1937 Vintage Delta 4" Jointer – Model No. 290

Introduction

Compact, practical, and built to last, the Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290 is a classic example of Delta’s early woodworking machinery. Introduced in the 1930s, this jointer offered hobbyists and small shops an affordable way to flatten and square lumber, all in a space-saving cast-iron machine. Today, the 290 remains highly collectible and is still a functional addition to many vintage-inspired shops.

History of the Delta No. 290 Jointer

In 1919, Herbert Tautz founded the Delta Specialty Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By the mid-1930s, Delta was producing a full line of small woodworking machines for the growing home and small-shop market.

The Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290, introduced around 1937, was one of the earliest small-shop jointers designed for serious hobbyists. Unlike large industrial jointers, the 290 was compact and affordable, making it accessible to woodworkers with limited space.

Its success helped cement Delta’s reputation for quality and practicality, and the model remained a popular choice through the 1940s before being replaced by later versions in the Homecraft line.

Design and Features

The 1937 Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290 was built with Delta’s hallmark cast-iron durability and precision machining. Its features included:

• 4” cutterhead capacity, ideal for edging and flattening narrow boards.

• Two-knife cutterhead (standard for its size) with easily replaceable knives.

• Cast-iron infeed and outfeed tables, precision ground for flatness.

• Tilting cast-iron fence for bevel jointing.

• Open-style cast-iron base, with belt-driven motor often mounted on a separate stand.

• Classic 1930s Delta styling, with smooth castings and early gray paint.

This machine was small but capable, making it a favorite for home shops of the era.

Usage and Applications

The Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290 was designed for light to medium woodworking tasks, and was used for:

• Flattening one face of a board before planing.

• Jointing edges to prepare boards for glue-up.

• Beveling edges using the adjustable fence.

• Squaring stock for furniture, cabinetry, and small projects.

It was not intended for heavy production use but excelled in the hobbyist and small-shop setting.

Collectibility and Value Today

The 1937 Delta No. 290 Jointer is a collectible piece of Delta’s early history. Collectors and restorers value it for its compact design, vintage styling, and practicality.

• Machines in original condition with intact tables, fence, and cutterhead are desirable.

• Restored versions are often put back into service in hobby shops.

• While less common than the later Homecraft jointers, they are still occasionally found in estate sales, auctions, or school surplus.

Prices typically range from $150–$400, depending on condition and completeness, with restored examples fetching higher values.

Manuals, Catalogs, and Resources

Delta published catalogs and instruction manuals for the 290 Jointer, many of which survive today. These documents are invaluable for identifying parts, setup, and safe operation. Recommended resources include:

Tips for Restoring and Maintaining a Delta No. 290 Jointer

• Inspect cutterhead bearings and replace if worn.

• Sharpen or replace knives for smooth jointing performance.

• Check table alignment to ensure infeed and outfeed are co-planar.

• Clean and wax cast-iron surfaces for smoother stock movement.

• Upgrade wiring and switches for safe modern use.

1937 Delta 4" Jointer Model 290 Catalog Information

The Finest 4-inch Ball-Bearing Precision Jointer Ever Offered to the Craftsman
Every Convenience of the Famous 6" Jointer, for Those Who Require Only 4" Capacity

The Delta 4" Jointer No. 290 (1937). The precision construction, built-in convenience and all around handiness and accuracy of the No. 654 6" jointer--never before available in a jointer of this size-have led to an increasing demand for the same convenience and precision in a jointer of 4"capacity, and the result is the new N0. 290 jointer-the last word in tools of its size.

Every convenience and advantage of con truction that have made the 6" jointer the standard in its class is incorporated in this new machine.

It is provided with the patented fence that insures sure, free action and unvarying accuracy of the settings. It has the patented swinging stop with its individually adjusted stop screws at the 90-degree and both 45-degree positions; it has the dual-control handle that make control of the fence so convenient. The entire machine follow the same massive design that has made the 6" jointer such a conspicuous success.

For those who require a machine for edge jointing and similar work up to 1/2" by 4", this machine will quickly prove its superiority over any other of similar size. Tables are extra long--front table 11 5/8", rear 14 1/4" and 27 1/8" long overall, to aid in producing accurate work.

Precision Construction

Precision machining, in addition to massive design, aids in producing precision work on this machine. The tables are guided on dovetail ways, gibbed as in the most expensive machinery.

Tables are ground flat and true individually, and then again after assembly, to insure perfect alignment. Nothing has been omitted that would add to precision or convenience.

Parts & Accessories (1937 Prices)

No. 290 - 4" Ball Bearing Jointer, with Two-Way Tilting and Graduated Fence with Dual-Control Handle, set of three high speed steel knives, arbor pulley and front safety guard. Without motor, belt or motor pulley... $29.50

No. 5600 - 6" V-pulley, 1/2" bore... $0.90

No. 560 - V-belt, center to center distance 22 3/4"... $1.00

No. 304 - Steel stand with chip chute... $6.25
Shipping weight 31 lbs.

No. 292 - 4" Jointer Unit, consisting of No. 290 Jointer, No. 560 V-belt, No. 5600 6" V-pulley and No. 304 Steel Stand. Without motor or switch rod... $37.65

Conclusion

The 1937 Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290 is a true classic of American woodworking history. Compact, affordable, and durable, it gave hobbyists and small-shop woodworkers the ability to joint stock with professional-level precision. Today, the No. 290 is valued not only as a collectible machine but also as a practical tool that can still serve woodworkers nearly 90 years after it was first introduced.

Keyword Focus Phrases:

• 1937 Delta 4” Jointer Model No. 290

• Vintage Delta 4 inch jointer

• Delta No. 290 jointer history

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Suggested Alt Text for Images:

1. “1937 Delta 4-inch Jointer Model No. 290 with cast-iron base and fence.”

2. “Restored Delta No. 290 jointer showing tables, fence, and cutterhead.”

3. “Vintage 1937 Delta catalog page featuring the 4-inch No. 290 jointer.”

 

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