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- Nov 14, 2016
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I've been watching for a 14" Delta bandsaw to either convert to a wood / metal or possibly find a factory wood / metal or one that was already converted. Those Delta saws seem to run $400-500 for a wood only saw in good shape, and $250+ needing work. Set up with the gearbox for wood / metal they seem to run $700+.
This Davis & Wells saw popped up on the local CL for $250. They have a reputation for being very well made saws. They were also a California based company (we used to have a fair bit of industry here) which always intrigues me.
I went to take a look at it, and other than the funky night stand base it was in dirty but good condition, and is a very beefy saw, with lots of cast iron and character so it came home with me.
Based on the little I can find on these this is a pre-1940 saw (the door is open over the wheel centers, the later saws had an enclosed door with domes covering the wheels). It has a 1/2 hp, 120 / 240v motor with a manufacture date of 1960, and a sellers tag with an established date of 1973 so I'm guessing this saw was refurbished at least once and sold used in the 1970s or 80s. It is bolted to the "night stand" with square headed bolts, so the two have probably been paired together for some time.
I've not been able to find a lot on these saws even at the vintage machinery site. Because of the short name and the "&" the search here is not very helpful at turning up posts.
Curious if anyone has one of these saws and might be able to share some info on them. My plan is to install a gearbox like the Deltas to make it dual purpose metal / wood saw. I'll probably fabricate a steel base for it with wheels to replace the wooden base. It uses a 7 foot 7 inch (91") blade.
I haven't unloaded it yet, but do have a few photos from the ad.
This Davis & Wells saw popped up on the local CL for $250. They have a reputation for being very well made saws. They were also a California based company (we used to have a fair bit of industry here) which always intrigues me.
I went to take a look at it, and other than the funky night stand base it was in dirty but good condition, and is a very beefy saw, with lots of cast iron and character so it came home with me.
Based on the little I can find on these this is a pre-1940 saw (the door is open over the wheel centers, the later saws had an enclosed door with domes covering the wheels). It has a 1/2 hp, 120 / 240v motor with a manufacture date of 1960, and a sellers tag with an established date of 1973 so I'm guessing this saw was refurbished at least once and sold used in the 1970s or 80s. It is bolted to the "night stand" with square headed bolts, so the two have probably been paired together for some time.
I've not been able to find a lot on these saws even at the vintage machinery site. Because of the short name and the "&" the search here is not very helpful at turning up posts.
Curious if anyone has one of these saws and might be able to share some info on them. My plan is to install a gearbox like the Deltas to make it dual purpose metal / wood saw. I'll probably fabricate a steel base for it with wheels to replace the wooden base. It uses a 7 foot 7 inch (91") blade.
I haven't unloaded it yet, but do have a few photos from the ad.
