Woodworking machines revolutionized the world around us, providing efficient means for creating homes, stores, and just about anything made from wood. Chip’s Oliver No. 166 C was no exception, starting work in New Jersey in a metal machine factory known in the present day as Pratt and Whitney. With a weight of roughly 1800 lbs. and a length of 87”, this massive industrial machine was a staple in many woodworking applications.
Oliver bought German cutterhead patents in the 1890s and their accomplishments in advancing complex wood manufacturing earned them a global reputation. Over 100 years later, woodworking enthusiast Chip removed the jointer’s two knife—"safety" cutterhead which had caused customers multiple injuries over the years. After careful measuring he upgraded the Oliver 166 C with a Canadian Sheartak spiral cutterhead, Japanese bearings, and a German pneumatic safety guard, respecting the legacy of Oliver Machinery and making the machine truly international!
We were absolutely thrilled to hear Chip wanted our help in designing a custom spiral cutterhead for his machine. We met his requirements in under six weeks, designing a 16-inch cutterhead with 128 carbide inserts. The four-sided carbide inserts are easily turned and replaceable, providing a much longer lifespan for the cutterhead and allow for quick maintenance. The spiral cutterhead is a big upgrade for the Oliver 166, severely reducing the noise caused by the dual knives and creating an incredibly smooth finish on jointed wood pieces. The transformation of a slab of rough sawn white oak following jointing with the Sheartak cutterhead is amazing! No sanding is required.
Check out the custom spiral cutterhead with this link: htps://www.sheartak.com/spiral-cuterhead-oliver-16inch-Jointer-mdel-166-C. We are pleased to share some photos that he has sent us below. At Sheartak, we are always on the look for new opportunities to aid fellow woodworkers like Chip. Contact us today for custom spiral cutterheads and upgrade your machines for a premium woodworking experience!
