Tannewitz Table Saw Restoration

Here can be found a table saw that will make grown men wary and and lesser men water their legs.  Below is the tale of acquisition and restoration of a 1920s Tannewitz model F table saw.

Here she is all finished up.  Watch your fingers!

I found this saw on Craigslist and traded a Mark V ShopSmith for it.  I think I got the better end of the deal...  Like most multi tools, the ShopSmith does a little bit of everything just good enough to make you wish you had dedicated tools.  

As you can see from the listing photos, it was in pretty bad shape.  There was a lot of work to be done before I would be happy with it.

First Impressions:

The Bad...  

• The dust chute was broken into three pieces.  
• The height adjust handle was broken into five pieces!  Ahhh!!! 
• Ummm, did you see the paint?  Wow that is horrible. 
• I dont think this saw table was ever waxed in its life.  The amount of surface rust couldnt even be passed off as a "nice patina surface."  Nope, thats just rust.

The Good!

• Built in 1920s, which means no plastic!
• 5hp motor.  Holy mess!  Were they aiming to slaughter the trees?
• 18" blade, sounds awesome!  As an asside, an 18" blade is scary as heck the first time you use it.
• Sliding table!  This is great for putting fixtures on the sliding section and making uber accurate cuts.
• Two original dovetailed miter gauges!  These things are crazy big and can be pinned to the table surface or accurate angle setting.
• Upon first inspection, the motor is in good shape!  The bearings have no detectable play and the arbor shaft runs true!

Check out the restoration process photos here!

If youre itching to see the saw in action, heres a quick video!

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