New (for me) old iron.

Texas Ranger · October 14, 2006, 11:49:12 PM

Went to an auction and won a "Driver" jig saw with a 24 inch throat. the question is, anyone know anything about age of a "Driver" saw? Picture later.

LeeB · October 15, 2006, 01:40:51 AM

I'm picturing something like a beefed up scroll saw. Would that be any where near close? LeeB

Larry · October 15, 2006, 08:30:25 AM

Ya mean scroll saw?

Something like this model?

Going from memory and I'll defer to any of the smart people "Driver" was a line of tools made by Walker Turner. The quality was maybe a step down from industrial use but more than adequate for the small cabinet and home workshops. Think it was quite popular in it's time. Again memory fades but think the "Driver" line dates to the 30's - 40's.

Got my scroll saw for something like $15 and it runs like a well oiled sewing machine. Certainly not in the class of the new parallel arm scroll saws but good nuff for a hacker like me.

Larry · October 15, 2006, 10:04:51 AM

Lookie what I found.

http://www.owwm.com/MfgIndex/image.asp?id=1217

Ad for a 24" direct drive "Driver" JIG saw circa 1939. Forget that scroll saw stuff. :D :D

Wish I could have found the original price.

Texas Ranger · October 15, 2006, 11:28:14 AM

Dat's it! Thanks guys, I will post a picture later, mine not exactly like those shown. Solid piece of iron.

Texas Ranger · October 15, 2006, 02:43:02 PM

Works like a dream.

Engineer · October 15, 2006, 08:01:39 PM

"Driver" or Driver Line was a Walker-Turner brand name. You will find all you ever need to know about that saw from www.owwm.com, might even be able to find an owner's manual. Walker-Turner is good stuff. They were bought out sometime in the 60's (I think) by Delta (then Rockwell) and up until then they had some pretty beefy and reliable tools. I have W-T drill press and a shaper, and wish I had one of their 16" two-speed bandsaws.