Craftsman Swing Saw

[tiggi]

Here is my latest find. It looks like everything is in good shape. All the peaces are there as far as I can tell. There is no motor but they sold these units with out it anyway. Honestly I can't even tell if its ever been used. paint is in great condition and besides the surface rust everything is perfect.

 

[Jim C.]

Just by looking at it, I can't figure out how it works. Does it make a straight down plunge cut? It's definitely a contraption! Is it some kind of radial arm saw? I've never used or even seen a machine like that. My guess is that it wasn't a very popular/safe/useful design, otherwise someone would still be making some version of that thing. Let us know if you get it up and running. I'd really like to know how it works and what applications it would have been used for.

Jim C.

 

[Ronbedard57]

Yikes! In the 4th image you can see a hand under the sawblade shortly before it was severed. Interesting relic, but I wouldn't try to put it to use. I don't see anything that looks like a handle for swinging the saw through the cut. Does the bed slide through the blade like a crosscut sled on a tablesaw?
Good luck

 

[southalabama]

that is cool........and dangerous, scary looking

radial arm saws (radio arm for craigslisters) are bad enough

 

[zkling]

Friend of mine's dad has one. They actually run super smooth thanks to the belt drive. With the advancement of the modern miter saw, they have become a thing of the past. No more dangerous than a circular saw, table saw or bandsaw. Just requires some thought.

 

[tiggi]

Great find! What are your plans for it? If it involves plugging it in you might want to consider this

I'll definitely be restoring it. I'll try to save the original paint and just clean and polish the unpainted parts. I don't know if I will be keeping it but I'll have to test it at least. I am thinking 50' foot extension cord and hiding behind the house for the first run.

 

[Ronbedard57]

There's something to be said for having the only one on the block. I recognize the appeal of those solid old C.I. tools.

 

[bisley45]

Very cool find If one came up in my neck of the woods I would be all over it.

 

[CNGsaves]

Cool saw as never had seen one before.

C-Man tags are pristine . . . must have not been used much . . . or all the blood from prior owner (ie died during 1st test run) has been eaten off by microbes !!!

 

[tiggi]

I am just about done restoring it. Just need to find and install a switch. Anyone volunteering to test it out?

 

[tiggi]

Here it is, clean , lubricated and ready to go. Who wants to make the first cut?

 

[OccupantRJ]

They are not that bad. Just make sure the blade is thrustng against the backstop fence, and swing into the wood from front to rear. Should have a handle to the right of the blade. Restrain swing before starting motor. We had a 16" shop built swing saw in the woodworking shop I worked in during high school. It was mounted to the ceiling joists for a pivot.

 

[Pumpman1968]

If you're that concerned about it, take the blade off for the test run.

 

[tiggi]

If you're that concerned about it, take the blade off for the test run.

It's more of a joke, the saw runs just fine, although after I put everything together I found out that the motor is rotating the wrong way. So I had to take it apart and rewire it.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

There is one for sale on Craigslist in a town near me if anyone is interested. I can buy it and we meet up somewhere near Ohio. I travel all the time to tractor shows. It is in the tool section on CL, Lexington Ky.