Photo Index - Yates-American Machine Co., Inc. - Y-36 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:	36" Wheels
Submitted By:	Chuck Hess

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Y-36 Snowflake
Date of Manufacturer:	1941
Serial Number:	B 16655 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	2/26/2007 10:39:05 PM

Comments:

Yates Y-36 Snowflake, Serial # B16655, Purchased by the Navy 1941. 11/4/06

Hey All,
Spotted an interesting WW II veteran Snowflake bandsaw yesterday in a shop where I was picking up another machine that I just purchased. This was among a few other OWWMs but the place is outfitted with mostly newer manufacturing equipment. When I called this a snowflake the owner gave me the deer in the headlights look, and told me that is a lot nicer name than what they call it.
The little bit of history I could get is that the man I was talking to is the fourth generation in that business. He was a little fuzzy about details but he thought that his grandfather had bought that shop in the late 40s or early 50s and he thought the bandsaw was already there, and part of the shop purchase. The machine has a Navy property tag and the serial number badge has a couple of anchors stamped in it.
The interesting thing about this to me was the gear reduction system on this saw, I have never seen another like it. It possibly could have originally been set up for metalwork. I wish now that I had really gotten a closer look but it all looked pretty original from where I was standing. After asking permission to photograph his machine and getting a very quizzical look from him, I did not want to get on my hands and knees and totally freak the dude out. He told me how much trouble they had in replacing the tires once upon a time and when I explained they were Carter wheels and told him about Carter "Lok on" tires for that type of wheel, he was grateful. They had tried to just install regular tires, without much success, and the saw badly needs new ones, we're talking big negative crown here. This confirmed to me that he did not know much about the saw. Judging from the scrap bin behind the saw there are using it mostly to cut MDF, and appeared to have Paddock guides but I really didn't look closely. There is also a non original table extension installed. Unfortunately it is not for sale. Here's another for the registry, Doug. I love the Mainland!
See yall later,
Chuck

Photo 1:

Comments: Front shot
Source: Mines

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Photo 2:

Comments: Motor
Source: Mines

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Photo 3:

Comments: Gear Reduction
Source: Mines

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