January 4, 2016

Wardwell Saw Filers and Saw Grinders

Google Books
Wardwell Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio made band saw filers, saw grinders, saw setters, and other machinery. It began as a partnership between Frank Wellington Wardwell, Jr. (1878-1954) and Hugh B. Foley, inventor of the Foley saw filer. Foley-Wardwell Manufacturing Co. incorporated in 1912 in Cleveland. Despite their similar interests, the men separated about 2 years later, and the company changed names to Wardwell Manufacturing Co. In 1956 they were located at 3812 Ridge Rd., Cleveland, OH. The Wardwell Automatic Circular Saw Grinder Model 57T was sold at Leland-Gifford Products in Akron, OH until recently.

Frank Wardwell had at least 9 US patents. This Google Books link is to a 1915 article about Wardwell's metal cutting band saw sharpener, a much more sophisticated machine than Foley's saw filer at the time. I have scanned Wardwell's Catalog No. 48.

Some of Wardwell's filers used double-ended tapered saw files. I learned of the company from an eBay listing for files stamped "WARDWELL".

Here is a recent YouTube video of a Wardwell circular saw grinder running.
Google Books

1 comment:

  1. Really didn't know where/how to post a new issue so I'll do it here.
    I have acquired a significant number of Foley-Belsaw machines from a guy who was running a shop but had to stop because his only employee (the one who knew how to use them "rundoff"
    Currently, I am working with the SF1000, SS1000 and SR1000.
    I also have 357, 360, Darex E-90, 330, 367(needs some repair); 285; (and I can't remember the rest.
    While studying and learning to use the SR1000, the rubber drive wheel that spins the big cast iron fly wheel disintegrated which is currently forcing me to spin it by hand (not much fun).
    Additionally, on the SS1000 there are supposed to be some "gauges" that are used to attach to the carrier bar in order to operate the SS1000. I don't have any clue as to what that offset is supposed to be. I'm thinking it might be close to about 7/8" but not sure. Any ideas?
    As I become more experienced with these machines I hope to be able to share more information as to the use of these machines. I also have a machine that I have never seen anywhere but the older model is called a router bit grinder.
    This one is a newer version but I can't find any documents on how to set it up. It takes 3c collets.
    Thanks for being here, Mark
    Dave

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