Duro Band Saw restoration project

[Chris Bush]

I inherited this beauty from my uncle, who inherited it from my grandfather, who I believe bought it new. 

All i know of it so far is it is a Duro desktop band saw.  I am planning to do a total restoration on it, and need some advice on how to approach prepping the cover for primer and paint.

I may have access to a soda blaster to gently remove the small amount of paint, and surfact corrosion, but if not i need to know how to properly removed the age without damageing the cast iron.

I want to return make this back into a working piece, and so will be doing a full disasemble and repair/replacment of needed parts.

Does anyone know of a parts guide or owners manual that may exist for these old units? 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Cal]

Welcome aboard Chris, glad to have you here - and posting up pics to boot!

Can't help you with the saw, but hopefully @Larry Buskirk might chime in with some info.

If that cover is cast iron, I would think a regular sandblaster would be fine.  How much does that thing weigh?

When you talk about a restoration, do you mean original type and color of paint and all?

[Larry Buskirk]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker. 

 

Your Duro Band saw dates from the late 1940's to early 1950's.

I found a few pieces of literature, but will need a bit more information to give you links to what I found.

There were a few models (sizes) of this style saw available ranging from a 9", 10", and also a 15".

So if you could measure from the rear arm to the blade so I know what size the saw is, I'll post the proper links that I managed to locate. If you could also provide a photo of the back side of the saw I'll be able to tell if this might be a wood/metal saw.

I believe the covers are made of Zamak which is a pot metal alloy that would not take sandblasting, a better approach might be to use paint stripper.

 

[Chris Bush]

Cal,  It weighs a good bit, i would estimate around 40-50 LBS and is not quite waist height.  Quite a compact piece of machinery.

I would really love to restore it to original colors and put it in my garage shop.  Because it was my grandfathers, i really want to make it whole again, and i also love the art-deco style details on it.

I think it could be quite beautiful when finished.

[Chris Bush]

Thank you Larry!  I will get the measurements and pictures this evening after work and get them uploaded.  I appreciate your advice on the stripper rather than sandblasting.  I dont want to do anything that would risk marring the finish.

[Gunny]

As you go about the restoration take pictures, lots of them.  Then post and show your progress , issues, and successes.

[Joshvogt2000]

I just bought one veey similar and was wondering if you finished your project or not