Vintage Porter Cable "Speedmatic" circular saws.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- I apologize for the background noise later in the video.
Click here to see a demo of these saws: • Porter Cable "Speedmat...
These are my vintage Porter Cable K series saws.
Porter Cable pioneered the helical drive circular saw in the late 1920s and one of earliest saws was the 8" model K-88, of which I have a few in the video. 6", 7.5", 9", 10" and 12" saws were also made in later years. The Rockwell 508 was the last version of these saws to be made into the 1970s.
Thees saws are very heavy, and as a result they were used hard for many years. This was a tool that was repaired for a fraction of the price of a new saw.
The machine quality at Porter Cable in those days was top notch and because of that, many of these saws still survive in restorable condition. They are a lot of fun to work on. In an era of cheap and light saws, The high quality and smoothness of these machines makes them a pleasure to use.
I have a 60’s vintage 315 and an 80’s 368. Made thousands of cuts. I’m retired now but won’t let go of these saws. They’re a treasure. Thanks for posting this!
Just this week a channel called Florida Rustic repairs posted a detailed maintenance video about the Porter-Cable 146B saw from the 1960s.
Just came in from my shop after a few hours of sanding on the Rockwell 315 my father passed on to me. He bought it in the 60’s and used it to build cabinets, frame homes up until the mid 70’s. I started using it at about the age of 15 and still using at 59. I’m a grandpa now and have two young grandsons that I plan on passing it to. I got lucky and found a switch for it about a year ago. I bought a Skil Mag77 early this week so that I don’t wear out the switch on my 315. Those saws of your are beautiful!
Josiah, Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. These are living, working artifacts that represent the pinnacle of the American power tool industry. We should respect the folks who designed, engineered and built them. I wonder how many people are still around who worked for Porter-Cable in Syracuse before the whole operation was shipped south in 1970 under Rockwell's ownership.
I'm glad you enjoyed! I love old tools and especially Porter Cable. The quality and expense with which these tools were made is amazing.
I think Rockwell bought PC around 1960, so if there are any old Syracuse employees around they must be up there in years.
@@clockbuilderhg I believe PC kept manufacturing in Syracuse until 1970 . You may have seen some tools bearing both the Rockwell and Porter Cable logos which were made in Syracuse during the 1960s. I have a few examples . As a Canadian, I have also seen some Porter Cable branded tools made in London, Ontario or Guelph, Ontario. I think most Canadian operations came to an end when the Rockwell name went on the tools and manufacturing was consolidated in Tennessee. Despite the Rockwell era tools bearing the corporate address of Pittsburgh, I don't believe tools were ever made there.
Thanks for posting this!! It looks like I will need to get myself a bushing made for my k88 so I can put it back to work.
If your saw has a 1/2" arbor, you will need a 1/2" I.D. by 5/8" O.D.
Hi Josiah, A channel called Florida Rustic Repairs just posted a very detailed video in which a 1960s era Porter-Cable 146B saw is disassembled, cleaned, repaired, lubricated and reassembled.😃
That's neat! I'll look for it.
@@clockbuilderhgI am not saying it will teach you anything you don't already know but it is a GREAT teaching resource for newcomers to vintage tool maintenance and repair.
It also pleases me to no end to see another REAL Porter-Cable saw prepared for another 60 years of faithful service. The next time you find a classic PC tool in restorable condition
you may be inspired to do a full-length video of your own. 😁😁
MR. HANNA THAT,S A GREAT COLLECTION OF VINTAGE SAWS ,IN THE RECENT PAST IV,E COLLECTED ALUMINUM SAWS AS WELL BUT THEY WERE MOSTLY SKILSAWS ,STANLEY, MALL SAWS AND I STARTED GETTING INTO PORTER CABLE SAWS TO WHICH I ONLY HAVE ONE A 88C ,AND FOR YEARS BEEN LOOKING FOR THE SPEEDMATIC 12 WHICH IS VERY RARE FOUND ONE ,BUT T WENT FOR WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. THANKS FOR SHARING .
Thanks for sharing your collection! This tool was their livelihood, but Imagine spending a month’s pay on your saw today!?!!
The Speedmatic saws are certainly robust. But, it takes a burly man to push them all day.
I have a K-88C just like yours. I can't seem to be able to find a manual for it, even on Vintage Machinery's site. Can you recommend a source? Also, I'd like to be able to restore the as well. Do you have any idea of the original paint color and the size of the original painted lettering? Thanks.
Hello, my 84 year old father in law is using one of these to help me build deck stringers. It's amazing how accurate the line is. Can you tell me how to change the blade? I have the blade locked but the nut just keeps spinning, doesn't seem to want to loosen.
That is strange. Is there a hex in the center of the shaft for an Allen key? Generally you would use an Allen wrench to hold the shaft while you back off the nut. If the nut is still just turning and not backing off, I'm not sure what you would do then. It should spin off.
@@clockbuilderhg . It's the speedmatic-75. It's a solid bolt with like a star ring underneath the bolt then the blade. As I turn the blade there is cutouts in the blade and there is a hex bolt in the cutout. Not sure if that is anything. How would you normally replace the blades on these?
@@Mark-jz4dz okay, I have seen that style but none of my saws have it. It sounds like you have a bolt instead of a nut like on the older saws. With the blade still locked, you might see if you can grab the star with some pliers while you loosen the bolt. Otherwise I'm not sure.
@@clockbuilderhg . Ok 👍 I'll try that. Thank you for responding.
Very nice video. Your equipment looks very good and preserved. My grandfather has a Model A-6, and has tasked me with finding a spring for the blade guard return. Do you know where I should start looking? I have done a few Google searches and keep coming up with the same item on eBay, but I am not sure if it's the correct part.
I've never had my hands on an A-6. I don't know of any replacement springs being made so your best bet might have to be a donor saw. A-6 saws come up on Ebay from time to time.Good luck!
Me podrian informar en español el año de fabricacion de la sierra 88c gracias hugo villalba
I just found a BK10 new in its metal case with instructions and tube of grease and bill of sale
Wow. Awesome collection. Will a 7 1/4 fit on the 7" saws or do you go with a 6 1/2?
I believe you can use a 7 1/4" in the K75 saws. I would know about some of the later ones.
@@clockbuilderhg thank you. I'm considering between a couple of115a's on ebay right now and was wondering what to expect,blade wise
@@timbarry5080 Good luck! I've never owned one of those but I hear they are good saws.
@@clockbuilderhg thank you! I just pulled the trigger on one with the original case, paperwork, saw guide and blade change tool. I'm excited. Happy holidays
Donde puedo conseguir la bria de la porter cable 528
What’s going on over there?? Are they filming an episode of cops near by???
Cool saws by the way
I was just given a K-75 but the spring on the bottom blade guard is gone. How do I fix that?
That's a bit of a problem! It's not a standard spring so Ebay is probably your best bet if you watch for parts. Sometimes you can find a stray guard that might have the spring.
I am working on a 12” Rockwell 512g5 but I’m having trouble finding parts. What’re are you finding parts?
I had another 12" saw that I robbed some parts off of. Bearings are actually still readily available.
Just found a speedmatic 89 circular saw, going thru a toolshop here in NC lots of tools plugged it in and it works great.. How old is this and is it worth refurbishing? thinking bout polishing it up or trying to taking it apart some and cleaning
The K-89 is from the early 50s I believe. It's a very heavily built saw and definitely worth fixing up. Sounds like a good find!
@@clockbuilderhg What in your opinion is the best saw PC ever made? Truthfully I'm not a fan of the old blade guard style, but I'm also and avid hater of electric brakes lol
@@sawmaster6095 I think the K-88 is my personal favorite, but I like big heavy things! If you didn't care for the jackknife guard, the model 528 is very similar but with a modern style guard. For a smaller lighter saw, the 115 is a nice tool as well.
@@clockbuilderhg Thanks for the reply! I certainly don't mind heavier/more robust equipment. I guess the question I should be asking is what is the most reliable saw they made? It's ashamed they only make cheap stuff now :(
@@sawmaster6095 I haven't used them all but I think they were all very reliable at least until the 70s. The old Speedmatic saws are heavier than the later 115 and similar, but the internal components are still comparable. If you want to see some more old PC saws, check out owwm.org and do some searching. There is a small group of PC collectors there, myself included.
i have a speedmatic 75 if anybody is interested