Photo Index - Syracuse Sander Manufacturing Co. - D -1 Disc sander

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Syracuse Sander Manufacturing Co.
Syracuse, NY

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	15"
Submitted By:	Robert Bernstein

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	D -1 Disc sander
Date of Manufacturer:	late teens, early twenties
Serial Number:	D-553 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	11/4/2012 12:50:20 PM

Comments:

This sander is the mate to the oscillating spindle sander whose photographs I posted yesterday.

I obtained both machines from the firm I believe was their original purchaser, the S. J. Creswell Iron Works of Philadelphia, PA. They were pattern shop machines.

My family had become part owners of the iron works in the early 1950's. I worked at the iron works summers, as a teenager, in the mid 1960's (most often doing the same kind of thing this site is dedicated to--servicing machines-- though I also did a bit of whatever there was to be done) and knew the last of the old time patternmakers, Mr. Lee Hayes, who showed me around his domain.

After the pattern shop had been closed for several years, in 1978 (I think) I was given all the pattern shop equipment that I wanted. However I was already living here in New England so the transfer was not simple. And the pattern shop was on the second floor of the old building, without any longer even a set of stairs. There had never been an elevator. I rigged all the machinery one day and moved these sanders along with a Powers 36" band saw, an Atlantic Works 20" jointer, a Powers 24" planer, a Goodell & Waters 14" bench saw, a 24" by 10 ft Fay & Scott lathe and assorted accoutrements, including some countershafting, the next day. I think we had two pickups and shipped some. I remember crating the disassembled lathe. (Later I went back with an enlcosed rental truck and took some more good stuff, five maple benches each ten feet long I recall, among other items.)

My father, now dead ten years, convinced me to take the sanders. I wasn't going to, I had stars in my eyes for all the big machinery. He was right. The disc, especially, I've used often. (He also had to convince me to take the Emmert's vises: I thought vises with wooden screws were what I wanted. Obviously he was right again.)

I was some proud. Twenty-eight years old and the possessor of all that fine machinery.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front overall view
Source: R Bernstein

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Side view of table, tilt and hieght mechanisms, motor & switch
Source: R Bernstein

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Front closeup belwo table, showing cast iron guard/dust collector, dust collector tube, Syracuse brass maker's plate, and faded Syracuse decal (which shows the S-1 Spindle Sander and the D-1 Disc Sander
Source: R Bernstein

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: close view of decal and portion of tag
Source: R Bernstein

Direct Link
IMG Code