Thread: old Premo machinery

Sorry I cant help with the history etc, but I have an old Primo saw bench, weighs heaps, as its made of very solid cast iron,
It has an 8hp 3 phase motor. As I dont have 3ph. power I hope to run it off a stationary engine, or hook up to PTO on one of my tractors, when I get the time to do it all one day.
Apparently it had a power feed system, but the guy who gave it to me couldnt find those parts, they must have gotten thrown out in earlier cleanup, someone didnt know what they were for.

oh yeah, they're not short on metal are they! I've never seen one of their saws.
Our buzzer was originally 3phase as well, when the motor gave out all that was handy was a single phase one, so I popped that in there, but I only needed a couple of hp compared to your 8 that is impressive!
Stick at it, i'm sure it will be worth it.

Can anyone confirm that they were at least Australian?

Originally Posted by Aaron r

Can anyone confirm that they were at least Australian?

My saw has Primo, Sydney, Australia, cast on the side of the pedestal base. So mine was made in Oz,
I've never tried to research the history of the company to find out more about it, maybe something will come out of this thread, if someone knows anything.

just curios, are you sure yours is spelt Primo? As mine is defiantly Premo with an e.

I'll check when I get home. I'm at work at the moment.

Just went and checked my old saw. Yes my memory is not too good anymore,

It is a "Premo", which is cast (raised letters) on the housing. Above this is a plate rivited on with " Goodall & Co."
Sydney and Woolongong,
Austrailia.

So it possibly wasnt made in Australia, but maybe imported and distributed by Goodall & Co.

I also have a Premo jointer. Weighs about 200kg and sounds like a jet engine firing up but it does a great job.
I always thought they were made in England.
Unfortunately the Premo brand name is now associated with electronic components and that is all you get in a Google search.

I have a PREMO thicknesser and from my investigations I reckoned the brand was made in Italy. Mine has no identification plates on it at all so it is no help. This thicknesser has more things to adjust that I have ever seen on other thicknessers, every roller is height adjustable, roller pressure is adjustable etc and if it is not set right or close then the thing goes on strike and won't cut properly. It has a square cutter head on it which are now illegal in commercial shops and makes a hell of a noise.

ok, looks like they are definitely Aussie, the lathes certainly were, check out this link: Page Title ,can't imagine they'd make the lathes here and not the rest of it, not back in the 50's anyway.

spoke to a guy I know at rmit who seems positive it was all made in both NSW and WA,.mostly in the 40's and 50's

Wish we still made gear like this.

brackenbury and austin - Google Search

The above link refers to a DA application and specifically mentions restoring the sign Brackenbury and Austin. So I guess you are right as this building is in an old industrial area of inner Sydney. My machine has no reference plates on it but has reference plates on the motor which refer to the motor being Australian. The motor is so big and heavy I had to use a chain hoist to get it back on the machine after we removed it for transportation. You are right, big and solid.