Swing saw - never seen one

[S4cruiser]

Spotted this while browsing craigslist. I never knew something like these existed?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/tls/5362154656.html

Is it real or some type of frankentool?

 

[jakemac]

It's real - pre-curser to the homeowner's Radial Arm Saw.
It's also REALLY scary. These were built long before OSHA got involved with tool manufacturing.
Cabinet Makers tended to like these because of how quick and accurate the cuts were, but using one was like spinning a roulette wheel with shop safety.

I had the chance to pick one up cheap at an estate sale a month or two ago and ran away.

 

[Bobioz1]

Looks like something my uncle "Lefty" might have owned at one time.

 

[NUTTSGT]

OSHA ? Heck we used several saws like that back when I worked at Dayco Swan making radiator hose in the 90's.

Granted they were exactly like that but larger and same basic design. I've probably made more than a half million cuts using a saw similar to that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The only swing saws I have ever seen are at old lumber yards. 12" blade, 6' arm.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Looks cool, can't say I knew these existed.

Here's a scan of a 1950s catalog from:
http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/46777-Old-Craftsman-Tools-I-just-Can-t-See-How-They-Did-It

 

[Off-Street Parking]

It looks like one just like it sold on eBay a few months ago for $350...

Item #151836634259
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151836634259

 

[Voi]

There was on a very large one on my local Craigslist for a while. I assume it came out of a sawmill. It was rough but super cheap and I was very tempted to buy it just to have in my shop just because it was so cool looking.

Alas, I passed on it.

 

[jakemac]

Here's another discussion about swing saws.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280285&highlight=swing

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Here's another discussion about swing saws.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280285&highlight=swing

That's the one that just sold on eBay! Exact same picture...

 

[86turbodsl]

look around on owwm.org.

 

[930dreamer]

I have never seen one of these.

 

[fp1967]

I seen a huge version of one of these on a TV show onetime. It was at an old shutter factory somewhere on the East Coast. It was run off of a line shaft and pivoted at the shaft up by the ceiling. They called it a pendulum saw. I'm pretty sure there was a waterwheel at the place too.

 

[countryroad82]

Omg Daddy wants! I see a Halloween prop of epic magnitude with that! Wooooweeee! Now I need to find one a little closer!