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1947 Unisaw

BradnCali

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Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
81
So, I've been lurking on the GJ for several years now and while it has sparked an interest for vintage tools and outfitting my garage, I'd never been compelled to post until now. As with many, money is always tight so my sweet spot for tools is about $50 and under, but I of course really love the thrill of finding a freebie and that is what happened on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, I had to make a run to the landfill as I'd run out of daylight to make the run on Saturday. As I pull up to the drop-off point, I spot out of the corner of my eye, something a couple of stalls over that was just too good to be true. It was a vintage Delta Unisaw that someone had evidently dropped off only minutes before I got there. I quickly run over and ask the attendant what was going to happen to it. He tells me that if I can get it in my truck, it was mine. I proceed to empty my truck out as quickly as I can while keeping a close eye on it.

I asked the guy emptying his truck next to mine if he'd give me a hand loading the saw in my truck for $20 and he tells me, "hell I'll help you for free!" We get it in my truck and I'm on my way before anyone else can stop me.

It is no doubt a project but most everything is there including the original 1hp bullet motor. The only parts missing were the miter gauge, blade guard and the motor cover. I happen to have almost the same exact Delta miter gauge from a Delta Homecraft table saw I picked up off Craigslist several months ago (also for free).

While I really like my 60's Craftsman 100, I've been eyeing Unisaws for months on Craigslist, knowing full well though that they were well outside my price range. It was a blast finding one the way I did! Now that I've reached my freebie nirvana, maybe I should stop looking. On second thought.

I'll post updates on my restoration process.
 

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brianh

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Apr 6, 2010
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grahamsville NY
Thats awesome I got 1959 one last fall at an estate sale for 150 would have gone over 400 to get it, I use it a lot, the Cadillac of table saws and most parts are still available. Mine was missing the motor cover like yours the pics below show what I came up with.



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nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
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Can't beat free Brad, welcome to the site!

P.S., don't stop looking, just change what you're looking for ;)
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
Messages
81
Thanks guys. Free is good indeed no matter how much of a project it is!

Brian, I like the motor cover you built. I might have to copy that idea.

Stuart, I've seen those covers and they do look like the originals. I might have to wait until after I buy mobile base so I scoot this beast around my garage.
 

jabberwoki

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May 1, 2009
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Location
puyallup wa usa
Nice work mate , cannot wait to see it fixed up.
I`m surprised the dump worker let you have it they are usually extremely Naziish about stuff like that.
 

Red Leader

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May 15, 2011
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Denver, CO
My goodness what some people are willing to throw away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for saving that one! It will clean up real nice! New arbor bearings, razor blade and sand the top, repaint and rewire and you've got one heck of a saw! Great story!
 

gungatim

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Jan 8, 2013
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8,101
Location
west mich
wow do you ****!!!! better pics of the bullett motor please?

Please do a restore thread. love to see those come back to life...and of course hit up OWWM.org and make those guys drool as well...
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
Messages
81
Well, I've dug into the saw a little bit pulling out over 13 gallons of very old saw dust along with numerous mud duabers nests from under the cast iron top. This saw clearly had not been used in a very long time. Not knowing the history beyond finding it at the landfill, I can only assume that it had been sitting untouched for years deteriorating in the corner of an old barn until this past weekend. Who knows if it went unused for years because the motor went bad long ago or if there was some other reason, perhaps the owner passed away? For obvious reasons, I was anxious to find out whether or not the motor ran and if not, how much effort I would want to put into bringing this saw back to life if I had to source another motor.

I got my answer this evening. I pulled the motor out, wired in a new plug and plugged it in...to find that the motor not only ran, but sounded very smooth.:bounce: On the wind-down though there was some vibration so the bearings will get replaced. Additionally, there is a bit of rust on the bottom of the motor though it really isn't visible when it is mounted on the saw. It's amazing how heavy this saw still is without the top or motor installed.

I've soaked one of the table extensions in an electrolysis bath for the past three days. The rust came off cleanly on most of it with the exception of a small area towards the front. I don't know yet if that means it will forever be pitted in this area but I'm not giving up so easily.
 

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nine4gmc

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That's great news about the motor, if there is pitting on the table it can be patched so don't stress too much.
 

gungatim

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Jan 8, 2013
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Location
west mich
yeah great news indeed, those motors are expensive and hard to find. i've seen much worse rust or "'ol arn" like that restored nice and purty on OWWM...check the site out, you'll be addicted in no-time...
 

404

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Aug 23, 2014
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Mass
The pitting is a patina no one else will have. It will be fine.
 
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CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
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KS and OK
This could be epic 2015 winner of YS award for free item.

Holy Toledo . . . working UniSaw . . . boggles the mind.

OP . . . . keen eye has scored you well deserved . . . YOU **** !!! :thumbup:
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
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81
Nice work mate , cannot wait to see it fixed up.
I`m surprised the dump worker let you have it they are usually extremely Naziish about stuff like that.

That is what I'd heard as well. It may have been different because it was sitting there in the parking area rather than tossed into a bin. Good thing it was too heavy to toss over the gate and down into the bin. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I'd seen that thing in there in the bin with no way of rescuing it!
 
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BradnCali

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This could be epic 2015 winner of YS award for free item.

Holy Toledo . . . working UniSaw . . . boggles the mind.

It does boggle the mind! I know my wife and kids wish I'd shut up about this. They don't seem to be near as excited about it as I am no matter how much (and often) I tell them how huge a find this was!
 

Abigalesdad

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Jan 29, 2013
Messages
8
I also have a 1947 Unisaw. Bought it at an estate sale. I paid a bit more than you but it came with lots of extras like saw blades and a bessimer? fence. Mine has the original repulsion induction motor (220v) and was not in much need of restoration. I wanted the cabinet tight so I could connect it to my dust collection system, so I spent so time doing that, including buying a motor cover from Grizzly . Its metal and was fairly inexpensive. It like my saw. I've bought and sold several more recent Unisaws since, but I think my '47 is a cut above the newer models. Besides, its nearly my age.
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
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I know it's been awhile since I've posted so I thought it might be just about time to provide an update on the progress I've made on my Unisaw. It's rusty appearance when I found it really masked its overall excellent condition. Although the bottom pan was heavily pitted as was the top, everything else though was in spectacular condition. My guess is that It hadn't been used in 40 years, and it was stored in a barn underneath a bunch of other stuff and simply forgotten about.

Since my last post I've derusted and depainted all the external parts and repainted with about six coats of enamel. I am happy with the result so far.

Brad
 

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DuroChrome

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Apr 24, 2015
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Oregon
Nice work! I'm so impressed! It is easy to acquire old stuff, it's another to crush the restoration. Well done.
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
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Thanks guys. I am extremely happy with it, but also anxious to get the belts and bearings so I can finish putting it back together.

Brad
 

404

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Fantastic. Did you do motor bearings as well? You probably know you want belts that are a matched set of 3.
 

CNGsaves

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KS and OK
You've IMPROVED that great UniSaw into lifetime keeper. Just some "elbow grease" and paint . . . . Whallah . . . . masterpiece !!! ;)

Prior owner didn't know what they had ?? :eyecrazy: You sure do . . . Enjoy.

Fabulous work !!! :thumbup:
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
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Fantastic. Did you do motor bearings as well? You probably know you want belts that are a matched set of 3.

Yes, the photo of the repainted motor is mocked up for the photo opp as I'm in the process of ordering the motor bearings and arbor bearings together. Regarding the belts, I'm contemplating using the link belts but that's a bit more pricey.
 

LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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That's incredible bud. Sounds like the fate of that saw had your name written all over it
 

404

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IMO Link belts are the pet rock of the belt world. A miracle of marketing. Yes I know some people love them. Unlikely 3 link belts will match.

Get a matched set of 3 like the makers intended.
 
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BradnCali

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Mar 14, 2014
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81
Thanks guys. If there isn't a noticeable difference in performance with the link belts, there's no reason to shell out more money.

Scimonetti, thanks for the compliments. I had no way of knowing how it would turn our after finding it in the condition that it was.
 
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