Many old woodworking machines used babbitt bearings and there are
several good sources for babbitt and descriptions of pouring techniques
and scraping techniques for the curious in the old woodworking machinery
group archives: www.oldwwmachines.com. In certain applications they are
apparently as good as modern bearings if keptlubricated. I don't know how
vanagons and babbitt go together--let alone old jointers-- but it's a fun
ride....

                             Sam