Photo Index - Sears | Craftsman - 103.24280 (Craftsman '100' on pedestal stand)

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
King-Seeley Corp.-Central Specialty Division, Ann Arbor, MI; Ypsilanti, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	12"
Submitted By:	D.L. (Larry) Felton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	103.24280 (Craftsman '100' on pedestal stand)
Date of Manufacturer:	1954-1959 (approx.)
Serial Number:
Last Updated	8/13/2015 3:31:28 AM

Comments:

I purchased this band saw from the local Craigslist in March 2013. I needed a band saw for cutting turning blanks, and was happy to find one with its original pedestal stand. It was reasonably complete and in decent shape - bearings even seemed good, so I just cleaned it up, made a few upgrades, and put it to use. As found, the saw had an 11" arbor pulley, apparently installed to slow it down to cut aluminum (as indicated by the metal flakes embedded in the tires). I changed this to a standard 5" inch pulley and cleaned up the tires, which are still in pretty good condition. The saw came with a 1/4HP "Power Poise" (Brown-Brockmeyer Co.) motor, which I replaced with a slightly larger, older Century motor. (I now have a period 1/2HP Craftsman motor, but haven't installed it yet). The original sintered bronze blade guides were gone, replaced with small wooden dowels, which I replaced first with brass rods, then Cool Blocks; I also added small ball bearings for blade thrust wheels. I adapted an old Delta table saw(?) fence purchased from BOYD, and fabricated an aluminum blade guard with dimensions and photos contributed by OWWM members (see thread regarding guard here: http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=129830 ).

I haven't repainted the saw, but did clean up and paint the column of the stand. I quite by accident stumbled onto a spray paint that's a very close match (Valspar Gloss Cobalt Cannon, 85041, as discussed here: http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=146305&start=15#p974004 ).

I've attributed this saw to the late 1950s, based on the following considerations: The pedestal stands were introduced about 1954, and this style of Craftsman "winged badge" was reported in use from 1946-1959 (per Brian Kachadurian; see http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=122615#p822693 ).

The machine has served its purpose well enough for a small band saw. I recently bought a larger 1973 Delta-Rockwell 14" saw (http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=17475 ), so will retire the Craftsman when I've got the newer one in usable condition.

Photo 1:

Comments: Saw, stand, motor & badges, as found
Source: (left) CL photo; (right) my Canon SX200

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Photo 2:

Comments: Details, during cleanup
Source: My Canon SX200

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Photo 3:

Comments: Table - left - as found, w/ wooden guides; right, with fabricated blade guard
Source: My Canon SX200

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Photo 4:

Comments: Sears catalog, 1955, page 11
Source: Vintage Machinery Archives

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Photo 5:

Comments: Still in service, Aug. 2015, but about ready to retire.
Source: My Canon SX200

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