Photo Index - Crescent Machine Co. - 20" Band-Saw Pulley Driven

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Crescent Machine Co.
Leetonia, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	20"
Submitted By:	Phil Kezele

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	20" Band-Saw Pulley Driven
Date of Manufacturer:	1925-1930
Serial Number:	55255 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	10/17/2016 12:02:19 PM

Comments:

I acquired this machine in Priest River, Idaho from a Professional Woodworker who makes custom gunstocks. His work is in high demand and this saw was handed down from his father to him. He had owned this saw for 20 years waiting for a good time to begin a restoration, but that time never came and he advertised the saw. A fellow OWWM'r noticed the ad and posted a note on this saw. I called early last week (Jan 2004) and found it was still available. I spoke to the gentleman on the phone and could determine that most of the saw was there and would make a very nice addition to the woodshop or at least keep its big brother, the Crescent 32" company! I drove 13 1/2 hours round trip to get this saw, and it will always have a special place with me. I met some real nice people as well!

A full restoration will be completed this spring, as you can see from the pictures its all rusty, but the only piece I can see missing is the rear table. If anyone owns an identical saw to this, I would appreciate knowing the precise dimensions of the table--I can estimate them from the 32" but it's always nice to know exactly what they are.

This saw differs from all the other early Crescent bandsaws. It has two clam shell babbitt bearings on the bottom axel, but has no babbitt at all in the upper arm at all.

There is also no belt shifter and it is missing the foot pedeal, which was used to manually run this saw via human power. The owner supplied an older Montgomery Ward RI motor which is 1/2 HP, there is a stamped number on it that says '49, could that be the date of the motor? I am also not sure if this motor and saw are related either--most likely not.

I was very surprised to see a later (higher) serial number than my Crescent 32". I assume that means it was made after the big saw. The owner inferred that it could be a pre 1920's saw according to the ad.

>>>Update 5-11-2004

I have put a first coat of primer on most parts and the main frame is in its final color after countless hours of cleaning and lots of elbow grease. I've got an estimated 60 hours into the project and we're beginning to see some progress.

Remaining items to complete: the final coat of Rustoleum Dark Marchinery Grey on the frame, motor base plate (original Crescent acquired on Ebay), wheels, and motor; I need to locate some odd size square nut bolts and nuts--hex bolts look terrible on this vintage saw; I need to mount the new rubber tires on the wheels and crown them, locate a couple of odd sized thumbscrews for the upper guide, and figure out if I want to invest in a new lower guide--probably, but that will be costly.

Unfortunately, all is not totally well--the main table is very pitted, my choices are to bondo the table and use it as is or find some sort of steel plate and glue to the main table. I will also need to make some choices on a rear table which was a piece that was missing but I should be able to fabricate something out of MDF, eh!

The motor has been totally gone through at the local motor shop, its a older B-Line 1hp RI motor. I decided to use this motor as it has more power than the one I received with the original saw. I have a $120 into that including a simple SquareD starter, about $40 on miscellaneous hardware (every bolt, nut, and screw will be replaced), and I figure I have about $30 worth of paint and related supplies. New rubber tires was approximately $50 including the strong glue.

Photo 1:

Comments: The Saw as it Came Home, notice the size compared to its older brother!
Source: My Fuji

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Photo 2:

Comments: About 75% complete on the restoration
Source: My Fuji

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Photo 3:

Comments: The main table and Lower Wheel which will require a bit of elbow grease!
Source: My Fuji

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Photo 4:

Comments:
Source: My driveway

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Photo 5:

Comments: These are additional parts i purchased off a seller who was parting out a 20"; including the rare rear table. I received a tip from Phil Clement, thanks a million!
Source: A friend of OWWM

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Photo 6:

Comments: I found a new table along with the other parts and sucked it up and had it shipped from the east coast!
Source: My Canon

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