Bandsaw restoration finally done

[Ben West]

About a year ago, I acquired an old (built in 1970) Powermatic 81 20" bandsaw. The saw worked fine, but looked pretty rough, had some corrosion here and there, and had some rough spots.

My original intentions were to just use the saw "as is" for a while. Then, I decided I'd do a little work on it, but leave the major components intact. Well, as I started taking it apart, and as I began looking at some other old machinery restorations online, I grew bolder (maybe dumber?).

As it turns out, I ended up taking it apart down to each piece. Everything was cleaned up, most were repainted, some things were replaced, working mechanisms were re-lubed, bearings were replaced, and tires were replaced and crowned.

After reassembly and an afternoon of measuring and adjusting, I'm pretty happy with the end result. It runs smooth and strong, and mostly works as I imagine it did when brand new. I do need to make a few modifications for dust collection, and I'm working now on making a replacement fence (the original was missing).

Oh, and I made a custom mobile base for it. The footprint of the PM 81 is odd-shaped, and I've been wanting to try a home-build mobile base anyway. Works great so far.

Now to put it to work. I have a bed to build for the master bedroom.

[Bruce Page]

Nice restoration!
I worked in a shop in California that had one just like that. It would cut through 10” aluminum bar stock like it was butter.

Great saw!

[Steve Clardy]

Looks good Ben ;):D

[george wilson]

I am restoring an old 20" Delta from the 50's. It's all there,fortunately,except a fence,which I managed to find. I need to get back to repainting it. It came from a school shop,probably,and had the usual barn brush thick paint job. Had to sand it all over,and installed a 1 phase motor.

This old saw is olive drab in its interior. I'm wondering if it started out in the Army.

Your saw looks really good,ready for many more decades.

[Joe Petersen]

That turned out very nice. Does it sit on the casters permanently, or does it lift for movement?

[George Sanders]

Very nice. I bet it runs as good as the day it was made.

[Ben West]

Does it sit on the casters permanently, or does it lift for movement?

I built the mobile base separately, but then bolted the bandsaw to the base.

[Paul Atkins]

Nice job. Very coincidental, today I was welding up a mobile base for my PM87. It was 109 in the shade here (and I was welding?) After that, 98 in the shop felt cool.

[Bob Slater]

Great machine you have there. Did you reproduce the graphic at the top of the machine or was it purchased?

[John Keeton]

Ben, quite a stark contrast!! Doing a restoration like that must give one a great feeling of satisfaction - both for the end result and saving a machine that otherwise would have been trashed. I admire those that take on these projects, as I just do not have the skills, nor the motivation.

[Ben West]

Paul - Ugh, I know what you mean. June has been a scorcher here.

Bob - By "graphic," do you mean the white racing stripe? If so, I went to a local sign maker and had him make it from vinyl, based on the measurements of the original. All the Powermatic badges are original.

John - I always thought the same thing. I never really planned or had an interest in doing a machine restoration for the same reasons you have. This one just kinda happened. I was lucky that I didn't have any major mechanical problems to fix, and that my dad is a retired industrial mechanic, so I had a pool of expertise to draw on if needed. I am very satisfied with the end result and I'm happy I did it, but I'm not sure if I'll ever undertake a restoration again. It took lots and lots of time. On the other hand, I have an industrial quality machine for very little money (this bandsaw retailed for about $4500 when it was discontinued in 1997; I have less than $500 in it).

[Garth Keel]

It looks better than new!

[Ben West]

I am restoring an old 20" Delta from the 50's.


George...you'll have to promise to post pics of the Delta once you're finished with it.

[Matt Meiser]

Good looking saw! I've got a soft spot for the "pea green" Powermatic machines. I've got a Model 30 sander and Model 50 jointer. Someday I'd love to find a Model 100 planer even though I have a 12" Parks about 60% restored.

[John Thompson]

Nice save, Ben..

Sarge..

[Chris Padilla]

Awesome! Love that semi-old "arn". :D

[Von Bickley]

GREAT job Ben...... :)

[Chris Hachet]

I am restoring an old 20" Delta from the 50's. It's all there,fortunately,except a fence,which I managed to find. I need to get back to repainting it. It came from a school shop,probably,and had the usual barn brush thick paint job. Had to sand it all over,and installed a 1 phase motor.

This old saw is olive drab in its interior. I'm wondering if it started out in the Army.

Your saw looks really good,ready for many more decades.Apparently all Delta saws of that generation were originally painted Grey but some of them turn green with age due to some issue with original paint formulation. And yes, I know I am playing thread necromancer.

[Steve Clardy]

Woot :D....

[Paul Meiners]

Powermatic 87 bearings.....

Beware there are a couple different transmissions for this model, not all bearings are the same among the variant models, the manual for ” maintenance instructions and parts list” ( from last page ,May 1979) shows the bearing for my model 87;(should show on page 34, transmission assy 87 lbs 0340058 on lower right of page ). There were no numbers to denote the correct manuals ( !*&#@), go figure

Transmission and saw wheel bearing…………


TORRINGTON/KOYO NEEDLE BEARING J1212 or 1612OH Torrington New Needle Bearing (quantity 1)

SKF 6207-2RSNR, SEALED BEARING W SNAP RING ( 4 ) or equal

6205-2NSENR Nachi Bearing 25x52x15 Sealed C3 Snap Ring ( 2 ) or equal

6206-2RS SKF Brand rubber seal 6206-rs ball bearings 6206 rs ( 4 ) or equal

Timken 9111pp Bearing ( 1 ) or equal




Lenze AC Invertor Vari Speed Drive 2Hp 240V ESV152N02YXC, for 2hp, 3 phase motor


Zambus CarryMaster AC-1300F Swivel Leveling Caster Wheels Feet ( 4) , possibly Ebay has similar for a lot less, have a few, likely from the same Chinese manufacturer. Search Retractable Leveling Machine Casters Heavy Duty


Bearings are easy enough to replace, a little tough if your bearing press decides to blow a seal when you need it, like mine; resorted to plastic hammer to get the bearings installed, needle bearing needed a blind bearing puller. My Powermatic was from an auction, was not used a lot, almost all the bearings needed replacement, only 2 still had functional life. A couple bearing were bad enough to slightly score the shafts they were on, though no major damage.

If the Pharaoh's had these machines in their time, they would have had one in their pyramid tombs for their after life man caves. Built to last centuries, except for the bearings

[Andrew More]

Nicely done, I'm sure there will be somebody in 100 years blessing you for so carefully preserving this tool.

[Steve Clardy]

OP has had 12-1/2 years to run his restored saw now.
Wonder if he's wore the bearings out yet? :D

[Bryan Hall]

Well done! Machines undoubtedly intimidate me and I've never dove in to a project like this.

[jim gossage]

Wowie Zowie! Want to sell it?

[Jack Frederick]

Aside from the products you will make with it, mu hat is off to you!