Photo Index - Crescent Machine Co. - 26" Bandsaw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Crescent Machine Co.
Leetonia, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	26"
Submitted By:	Allan Walker

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	26" Bandsaw
Date of Manufacturer:	Unkown
Serial Number:	No Serial (Prototype?)
Last Updated	5/23/2015 10:37:29 PM

Comments:

Crescent 26” Band Saw

I started wood working in the early eighties, after owning and finding the limitations of a three wheel bandsaw it soon became apparent that I needed a bigger machine. So I talked to my power tool shop owner and he put me on to a machine that was for sale, at a factory in Burleigh heads on the Gold coast, Qld Australia. I asked what make and what the history of work the saw had done, the guys said it was used to cut firewood and knew nothing else about it. All that mattered at the time was that it would suit the needs of my workshop. So, after changing the motor to single phase, and making a bearing guide for below the table it worked hard for the last twenty-five years. My only regret was disposing what was probably the original motor.
Then about a year ago I became curious to know the manufacturer and age of my machine, that’s when I discovered your site. In my research there were some obvious differences; No raised lettering on the yolk, the bottom axel bearing housing, the tilt table release handle mechanism, and no serial numbers or I.D plates, other than a lone number six on the top wheel axel, the number ten stamped in the left hand front corner of the tilt table and a double zero stamped on the bottom wheel. After looking at all of the 26 inch bandsaws on this site it seems that this saw may have been a fore runner to release.

The Restoration
After a wash over hammer tone green paint job done in the mid 90s to cover up a lot of surface rust it was time to really fix up the old girl. August 9th 2014 began with complete disassembly including nuts and bolts. Clean up all parts and repair where necessary and rust converter treatment, then Silver Zink primer to everything. I used Dulux colour bond Classic Cream for the finish - I never did like the factory matte mid grey. On reassembly attention was on proper alignment of wheel to guide post position, some grinding was necessary, which meant the machine never ran to its potential. Also the addition of a dust brush on the lower wheel and a handy work light has made a difference. Since restoring this machine using it is an absolute pleasure and was worth every bit of the time and effort.
I would like to find out more about this particular saws history, like how it came to Australia or how many were sent, was it for exhibition in a show? I now work in the sign industry so it was easy to get the Crescent logo printed from around that era. Woodworking is now only a hobby to me these days but the enjoyment that I got from this project will last as long as I live, and the saw stands as the pride of my workshop.

Photo 1:

Comments: 26" Crescent Bandsaw
Source: Mr Allan Walker Qld Australia

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Photo 2:

Comments: Restoration Complete
Source: Mr Allan Walker

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Photo 3:

Comments: Stripped Yoke (No Machine Co. Lettering)
Source: Mr Allan Walker

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Photo 4:

Comments: Internal Table Tilt Mechanism Shown
Source: Mr Allan Walker

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Photo 5:

Comments: View with Cowlings Removed
Source: Mr Allan Walker

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Photo 6:

Comments: Rear View Complete
Source: Mr Allan Walker

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