Vintage Porter Cable Model 125 Saw

[admranger]

Looking for an owner's manual for this saw. It was my wife's late grandfather's saw and she was very close to him. I'd like to refurb it so it is like new again.

Biggest challenge is that the arbor doesn't tighten up so the blades just sit there while the motor spins... The cord is old and brittle too, but that should be easy to replace though I'd like to replace it with a three prong cord as it is a non-directional two pronger right now.

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[tyjoja]

Nice looking saw, good job. I have a newer porter cable the same size, and the great thing about it is that It's blade and handle are on the left. So if you are running it right handed you are looking right at the cutting going on. Love that feature and you don't have the length and ackwardness of a worm drive.

 

[never enuf time]

Can you feel the resistance of the gears when you turn the blade by hand ?

 

[Grimdari]

I believe I can help you. I have one of these very saws which I believe were made somewhere around 1955 or 56.

I should be able to scan in the pages.

 

[Grimdari]

Well, I read through the 17 page manual, and the only information I found that would be useful to you were the parts list and the assembly schematic.

I tried to attach it as a PDF but the file limit is 145k for uploads and the PDF is 2.9MB. So, I just linked it off of a hosted site below.

http://www.seidaku.net/porter_cable_125.pdf

Its virus free, I promise.

Hope this helps.

-EDIT-

The manual shows this particular saw with a three prong power cable, which my saw has.

Also, this particular saw has what Porter-Cable called the Kickproof Clutch. Which allowed the motor to continue to spin if the blade was unable to turn. It kept the saw from kicking back out of a cut. However, there is nothing in the manual that explains how the clutch works nor if the issue with your saw is related to the Kickproof Clutch,

 

[admranger]

Can you feel the resistance of the gears when you turn the blade by hand ?

Yes, I can feel resistance from the gears. I wonder if the woodruff key broke or something like that...

I'll look at the pages that were uploaded and see if I can figure it out between painting cabinet shelves...

 

[MichaelLPaquin]

Dear Grimdari;
I also need the manual for the Porter-Cable 125 circular saw. The web link above is no longer active. Would you be so kind as to send me the file

 

[The Cobbler]

Dear Grimdari;
I also need the manual for the Porter-Cable 125 circular saw. The web link above is no longer active. Would you be so kind as to send me the file

this is an 8 yr old thread, the the user has not logged in for years. don't hold your breath on your request!LOL

 

[MichaelLPaquin]

How do I make a "general" request?

 

[The Cobbler]

this thread may bring attention, It was just an FYI on not to expect a reply from the poster.

 

[Made in USA]

You may be more likely to get info on OWWM website - lots of vintage PC fanatics there:

http://www.owwm.org/viewforum.php?f=1

 

[Bigblockyeti]

You don't have a picture of the spindle flange by chance do you? My ancient Porter Cable 508 takes the same spindle bolt and bronze washer but the flange on the arbor has a projection 7/8" diameter that won't allow it to safely accept a 5/8" bore blade but that projection fits perfectly into the back of the bronze washer.

 

[admranger]

Sorry, I sold the saw.