"Back From The Archives"

 

This was Shane's first post here on TPW, and it introduced not only himself but also his restoration of his post here.

 

Hi Gents, this is my first post here and hopefully there will be many more to follow. I thought I would share some "before restoration" pics of the next machine I will be working on.

 

I met with a client yesterday that just bought an old lumber store, which was originally a lumber mill in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He is turning the building into his office but is keeping the old woodworking machines that came with the building. His plan is to scatter them throughout the office space as display pieces. I would much rather see these beautiful machines be put to use, but this is better than seeing them go to the scrap yard.

 

The owner has about 8 machines that he wants restored ... Davis and Wells table saw, Delta scroll saw, post drill, etc ....

 

The first machine to be restored will be this beautiful 1920s Crescent Universal Wood-Worker, Model No. 108. I have 3 other Crescent machines in my shop so I was thrilled to see this rare beauty.

 

Here's a cut from a 1923 sales catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And here is the actual machine the way it sits right now ... used and abused and left out to rot.

(These photos are recovered from Shane's website they were lost during the software migration.)

 

 

 

 

 

I promise it will look better when I'm done.

It's heading to the sand blaster this week and will be delivered to my shop next weekend to begin restoration.

Paint will be satin black with gold pinstripping and lots of polishing. Same theme I used on my 18 inch Crescent Planer.

 

 

The Universal Wood-Worker has a 26 inch band saw, 14 inch table saw, 12 inch jointer and a shaper table. Missing is the horizontal borer, which I hope to find. Also missing is the table saw door and the shaper fence.

 

The huge old 5 hp motor is shot and probably beyond repair so the plan is to gut the motor and mount/hide a smaller DC motor inside of it, which will be used to turn the band saw at a very slow speed, around 10 RPMs, so the wheels slowly turn as it's on display. The owner is planning on using the machine as the center piece of the office space with a decorative wrought iron fence to keep people off of the machine.

 

I will probably round off all the teeth on the saw blades and pull the knives out of the cutterhead just in case someone jumps the fence.

 

Anyways, I am really looking forward to restoring this machine and will post more pics when I get it done.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Shane

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Shane, that looks like a great project to take on. Wow that is one nice machine.

Looks like it has everything you need in one place. I am looking forward to following the progress.

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks Shane! That saw will be beautiful again, that's quite obvious.

 

I have a question, the old machinery like you picture above, the Crescent Woodplaner, how does it perform? How are the db's on it, does it purr? A whine, a roar! I am very curious as to the performance of these older machines.

 

And again, thanks for checking in with us Shane, glad to have you aboard.

 

John

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks John, John and Charles. IMHO the old machines are a lot quieter than the new machines, but you can hear that for yourself.

 

I have several videos on YouTube showing the machines in action.

 

You can view them here: My YouTube Videos

 

The planer is probably the noisiest old machine but it's a lot quieter than a newer lunch box planer.

 

I just picked up a 1942 Newman Model 600 24 inch planer that is in que to be restored. I ran it the other day and was blown away at how quiet it was. My phase convertor was louder than the planer and probably quieter than my Oliver 270 table saw, you can hear that run in one of the videos.

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Wow thats some project can't wait to see how this goes.

Hey Shane -

 

Super cool machine. The owner has the right man on the job. I am anxious to see how it comes out.

 

 

Phil

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks Shane,

 

What a beauty. After it is done, the owner may want to go back into business!

I look forward to watching you work your magic.

 

Thanks for sharing. bob

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Hello Shane,

 

Thanks so much for showing those fine pieces of machinery all I could do was to say WOW with each picture.

 

I have in my shop a Walker Turner band saw that my dad ran when he was only 35 years of age and when they closed the yard I was able to buy it for myself. The company was based in New Jersey and went out of business in the 1930s I think.

 

I completely tear it down once a year and pull a yearly mantenance on it and when I put it back together it is like a new machine. It has served me well over the years and I have to have the blades custom made for it, for I can't find 78 1/4" blades anywhere.

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Hey Ralph,

 

I had no idea you had that old bandsaw.

Can you post a pic of it over on Old Woodworking Machinery?

 

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Ralph, see my post about bandsaw blades. You can have them made any size you need .

 

http://www.woodcraftbands.com/index.htm

 

 

Good guy with great blades. bob

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Hey Bob,

Thanks a million for I will be doing business with them for sure.

Thanks Bob,

 

Are these guys American Made? 

 

And if they don't make their tools, I really need to make an area to post all these great resourceful links for all members to use, you guys have been posting some great mom and pop outfits to buy from.

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

John,

 

The company is in North Carolina. The blades are made for the most part in the USA as far as I know.

John does not make blades. He welds them to size.

 

A link for stuff like this would be great. I like small businesses who take care of their customers. I know John would truly appreciate the business. He has lost a lot with all the furniture companies moving offshore.

 

Thanks John! bob

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

That's what we are all about Bob, small business's, mom and pops, American Made, supporting entrepreneurs.

 

I will put this on my To Do list, an area where mom and pop outfits like you guys are linking to, so we can go there and support our small business's, the engine that drives America.

 

Thank you sir

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Wow, Shane, that's a project. I just hope the sand blaster doesn't get heavy on the machined surfaces.

 

I can't wait to see you work your magic on this one!

 

 

Dan

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

"Back From The Archives"

 

This was Shane's first post here on TPW. It was posted about 4 months before I joined myself.

The mentioned recovered photos were matched to the numbers that were left next to what had been a photo before the software platform change. 

I hope I got them in the same order that Shane originally posted them.

It is also the oldest post from the archives, in other words the first posted in the old forum.

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

I love it!! I want one.

 

Hope to see a few "after" pics.  What happened to Shane?  Would be great to see him back around...

26 minutes ago, shawnbrad said:

I love it!! I want one.

 

Well Christmas is coming and he knows if you've been naughty or nice

3 hours ago, Cal said:

Hope to see a few "after" pics.  What happened to Shane?  Would be great to see him back around...

Cal,

Check the linked topic post at the top of this. Clicking on it will take you to his restoration of this machine.

I emailed Shane awhile back, but have not heard back from him.