Vintage Woodworking - Boice-Crane Company's 3500 Table Saw

Boice-Crane began making woodworking machineryfor this particular table saw. However, the 3500
for non-professional woodworkers in December ofmodel had many of the same features as the
1926 when W.B. and J. E. Boice partnered theirprevious 2500 series of Boice-Crane table saws. The
business with H.G. Crane. At the time of the merger,saw blade tilts with a rotating handle crank leaving
two plants were in operation. H.G. Crane owned thethe table itself stationary. A dial indicates the degree
Adrian plant, and J.E. Boice owned the Toledo plant.of the angle to offer an accurate way to measure
The Boice-Crane Company made lightweight tools foryour angled cut. Hand levers lock the saw and fences
the average consumer with only a few productsinto place to provide security from slippage. The gear
developed to go into the industrial field. Once theboxes are totally encased and grease-packed for
company failed in the 1980's, Wilton Corporationlonger wear. The large tables were built for a greater
bought the drill press production line and Cometload capacity than most other table saws. The hood
Engineering Incorporated bought the radial arm sawguard tilts with the blade for extra safety. Other
production line. Gothenburg Manufacturing Companysafety features include a large splitter with two
took over the parts business and supported theanti-kickback dogs to keep both pieces of wood
spindle sander, belt sander, and scroll saw until theirfrom being thrown forward. The motor located
company also failed.separately in the steel encased cabinet reduces
The Boice-Crane 3500 table saw was manufacturedvibration that could interfere with good quality cuts.
some time around the late 1960's to the early 1970's.Since the Boice-Crane 3500 table saw is considered a
It had a 1 1/2 horsepower motor that was 220V.vintage piece of machinery, it may not meet modern
The 10-inch blade was raised, lowered and tilted withstandards for safety and quality. Anyone who is
controls located on the front of the cast ironinterested in restoring this antique table saw may
encased cabinet. This cabinet type table saw washave difficulty in finding appropriate replacement
driven with a triple belt system. The table size wasparts because the companies that bought out the
36 inches by 27.5 inches and this could be enlarged todifferent lines have also gone under. However, with
63 inches with the extension table. It came equippedthe World Wide Web at your fingertips, you could
with a steel rip fence and a blade guard.probably find someone with a similar interest in
After searching several sites that offer old manualsvintage woodworking machinery that can point you in
and repair parts lists, I could not find a specific manualthe right direction.