Walker Turner / Rockwell 20 inch Band Saw

I picked this up last week. It was advertised as a Walker-Turner but I could not find any photos of a 20" WT wood/metal bandsaw. But I did find plenty of pictures of an identical saw that was badged as a Rockwell. Suspecting the seller was just mistaken, I went to get it.


I ended up paying $200 for it. The guy plugged it in for me so I could see that it ran. He said that the tires would need to be replaced. He then loaded it onto my trailer. It is a big saw but it looks so small under a 50 ton crane.


It turns out it was a Walker Turner; I could barely make it out on the old badge. It also says it is a division of Rockwell. Further research showed that Rockwell bought WT around 1958.


The first thing I did was build a rolling cart.

My brother's phase converter uses 30 amp receptacles but my saw only had a 20 amp plug; I will have to swap that out. I want to get it under power and test the variable speed drive mechanism. I read that some have a tendency of working there way out of low speed while in operation.


Yep, the old tires need replacing. Any advice on which ones to get and where to get them? Is that groove on the wheel going to be a problem?

Nice find. Looks like it could cut metal if it will gear down slower.
There is several people on eBay selling "tires" for replacement for bandsaw wheels. I bought a set from a seller out of Florida that specialize in bandsaw parts and other woodworking equipment. I think they make them to order in house from a reel of urethane belting material. You can see the place where they are fused together. So far they are holding up good. They are a bear to get stretched onto the wheels on the saw. A little perseudation and vise grips, C-clamps, hair dryer/heat gun, and such.

Ken

I have no experience with them but Carter Products have been around for a long time supplying guides and tires
About Us | Carter Products
Band Saw Tires - Wheels & Urethane Tires | Carter Products
Jim

Jim Christie said:

I have no experience with them but Carter Products have been around for a long time supplying guides and tires
About Us | Carter Products
Band Saw Tires - Wheels & Urethane Tires | Carter Products
Jim

Click to expand...

Thanks Jim.

They even provide a Groove Filler.

These new tires are considerably thinner than the old tire. I read that this can affect the position of the blade in relation to the blade guides.

About $9 cheaper per tire: Urethane Band Saw Tires

Frank R said:

...These new tires are considerably thinner than the old tire. I read that this can affect the position of the blade in relation to the blade guides.

Click to expand...

Check your blade guide mounts - they may be adjustable in position to accommodate the small shift in blade position.

-Marty-

From what I could see of it, it looks very much like my Delta Rockwell 20" bandsaw, model no. 28-365. Mine dates from 1966. I used to own a 14" Walker Turner and from what I see of your machine it looks a lot more like a Rockwell than a WT.

metalmagpie

metalmagpie said:

From what I could see of it, it looks very much like my Delta Rockwell 20" bandsaw, model no. 28-365. Mine dates from 1966. I used to own a 14" Walker Turner and from what I see of your machine it looks a lot more like a Rockwell than a WT.

metalmagpie

Click to expand...

See the history in my first post.

Well, I found that bandsaw tire prices are all over the place, but they make a direct replacement for my machine. Same thickness, pre-crowned, and it has the rib to fit the groove. The price is $255 for a pair. Not cheap but I won't have to mess around with filling the groove with epoxy (as I read) or crowning a flat tire. These are made of urethane and should outlast me.

I bought them from the Bandsaw Tire Warehouse who claim to be worlds largest manufacturer of urethane band saw tires.

So far the tires cost more than the machine did.

I don't know the history of WT and Rockwell/Delta but that band saw is made for the exact same castings as the early Rockwell/Delta 20":



I have seen similar WT>Rockwell such as the radial arm drill etc.
WT was no doubt consumed by Rockwell at some point and they carried on some of the gear for a while.
Or rebadged...?
Was WT producing machines for Delta?

I have the WT 16"- also a saw heavy on cast iron castings for everything.
The Rockwell 20" changed over to plate at some point and I have never seen a cast iron door machine.

I believe there was an intermediate ownership of W/T by Kearny & Trecker prior to Rockwell/Delta. I also have an early Walker Turner radial drill that is identical to the one noted by Trboatworks above. At some point the W/T name was dropped although the machines continued to be built under the Rockwell/Delta brand.

Tom B.

thermite said:

Chronic complaint on PM that the < whatever > cost more than the machine-tool cost.

Not to forget...

All it really means is that we got one Helluva deal on the machine-tool!

Just price a new machine of comparable capacity, quality, and durability.

If even they can still be had at any sane price... in reasonable time... or even at all.

Click to expand...

Not complaining; that is what the smiley face indicated. My brother told me he paid $1500 for a 20" Powermatic 20 years ago, and he had to replace the tires.