Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - Model 654 (Model 660 with stand, etc.)

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

True Manufacturer:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl., Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Jointer
Machine Size:	6"
Submitted By:	D.L. (Larry) Felton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 654 (Model 660 with stand, etc.)
Date of Manufacturer:	1937 (motor 1940s?)
Serial Number:	none
Last Updated	9/4/2012 2:17:14 PM

Comments:

Purchase via CL in Folsom, CA, Sept. 2012. It was once (originally?) owned by Santa Cruz (California) City Schools, per an old property sticker on the motor. I presume they were responsible for the institutional pea-green & orange paint job.

Dating attribution (1937) is based on patents decal, name plate, and lack of a serial number. The most recent patent listed (D105,429) was granted Jul. 27, 1937, so unit was produced sometime after that date. OWWM Forum discussions suggest Delta Triangle name plate style was used from Oct. 1935 into 1937, but often with the caveat that dating is approximate. Serial numbers only began to be assigned ca. 1940. (Later: more review OWWM forum indicates the motor is somewhat later - Delta-Milwaukee trade mark, ca. 1941-1954?).

This looks to be (except for a couple of replacement knobs and later motor) a pretty much intact "No. 660 Unit" (see 1938 catalog, page 18), which included the No. 654 6" jointer, steel stand, motor, belt etc., and offered optional belt guard and rear knife guard. This was advertised as "an ideal tool for production and SCHOOL SHOPS" - looks like Santa Cruz took them at their word. (I originally lamented they hadn't splurged on the Art Deco cast iron stand, but review of the catalogs suggests that wasn't available until 1941.)

Photo 1:

Comments: Front view
Source: personal camera

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Photo 2:

Comments: rear view, incld. belt cover
Source: personal camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: front, closeup, incld. couple replaced handles.
Source: personal camera

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Photo 4:

Comments: "Delta Triangle" name plate on jointer
Source: personal camera

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Photo 5:

Comments: Patent decal; most recent patent marked (granted Jul. 27, 1937)(
Source: personal camera

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Photo 6:

Comments: Delta motor plate (made by Mararthon Electric Mfg. Corp.)
Source: personal camera

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