my favourite power tool because it's so fast, easy and accurate and it makes very strong joints

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[dickm]

Lee

In this case I don't think that deWalt have substiantially cheapened the design, unlike what they did with the MOF177e/DW625 routers

Scrit

So you reckon I did the right thing a few years ago in buying one of the last Elu-made MOF 177Es?
Thanks for the comments, too, Paul. It's mainly the speed of biscuiting that appeals to me. Agree that it's essential to have the board rigidly clamped when using the jointer. That's probably true for every power tool, but how often do we try to save time by not doing it? I try not to give in to the temptation, but......... :x

 

[JFC]

Yup ! I picked up a twice used MOF177e for £50 a while back . Great work horse !