Photo Index - Greenlee Brothers & Co. - No. 478 Double Arbor Universal Saw Bench

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Greenlee Brothers & Co.
Chicago, IL and Rockford, IL

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Table Saw
Machine Size:	2) 18" blades, 2500 lbs. net less motor
Submitted By:	Jeff McVey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	No. 478 Double Arbor Universal Saw Bench
Date of Manufacturer:	1914, S/N 24418
Serial Number:	(View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	11/13/2004 10:14:03 AM

Comments:

If my "gouge" on Greenlee serial numbers is correct, this machine was built in 1914, which seems about right. I call it "Sawzilla", as I believe it's the heaviest "Universal" or "Variety" (i.e. general purpose) table saw ever made in the USA. With its 5HP motor, the net weight is about 2750 pounds - more than an early Ford Mustang. The table is 53" wide and 46" deep, with the left-hand 20" being a slider with a 35" stroke.

It has a tilting rack & pinion fence, which can be pivoted for taper cuts and coving. Although the saw is a tilting table design, the fence can also be mounted on the slider, which eliminates many of the problems associated with tilt tables. It came with the "quadrant" type cut-off gauge, but is missing the two 14"-wide miter gauges, which are very similar to those found on the larger Oliver saws. If you know of any, please let me know!

The two babbit-bearing arbors, which are set up for 1-1/4" bore blades, mount on a yoke with a 23" diameter bearing on the left side. They will accommodate two 18" blades simultaneously, or a single 24" blade. The small handwheel rotates the arbor yoke, while the larger one tilts the table.

I obtained this machine in the summer of 2004, and hope to have it restored by the end of 2005. I anticipate a fairly simple restoration, as I have yet to discover any major problems.

Greenlee table saws are quite scarce. I've only heard of a few of the newer No. 495/495S models, and this is the only No. 478 of which I'm aware. If anybody knows of another No. 478, I'd like to hear about it. I'd even like to purchase another, so I can use them as bookends.

Photo 1:

Comments: On the trailer, ready for the trip home
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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Photo 2:

Comments: Fence
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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Photo 3:

Comments: Sliding Table & Quadrant Gauge
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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