Photo Index - American Machinery Co. (Grand Rapids) - USB

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
American Machinery Co. (Grand Rapids)
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	14" x 2
Submitted By:	T.J. Forrester

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	USB
Date of Manufacturer:	1901-02
Serial Number:	51
Last Updated	2/11/2007 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

I lined up an opportunity to purchase this saw a few months ago, and due to my waffling and loss of contact with the seller, It didn't happen until now. This is the sister saw to the USB I already own, serial #38. This saw was also purchased by Oregon Agricultural College (now OSU) back in 1901-02. After a number of years of service, this saw was sold along with #38 to a local millwork shop. Eventually, the saws parted ways, #38 staying home in a number of cabinet shops and #51 travelling to a shop in Bend, Oregon then Seattle, Washington before ending up in Horton, Oregon, less than 15 miles from its sister saw and about 30 miles from OSU.

This saw is more complete than mine, with the original fence as well as miter guage. Only the quadrant it missing. I was able to track down the previous owner from the man I purchased the saw from using a friend who is a private investigator. We had a nice conversation, but he never recalled having seen the quadrant. This saw also has the yoke lock handwheel, the flat belt idlers and pulleys in the original configuration, yoke pivot intact, and a table extension. The table extension appears in none of the literature I've seen on the USB, yet it is very obiously cast using the edge of the existing table casting pattern and the fence support as part of its pattern - definitely made for the saw. Perhaps a special order? This one has the single miter slot like #38, separating it from later USBs with two slots. As you can see, the saw is in "to be restored" condition. Another interesting feature is the presence of grease cups on the babbit bearing caps on the arbor yoke. My saw came with zerks, obviously installed later on, perhaps when the machine was converted to electric with triple V belt drive. The grease cups appear original. I think this really is the way the early USBs were lubricated. Early Oliver lube literature lists a lube for babbit bearings "up to 4000 rpm".

The saw is currently residing in fellow OWWMer Doug Westlind's shop, and only by his good graces! It will be restored at a later time.

Photo 1:

Comments: as found in a barn in Horton, Oregon
Source: disposable converter to digital - I forgot my camera at home!

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Photo 2:

Comments: Isn't that the cutest little handwheel?
Source: Disposable again

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Photo 3:

Comments: flat idlers and synthetic belt. Rick A. - the crowned ones must be on later machines
Source: and again

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