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Machinery Photo Index
Manufactured/Badged by:
Yates-American Machine Co., Inc.
Beloit, WI; Roscoe, IL; Liberty, NC

Machine Specifications
Machine Class: Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type: Band Saw
Machine Size: 20"
Submitted By: Chuck Hess
Machine Specifications
Description/Model: Y-20 "Snowflake"
Date of Manufacturer: 1943
Serial Number: B-18644
Last Updated 6/18/2011 2:14:45 AM

Comments:
Yates American Y-20 "Snowflake", serial # B-18644. 6-18-2011.

Hey All,
Well here's a nice little rare saw that came my way unexpectedly, but was a very pleasant surprise. I was talking with a friend and he asked if I wanted it because he had sold it but the deal fell through. I answered yes, and we picked it up 2 days later. When we got there I asked him how the tires were and he answered "you should know since you guys did them". I did not remember that, until I saw the upper wheel with the 5 holes which is very distinctive, and felt I was had a real senior moment. My son did not remember that either, which made me feel a little better. I guess we have done a lot of wheels in the past 2 years.
An interesting thing about this saw is that the wheels and the snowflakes are cast iron, not cast aluminum as the others I've owned were. As aforementioned, the upper wheel has 5 holes that were cast into it I suppose to reduce the added weight of cast iron on that piece, and this is the only one of these I have seen that way. I also presume that this would be about a 1943 vintage, when due to the war effort, aluminum was in short supply. Anyway, she runs smooth and quiet, passed the nickel test no problem. My daughter painted the badges and I put a new cord on and tuned up the guides. Ready to roll and I love the way these sound at startup.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front Quarter
Source: HessWoodwork.com
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Photo 2:

Comments: Front Quarter
Source: HessWoodwork.com
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Photo 3:

Comments: Da Badge
Source: HessWoodwork.com
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Photo 4:

Comments: da football badge
Source: HessWoodwork.com
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Photo 5:

Comments: More of my daughters handiwork
Source: HessWoodwork.com
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Photo 6:

Comments: da motor badge
Source: Hesswoodwork.com
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