Photo Index - Oliver Machinery Co. - No. 88-DM Table Saw "before"

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Oliver Machinery Co.
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	18" 5HP DMD w/slider & 48" rip
Submitted By:	Jeff McVey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	No. 88-DM Table Saw "before"
Date of Manufacturer:	1958 - S/N 90686
Serial Number:	(View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	1/7/2006 10:38:47 AM

Comments:

This saw turned out to be older than I expected. In fact, it's so old, it was originally sold to the Aztec's!!!

The San Diego State University Aztec's, that is. I'd always been fond of Oliver's 88-D table saws. Although the 260's are certainly appealing, with today's great carbide combination blades, a single arbor is enough for me. Plus, with the No. 88 (Oliver's biggest), the blade is always in the same fore/aft position.

This particular example is pretty well equipped. It has the optional tilting "F" fence, 48" rip capacity, and the sliding table. It was also furnished with the quadrant gauge, one miter gauge, a dado sleeve and two BIG stack dado sets, overhanging guard (with the mounting extension not shown in the picture, but without the original "basket"), the "horseshoe" miter gauge connecting link, original wrenches, etc.

It seems to be in pretty good shape, although I have yet to apply power. After I get it up and running, I'll post more pictures. In the interim, if anybody has a No. 1 miter gauge and the proper guard basket for sale...

The last picture shows the 12-point tie-down we used to secure the saw to the trailer. We used two trucker's chains with binders, and four serious ratchet tie-downs with 2" x 27' nylon straps. Although the saw was not attached to the pallet, we did screw 2X4's around the edges of the pallet to keep it from moving. After loading it on with a forklift, we spent some time moving it to the proper fore/aft position (with a come-along) to balance the trailer. Loading took 2.5 hours total, but doing it right pays off. We were able to cruise at freeway speeds (I had it up to 85MPH once) without any problems.

01/07/06 UPDATE: Since I posted these pictures and the Yahoo! groups message (2005's Last Adventure) concerning this machine, there's been a bit of discussion about the "DM" version of the Oliver No. 88. It's mentioned in Dana Batory's first book, as meaning the "Douglas Modification". Supposedly this version was developed in 1948 for the Douglas Aircraft Co. for the cutting of aluminum.

Outwardly, the only obvious difference in the "DM", when compared to the "D" is the presence of a 5" handwheel on the L/H side of the saw's sliding table. This handwheel is used to moved the sliding table laterally to provide access for blade changes, installation of monster dado heads, etc. The saw's motor is a standard 3450-3600 RPM unit without any provisions for runnig at a lower speed.

Ray Muno discovered and posted a picture which shows both an 88-D and an 88-DM. Mine is equipped just as the one in that picture. After seeing that picture, and all the discussion, it's my guess that the 88-DM was a simply a high-end version of the 88-D that was furnished with all the options that may well have originally been ordered by Douglas Aircraft. Both my saw and the one in Ray's picture are equipped with the following optional equipment: 1)sliding table with "quadrant" gauge; 2)handwheel for opening sliding table; 3) Type "F" tilting micrometer fence; 4)extended (48") rip capacity - which is the extra-length fence support table (and leg) which mount on the R/H side of the saw.
And it came with all the "standard" stuff, too. So, it's possible that "DM" may have indicated "Deluxe Machine", too!

Photo 1:

Comments: Overall view
Source: GG photo

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: left side view
Source: GG photo

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: 85-MPH tie-down
Source: Jeff McVey photo

Direct Link
IMG Code