Woodmaster Table Saw

Has anyone any information on this old table saw on its original stand, I have just picked it up for £30, a nice size for what I want to do with it, all bearings run smoothly and motor works. I will make a new riving knife and blade guard.

I would like to try and get the switchgear working, although I believe these sometimes contain asbestos? It's a Startet.

There is an arm in picture 2 that I presume is the belt tensioner? I've had a quick look after getting it back but this looks like it should have a fixing point in the slotted end for adjustment?

I can only find a 'Woodmaster' badge on it, I presume its from around the 60s? Some kind of home owner wood saw?

Any information would be great, thanks.

Old switch gear very often contains Asbestos, either chrysotile cloth behind the fuses or asbestos flash guards around the contacts. Don’t open the box just cut the conduit or cable either side remove the box place in plastic bag and place that bag in a bag -double bag and take to your recycling centre. They often have a hazardous waste container and will accept domestic waste such as this depending on your local council policy. If you open the box you risk contaminating your workshop as there is no knowing what the condition of the contents is or what is actually in there.

At 30 quid, I think you did OK. I would just fit a new switch and get it up and running.

Riving knife is not too important, I seldom use mine since it gets in the way while grooving or cutting joints.

You will do fine without it.

Nice find !

There is actually a lot of evidence that a riving knife is important. Have a little look on YouTube, guess you have been lucky?

Tony

A riving knife is very important - particularly on ‘long cuts’ (as opposed to ‘cross cuts&rsquo. I’ve had experience of using large circular saws, such as that. I would not be without the riving knife on my smaller radial saw, while cutting with the grain.

Only useful for ripsawing

Exactly. Not just ‘useful’ but definitely needed if you don’t want the plank implanted in your head! The Wadkin I used to use didn’t take prisoners if safety was ignored. The Wadkin radial saw was always used for cross-cutting for anything except sheet materials, which were wider than about 600mm (and the cut tended not to close up, after passing the blade.

Saws are dangerous. I remember one lad - who’s face was as white as a sheet - just after he was cross-cutting the horns from a set of window frames and cut through the frame instead of the horns. He managed to stop just before his hand! He never used that saw again, as I recall!

He was employed as a fitter and finisher, not a machinist, and was just rushing to get a job made up. We did not ask him how close he was to the saw blade - it was clear enough that it was very, very close to a serious accident.