Brief catalog study of Crescent iron C-frame 20” band saws¶
(from Rich O'Connor)
Crescent produced iron C-frame 20” band saws for over forty years, from the early 20th century until 1946, approximately the time when the company merged with Delta/Rockwell.
until 1904Crescent offered saws in this era in belt, foot or foot and belt power configurations, weighing 275, 325 or 350lbs depending on drive, with Babbitt bearings7” under the guide, a 10’1” blade, 19” distance from saw to frame, and a 20”x24” wood table.
1905 – As earlier, 20” band saws in this period were belt, foot or foot and belt powered, Babbitt bearings, 7” under the guide, 10’1” blade. Primary changes included: addition of 18” x 22” iron table, an increase in weights, depending on drive, to 335, 415 and 440lbs; distance from saw to frame grew from 19” to 20”; height was now listed as 67”.
1925 – In 1925, the company phased out foot power and began offering either direct or belt electric motor drive. Direct drive could be AC or DC, single or three phase; weights were either 335 or 415lbs.
1930 –
Appears to be a major transition for the 20” C-frame cast-iron bandsaw. The saw’s weight grew by over 200 lbs, and it appears to have been offered in two styles: a 540lb lighter model available with either Babbitt or ball bearings, either belt, “silent chain”, or direct drive, and optional hinged doors, but with no guard encasing the rear side of the wheels. This looks to be the 1920s saw retro-fitted with front wheel guards. Also available was a slightly heavier model at 560lbs, with guards completely encasing the wheels and taking on the shape that would be retained for the next decade. Literature targeted the school market for the latter model.
1932 – Only one model now offered, with completely enclosed wheels, a cast-iron table enlarged to 20” x 24” (this may have occurred in 1930), distance under the guide increased to 11” and blade length from 10’1” to 11’3”, and a domestic shipping weight of 750lbs, fully 200lbs heavier than 1930 and 400 lbs heavier than 1925. The 20” C-frame cast-iron band saw would retain this basic form for the rest of its production life. Catalog Fig. 487 was used in both 1932 and 1940.
1940 – The term “Heavy” first used in the 1940 catalog describing the saw in Fig. 487, which had been first used in the 1932 catalog, but without the name “Heavy”. Fig. 487 appears, in 1940, to be the direct drive model with brake, listed at 750lbs; motor now 3/4hp rather than 1/2hp; Fig. 489 was the belt drive model at 700lbs; blade size on both was 11’3”. Also introduced the Crescent 20” Junior band saw – known also as the “Light” - with a smaller table (18” x 20”) and domestic shipping weight of 470lbs with motor (400lbs without); maximum blade size was 10’2”.
1943 – Crescent 20” Light band saw (No. B 20 L): blade length 10”8”; 1.2 hp, 1750 rpm Peerless motor; doors and guards were cast iron;.
1945 – Lower cast-iron wheels; upper wheels cast iron or aluminum. Catalog picture does not contain “Crescent Heavy” on upper wheel guard. Shipping weight now 950lbs, 200lbs greater than the 1940 model; 3/4hp motor; other features remain same. Junior “Light” band saw discontinued. (Additional weight may come from substituting iron for aluminum in wheels and wheel guards.)