Photo Index - Henniker Machine and Fabrication, Inc. - "Versatile Saw": sliding-arbor tablesaw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Henniker Machine and Fabrication, Inc.
Henniker, NH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	12"
Submitted By:	Jeff Joslin

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	"Versatile Saw": sliding-arbor tablesaw
Date of Manufacturer:	Ca. 1950
Serial Number:
Last Updated	10/24/2006 8:37:04 PM

Comments:

Machine invented by Merle R. Patenaude, Sr., of Henniker, NH. He formed the Henniker Machine Co. in 1948 to make and sell the saw. Patenaude sold his company in the mid-1970s. The new owner continued operations , but eventually ran into financial trouble in sold it to Bob Garrison. Bob Garrison changed the name to Versatile Saw Corp. and sold saws for about 5 years, until the early 1990s. The saw was killed off by a combination of the high cost of liability insurance, plus competition from offshore makers and the new sliding compound miter saws.

This form of saw was more popular in Europe than in North America. Kity still made one until 2004 or thereabouts.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front view of the Versatile Saw
Source: David Doud

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Photo 2:

Comments: Label. Given the serial number, this saw is probably an early one.
Source: David Doud

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Photo 3:

Comments: Motor, elevation handwheel, and sliding carriage
Source: David Doud

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