Photo Index - Yates-American Machine Co., Inc. - Y30 Snowflake

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Yates-American Machine Co., Inc.
Beloit, WI; Roscoe, IL; Liberty, NC

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	30"
Submitted By:	Lance Shields

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Y30 Snowflake
Date of Manufacturer:	1940
Serial Number:	B-18471
Last Updated	1/2/2026 3:28:02 PM

Comments:

Machine was mechanically serviced at Pleasant Street Machinery Spa & Resort in DeKalb, Il. Work completed was new tires, crown and balance wheels, and new bearings. Machine now runs smooth enough to pass the nickel (and penny!) test at full RPM. I am told it is a B series machine, built in Beloit, and it has all cast iron wheel covers, likely one of the last produced. Purchased by Lance in 2022. Machine came to me by way of Al Caldecourt who bought it in 2019. Luthier James Condino had it before then. Talking with James, I am told the saw originally shipped to the WACO biplane factory in Troy, Ohio, in 1940. A mill in West Virginia had it after WACO, and dropped it at some point while moving it, badly damaging it. After that, it was sold for scrap and rebuilt to working condition by an Australian Machinist living in rural WV. James bought it from him in 2013 after seeing the Brian Boggs Y30 in Asheville, NC. Update 2026; restoration is complete. See updated photos. Machine was fully stripped, all paint and rust removed either by sandblasting, grinding, or electrolysis (if possible). All new bearings have been installed. Motor was disassembled and the armature was professionally balanced. A new VFD was sourced from Jack Forsberg and outfitted with a remote start / stop and remote potentiometer on the operator side. New tags were designed by myself and fabricated by Tom Utley. Mike Thomas kindly helped me with a missing table lock pin. I took a great deal of time to set up and shim the saw so that all is straight, square, and coplanar to the table and guide post - it is dead on accurate. An exceptionally smooth running saw which is a joy to use. I will post a narrative of the rebuild to OWWM at some future point.

Photo 1:

Comments: After Restoration - Front
Source: Self

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Photo 2:

Comments: After Restoration - Rear
Source: Self

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Photo 3:

Comments: Upper Wheel - Rear
Source: Self

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Photo 4:

Comments: Operator Station
Source: Self

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Photo 5:

Comments: Rear Detail
Source: Self

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Photo 6:

Comments: Before Restoration - Front
Source: Self

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