Thread: How to date Hyco machinery

Can you post some photos? If I remember correctly Hyco were bought out by Woodfast or became Woodfast sometime in the 60's. Not sure on the particulars, if anyone knows more I'd love to know.

Sure photo tomorrow from work.
Lyle

I have a Hyco tilting table saw, and a bandsaw, both really nice machines by the way. It was difficult finding anything at all about them when I restored them. The only information I came across was ads in newspapers archived on Trove. Not your machines, but for example; 08 Aug 1952 - Advertising - Trove and 04 Oct 1947 - Advertising - Trove

Good luck, and please post any info you find.

Graham.

I would love to see some photos of those machines Oldbikerider, I've never seen the tilting table saw from Hyco.

Here's the bandsaw. It's the model with the gearbox, and in it's new home is mostly left on slow speed for cutting metal.
IMG_6363.jpgIMG_6378.jpgIMG_6384.jpgIMG_6366.jpg

Here's the tilting table saw. I will post some pictures of the full saw when I can find them.

IMG_6299.jpgIMG_6297.jpgIMG_6295.jpgIMG_6296.jpg

Beautiful machines! Would I be right to assume the table tilts on the table saw?

Thanks bueller, I spent quite some time on the restorations, both machines got stripped right down to bare metal then re-painted in my best guess of the original colours and built back up with new bearings everywhere. It was worth it though, because they are both really nice to use. The bandsaw gets used most weekends. It's so good having a saw set up at slow speed for metal cutting just sitting there ready to use.

Yep, on the tablesaw the table tilts, the blade stays vertical. However for blade depth adjustment the blade and motor raise and lower. This system appears to have been popular for benchtop saws mid last century. It's OK for a small machine, but the compromise is that the table often gets bumped off 90 deg. no matter how careful I am working around it and putting it away, so I always need to check it with a square before cutting.

Back on topic Lyle, I kicked myself a couple of years ago not bidding on one of those scrollsaws. It would have rounded out my collection nicely. I don't suppose you want to part with one? Looking forward to the pictures.

Graham.

Graham,
You should look at the market place occasionally.
I just sold that saw from here in Sydney.
Lyle initially just wanted the stand but as I was selling for a third party I wanted the lot gone from my little shed.
Hyco made some really nice machines I have seen a couple of tilting arbor table saws.
One back in mid 80s, a model maker with whom I had a share workshop found one with a hand wheel adjusted tilt. He also had a Wadkin Bursgreen AGS and sold the Wadkin.
That says something re the build quality of the Hyco.
The other was an older saw in the Joinery workshop at Garden Island Naval Dockyard.
It didn't have hand wheel adjustment but the blade definitely tilted.
I'm still in touch with the Boatbuilder who bought it so might be able to get some pics.
Tilting arbor table saws were like gold until the current flood of Tiawanese goods.
Dont know why Woodfast didn't continue with the Hyco design.
The only local at that stage was the Baulkam Hills ( Super Saw) build of the AGS albeit a dumbed down but better made machine.
H.

Photos and another few questions.
The makers plate on the belt cover has a serial number, could that be used to date this machine eg the 13 could be 1913??
Colour, I was thinking of the same green as is under the blue/grey?

I notice some diffewrences between the machines. My first saw has only HYCO on the swan neck but this new acquisition has HYCO PRODUCTS.
The adjustable head on the new machine seems to be a mirror to my older machine, eg the adjustable foot support are hole is on the opposite side to mine and is a different size.

Has anyone had success in getting the blower working? What is the screw in the bottom side of the adjustable head for???

Lyle,

I assume you've seen this post in a recent thread on Hyco machines?

Age of Hyco Bandsaw

Graham.

No graham I hadn't seen those threads. Thanks for the link.
A great bit of info.
I am going to strip mine down and repaint. I am also going to test each beforehand for lead paint. Better safe than sorry.
I hadn't seen the info on the blower before so now I have a good understanding of how to make it work.

Originally Posted by Oldbikerider

Here's the tilting table saw. I will post some pictures of the full saw when I can find them.

IMG_6299.jpgIMG_6297.jpgIMG_6295.jpgIMG_6296.jpg

Graham

Is this your primary table saw? Would it be good for a weekend woodworker? I will been keen to hear your thoughts?

Cheers stew

Stew,

Yes, this is my primary saw. I also have a Tanner tilting table saw of similar size, but since I finished the Hyco restoration I use it exclusively. I'm only an intermittent woodworker, making things like loudspeakers, shelves, and drawers, but the Hyco is great for this work. It has heavy cast side wings, and I use a roller outfeed stand for longer cuts. One disadvantage of the tilting table configuration is that it's awkward to fit an outfeed table because it would need to tilt with the table.

The Hyco is heavy, so it's solid and stable to use, and vibration free. It's also heaps quieter than the Tanner, I'm not sure why.

I couldn't find any pictures of the finished saw on its stand, so I'll take one in a few days and post it here. I'm travelling overseas for work at the moment, back next week.

Graham.