Fools for Tools #1: The Band Saw that was Meant to Be (Walker Turner 14")

So im cleaning up in my garage shop a couple saturdays ago when a white SUV pulls right up to it and the guy inside tells me his daughter is my neighbor, he sees all my wood and wants to know if I’m interested in an old band saw? His father handed it down to him when he passed, but he doesnt use it now since he’s older and doesnt do woodworking anymore.

I told him its the missing ingredient in my shop and I’m very interested! He sends me some pictures and it looks promising.

He tells me he’ll accept any offer I make him, so we agreed on $100 and a turned wooden bowl as payment for this 14” Walker Turner in WONDERFUL condition. I didn’t know what I was getting until I did my research after buying it (took 3 guys to get it into the truck).

Aside from some table rust (came right off with a wire brush and 3m pad), thing is in great condition. This is built like a TANK. After nuclear holocaust, only the cockroaches and the walker turners will remain.

Looks like im gonna get away with just $30 bucks for the woodslicer resaw blade, since tires, bearings, guide blocks etc all seem to be in good working order. I have some Morus Nigra logs that’ll be up on this substantial cast iron table shortly!

I’ll post some updated pics after I get the new blade tracking and the guides tuned up. I can’t wait to make my first bookmatch veneer!

-- Joseph, Irvine CA, @palas_woodcraft on Instagram