Replies

1. 
   a_jepson | Feb 27, 2002 05:44pm | #1

   *
   there is a special classified section for this

1. 
   Donminer | Feb 27, 2002 06:05pm | #2

   *There is a website devoted to Oliver machinery which includes a classified section. Don't have the URL handy but you can find it by typing oliver machinery in a search engine. They generally have a fair selection of machines listed and, in addition, it's a good resource for all kinds of information on Oliver, both history and restoration. Well worth checking out.

1. 
   Dev_Emch | Feb 28, 2002 05:19am | #3

   *Oh No..... you just bit off a chunk to chew.The large olivers such as the 270 and the 416 were not only three phase, but they used a special motor called a pancake. The core of the motor was provided by louis allis and the rest was "feathered" into the design. It is impossible to convert one of these saws to single phase as a result.The advantage of the pancake motor is that its low end torque behavior is incredible. You cannot stop one of these in any practical application!When oliver came up with the four digit model number of the 36 inch saw, quality went to hell. If the saw has cast iron body, discrete off the shelf motor and a square upper blade guard, forget about it!Many bandsaws have been tipped over. Make sure your table is cast iron and original oliver issue. There are some saws floating around with plate steel tables and square upper blade guards with pancake motors. These are not original and they are a bunch-o-parts put together. Forget about these.The older 36 inch saws were 116s. These are O.K. and look nice. But the trunnions are not nearly as beefy as the those found in the 416. Most of the more modernish saws comming out of pattern shops and the like are 416s with a few 116s and a few of the cost reduced square styles. I think the model number is a 4216 but dont quote me on it. Personally, these are junk and I don't remember the model number because of that.The 416 is most likely the best band saw made. I know, I know the tannewitz guys are going to be all over me and the jet guys are going to have thier share to say. But I have looked at many saws over the years and come to this conclusion over time. The tannewitz blade guides are really nice and I will most likely put one of these on my 416 in place of the two types that came on it.The 416 in nice condition will cost some bucks as will the 30 inch 270. Get Prepared! If I were to sell my 416 today, I would only begin to consider offers of 6000 dollars due to its condition. The 270 would begin at about 4000 and move up. Of course, you may luck out at an auction or a cabinet shop of oliver zealots that went out of business and get one at half this, but these saws are gems and the woodworkers who use them covet them.Another very nice saw is the yates Y-30 and Y-36. If you can get a snowflake, all the better. But most of these will have sheet metal upper guards. I have a Y-30 snowflake and would not even consider an offer on it. The tannewitz is also an excellent saw and you may consider one of them. Also on this list is moak. Lessor known, these can be had for signficanly less money and are actually pretty darn good machines. But oliver is oliver and you will pay for the name.Best of luck.Dev

1. 
   Armin_ | Mar 01, 2002 01:32am | #4

   *Davo, I have a 1939 30 inch oliver that uses a motor belt drive. Currently I have a Leeson 3 hp single phase on it. The only problem is it has babbit bearings, they are not at totally worn but could use some work. I have a photo of the saw in the gallery section, "Show us your shops" post #6 if this is something you are looking for let me know.

1. 
   Davo_ | Mar 02, 2002 08:10am | #5

   *Hi Armin,Saw the pic. Are you saying you want to sell, or are you saying you might be able to locate me one similar to what you have?What I'm used to working on, was a 1953 model 115-A. It was a 36 inch brute. If I could find one of these for a good price, that's what I'd prefer.Thanks,Davo

2. 
   Davo_ | Mar 02, 2002 08:23am | #6

   *Dev,You seem to know a lot about Oliver bandsaws. Like I told Armin, I'm used to working on a 115-A model. The 116 model seems pretty much the same. Our shop had 2 of them(115-A).Plus we had a 261-AD 30 inch Planer, a 270-D Table Saw, a 159-A Lathe, a 94-DH hydraulic Chop Saw, plus other items such as the sharpening/grinder outfit, the Oscillating Spindle Sander/Large Wheel Disk Sander Combo, plus an Overhead Mortiser, and a large Jointer (16 0r 18 inch? with a 10 or 12 ft. bed) We had a beast of a table saw too (our #2 Table saw in shop)If I remember correctly, the blade was a 2o inch Dia. The teeth were specially mounted with allen screws. The table tilted and raised/lowered. The motor and the blade remained stationary. It was scary looking. Could cut through anything!All these tools were Oliver, and most were mid 1950s vintage. All are still going strong at a local steel mill carpenter shop. I don't miss the shop anymore, but I sure miss using those Oliver tools!Davo

3. 
   Dev_Emch | Mar 03, 2002 01:27am | #7

   *A 115 bandsaw with a 36 inch blade? The 116 goes back to at least 1957 if not more. If your really serious about getting some oliver machines, email me off line. I can usually come up with anything I want. The 270 is an O.K. table saw. Jimmy Carter, ex president of U.S., bought one of these brand new and swears by his. There is a special version of the 270 called a 370 which was a 270 with defense contractor modifications. My favorate oliver table saw has to be the 88-DM. The twin arbor, two motor 260 is pretty slick also. The motors are on a carosel and rotate about with the height wheel driving them. I do have a line on one of these right now. The butcher machine you spoke of sounds like either an 80 or a 90 table saw. How you run heavy timbers through on a mitre rip operation without wetting your pants belies me! Its no wondor OSHA had a cow when they saw these large tilting table saws. The jointer sounds like either a #166 or a #12. These were available in many sizes. My 166 is a 24 inch, 10 horse power monster from hell! Wouldn't ever part with it... how else can I land airplanes in my shop.:) The dedicated spindle sander is a 381. There were actually two of these... mine is an older model with the wheel on the side. The newer models have the wheel on the front. I would suggest you look for one with a motor for tilting. ITs a real aerobics exercise to tilt this thing over to 45 degrees! The mortiser is a 91-D. If you want one that has a motor driven desent, then you can look at the 92-D but I don't like these. I think if that is your direction, you would be happier with a wysong-miles 284. Olivers are in demand for what they are. Often, not the slickest designs out there, but they were built to last 100 years in industrial use. THey are straight forward to rebuild and repair and parts are not that bad to come by... sources other than oliver. Oliver does charge quite a bit. But items like bearings etc. can be easily had elsewhere and are fairly common place parts. The planer I have is a 299 which is the best 24 inch planer made. I would only consider switching to either a martin or a hofmann both of which are german. Most 24 inch planers have some or many aspects of their designs copied from the famous 299. The 299 laid down the design for how to build a 24 inch planer. Best of luck in your quest....

4. 
   luckygary | Jan 30, 2019 04:02pm | #9

   In my opinion Oliver bandsaws are as good as they get. The 116 has 36 inch wheels and the 115 has 38 inch wheels. The 115 is much bigger and heavier than the 116. The 115 is much rarer and higher priced.

2. 
   luckygary | Jan 30, 2019 03:50pm | #8

   I have an Oliver 115d bandsaw for sale. It is a 38 inch built in 1950 and is presently being cosmetically reconditioned. It runs perfectly and is an industrial machine. It weighs in at 3800 pounds. It is a 30000.00 machine. I will get pictures when I get it back.

   thanks,

   Gary

3. 
   Patrick_Gilbert | May 08, 2019 09:45am | #10

   I've got two old Oliver 88-D table saws for sale in San Diego, CA. If anyone is interested in owning and restoring these, let me know. They're awesome machines that just need some love that I don't have time to give them! I have a forklift for loading :)

   -Patrick