Pile of Parts Becomes Saw
December 23rd, 2008Metamorphosis Nearly Complete
The Powermatic 66 is standing in the garage with the top on, the motor in, and the magnetic starter nearly hooked up. All I have to do is screw in two more wires.
The plug on this thing is not compatible with the socket I want to plug it into. So I have to order a new plug. I think. I have to go out there and stare at it some more.
I got the saw cabinet out of the Explorer by putting a piece of plywood covered with an old towel under it. I scooted the plywood out of the back of the vehicle, and the wood and saw slid out more or less simultaneously. No problems at all.
The most fun I’ve had so far was installing the motor. Don’t let anyone kid you with 50 or 75 pounds. This thing has to weigh over a hundred, with the mounting thing attached. You have to slide it onto the upper bolt and hold it on with your left hand while you screw the bolt in with your right.
I vacuumed the cabinet out but I am not sure dust will ever stop pouring out of it. It’s as if it manufactures dust from nothingness.
It may be a couple of weeks before I can do anything with the saw. But I’ll get it as close to ready as possible.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Did you figure out where the shims go? If the top of the saw isn’t flat, you’ll have all kinds of problems.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I was looking at Craigslist up here for a saw today. Saw a model 66 for $1000 without the goodies Steve got.
I’m fed up with making do with my portable table saw.
I had to rip some pieces today, and as usual square the fence to the blade.
I’m looking at a Rockwell. And an ancient Craftsman like my dad left me (as old as I am), but his widow won’t release.
I hope Steve stops buying stuff I don’t need.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Sorry, Ed. This is how I feel, dealing with my commenters who tell me to buy stuff!
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I think vintage saws are extremely cool, even if they don’t have bells and whistles. I watched Doug Stowe make boxes using a 1948 Atlas and a 1948 Shopsmith, and I thought it was unbelievably neat.
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A table saw is one of the few tools I’m not afraid to buy used.
December 24th, 2008 at 8:56 AM
“It’s as if it manufactures dust from nothingness.”
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Hey, kinda reminds me of my Dungeons and Dragons days, before it was ‘cool’ and us geeks were vilified pariahs.
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Maybe it’s a “+4 Saw of dust” which generates far more saw-dust than fiber cut from a board. Perfect for those Magic-Users and Thieves who own pet stores.
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Hmmmm… Talking about Dungeons and Dragons… have you seen the spoof on the Lord of the Rings Movie where this guy did a mash up with it and D&D?
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Well… here it is…
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http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=612
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(Table of contents)
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http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?cat=14
December 24th, 2008 at 9:30 AM
“Hey, kinda reminds me of my Dungeons and Dragons days, before it was ‘cool’ and us geeks were vilified pariahs.”
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Um…yeah. Boy, how things have changed.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Yea, I know, Steve: Once a geek, always a geek… 😉