Photo Index - Porter-Cable Machine Co. - K-88 ( factory variant)

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Porter-Cable Machine Co.
Syracuse, NY and Jackson, TN

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Rip Saw
Machine Size:	8" circular saw
Submitted By:	James Huston

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	K-88 ( factory variant)
Date of Manufacturer:	c.1932
Serial Number:	A961R
Last Updated	12/31/2019 7:52:57 PM

Comments:

This circular saw is a bit of an enigma. The K-88 debuted in 1929, being the first 8" gear driven saw Porter-Cable offered ( the K-8 was actually a direct drive saw, the armature shaft forming the arbor). At some point between then and the late 1930's, someone ordered this modified version from Porter-Cable. This K-88 differs from the base model in two ways; the addition of a dado arbor ( differing from other P.C. dado arbors in using a spacer on a partly threaded arbor, instead of the later fully threaded version), and the stamping of the base in steel rather than the usual duraluminum. It's unknown why the different base was requested, as the conventional base is more than adequate for most applications.

As per usual, I picked a real beater. The saw had several breaks in the upper guard which were poorly welded, the lower guard had been misplaced, the depth screw was broken in two, and the handle badly broken and repaired by the same ape who botched the guard. However, the gears were in very nice shape ( the jackshaft gear is bronze, and easily damaged), and , well, it may be the only one of it's kind. Repairs were in order.

I did a lot of grinding out of sloppy welds, and stuck everything back together in the original place, found a lower guard, welded the screw back together, and did the usual rebuild ( bearings, brushes, cord., Etc.). I was even able to find a period saw case.

Like any of the first generation saws ( such as the K-9,K-10, K-65, K-66 and K-12), the old fellow is as smooth and steady, with little in the way of noise or vibration. The K-88 is arguably the best made framing saw of all time, and many of them have survived the decades with neighborhoods of houses under their belts.This quirky saw is no different.

Photo 1:

Comments: Who does this to tools?
Source: James Huston

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Photo 2:

Comments: The only steel base I've ever seen on a K-series
Source: James Huston

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Photo 3:

Comments: Niety years young, and ready for round two
Source: James Huston

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