Photo Index - Walker-Turner Co., Inc. - 14" Wood-Metal MBN935

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Walker-Turner Co., Inc.
Jersey City, NJ; Plainfield, NJ

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	14"
Submitted By:	William Pierce

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	14" Wood-Metal MBN935
Date of Manufacturer:	1940s (s)
Serial Number:	20842
Last Updated	9/20/2010 4:43:54 PM

Comments:

I purchased this saw from another OWWM member who had begun restoration and, due to problems with wheel alignment, had moved on to other projects. The lower wheel actually was about 1/4" inboard of the upper wheel. As described in detail in one of three posts to the Discussion Forum regarding this machine, I determined that the lower wheel bearings and a large spacer between them were mis-positioned on the main shaft.

There does not seem to be a serial number listing which would date the machine specifically. If one exists, please advise me.

The original motor, perhaps a three phase, is long gone and has been replaced by a 1 hp of vintage similar to the saw which runs strongly and quietly on 115 V current. It was necessary to purchase the appropriate four-step motor pulley, since the saw was being run with a single-groove pulley. I replaced the cord with a heavy duty "period" one and installed the motor-rated switch. The PO had replaced the tires with the urethane ones. Although the tires aren't crowned, 1/2" and 3/8" blades that I've run so far track perfectly. By the way, the blade length is 96 5/8" which is a special order but not a problem to obtain and not much more expensive than standard sizes.

As with many other 14" and 16" W-T band saws, the upper wheel tilt-tension block had been repaired. (There are several Discussion Forum threads on OWWM.org concerning this problem. It isn't a show stopper.) I have in mind that if the repair ever fails the best thing to do is to have a machinist make an entire new block from aluminum or even mild steel. Either would be far superior to the original pot metal. Otherwise, this machine is a tank. With the entire housing, including the doors, made of cast iron it must weigh 500 pounds.

The saw had been painted in two shades of the obligatory school shop green, then a lovely marine blue, and finally a latex medium gray. I finished stripping the paint where I deemed appropriate and scuff sanded where the paint was sound and not subject to wear. The new paint is rattle can Rustoleum Professional Machinery Dark Gray--not the preferred color for W-T machines but acceptable to me.

I replaced the upper and lower wheel bearings, built the mobile base and the belt guard (of wood), and made the blade guard.

Many thanks to Erik, John, Dan, and the other members who offered pointers, plans, and/or detailed operational information. To those contemplating restoration of one of these saws I would note that the "field" of available help and parts is much more limited than for, say Delta. On the other hand the work and thought required to figure out how things are supposed to work is rewarding. The old saw just "sings" and is a pleasure to use.

At this point I'm still looking for some standard W-T knobs for the lower blade guard assembly, and I need to fabricate a dust collection adapter which can be installed and removed easily.

Photo 1:

Comments: Complete but not showing blade guard
Source: Canon

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Photo 2:

Comments: Back with shop-built mobile base and belt guard
Source: Canon

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Photo 3:

Comments: Close-up of shop-made blade guard
Source: Canon

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Photo 4:

Comments: Name/serial number plate
Source: canon

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