Photo Index - Chicago Machinery Exchange - 27" C-frame bandsaw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Chicago Machinery Exchange
Chicago, IL

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	27"
Submitted By:	Tobias Sullivan

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	27" C-frame bandsaw
Date of Manufacturer:	c.1910
Serial Number:	11791
Last Updated	11/28/2009 3:07:00 PM

Comments:

I acquired the machine from a contractor in Virginia earlier this year. He had purchased it out of a barn in western Maryland with the intent of restoring it but never got to it. It had been under a tarp in his side yard with a veritable graveyard of tools. He probably paid too much as did I to get it out of his hands but couldn't let a once proud machine rust away any longer. It had never been electrified and although worse for wear from the elements, was remarkably intact including the original rip fence, blade guides, and guards. Borrowing a friends panel van I schlepped it home and to my driveway to the delight* of my wife.

I had seen similar but not identical machines on OWWM which has been invaluable to figuring out how to proceed with the restoration. There were no markings on it whatsoever so I've identified it based on its similarity to Mr. Orvis' example which is badged as Chicago Machinery Exchange. Mine is very similar but differs in that mine has ball bearings, a different main table trunnion and different knobs. Assembled, mine is 7'-1" tall to the top of the wheels. One of the other things that attracted me to it is its' 25+ inches of throat capacity plus 12+ of resaw in a (relatively) small package.

So far I've blasted, filled and repainted the body, replaced the open ball bearings with new old stock, coaxed the rust off the unpainted parts, replaced the tires, painted, polished and put the thing back together to its more-or-less original configuration. A bit of paint sealed in a pocket under the main table gave me a good color match. To complete things, I still have to add the motor and controls and probably construct some sort of guards like it would have had originally as an accessory. Its been an incredibly rewarding experience so far and I'm amazed at the quality of the machine, especially in comparison to what is made today. I look forward to completing it and putting her back to work.

Photo 1:

Comments: Machine from the front
Source: photo by owner

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Photo 2:

Comments: Machine from the back
Source: photo by owner

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Photo 3:

Comments: Detail of tensioner / upper wheel adjustment
Source: photo by owner

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Photo 4:

Comments: Original rip fence and serial number on table
Source: photo by owner

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Photo 5:

Comments: Detail of lower guide and sawdust deflector
Source: photo by owner

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Photo 6:

Comments: Main casting prior to restoration
Source: photo by owner

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