Photo Index - Boice-Crane Co. - Oscillating Spindle Sander

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Boice-Crane Co.
Toledo, OH, then Gothenburg, NE, Chula Vista, CA

True Manufacturer:
Boice-Crane Co., Toledo, OH, then Gothenburg, NE, Chula Vista, CA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Matthew Warwick

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Oscillating Spindle Sander
Date of Manufacturer:	1940s
Serial Number:	N/A
Last Updated	8/5/2024 4:33:55 PM

Comments:

I bought this in early May in Modesto, CA for $575. It was previously used in the prior owner's father's cabinet shop for decades, and although there is no serial number, I was told it was purchased in the 1940s at some point. It's decently heavy and was still operational when purchased but clearly showed its age due to rust, dirt, grease, etc. Upon closer inspection, the middle trunnion teeth were completely broken off and the machine showed leakage from the front cover, drive shaft and potentially other spots---both of these are typical issues on these sanders.

I have worked on it off and on since May, successfully disassembling, stripping/de-rusting and cleaning it before repainting it. I also took apart the motor and changed the bearings. The motor has been reassembled as have the few things I took off on the inside of the machine. I managed to seal off everything successfully except for the drive shaft using Permatex Ultra Black around each opening (and the outside of each bolt and threaded part) and Teflon Thread Tape on all the threads. I originally was going to see if I could seal the drive shaft from the outside but still got noticeable leakage from there after refilling the crankcase, so I have since gotten the water pump bearing assembly and the old (not to mention poorly designed and horribly ineffective) oil seal out and am replacing all of those with new parts. I am also going to be patching the missing trunnion teeth with a steel patch, which will be quite an arduous task.

This has been a slow process and I am still waiting for some parts in the mail as of posting this, but there will be more updates in the next few weeks as I reach the finish line on this restoration! More info and pics to come then as well!

Update: At long last and after much procrastination, I got this restoration done. Overall I really love how it looks! The trunnion patch didn't turn out as precisely as I would have liked, but it's better than having a huge ugly gap that prevents it from functioning. I also didn't put any replacement decals on the side, but I painted the front cover a contrasting red to help it pop some. I also managed to patch all the leaks. It required A LOT of Permatex, but thankfully the color of that stuff fits in well with the paint color I chose for the machine. Something I didn't do that I'd very much like to in the future is disassembling the whole spindle in order to replace the bearings. The machine makes a fair amount of clatter when running, so I believe the bearings will need to be replaced. I just need to figure out how to get the pins out of the spindle parts so I can take it apart. Until then, this is another one for the books.

Photo 1:

Comments: Here's how it looked when I first got it into the garage
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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Photo 2:

Comments: Everything (minus the motor) after disassembly, de-rusting and cleaning
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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Photo 3:

Comments: You can see everything here except the stand (which is painted the same color)
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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Photo 4:

Comments: Nice and restored! I also built a platform for some casters so it could be rolled around.
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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Photo 5:

Comments: Front cover closeup. Love the contrast!
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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Photo 6:

Comments: Repaired trunnion...works but is stiff at points
Source: Taken with my iPhone

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