Who Has The Oldest Functional Table Saw?
I’ve owned several table saws over the years, mostly (mostly Powermatic 66) but the one I’m currently using is by far the oldest and also my sentimental favorite. It’s a funky little Junior Unisaw, 8 inch, which I can fit an 8-1/2″ blade on. I bought it in 1967 when I was 14 and it was my first power tool purchase. I remember wondering how long this old tool was going to last.
In terms of “return on investment” it’s probably the best purchase I’ve ever made, at an initial purchase price of a whopping $37.50. I drove a hard bargain with the builder I bought it from because it was all the money I had at the time. This little saw has seen almost daily use and was also in my production shop set up with a dado head for twenty years. It’s a right tilt unfortunately and not long after I bought it the original motor burned up. I fitted it with a new 2 hp, 220 v motor and a 52″ rip “T square ” fence and gave it a “tune up”. That was over thirty years ago and since then I’ve replaced the belt and tightened the motor pulley once. I’m not kidding!
My Dad let me set it up in his garage after he helped me bring it home where I earned a little money building some studio equipment and storage cabinets for a group of commercial artists. It’s been set up in five different shops and countless job sites during it’s tenure, was last used today, still runs strong and cuts smooth and accurately. I’ve been planning to buy a new table saw but I’m waiting until a get my full $37.50 worth of use out of this one, ha ha.
Does anyone have an older saw? What’s your favorite “old tool” story.
Replies
My 9" Delta contractor's saw
My 9" Delta contractor's saw is a couple of years younger than your saw. I'm glad to hear that your trying to get your money's worth out of yours.
Right now I am helping a fellow set up his shop with a whole line of Delta tools he inherited.
10" Unisaw, 24" scroll saw, 4"jointer and floor model drill press. The Unisaw has 1 HP brush type motor that doesn't want to run, it just sits there and "oscilates". and about the size of a modern 5 HP. Will get nameplate data soon. But the Pat'd date on the saw is 1932.
All of the other tool run, but need some TLC and tuning
Any tips on getting the UNISAW motor running ??
Bruce , sounds like you have the original type motor , that is very desirable .
I would bet there is a minor problem like brushes or , if it is a capacitor start ?
That motor can be restored , try the folks over at http://www.owwm.com
old woodworking machinery . com . Experts on Unisaws and the motor you have are very helpful on the site .
regards , dusty
Dusty & all,
Need a spare
Dusty & all,
Need a spare saw?
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/tls/1625442897.html
Dusty,
I would feel right at home in your shop. I've never really liked the right tilt saw but I make do. I wishmy freinds would sell me their woodworking machinery cheap.
Bduffin104,
This is really cool! Thanks for sharing. A junior Unisaw just came up for sale in my area, but it doesn't have a motor. Would you be able take some photos of the upgraded motor you installed on yours? The type, frame size, mounting, etc? Did you have to make any other modifications? Anything else I should be aware of or look out for if I purchase it? Many thanks!!
The fellow down the alley at TC Woodworks has a table saw he uses made somewhere between 1890 and 1910. And before you think he's nuts it has more features and power than can be found on most saws offered today. It is driven by a 5 horse 3 phase motor which drive with a wide belt drive powering a 14" blade. The saw has 2 different blades mounted on arm like a double Farris Wheel so that the desired blade can be swung up to be used. Yes it has a smooth functioning, sliding table and a miter with keys in it for the common angles. There are more parts and jigs than you can shake a stick at. And he still has them all.
I went down to take a picture of it for you. But it is Saturday and he's gone. It was made by a tool company that doesn't spring to mind...something like Osborn, but that's probably wrong He likes big old cast iron tools. I was impressed. We have been making tools, even power tools for a long time. It is fascinating to see how developed those early tools were. If someone is interested I'll try to post a photo latter.
Peter
Peter , would love to see some pics of the beauty , thanks .
dusty
Its good to see other folks using the vintage machines. I currently use a 1941 Unisaw with a 1hp single phase "bullet type" motor. I have had it for 10 years and will probably never replace it. I assume it runs like it did when it was new, it is very smooth. I wouldn't know, it was born over 50 years before me. I love this saw, it runs so quiet that you don't even need ear plugs, at least I don't.
sandlcustom
That sounds like a really innovative saw, Peter. I, too, will appreciate any photos you are able to take.
My grandfather had a belt-driven saw, powered by a water wheel-cage in which he'd have his dire spaniel chase his saber-toothed tabby during the dry months. He eventually converted to steam. ;-)
The saw in a 1910 Oliver made in Michigan, now 100 years old. I'm having trouble loading more than one photo as the program freezes.
So I'll post multiple photos if people are interested. I'm not sure how others are able to load 5 or 6 images linked together.
More photos of 1910 Oliver saw.
Funny to use this term, but that's a beautiful saw.
And yet more photos of the 1910 Oliver Table Saw, It weighs 2,600 lbs.
Bduffin104,
This is really cool! Thanks for sharing. A junior Unisaw just came up for sale in my area, but it doesn't have a motor. Would you be able take some photos of the upgraded motor you installed on yours? The type, frame size, mounting, etc? Did you have to make any other modifications? Anything else I should be aware of or look out for if I purchase it? Many thanks!!
Not the oldest by any means but 1946 (or is it 47?) Unisaw with orginal R/I 1.5 HP motor. Like sandlcustom no intention of every replacing it.
Other than my bandsaw all my machines are 1940's or older.
My Boice Crain saw which my Father bought used in 1946 serves me well. To accomodate the 3/4' arbor, I have to machine any new blades. A replacement rip fence and 3hp motor work well.
Not as old as some list here. I bought this 1978 (made in Pittsburg) 3 hp Unisaw with 52" Unifence from a nice gentleman that use to cut 3/4" pine to make frames for his painting canvases. He even had the original blade, never used.
However, I did have to clean the top a little. Love this saw, cut 6/4 hard maple like butter.
Some great stories here. Makes my 1989 Unisaw seem like a young pup. Bought my Unisaw at an auction and it had some busted carriage parts so few people bid on it. It took me a couple years to find used parts to get it up and running. I wanted a Unisaw mainly because that is the saw I used during shop class in school. It has run flawlessly since.
My well used(abused due to the open carport work/storage area) Walker Turner. I bought in the early ‘80s. The arbor lock is iffy sometimes, but otherwise works well. I don’t have a clue when It was made or even when Walker Turner stopped production. Note the dealer nameplate with the Dallas single digit postal code:
Hi. I have 1956 Sprunger Bros 10 1/4"tilt arbor saw. Works like a champ!
Maybe not the oldest, largest, or most powerful table saw but I think that I own what is probably the most ingenious. Dating from the early 1970s, it is the Austrian built Emco Star. It is a beautifully engineered machine but it is much more than just a table saw. It is a universal woodworking machine which also functions as a band saw, disc sander, belt sander, fret saw, jigsaw, rabbeter, spindle moulder, drill, grinding wheel, lathe, planer/thicknesser and it even has a shaped grinding wheel to sharpen its own circular saw blades (It predates TCT blades). If you ever come across one for sale, don't hesitate even if your shop is already equipped with separate machines for each of these functions.
Well, my Powermatic 65 is not that old, as I bought it well used about 1979. But I have a nice collection of well loved older cast iron. 8" and 24" jointers with round cutter heads and Babbet bearings (probably 1920s), 36" bandsaw with Babbet bearings and no name plate; J. A. Fay & Egan double spindle shaper (originally Babbet but I converted it to ball bearings), 1939 Buss 26" thickness planer. Lots of info on Old Woodworking Machinery web site. I've put up a few owners manuals myself.
If you can deal with the weight and wear, old industrial machines once restored are life-time machines. And they are pretty available these days, as old factories and shops are cleaned out, and the market is a buyer's market.
Post some pics please!! Sounds like a dreamy shop!
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