Thread: Preston Bandsaw

Originally Posted by L.S.Barker1970

Not easy to watch Vann
I've seen many beautiful old work shops, buildings get pulled down,

Whilst I'm all for change, I believe keeping what we can from the past is still equally important, its always good to see where we have been and what we have achieved.
Well done for saving that band saw Vann, its your piece of history now .
You are the custodian, and what a wonderful responsibility

Yes it was sad to see another part of the complex pulled down.

At least the original Pattern Shop is still standing and probably will be for a while yet.

PS1.jpg 1929

PS2.jpg 2016

There's been a few mods (window in end wall; remains of ducting under the ceiling), but still standing and in use as a warehouse.

PS3.jpg 2015.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

I've not yet determined the exact date of closure of the Foundry and Pattern Shop (there was a mid-1986 proposal to close the Foundry, but no confirmation of when it actually closed).

In early December last year I was able to do some more research into woodworking machines originally installed at the Hutt Railway Workshops. Unfortunately I couldn't locate any machine files, just an old leather-bound, hard cover index.

A large proportion of the Pattern Shop machinery was marked "Removed from service 16-2-87" strongly suggesting 16th February, 1987, was the date the Pattern Shop was closed (a date I haven't previously been able to establish). And a lot of machinery from the Pattern Shop and other parts of the workshops closed around the same period of downsizing, was marked "Sold 9-6-87". I believe there must have been a major sale of surplus equipment on that date.

The steel and iron parts of the Foundry were closed about the same time, but a small part of the Foundry staggered on for a year or two doing non-ferrous castings. The Foundry building is also still standing, also now a warehouse.

Cheers, Vann.

There's not a lot of info out there on the Preston Woodworking Machinery Co. and very few of their machines seem to have survived. However, since acquiring my bandsaw back in September, last year, I’ve come across four pieces of information that may indicated the development of this saw. Two of these are dated.

The first is an advertisement in Canadian Machinery (21st Dec, 1916), posted on VM.org, is dated 1916 and shows a very basic (but classic shaped) 36-inch Preston bandsaw.

Pposter.jpg

The second is my own saw which was installed in New Zealand in February, 1929 – and therefore must have been manufactured in 1928 (or possibly slightly earlier).

Pcomplete.jpg

The other two are: this four page pamphlet, which I was able to source with the help of some good and valued friends.

aPresCut3a.jpg aPresCut3b.jpg aPresCut2b.jpgPreston132_3t.jpg

Note that the third page uses the same illustration as the 1916 advertisement, while the last page depicts my 1928 saw.

And this catalogue cut, which was posted on a Preston thread on OWWM by 'Darnell'.

aPresCut4b.jpg

To put these into chronological order I’ve taken a few educated guesses.

This is obviously the state of the saw in 1916 (with possible variations).

aPresCut1.jpg

I would date the pamphlet cuts as being contemporary or slightly later, but before 1928. I base this assumption on the cut showing the bandsaw with motor. Although the base has the cast sides to the cabinet, there is no provision to attach the motor (other than the drive belts). The motor sits separate at the LH end (RH side in the illustration).

aPresCut3.jpg

My ~1928 machine has the main frame pattern altered to allow the bolting on of a motor “shelf”. I think it is most likely that this was added after the illustrations for the pamphlet were made.

aPresCut2.jpg

Placing the cattledog cut is easy. The main frame pattern has been altered again to incorporate a motor within the saw (a much more compact and satisfactory arrangement).

aPresCut4.jpg

Improvements include:
• Motor mounted ‘onboard’;
• Carter guides replace Preston’s own guides;
• Carter wheels replace Preston’s spoked and solid wheels;
• Upper guide bar and slide castings altered to incorporate rack and pinion raising and lowering;
• Lower cabinet doors changed from cast iron to aluminium castings;
• Upper guard changed from steel mesh to solid aluminium.

aPresCut4b.jpg aPresCut4c.jpg

A quick look into Carter bandsaw wheels and guides suggests the Carter tyre was patented in 1929-30; the pressed wheel in 1930-31; and the guides in 1931-33. This makes the catalogue later than 1931. However, looking at the style of the cattledog - just how totally different the presentation is to the pre-1928 pamphlet - I would say it's a decade or two later than the pamphlet - maybe even 1950s. Note the "Canada goose" logo. I wish I knew more about dating advertising styles.

The electrical switchgear in this catalogue is Square D. I haven't found anything to date that so far.

Cheers, Vann.

The cattledog cuts from OWWM are hard to read. I've gone through them and transcribed them word for word (including errors) as follows:

aPresCut4b.jpg aPresCat2.jpg

No.132
PRESTON
LATE TYPE, HIGH SPEED
BALL BEARING
BELT or MOTOR DRIVEN
BAND SAWS

FRAME
Solid one piece Cast Iron, with frame for bottom doors solid on column. Parts below table fully enclosed. If motorized, motor is fully enclosed.

TABLE
Solid one piece Cast Iron, planed perfectly true and smooth and tilting to 45° to right and 10° to left with our improved screw tilting arrangement. It can be locked securely in any position. Graduated gauge shows angle of tilt.

CAPACITY
Admits 15” under Saw Guide, Distance from column to saw
30” Machine_ 30”
36” Machine_ 34”

aPresCat3.jpg

EXHAUST PROVISION
Dust outlet is cast in frame as shown.

BEARINGS
Both Wheels are carried on SKF SPECIALLY MANUFACTURED PRECISION Ball Bearings.

BRAKE
Suitable foot operated brake on bottom wheel.

TOP GUIDE COUNTERBALANCE
Top guide raises and lowers from 1” to 18” by means of a Hand Wheel which operates pinion and rack on square Vertical Bar. This EXCLUSIVE feature removes any inconvenience and danger to operator, as the guide CAN BE RAISED AND LOWERED BY ONE HAND, and securely locked when set.
Sliding Guard on Machine over saw blade which raises and lowers with the Upper Guide.

SAW TENSION
Is automatically regulated to take up slack in blades.

SAW ADJUSTMENTS
Top wheel has a very sensitive Tilting device for making Saw track properly on wheel. It has a vertical adjustment of 10”.

RIPPING FENCE
Standard Band Saw Ripping Fence supplied.

GUARDS
Machine completely guarded with Aluminum Encasing doors below and Aluminum Guard above. (Note Column is cast with frame for door solid on column and not bolted). Upper and Lower Doors are hinged for opening and allow easy access for putting on and taking off saws.

BALANCE
The completed Machine is so balanced and designed that it is absolutely vibrationless and the saw blade therefore, is not subject to strains or shocks due to poor operation on any part of the equipment.

OILING PROVISION
All running parts equipped with Alemite Fittings for grease lubrication.

aPresCut4c.jpg

WHEELS
30” Machine_ 30½“ x 2”
36” Machine_ 36½“ x 2”

EXCLUSIVE WITH “PRESTON” BAND SAWS “CARTER” Rigid Wheel with ”CARTER” Quick change Demountable Tire, both Top and Bottom.
”CARTER” Wheels are perfectly balanced, light in weight and true running.
”CARTER” Tires fit with Precision without using any glue and operate under any conditions, can be changed in 15 minutes without removing the wheel or using any special tools.
We have the exclusive Canadian rights to this ”CARTER” equipment, and are the only concern in Canada supplying ”CARTER” Wheels and Tires as regular equipment.

GUIDES
”CARTER” Micro-Precision Guides, both Upper and lower, are standard equipment with “PRESTON” Band Saws.
These Guides enable you to produce better work and faster production.
The ”CARTER” Micro Precision Guide has only one set of jaw blocks, which reduces friction by 50%. Each Jaw block has independent micrometer adjustment. Adjusting screws keep operator’s hands away from blade and wheel is completely guarded. This makes ”CARTER” Guides the safest guides.
Replaceable rims save time and money.

3 - SCREW QUICK DETACHABLE FACE – RING
3 Screws (A) permit quick replacement of face-ring when completely worn out. Oil-hole (B) lubricates shaft and ball-bearings at high speed.

aPresCat5.jpg

BELT DRIVEN MACHINES
All Belt Driven Models are equipped with Ball Bearing countershaft mounted on lower wheel with ball bearing loose pulley.

V BELT MODELS
Machine can be arranged to drive from an Individual Floor mounted motor to V Belt Sheave mounted on lower wheel shaft. Recommended for certain special material cutting.

DIRECT DRIVE MODELS
Machine arranged for Individual Motor Drive by fully enclosed Built in “Motor-on-Shaft” Drive with a 3, 5 or 7 ½ HP, 25, 60 or 50 Cycle, 3 Phase 220-440-550 Volt Motor Ball Bearing Type built in directly on Lower Wheel Shaft.
Motor is mounted right inside the frame of the machine. Motor is fully enclosed and dust proof.

CONTROL
1. “Square” ‘D’ type B536 Magnetic Type Automatic Starter, having overload and low voltage protection.
Square ‘D’ Push Button Station ‘Start’ and ‘Stop’.
Push Button Station placed convenient to operator’s position, everything properly wired to Motor with wires in flexible conduit and ready for connection to power line.

OTHER MODELS
We have furnished Band Saws for cutting a wide range of products including meat, aluminum, etc.
If you have a special Band Saw problem, we would appreciate helping you.

aPresCat6.jpg aPresCat7.jpg

FLOOR SPACE
33” Belt Drive__ 57” x 48” (note the error in this line - that should read 30", not 33")
36” Belt Drive__ 60” x 48”
30” Motorized__ 57” x 38”
36” Motorized__ 60” x 38”

HEIGHT FROM FLOOR LINE
30” Belt Drive and Motorized__ 98”
36” Belt Drive and Motorized_ 101”

SHIPPING WEIGHT (Domestic)
30” Belt Driven_ 1875 lbs.
36” Belt Driven_ 1975 lbs.
30” Motorized__ 2250 lbs.
36” Motorized__ 2350 lbs.

SHIPPING WEIGHT (Foreign)
______________Net__ Tare_ Gross
30” Belt Driven_ 1875_ 600_ 2475
36” Belt Driven_ 1975_ 625_ 2600
30” Motorized__ 2250_ 600_ 2850
36” Motorized__ 2350_ 625_ 2975

CUBIC CONTENTS
30” and 36” Belt Driven_ Approx. 244 cu. ft.
30” and 36” Motorized__ Approx. 232 cu. ft.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT
All standard and necessary equipment is supplied with Machine, including 1½“ Band Saw Blade, brazed, set and filed ready to use. Ripping fence, Wrenches, Brazing Clamp and Tongs, Straining or Tension device and Alemite Grease Gun.

Cheers, Vann.

Sensational write up Vann.
You are a real machinery enthusiast
The amount of research that you have done on your bandsaw is nothing short of amazing !!
My hats of to you sir !

Melbourne Matty

Originally Posted by L.S.Barker1970

Sensational write up Vann.
The amount of research that you have done on your bandsaw is nothing short of amazing !!

Thanks Matty. Coming from you that's high praise.
It's not easy for me, being so anal .

Cheers, Vann.

You are accruing a nice set of equipment Vann and writing it up nicely.
Any more and your place will have to be added to the local woodwork tour itinerary!

Wally? If I was going to give my bandsaw a name it would have to be 'Earnest'. Why Earnest? Because that's the telegraph code for ordering the 36" version of my saw (I haven't found the code for the 30" version).

"Okay - so where is Earnest?" you ask. "All this research is fine (whatever rocks your boat Vann) but what's happened to the saw? Has it gone to the scrappie?"

The saws been around a bit. It's been on a trailer...

aPr1.jpg

It's been in storage...

aPr2.jpg

It's been trucked..

aPr3.jpg

Delivery didn't go smoothly. The previous piece of old iron to arrive struck problems as the truck couldn't fit down our driveway. So Plan 'A' was to load the bandsaw on to a mate's trailer and take it directly from the Workshops to my garage door. But my mate couldn't back his ute down our driveway and manoeuvre around the 180 degree bend. When his clutch started to smell very hot we abandoned the attempt and it spent the night is his driveway instead.

The next day it went into storage while I came up with Plan 'B'.

Cheers, Vann.

That was 14th September last year, when it was paid for and removed from the Railway Workshops.

Plan 'B' came together, and six weeks later (25th October, 2015) it was moved by truck to my place.

aPr4.jpg Lift off - at my letterbox.

It was laid down on a wooden cradle made of 4" x 4" wooden fenceposts. It was then rolled down the driveway on steel pipe rollers (using the car to restrain it).

aPr5.jpg

Then slewed it around the bend...

aPr6.jpg

...and up to the garage door.

aPr7.jpg

I later used a block and tackle to haul it into the garage.

While it was on it's side I decided to re-paint the top half, which had been poorly painted grey at some time in the intervening years. So it stayed on it's side until I needed access to the lower side to complete stripping in preparation for repaint (in matt black).

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

In early December last year I was able to do some more research into woodworking machines originally installed at the Hutt Railway Workshops. Unfortunately I couldn't locate any machine files, just an old leather-bound, hard cover index...

I recently found time to do a little more research, and spent a bit more time with the old leather-bound index.

It appears that in the 1920s the Government railway shared it's orders for new machinery around a number of mostly British machinery builders, with woodworking machines from A Ransome, Thos Robinson, SA Woods, PB Yates; and even a Pickles, as well as Preston. But I was looking mostly for Preston (and Wadkin - of course).

The Pattern Shop had had a Preston Woodworking Machinery Co. line-driven Planer & Jointer (Hutt machine #1700; Preston #1188) from 1929, 'til it was removed (and replaced by a Wadkin) in April, 1943.

The only other reference to Preston that I could find, was a Preston Engineering Co. Pattern Band Saw, located in the Maintenance Shop (later known as the Wood Mill I believe). I assumed this was a different company. It was listed with serial number #2155 - and fitted with a Westinghouse Elec. Mfg. Co. motor #4718702.

Last night a penny dropped. Nowhere in any records I've seen, is there any mention of a serial number for my bandsaw - but while cleaning surface rust from the table I'd found one. What I did have however, was the make and serial number for the 3hp electric motor - Westinghouse Elect. & Mfg. Co. #4718701.

So at 1am, in my pyjamas, I wandered out to the garage and wiped the dust off a corner of my bandsaw. There is was, stamped in the top LH corner: SERIAL 2156. The twin .

Preston Woodworking Machinery Co. bandsaw #2155 was sold on 9th June, 1987, after the Wood Mill was closed, and after 58 years of use. I hope one day to find details of the sale - #2155 may be local. And maybe still in use?

Cheers, Vann.

The plot thickens.
Meanwhile, you'll now have to name your bandsaw Elvis!

Oh my god Vann
Even or maybe because I've just had my a few red wines I feel I should get out to the workshop and part off that bit of hex and drill and tap it.
I could drop it from the sky on our way over to Northerrn North America early in August.
Mate, get your A over here to Oz and chase down the Wadkin Mechanical Woodworker the bureaucrats at Evereigh are hiding from me!
Or to to put it a little more rationally, soberly, great detective work.
H.

Originally Posted by hiroller

...you'll now have to name your bandsaw Elvis!

Because it's left the building...?

Cheers, Vann.

Elvis was also a twinless twin!