Photo Index - Montgomery Ward | Powr-Kraft - Prob. 44FD852A/Duro3020

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Manufactured/Badged by:
Montgomery Ward | Powr-Kraft
*

True Manufacturer:
Duro Metal Products Co., Chicago, IL.

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	12"
Submitted By:	Larry Hampton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Prob. 44FD852A/Duro3020
Date of Manufacturer:	30s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	5/5/2014 7:52:37 PM

Comments:

This machine was given to me by my old friend Richard, and it looked like a quick restoration so it jumped the line. I ended up spending more time and money than I expected; imagine that! The blade cover required welding, which I had to hire since it was cast. It cracked again later when I gently "adjusted" it so that it would stop rubbing on the lower wheel. I think I'll leave it like that.
I decided to use the well-made existing stand, and clad it with MDF for a cabinet/stand. That was a lesson: be sure it is square first. It was not, which created more work for me. I like warm off-white and a little texture, and since I couldn't find wrinkle paint in the right color, I used Valspar "stone" paint in a spray can. Way too much texture; hard to clean, slow to cure, etc. That was lesson number two. I ran out of the accent color, sort of a taupe, and since it isn't made any more, I chose a sort-of-close match for accent color on the the cabinet. That was another lesson; buy more paint than you think you will need.
The motor worked fine and only required a clean and paint, and freshening up of the wicks that lubricate the brass sleeves. But when I put it back together, matching the new wiring with the photos I took of the original wiring, it ran backwards. The man at the motor shop showed me what to do to reverse it, I did that, and now it runs the right direction but shorts out, tripping the circuit. Fixing that is the last step. I am not sure what the lesson is there.
I was able to make a couple of decals successfully, using the Testors kit. Thanks to Bob Holcomb for the graphic on the top decal, and I extracted an old MW image from the web for the transfer on the cabinet. Not authentic for the era, I'm sure, but it fills the bill for the cabinet design.
The saw was tilted several degrees, so I adjusted the cabinet and raised one side with washer spacers to make it plumb. I built in a 1-1/4" steel tube which can be slid out for a push handle. The grip is a short length of soft tubing from Lowe's.
Once I get the motor fixed and get the blade properly centered, I plan to make good use of this little fella.

Photo 1:

Comments: Official portrait.
Source: my D200

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Photo 2:

Comments: As acquired
Source: my D200

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Photo 3:

Comments: Motor badge.
Source: my D200

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Photo 4:

Comments: Cabinet innards. You can see the original stand serves as framing.
Source: my D200

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Photo 5:

Comments: New decal at top of blade cover.
Source: My D200

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Photo 6:

Comments: Made up image from internet compilation of old MW images. I used this on the cabinet to replicate the motif of the saw wheels.
Source: my D200

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