Festo JFA Louver Groover

[WarnerConstCo.]

This just arrived today from MA, via two friends.  One picked it up form an auction for me, the other picked it up in his box truck and dropped it off on his way to White Lake, MI. 

It is a manual louver groover, model JFA I believe.  Motor data plate is missing, common. 

Cutter is nothing more then a 2 flute router bit. 

The material clamp and grooving function is done one lever on the right of the motor. 

I can tilt the head (not sure what I can accomplish with that yet) and the table has a wedge that can be moved around for different height stock. 

Hopefully I can make a few grooves tonight and figure out how this thing works.

I also lucked out and found another machine with a bad motor (supposedly) that I am having shipped to my shop.



http://http:
//i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj167/wconstructionco/20141125_124749_zpsbyjk5yqq.jpg

 

[greg mann]

It looks to me that the head moves on a slide with the stops set by screws (last picture). Tilting the head would change the angle of the grooves so that you can vary the pitch of the louvers. Of course, once tilt the head you would need to readjsut the height of the table. Unlike a horizontal mortiser the work doesn't move while you make the cut. The head moves. At least that is what I see.

I can't get over the fact you not only found one of these to begin with but you found anotherto boot. [not worthy]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It looks to me that the head moves on a slide with the stops set by screws (last picture). Tilting the head would change the angle of the grooves so that you can vary the pitch of the louvers. Of course, once tilt the head you would need to readjsut the height of the table. Unlike a horizontal mortiser the work doesn't move while you make the cut. The head moves. At least that is what I see.

I can't get over the fact you not only found one of these to begin with but you found anotherto boot. [not worthy]

Correct, the head slides on a set of ways.  the last picture shows the stops for the groove length.  There is a spring under there to provide the return. 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I could basically turn the head until I was making a horizontal groove and have myself a stationary Domino.

I am thinking the domino came from this thing.

 

[greg mann]

Oh, yeah. It's practically a clone! ;D

Do you think my speculation is correct regarding changing the angle of the louvers? Right hand versus left hand louvers? How far can you tilt it each way?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Oh, yeah. It's practically a clone! ;D

Do you think my speculation is correct regarding changing the angle of the louvers? Right hand versus left hand louvers? How far can you tilt it each way?

There is a guide that you flip to do the lefts and the rights. 

I could also just drill a hole as well.  Could be a handy little machine.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Well, I was doing some cleaning and looking this thing over (found a few repairs) and curiosity got the best of me.

I wanted to see how the innards worked.

Pretty interesting drive set up, the black part is some sort of hard rubber, the center bore looks to be worn. 

Essentially, one could clock that end with the bit in 4 different positions around that end.

There are lots of adjustments and lots of  flexibility with this thing. 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I ended up getting a second machine that supposedly has a bad motor (it just buzzes) because this one has had a couple face plants in it's day and had numerous repairs.

I swapped the motors and then set about trying to figure this thing out.

I have no clue if I am using this thing the German way, but I made some louver grooves.

 

[ishmerc]

Here is one ,I don't know if it the same

http://www.machinerymax.com/Listing/Details/408073/Festo-Louver-Groover