Walker Turner Band Saw

[John Bouthiette]

Hello everyone, Does anyone have any knowledge of this bandsaw? It is on craigslist in my area. the owner says it runs, only one speed. I am not faamiliar with the brand. he is asking $125.


http://images.craigslist.org/01160301040401030120080423915fed9ac45defed4d000e6f .jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/011507010405011601200804233ed9b38543911d19df0018bc .jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/01010601150601040820080423a3c7da6a4152df452c004ec6 .jpg

[josh bjork]

I'd buy.
That message is too short. I'd buy.

[Bruce Page]

WT is a very good name. $125 is a steal if everything is in one piece.

[Chris Padilla]

Do a search here, my father picked one up a couple years ago for a lot more money than that. If it is in good shape and runs, I think it would be a steal.

[Pete Bradley]

Unless there's something broken or missing, that's a good price. It's a 16" saw, all cast iron. Walker Turner has been out of business for some years, but you can find manuals and information on www.owwm.com (http://www.owwm.com)
You should plan on replacing tires and bearings.

Pete

[Wilbur Pan]

I have a 16" Walker Turner bandsaw. I just love it. It can resaw 8" of oak with the original 1/2 HP motor.

One thing to check on these bandsaws: the trunnion and table tilt mechanism tended to be a little on the weak side, so make sure that it's in operating condition. They can be repaired, if you know how do do basic machine shop stuff, or know someone who does.

If the table tilt mechanism is in good shape, I'd jump on it for that price.

[Peter Quinn]

That thing is junk. Both Walker and Turner were bums. You're in MA, I'm in CT, and while gas is expensive as a public service if you give me the address I'll go get that piece of iron out of that guys way right now.

Seriously, I'd jump at that. I know a guy with a few pieces of Walker Turner equipment (BS, shaper and jointer I think) all nice stuff. And for $125? If it runs at all its a steal you wont regret.

[John Bouthiette]

Sounds like it is a no brainer. i will be contacting the owner and hopefully picking it up this weekend!!!

[John Thompson]

Agree with others... Walker and Turner was at one time like mentioning Brooks Bros. Suits... if you did everyone knew what you were referring to and the word "quality" shone in the reflection of the words and product.

Sarge..

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

They make for nice restoration projects and once restored run well.

[Hank Knight]

Agree with others... Walker and Turner was at one time like mentioning Brooks Bros. Suits... if you did everyone knew what you were referring to and the word "quality" shone in the reflection of the words and product.

Sarge..


Unlike Brooks Brothers, at least Walker Turner had the decency to go out of business before they let their quality go to H***.

My father had a 16" Walker Turner bandsaw just like the OP's photos. I used it a lot when I was a kid. Unfortunatley, he sold it when I was in College. It was a really good saw, heavy and stable. WT makes great stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to pay $125 for that saw if it's in reasonably decent shape. There are parts available and rebuild help if you need it. Look at OWWM.com or get in touch with Walker Turner Serviced Machinery, LLC in Coventry, Connercticut (wtsmllc@juno.net). They specialize in reconditioning Walker Turner machinery. They have lots of parts and are very helpful.

Hank

[Don C Peterson]

I bought my WT 16" bandsaw for $400 and consider it a bargain. At $125 it's a steal even if it didn't have a motor.

One word of caution though. Those old WT bandsaws are HEAVY. Even the wheel covers are cast iron, so make sure you have a good hand-truck and some help. You don't even want to think about moving that thing by yourself.

[John Bouthiette]

I should not have waited even 1 day. Contacted the owner yesterday and the saw was sold already. I will know better next time, thanks everyone!!

[Bruce Page]

Too bad. You missed a great deal.

[Bob Slater]

After reading all those posts, I was looking for the final one getting home the prized possession. Keep hunting, I want another bandsaw now. I sure like old North American Iron.

[Richard McComas]

125 bucks is an very good deal in my opinion, just make sure none of the cast iron is cracked. I bought and restored a 16 inch WT and have been very happy with it and I paid a lot more than 125.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/rmccomas0043/WT-1.jpg

[John Thompson]

"Unlike Brooks Brothers, at least Walker Turner had the decency to go out of business before they let their quality go to H***. Hank K...

Brooks Bros. was just a parallegram and the first that came to mind, Hank. The same could be said for current Craftsman.. Black and Decker.. and the list could go on.. and on. :)

BTW.. I have a Craftsman 1/2" drill that is still humming with no obituary in sight that I purchased in 1972 when it was quality. Would I purchase Craftsman today? I won't go there as you already know the answer. :D

Regards...

Sarge..

[Noah Levy]

Don't worry, you'll get another shot. THese saws pop up every now and then. Just don't wait next time!!!

[Gene O. Carpenter]

Unlike Brooks Brothers, at least Walker Turner had the decency to go out of business before they let their quality go to H***.

Look at OWWM.com or get in touch with Walker Turner Serviced Machinery, LLC in Coventry, Connercticut (wtsmllc@juno.net). They specialize in reconditioning Walker Turner machinery. They have lots of parts and are very helpful.

Hank

Hank,
I sent a parts inquiry to that wtsmllc@juno.net and received the following delivery failure from Verizon:

"Your message cannot be delivered to the following recipients:

Recipient address: wtsmllc@juno.net
Reason: Remote SMTP server has rejected address
Diagnostic code: smtp;571 We do not relay
Remote system: dns;other.juno.com (TCP|206.46.252.46|53552|64.136.44.42|25) (supportmail01.dca.untd.com ESMTP"

Do you know if they're still in business?:confused: I have a fairly nice old 12" WTBS that I need some "pot metal" parts to get it going so I can sell it to re-gain some floor space.
If I am unable to find the needed parts I guess I will have to deep six it...:eek:
Thank you...
Gene

[Bob Feeser]

I have the 1948 16" Walker Turner bandsaw for wood and metal. According to Delta, who acquired WT, by the serial number it was one of the very last made. It has a transmission. I did a cosmo restore, and set everything up properly, and it is a superb performer. I think all told it weighs about 525, or 625 pounds.
Before
http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/30466/2640645780100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

After

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/5360/2100747380100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/2789/2917692780100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/5382/2959895410100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/5584/2027978870100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

As you can see from the following plate, it has a speed range of 200 to 5300 feet per minute.
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/4299/2679830560100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

For moving it to a new location, this saw has the advantage of being able to easily remove the base, cast iron doors, table top, arm protective cover, fan belt cover, etc. You can get it down to about a 300 pound core, which makes it manageable on a hand truck, as long as you strap it in real well.
It is definitely a quality piece. I have seen them going for $625 on eBay plus shipping for a decent one in original condition. I bought mine from a neighbor who makes a business out of browsing garage sales on Saturdays. I paid $575 which included a cast iron lathe, equivalent to what you see going for 4 or 500 at Sears, and an old Delta 8" belt sanding station, on a roll around stand.
Walker Turner also had a cheaper line, called "Driver" or something like that. I can't recall off of the top of my head. I remember reading about it though. The big advantage of this saw, is not only are the wheels 16" across, the clearance to the arm is about 16" as well, and you can adjust the head to give you a full 12" clearance for resawing, and the cast iron neck will withstand settings that are unachievable with the smaller units today, with the compressible spring. That is something important if you are planning on doing resawing, or even creating thicker veneers. Of course there are a lot of higher end band saws made today that I would love to have as well, but the WT is something that is industrial grade, and at a handsome price.

[rick baro]

Hank,
I sent a parts inquiry to that wtsmllc@juno.net and received the following delivery failure from Verizon:

"Your message cannot be delivered to the following recipients:

Recipient address: wtsmllc@juno.net
Reason: Remote SMTP server has rejected address
Diagnostic code: smtp;571 We do not relay
Remote system: dns;other.juno.com (TCP|206.46.252.46|53552|64.136.44.42|25) (supportmail01.dca.untd.com ESMTP"

Do you know if they're still in business?:confused: I have a fairly nice old 12" WTBS that I need some "pot metal" parts to get it going so I can sell it to re-gain some floor space.
If I am unable to find the needed parts I guess I will have to deep six it...:eek:
Thank you...
Gene

Change the dot net to dot com. I just got a quote on some guides from them today for my 16".