3/9/2017 - Banjo Boys - Chapter 33 - A Trip to Equipment Heaven

It's been well over a year since the Banjo Boys have made their presence known on this informative blog.  Clint got a new job and moved to Chattanooga.  Bob's been continuing to work on various projects.  Clint began to miss his shop time.  Soon, Clint was calling Bob to talk about tools.  It seems that Clint's newly-bought house had a perfect spot for a shop!

The discussions centered initially around table saws since Clint was working on some kitchen cabinets.  The decisions are complex -- Used or new, what brand, how old, what design, what manufacturer, how far away, etc.  He finally acquired a 1981 Unisaw on eBay.

A restored Unisaw like Clint's

 This was a highly-precision tool, extremely rugged, and capable of any job Clint is likely to throw at it.  It was located in Cincinnati and needed to be retrieved.  He called Bob and suggested a road trip.  We were going to where old tools go to die -- C.W. Woods Machinery Co., 3290 Beekman Street, Cincinnati, OH!

Clint drove over Wednesday morning and the team departed from Fayetteville at 6:00 AM.  After breakfast on the road and about 5 1/2 hours on the road, we arrived at C.W. Woods.  It's located in a very industrial section of downtown Cincinnati.  We went into a small house to inquire about Mark Henggeler, who was Clint's contact.  Mark greeted us and offered to show us around before loading the saw into Clint's truck.

We walked down a short driveway into a large industrial building.  We later learned that this building, one of many occupied by the firm, was once a milk bottling plant.  Once we were inside and our eyes adjusted to the light, we saw nothing but heavy machinery in every direction.  There were lathes, milling machines, metal brakes, huge shears, grinders, cutters, saws of every description, drill presses, and CNC machines.  This was some serious stuff!

A small part of C.W.Woods' inventory...

We went through a repair shop, in which several mechanics and electricians were repairing large machines to make them ready for sale to the next users.  Then we walked across the street to a separate building where smaller tools were stored.  Mark had a second Unisaw here and offered to let Clint take the better of any duplicate accessories that were interchangeable to Clint's saw.

The "Homeless" shaper

While in this building we spotted a vintage Model 43-120 Rockwell shaper.  Mark explained that this had been part of a local cabinet maker's shop and that they had bought the entire collection of tools when the gentleman closed his business.  This was the last tool left.  He suggested we might want to make an offer for it.  Clint frantically started checking Websites to see what recent prices had been for similar tools.  He finally offered Mark a fair price and Mark accepted.  The shaper had found a new home!

Loading the truck was pretty painless.  These boys move really big stuff routinely.  They picked up the saw with a forklift and in no time it was lashed down in the truck.  The shaper fit snugly between the extension arms of the Unisaw.  Then it was lashed securely and we were ready to head home.

The trip home was uneventful.  We stopped for a while at a very nice Mexican restaurant, "El Nopal," in Carrollton, KY.  We arrived at Bob's home around 9:30.  Bob's wife, Mary Ann and Bella, the Meads' Cavapoo, were waiting for the grand arrival.  Bella went crazy to see Clint after his many months away.  She remembered him and did a great job as the official greeter.

Reports are that Clint made it home with no issues.  We're all wondering how he intends to get the saw out of his truck and into the shop in one piece!

But Wait...There's More!!!

Just in from Clint himself, this picture.  With the help of a herd of friends and relatives, the Unisaw is now safely in the future shop.  Amen.