Photo Index - Crescent Machine Co. - Crescent No. 5 Sliding Top Saw-Table

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Crescent Machine Co.
Leetonia, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	Dual Arbor 16"
Submitted By:	Phil Kezele

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Crescent No. 5 Sliding Top Saw-Table
Date of Manufacturer:	1921 or later
Serial Number:	40552 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	2/27/2006 9:30:41 PM

Comments:

The correct name for this saw is a Crescent No. 5 Sliding Top Saw-Table

For an account of how I acquired this saw see the following link below.

http://discussion.oldwwmachines.com/detail.asp?ID=46268

Here is a link describing this saw in detail:
http://www.owwm.com/files/PDF/Crescent/1921-SawTables.pdf

This saw is one of the earliest examples of dual arbor design. It accepts up to 16" saws, each with arbor size of 1-1/8". Back in its early years one would have expected this saw to have one blade setup for ripping and the other for cross-cutting. This saw is nearly identical to the Crescent No. 3, except that the number 5 has a sliding left table and slightly larger main table. According to the Crescent literature that made the saw better adapted for cut-off and dado purposes.

A quick survey of this saw I determined that all of the babbitt bearings have been replaced with pillow-block bearings--but you have to look real close to notice; some of the bolts have hex nuts which is a dead giveaway that someone has changed something--this saw should have square head bolts everywhere. I know this saw was manufactured after 1921 for two reasons: one, the saw has the integrated dust chute which was not offered until this time, and the serial number is too high to be made before that date. So this saw could have been made between 1921 and 1935, but my guess is around 1928.

Bearing replacement will be a major cost for the restoration, I counted over a dozen and that does not include the roller bearings required for the sliding table. Seems like we should have an OWWM discount at a bearing supply online shop, eh?

I'll post updates as I progress in the restoration.

Photo 1:

Comments: Kitty is surveying the saw prior to loading
Source: My Fuji Finepix

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Photo 2:

Comments: Showing the mechanics of the machine, the large handwheel turns the dual arbor, the small handwheel tilts the table.
Source: Doug Westlind

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Photo 3:

Comments: Ready to load in my pickup, I needed 40.5 inches of height and my canopy had 41"!
Source: My Fuji Finepix

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