Nice. Amazing how standardised the general specification was on those old C frame bandsaws. Very elegant castings from a time when Pattern makers made a special effort for the woodworking machines they would prefer to use. I have used a few of the type. The Tannewitz was probably the best engineered of them. They ran at higher speeds and could rip wide stock with frightening speed. Our Tannewitz was 42" and had a ten horse belt driven lower wheel. Oliver did a good 36" for many years and really not to far removed from what you have there. I've often wondered what Yates bandsaws were like. Never seen one.
Nice job. I have a Chicago saw that is very similar to this. Motor is from 1895. Can’t wait to restore it to a finely balanced machine. Mine has wooden spoke wheels.
Hi Shane, good video about your Band Saw, and good job, I am from Brazil and here we can find Vintage Band Saws from Invicta that made good Band saws based in projects from Rockwell/USA, the wheel is big 30 inches and the body is made of casting iron....as your machine is one machine that can work with good care for several generations....the new machines after short time require constant maintenance.....Your video is inspiring me to restore a Invicta Thanks for sharing your job
I have an old Oliver bandsaw that was made in Manchester here in the U.K. the cast body is almost identical to yours only it’s direct motor drive with cast alloy wheels so I’d say it’s a 20s/30s machine. It runs so much smoother than my more modern machine. I might restore as you have done here.
Shane - Blind Dog Blades yes they are it seems there was two Oliver companies though. One in Manchester England U.K. and one in states. Mines a dam good old machine and I really should do something. I have a chisel Mortiser that’s an Oliver and equally as old too
yea i think you might be right about the body being oliver, that could eplain why the namplate wasnt scribed with a serial number/model number as it may have replaced an old oliver one. beautiful saw none the less, i just got my hands on a gorgeous oliver no 11 table saw, and i cant find anything about it online anywhere. about to start restoring it and am a little aprehensive not knowing anything about the saw other than it might be the last one and i better not mess it up.... the pressure is on haha!
Oliver used to have a close relationship with Wadkin. Very interesting. The early Wadkin versions had a straight rather than fully curved neck. But not dissimilar.
My father and grandfather were employed by Enterprise Co. of Columbiana...my father probably built many of those machines in his day. My maternal ancestors were the founders of the original Crescent Machine of Leetonia, Ohio. When Crescent Machine ceased to exist, Enterprise, which was located in a small town nearby, continued to manufacture the band saws.
I see where the manufacturer actually made a lot of steam powered equipment. I wonder if this old saw could have originally been powered by steam? You did an amazing job on restoring this. It’s a shame that there isn’t more info available about the manufacturing of this old band saw. I think you are right that this might have been a prototype and one of a kind! One question I do have is how did you manage to move that thing to your shop??
It ran on a flat belt pulley system that could of very well been powered by steam at one time. Here's some info on the manufacturer, you may have seen it: vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=296 i moved it into the shop with a pallet jack after stripping it down to the bare frame.
Great restoration and a tribute to a pure Beast of a saw! Nice choice of colour, guide system and classy fence system as well. But the big exposed wheels look life threatening - would you consider enclosing?
No, not for a 36" bandsaw with one of the wheels being sold cast iron. You can hear how long it takes for it to get up to speed even with that large motor.
That's just sexy!! Nicely done, Sir, great restoration and explanation of everything. I feel sorry for your little midget saw to the right there. Probably feels a bit inadequate now. ;o). What a beast, this thing is awesome. Be careful you don't lean over to check your work and smack your head on that upper wheel! Cheers
I'd like to see some before pictures, phenomenal. This truly is a thing of beauty... I just happened upon your page, I wish I could come hang out in your workshop, you've got some beautiful equipment.
Nice. Amazing how standardised the general specification was on those old C frame bandsaws. Very elegant castings from a time when Pattern makers made a special effort for the woodworking machines they would prefer to use. I have used a few of the type. The Tannewitz was probably the best engineered of them. They ran at higher speeds and could rip wide stock with frightening speed.
Our Tannewitz was 42" and had a ten horse belt driven lower wheel.
Oliver did a good 36" for many years and really not to far removed from what you have there. I've often wondered what Yates bandsaws were like. Never seen one.
Nice job. I have a Chicago saw that is very similar to this. Motor is from 1895. Can’t wait to restore it to a finely balanced machine. Mine has wooden spoke wheels.
The love, care and effort you put into this machine it clearly evident. It looks first rate, and is absolutely inspiring. Well done sir, well done.
Hi Shane, good video about your Band Saw, and good job, I am from Brazil and here we can find Vintage Band Saws from Invicta that made good Band saws based in projects from Rockwell/USA, the wheel is big 30 inches and the body is made of casting iron....as your machine is one machine that can work with good care for several generations....the new machines after short time require constant maintenance.....Your video is inspiring me to restore a Invicta Thanks for sharing your job
Wow, what a fantastic job you did on restoring this old girl, so well done, congrats
Thanks Gordon! It's a great old saw.
That is a beautiful machine and you restored it so perfectly! Fantastic job!
I have an old Oliver bandsaw that was made in Manchester here in the U.K. the cast body is almost identical to yours only it’s direct motor drive with cast alloy wheels so I’d say it’s a 20s/30s machine. It runs so much smoother than my more modern machine. I might restore as you have done here.
That's cool Adam. Those old Olivers are great smooth running machines.
Shane - Blind Dog Blades yes they are it seems there was two Oliver companies though. One in Manchester England U.K. and one in states. Mines a dam good old machine and I really should do something. I have a chisel Mortiser that’s an Oliver and equally as old too
yea i think you might be right about the body being oliver, that could eplain why the namplate wasnt scribed with a serial number/model number as it may have replaced an old oliver one. beautiful saw none the less, i just got my hands on a gorgeous oliver no 11 table saw, and i cant find anything about it online anywhere. about to start restoring it and am a little aprehensive not knowing anything about the saw other than it might be the last one and i better not mess it up.... the pressure is on haha!
Cant wait to see
Oliver used to have a close relationship with Wadkin. Very interesting. The early Wadkin versions had a straight rather than fully curved neck. But not dissimilar.
WOW that saw is just beautiful, i'l bet it didnt look that good when it was new,very very fine job.
I'm glade you decided to save her what a beautiful job you've done restoring her.
Still diggin' your restoration vids! Geeze, if machines could sing, you'd have a wonderful choir there, Shane. You sir, are obviously a conductor!
Wish I could find a machine like this at that price! Beautiful machine
Great job really like the work you doing and glad to see old machines being preserved:)
My father and grandfather were employed by Enterprise Co. of Columbiana...my father probably built many of those machines in his day. My maternal ancestors were the founders of the original Crescent Machine of Leetonia, Ohio. When Crescent Machine ceased to exist, Enterprise, which was located in a small town nearby, continued to manufacture the band saws.
That's very cool. Your father made some great machines!
Thank you Shane. This is a beautiful machine, and an inspiring restore. Thanks for making the video and sharing with us.
-Eric Clayton
Beautiful job. I love old machines.
Awesome bandsaw. Nice restoration!
I have acquired a monster band saw as well. Probably 30-40% larger than yours. I plan it's restoration this month. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi mate.
That is a fantastic machine. Well done
Marcel.
I see where the manufacturer actually made a lot of steam powered equipment. I wonder if this old saw could have originally been powered by steam? You did an amazing job on restoring this. It’s a shame that there isn’t more info available about the manufacturing of this old band saw. I think you are right that this might have been a prototype and one of a kind! One question I do have is how did you manage to move that thing to your shop??
It ran on a flat belt pulley system that could of very well been powered by steam at one time.
Here's some info on the manufacturer, you may have seen it:
vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=296
i moved it into the shop with a pallet jack after stripping it down to the bare frame.
Une superbe machine ! Bravo pour la restauration !
Great restoration and a tribute to a pure Beast of a saw!
Nice choice of colour, guide system and classy fence system as well.
But the big exposed wheels look life threatening - would you consider enclosing?
I have the same machine, 32 inch, works like a beauty
okay, I am in TTE( total tool envy)!!!
Oh my! Nice saw
Wow, beautiful! Question-Where did you get the two pulley wheels and the leather belt?
Amazing job sir!!!
It is magnificent
Who makes that paint color ?
Nice saw!
Don't you think that 3-phase motor is a bit too much for the application? It's way overpowered.
No, not for a 36" bandsaw with one of the wheels being sold cast iron. You can hear how long it takes for it to get up to speed even with that large motor.
That's just sexy!! Nicely done, Sir, great restoration and explanation of everything. I feel sorry for your little midget saw to the right there. Probably feels a bit inadequate now. ;o). What a beast, this thing is awesome. Be careful you don't lean over to check your work and smack your head on that upper wheel! Cheers
Thanks Sig, I appreciate it!
Very nice job!
I'd like to see some before pictures, phenomenal. This truly is a thing of beauty...
I just happened upon your page, I wish I could come hang out in your workshop, you've got some beautiful equipment.
Gorgeous
I would really love if you would show a close up of how that micro adjustable fence works sir.
shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/misc/enterprise/fence/
Shane Whitlock thank you so much! I am just blown away!
my is from 1905 36" crescent. look similar
Have you been to owwm.org? The sister site is vintagemachinery.org.
Years ago I used to post there frequently but I haven't been to the site in a few years.
parabéns
LOL, Hello my name is Expose D Blade, " How you durin", come closer baby so I's can see you better, :). Beautiful work by the way.
Shane, make sure you line the wheels. It's important.
Nice just got a 37in
If it came out hafe as Nice as yours i would be happy