Photo Index - W. F. Wells, Inc. - 49A

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
W. F. Wells, Inc.
Three Rivers, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Roy Mackey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	49A
Date of Manufacturer:	1956
Serial Number:	2189
Last Updated	8/7/2012 9:24:48 PM

Comments:

Not sure if this is listed under the right manufacturer as it seemed confusing. The Wells Manufacturing Co. here says it is in New York. The tag on this machine says Three Rivers Mich. ?? Either way I contacted the company and they actually still make a new and improved version of this model. This saw also has an A.R. Williams Machinery tag. I assume Wells made it for A.R. Williams. Either way I picked this saw up from some guy who had gotten them off some very old guy on part trade for some construction work. I bought a few tools off him, all old but did not think this thing was worth the effort (I was new into vintage tools then) Thus I stashed it in my storage locker. I was going to give it to my friend but he never showed up so I started to play around with it. The bushings where the saw attaches to the frame were wore right it. It automatically made 45 degree cuts if you wanted them or not. I managed to make up new bushings here using my drill press since I don't have a lathe... Thus they are now snug and tight. It still needs a little tweaking but cuts almost perfectly square. The cord and plug need a little tuning up which I will play around with shortly. The drawback to this saw is that it does not do 45 degree cuts. The nice thing about it though is it has a large table which makes cutting in the upright position very nice. My newer cheapo imported saw has a table that you have to attach for the upright position but sucks and takes too much time. This saw also runs smooth, and slower than my one speed cheapo. It appears the motor pulley on this has been installed upside down which I will also fix. It fits in well with all my other mid forties to late fifties junk.

Photo 1:

Comments: Here it is after I cleaned it up a bit and changed the bushings. Luckily it has a sweet original used, aged and balanced patina which of course you realize is vital when it comes to doing any kind of shop work.
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Photo 2:

Comments: I would say the motor pulley is on backwards...
Source: My Panisonic Lumix

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Photo 3:

Comments: The big table in the upright position makes this real handy for small cuts
Source: My Panisonic Lumix

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Photo 4:

Comments: The bearing seem to be in good shape from what I can tell.
Source: My Panisonic Lumix

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Photo 5:

Comments: These two tags on the machine don't quite seem to jive up with the info I found here regarding Wells Manufacturing co. When I contacted the Wells Co. they told me this was a 1956 model if I remember.
Source: My Panisonic Lumix

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Photo 6:

Comments: The switch needs a little work. I think this is original but not sure. It worked before I cut the cord off to start rewiring it.
Source: My Panisonic Lumix

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