A Mysterious 450mm Jointer Planer made in Legnano, Italy

Mr. Mark Davis restore wooden boats for a hobby / passion. This machine was 'reputably used in the fit-out of the Sydney Opera House". Mark bought it a few years ago before 2015. From the remnants of the manufacturers emblem, we can see this 450mm jointer planer was made Legnano, Italy. As the brand name has to be identified, we call it Legnano 450mm jointer planaer.

The photo is of the larger drive pulley. Mark managed to squeeze in a 6" with some minor grinding to the machine to create clearance. The new idler pulley is necessary to keep the belts clear from the hub of the pulley which drives the feed rollers. This brings the cutter speed up from the original 2600rpm to a much more respectable 4200rpm.

All tables wire brushed and silver glide applied.



Importantly it all works very well! Quiet, smooth and the feed is great too. Mark particularly noted that there was no cutting or chattering noise. With the old cutter you could hear the knives making contact. His best comparison is like the difference between a blunt hand plane chattering against the grain vs a well sharpened one that sings.
Mark fed some Kauri through first - planed then thicknessed to explain to my partner how the process works. Even she was impressed with the finish. Mark then did all sides of a 80 x 30 x 3.6m length of grey ironbark - it doesn't get much tougher than that. It handled it as easily as the Kauri.