Photo Index - Mooradian Manufacturing Co. - Benchtop swing saw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Mooradian Manufacturing Co.
Los Angeles, CA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	8" to 12" blades
Submitted By:	Larry Hampton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Benchtop swing saw
Date of Manufacturer:	40s?
Serial Number:	none
Last Updated	7/1/2016 11:04:20 PM

Comments:

My friend Kevin beat me out for this oddball machine when it was offered for sale a few months ago. Then he let me buy it from him, so all is well. It looks like the Mooradian (Los Angeles) swing saw in this Photo Index though there are no manufacturer markings. When I got it the saw had no motor, no belt guard, and the elevation crank was broken. According to reports in this archive both Sears and Montgomery Ward sold Mooradian machines under their names. The Haven Saw and Tool (San Francisco) catalog of 1948 offered this machine under the Mooradian name. I took the liberty of making a Powr-Kraft (Wards) decal for the blade guard, and a Mooradian decal for the front of the stand, which I fashioned from a desk drawer base.
I traded my friend Matt for a 1-1/2 hp Rockwell motor of more recent vintage. According to the manufacturer's guidance, that motor size will handle a 12" blade, but I have mounted only a 10" blade. I affixed a knob to the elevation crank, restoring its function nicely. I didn't try to duplicate the design of the original belt guard (too difficult), choosing instead to make a simpler one of mdf. I replaced both blade arbor bearings and both motor bearings.
One can see that I have not made any cuts with this saw yet since there is no kerf in the table surface. It is a little scary, but I intend to make some sawdust some day. Who knows, it might even be a useful cutoff saw. The head can be rotated 90 degrees and locked in place, to serve as a rip saw, and there is a nifty brass protractor for setting other angles. All in all a clever design.

Photo 1:

Comments: Mooradian swing saw
Source: my shop

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Photo 2:

Comments: Showing the belt guard.
Source:

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Photo 3:

Comments:
Source: my shop

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Photo 4:

Comments:
Source: my shop

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Photo 5:

Comments: As purchased
Source: my shop

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Photo 6:

Comments: I made this from the manufacturer tag that I found in the Photo Index.
Source: my shop

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