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Machinery Photo Index
Manufactured/Badged by:
H. C. Wood Machine Works
San Francisco, CA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class: Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type: Band Saw
Machine Size: 16"
Submitted By: Bill Nance
Machine Specifications
Description/Model: 16" band saw
Date of Manufacturer: 1920s-30s??
Serial Number: 271
Last Updated 5/3/2013 12:48:17 PM

Comments:
Update: May 2013. Restoration is done and the machine is now fully operational. For future reference, total weight is about 350 pounds and the blade is 105".

Original Entry: October 2011.
This is a 16" bandsaw on an open cast iron stand, with solid cast iron upper and lower wheel covers. It came out of a seller's storage unit in San Jose, where it had sat unused for several years by the PO. He had purchased it in the condition as is. The upper wheel cover has the letters "H.C. Wood Machine Works" cast into the cover, and the machine tag shows the company's former location in San Francisco. It bears some resemblance to Davis & Wells equipment, and is roughly the size of Walker-Turner 16" machines. Resaw capability appears to be between 10-12". The saw and table, without stand and motor, weigh about 250 lbs. The stand and motor probably add another 100 lbs to the complete machine.

It is a very solid machine, with some interesting features, as well as some problems that need to be resolved. Based on observation of this machine, plus descriptions from another HCWMW machine in the index, the bearings are likely to be babbit, and the blade insert in the table is made of babbit as well. The table measures 18 x 16, and there is a small rear table that is part of the c-frame casting. The trunnion is made of brass and has the coolest of the cool cam lock levers. The upper wheel guard appears to be integral to upper wheel shaft, and does not open. It appears to be attached only via the grease zerk assembly that protrudes through the front center, although some owner in the past presumably modified it by bolting in a steel blade guard that also anchors the upper wheel cover.

The upper blade guide is an old-style Wright guide, and the lower is an odd set of blocks (perhaps babbit) that are bolted to the main casting. No way to know if they're original or not. The CI stand has a hinged CI motor mount assembly that has been broken off and may be difficult to repair to original design. The motor is a Westinghouse 3/4hp RI with neat oil cups on each end. I don't know what the bearings may be, but the motor does run nicely. This goes into the restoration queue and is likely to get a complete makeover sometime in the next year.

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