Daniel's J.A.Fay Bandsaw.

**L.S.Barker1970** · 26th January 2012, 11:30 AM

A good friend Rob made enquiries regarding an “Old Bandsaw” One of the woodworking Forum members Daniel had asked some questions on, Rob sent a personal message out of Sheer curiosity and received an invitation to come and have a look at the machine.
Rob then gave me a call and asked if I wanted to come and have a look as well, “Hell yea”
I said, “ Sounds interesting” ....
We arrived at Daniel’s place of work and introduced our selves and Daniel proceeded to show us his old bandsaw.
Well, Rob and I nearly fell over, what stood in front of us was an original 1880’s J.A.Fay 38 inch Bandsaw.
This machine was made in Cincinnati Ohio USA and stood very tall, they are not a common machine at all in Australia, the history of the machine, and how it came to be I found very interesting, and I hope I do it justice here.
Daniel told us that the machine had been used for many years by a local timber yard and some point been decommissioned and placed out the front of the timber yard as some kind of display, (the upper wheel of the machine being very decorative I’m guessing).
Daniel’s father had driven past many times and seen the old Bandsaw and often wondered in to the yard and made enquiries of its potential sale, but for a long while with no success.
One day he had some luck, and I am assuming he basically must have worn the timber yard down, and they agreed to sell the old Bandsaw to him, half his luck !
Daniel's Father then carefully restored the old bandsaw and converted it to cut metal using a 1 hp motor and a reduction gearbox for slow steady cutting, the Restoration work that Daniel’s Father did on the machine was fantastic, the saw was complete and in good condition for its age and well looked after.
Rob and I marveled for hours at this beautiful old bandsaw took photo’s and engaged Daniel and his Son in good conversation on old machinery and variety of subjects.
I for one thought it was a great day’s outing and looking at machinery you don’t often see.
Thanks Daniel, we had fun.

Some Catalog pages from a 1894 J.A.Fay catalog.

Melbourne Matty.

**Orsomagno** · 27th January 2012, 07:34 AM

whoa!! an impressive piece of machinery!

I must admit that the original guards were a bit tiny, at all...

what was the function of this sort of counterweight, on the rear?

**L.S.Barker1970** · 27th January 2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Orsomagno

whoa!! an impressive piece of machinery!

I must admit that the original guards were a bit tiny, at all...

what was the function of this sort of counterweight, on the rear?

Luca, I don't think they worried too much about guarding back in the day, I have many old catalog pic's showing little or no guards, and with beautiful upper wheels like that, well what can you do...
Oh yea the weight is the counter balance to keep tension on the blade.
Thanks for posting too.
Melbourne Matty.

**RETIRED** · 28th July 2013, 10:07 PM

something.

**RETIRED** · 28th July 2013, 10:10 PM

Test.

**DJ’s Timber** · 28th July 2013, 10:14 PM

Boo

**1thumb** · 28th July 2013, 11:21 PM

wow, what an impressive piece of kit that is

**DSEL74** · 29th July 2013, 12:14 AM

Interesting how it came with mismatched wheels! It should look good in it's new home.

**L.S.Barker1970** · 29th July 2013, 01:11 AM

I'm a little slow tonight but first of all thank you for bumping this one up, appreciate it and DJ for the Boo !?
One Thumb and Dale the plot thickens, so settle in for a tale...

When first I saw Daniel's Bandsaw that was well over a year ago and at the time when I asked Daniel if he would ever part with the saw, he was reluctant, and of course there was understandably some sentimental attachment as his dad did a lot of work on it and loved that old Bandsaw.
Daniel and I kept in touch a little, I didn't want to bug him too much, (think I did make a nuisance of myself) and in any case he did say if any thing changes he would call me.
A few weeks back I get a message on a post I was on.
To my surprise on the post said..." make an offer matty,you might just pursuade me to let it go"

I was on the phone very quick I can tell you, spoke to Daniel, had a laugh, are you serious I asked ?
Yea he said, I don't want to but, I have to, we are moving factory and it needs to go to a good home. Consequently we brokered a deal and arranged pick up.
At the risk of sounding mystic or believing in fate of something, I so lusted after this machine as soon as I saw it, and so on the day the sun was shining when I picked it up, planets aligned, no dramas with transport, proceedings could no of gone any better.
Funny thing was one of my mates who came with me, Daniel and my self spent most of the time chatting and catching up, it was really pleasant, loading the bandsaw didn't take long, Daniel had a huge fork lift, very handy !!

I Can't thank Daniel enough for selling it to me, he was a true Gentleman and of his word, this bandsaw I know is a rare opportunity, there would not be many Fay machines like this in Australia like this, and so I'm very proud to own such a Bandsaw, and with such a rich family history.
Daniel looked a little sad when we took of, I offered him visiting rights, he said not straight away but one day soon.
I will be moving the saw into the shop soon, getting it running, and inviting Daniel around for a beer so he can see that its gone to a good home...

Melbourne Matty.

**DSEL74** · 29th July 2013, 01:17 AM

I can see why you turned traitor on the much beloved L.S.Barker

**L.S.Barker1970** · 29th July 2013, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I can see why you turned traitor on the much beloved L.S.Barker

Now Dale, its way past your bedtime...lol..

No seriously, I'm collecting them all !!

Melbourne Matty.

**DSEL74** · 29th July 2013, 01:30 AM

So your keeping both bandsaws then

**auscab** · 29th July 2013, 01:48 AM

A nice end to a nice rare saw Saw story Matt and Daniel. Gone to a good home and it will be good seeing it restored to top notch running condition Matt. It's in great condition for what it is , it's all there .

I have some detailed pictures taken on the day as well Matt , I will throw them on as well if thats ok ?

Funnily enough a few weeks before we first went to see Daniels another one turned up in Perth, it was missing a table and it's original Babbit bearings had been replaced with modern bearings, and who knows what else ? but still had those pretty wheels.

Rob

**auscab** · 29th July 2013, 02:07 AM

Here are some detailed pictures of what I found pretty amazing to look at when I first saw this old saw of Daniel's now Matt's.

**auscab** · 29th July 2013, 02:12 AM

More .
Rob

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look mum no guards...

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