Picked up this old Powermatic a couple years ago after watching it sit beside the burn pile behind a local high school shop for most of a year.  The weather was really starting to become unfriendly to it so I inquired about its status and was told that it was out of service permanently due to a problem with the foot brake making it unsafe to use by students and a new one had replaced it.  They only would release it to me if I signed a waiver releasing them of responsibility which I did.  After a man vs. saw episode even involving my wife’s help to get it trailered, it came home.  The brake was indeed bad as the lining had worn out and the brake was used metal on metal for sometime, thus grinding away the flywheel area where the brake makes contact.  It coasts to a stop for now.  I had to replace the power cord and after hitting a wall finding suitable thrust bearings for the factory guides, I swapped them out for some Carters.  The blade guide and table were pretty rusted and I had to disassemble those to free the guide.  It isn’t beautiful and still sits in its original skin with some graffiti scratched into the paint, and drips of varnish, and such.  I may paint it one day but I like the story it’s appearance tells.  It is a monster machine when all of that cast iron momentum is in my favor as can be seen by the walnut block in the picture.  I have cut small lumber from logs mostly and a few turning blocks and it’s even great for this.  I gave up my 14 inch Delta after I ran this one. Only downside is the large footprint in my shop so I had to put wheels under it so I can move it around if I’m feeling strong.  The good news is that the high school that housed this saw still is running a wood shop program, at least on some level.  Not the case everywhere.  I have an “as retrieved”  picture of this one somewhere but could not find it.  The photo here isn’t a great one but shows the saw this week in its messy glory! My shop is nearly all 50 plus year old machinery.  I like the challenge of the old stuff I guess!

 

Edited December 6, 20196 yr by Bundoman

Great get, Brent. Changing to the Carter system was a good choice, too. Looks like it cuts really nice, now. That's a really nice slice. Congratulations on saving this ole lady.

Edited December 6, 20196 yr by Gene Howe

30 minutes ago, Bundoman said:

My shop is nearly all 50 plus year old machinery. 

Most of mine is 60+ to 85+ years young! 

35 minutes ago, Bundoman said:

I like the challenge of the old stuff I guess!

Bringing them back is only half the fun! 

I envy you guys who have the ability to refurb that old stuff. And, your ability to locate it in the first place. But, I can live vicariously through your posts. Please keep 'em coming.

11 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

I envy you guys who have the ability to refurb that old stuff. And, your ability to locate it in the first place. But, I can live vicariously through your posts. Please keep 'em coming.

I have several other tools that I may post where I have at least partially reworked the mechanicals or updated for my shop.  My tools are usually just brought back to functional and safe.  There are some out there that do beautiful and impressive “like new” work but that isn’t really me.  They amaze me!   I have painted some items because they really needed it but generally just mechanics as I plan to run them anyway. 

 

When I was wanting to get a shop started, we were neck deep in a new family so I had more mechanical ability than cash.  As it has worked out, I found this an opportunity.  I found that I could grab up some decent older items that were fixable for cheap, tune them up with small parts and sweat, use some, and sell some to fund better items for myself over time.  As an example, I moved up through 5 table saws over time to get what I wanted to have in the shop.  My first saw was a 1930s Craftsman junker, than a  couple of Craftsman Contractor saws, which I sold to buy 2 well used 50 dollar Unisaws.  I tuned, painted, and freshened belts and bearings on 1 and sold it to cover the refurb of the other including upgraded fence.  It’s my shop saw now.  Because I enjoyed the work, it worked out for me over time and through patience and perseverance, but this approach isn’t everyone’s idea of fun!  And I readily admit that I have been lucky to find some decent deals too which has been a benefit.  I have done the “you can have it if you can load it!” thing more than once and this bandsaw was one of them!

 

As for old iron, I still get the itch when I see a good deal because there is satisfaction for me in the work of making things new again, but I do less of it now than I once did.  I find it less appealing to move this heavy stuff in and out of the shop than it was when I was 20 something.  Somehow, I have managed to double my age and halve my ambition.  Wish I could figure out why that keeps happening but I digress!

 

I am glad you find the posts interesting.  I enjoy sharing and interacting with the folks here more than most places I have found.  Nice to be in this group where there is mutual respect and sharing Among the members.  

Edited December 7, 20196 yr by Bundoman

On 12/6/2019 at 11:02 PM, Bundoman said:

I find it less appealing to move this heavy stuff in and out of the shop than it was when I was 20 something.  Somehow, I have managed to double my age and halve my ambition.  Wish I could figure out why that keeps happening but I digress!

 

I am glad you find the posts interesting.  I enjoy sharing and interacting with the folks here more than most places I have found.  Nice to be in this group where there is mutual respect and sharing Among the members.

You are among kindred spirits, my friend!

John

On 12/6/2019 at 10:02 PM, Bundoman said:

As for old iron, I still get the itch when I see a good deal because there is satisfaction for me in the work of making things new again, but I do less of it now than I once did.  I find it less appealing to move this heavy stuff in and out of the shop than it was when I was 20 something.  Somehow, I have managed to double my age and halve my ambition.  Wish I could figure out why that keeps happening but I digress!

It's hard to leave those hitch hiking machines sitting on the side of the road.

I only pick up the smaller machines.

I passed on a free Delta 12/14 Table Saw, just don't have the room or ambition to load anything that BIG. 

I can tell you what's happening, we're getting 

Edited December 31, 20196 yr by Larry Buskirk

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

getting 

 

Afraid so...but beats the alternative I suppose!  🤪

Edited December 31, 20196 yr by Bundoman