Years ago when I read James Krenov’s books, A Cabinet Maker’s Notebook and The Fine Art Of Cabinet Making, there were photos in them of his basement shop and machinery. Specifically there were photos of his eighteen inch bandsaw. It looked very similar to older versions of the Delta or Rockwell fourteen inch saw – just larger and with a different base – but to my knowledge they never made a larger model that resembled their fourteen inch saw. Does anyone out there happen to know who made Mr. Krenov’s bandsaw?
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Replies
Delta did indeed make larger bandsaws. They made a 20", and I believe the model # was 28-350, but don't shoot me....I'm going off of a feigning memory. You can look for yourself at owwm.com.
Jeff
Yes, I know they made a 20 inch - in fact, they made several different versions over the years - but they bare no resemblance to their 14 inch saw or to Krenov's 18 inch saw. In the 1980's Jet made an 18 inch model that closely resembled both their own and Delta's 14 inch, as well as Krenov's, and one or two companies were importing an 18 inch saw from Taiwan or China, but this would have been a good many years after Krenov got his. I doubt that he was using a China-made machine; I would think he was using a Swedish or European made saw. I guess I'll have to dig around over there at owwm.com again, but I don't remember seeing one like it over there either.
Davis and Wells made some dandy 18 or 20" band saws not sure what Mr. K used . Look over at the old woodworking machines .com site at the photo index by brand or by machine type , maybe you will spot it .
I want one too when you find out , dusty
Jim Krenov's bandsaw, tablesaw and jointer/planer were Stenbergs -- Swedish machines, made (I believe) by Jon Stenberg AB. They were well-made cast iron frame machines. An 18" saw, his bandsaw frame was configured the same way a lot of 14" saws are today: the upper frame casting is bolted to the lower wheel casting, for example. But the castings of the Stenberg are heavier than what we're used to seeing in US saws of the same period, and the saw sits on a solid cast stand that goes right to the floor. Very stable, not prone to vibration.
You can see pictures of Krenov's machinery in chapter 2 of his book, The Fine Art Of Cabinetmaking.
Krenov's bandsaw
azxak:
Thank-you very much for that bit of information. Yes, I have a copy of the The Fine Art Of Cabinetmaking.
Regards, JW
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