Yesterday I had the opportunity to purchase this DeWalt RAS, model MBF-223, serial# 212800. From the serial registry on the OWWM mothership, the saw was born in January 1957. The machine is considered a bit underpowered with the original 3/4hp motor, however, it was marketed to the DIY and handyman of the 1950s, not for heavy commerical use (as in cutting 8/4 or larger hardwood all day long). A 9” blade will fit on the machine, however an 8” blade works better.
I have lusted for this particular model over the past 4 years and I am actually humbled to have it in my garage. The older DeWalt RAS models don’t appear much on CL in my area and when they do, they are usually larger models in pretty bad shape, or overpriced in my opinion. I paid a fair price with no regrets. Besides another galoot drove up right behind me so my bargaining power diminished exponentially!
It is in exceptional condition considering it’s age with all the cosmetics intact – knobs, balls, levers and guards, and the motor runs like a top. The bearing appear to be in good condition. I removed the nose cap and cleaned the ways and bearings, and wire wheeled the cap just for fun. The previous owner, I believe deceased, was an architectural millwright in the Galveston Tx area. A nephew (not a young man himself) is selling off his uncle’s old equipment. It has been in storage. The nephew led me to believe the uncle was the original owner. Based on it’s condition, I believe it. I only plan to clean it up, not much, and build a Mr. Sawdust table.
another view
another view
last one
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.
9 comments so far
NBeener
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4856 posts in 1342 days
#1 posted 925 days ago
Congrats on getting a piece of WW history, and … best of luck/have fun/don’t forget to post pics …. in your upcoming restoration !!!
That thing is going to be verrry cool !
-- -- Neil
Bob Simmons
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505 posts in 1182 days
#2 posted 925 days ago
David…
This is going to be a fun project for you. Looking forward to seeing it spring back to life in your future postings. Bet it weighs more than most saws today. Good job!
-- Bob Simmons, Las Vegas, NV, http://TheApprenticeandTheJourneyman.com
popmandude
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111 posts in 1188 days
#3 posted 925 days ago
Congrats!! I have a GWI. Got it re-painted, changed the motor bearings, then found out the blade had a bad wobble to it. Haven’t decided yet if I will dig deeper, or sell it. I love them owwm. My parks planer is a work horse.
Good luck with the rehab
Randy
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1841 days
#4 posted 925 days ago
Congrats on another OWWM Project!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Pimzedd
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334 posts in 1972 days
#5 posted 925 days ago
Taught “shop” with a 10 in DeWalt for 27 years. It was a good piece. Yours looks like it can be put to work without much effort.
One thing caught my attention. The upper guard is in place. The three screw holes in the side held a lower guard.
Two aluminum pieces on each side. One piece was a half moon shape with slots for the three screws to go through. A second piece with C shaped with end pieces that hung on the two outboard screws and was held in place inside the first piece. The C shaped piece road up and down over the wood being cut. It never looked like it would work real well to keep a finger out. Mostly it served as a reminder.
If you can find the lower guard, good deal, otherwise keep your fingers clear of the path of the blade!
-- Bill - Mesquite, TX --- "Everything with a power cord eventually winds up in the trash.” John Sarge , timber framer and blacksmith instructor at Tillers International school
MedicKen
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1560 posts in 1630 days
#6 posted 925 days ago
Looks good Dave. Please post some pics during the restore.
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
jack1
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1803 posts in 2195 days
#7 posted 925 days ago
A friend has one of these he inherited. He likes it
-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!
davidroberts
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952 posts in 1654 days
#8 posted 925 days ago
thanks all. this about wraps up my major tool purchase quest (no really honey). now if i can just get my garage in shape, i just might build something worth the effort.
by the way, my 17 year old einstein son competed on a robotics team last weekend. not much of a robot to to look at but they took third out of 21 teams and missed going to State by 2 points. I built most of the practice field. I’ll post a blog.
pimzedd – i’ve seen those guards that hang down around the bottom of the blade (i.e. Norm and his Delta), however, the 1957 manual doesn’t show them for this model. I doubt they came with the machine considering the kickback guard is still installed. they may be a latter feature, or a separate purchase. I believe the guard is original but who know, it could be newer than the machine.
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.
HokieMojo
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2085 posts in 1896 days
#9 posted 921 days ago
Hey David,
Nice pickup. I just snagged a Dewalt GWI that is the same vintage as yours and am planning a similar cleanup and mr sawdust build. I ordered my metal bars from McMaster Carr. I got them in 3 foot lengths along with some epoxy and a little hardware for another project. Shipping was only $6, despite the length of the bars and they were in much better shape than at my local lowes or HD. That being said, your stores might have better material in stock. Just a heads up (-:
If you are interested in following my blog, here is my first post. I’ll post more as I progress.
http://lumberjocks.com/HokieMojo/blog/18103
As for pimzedd’s post, I’m not sure the guard he is talking about was stock. My saw looks like it has the 3 screws but they look like they were painted over with the original paint and it doesn’t have a guard. You are obviously familiar with OWWM, so you can always go over there and check the archives for manuals and parts diagrams. That should help.
Mine just has a wingnut that can be loosened to tilt the blade guard as needed to protect you. I believe the Mr Sawdust book covers it all. I hope you keep posting as you get your saw ready for action. Thanks for sharing the pics!!!
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