Here’s a quick recap of what has turned out to be one truly fantastic find. After randomly coming across this post over on Facebook, I did what I’m sure others do – look it over, say “damn, that’s going to make someone’s day”… then decide “there’s no way somebody hasn’t already beaten me to this”, close Facebook and move on with life.
The next day, the same offer turned up on the forum and still hadn’t found someone to actually show up and get it.
Fast forward another day or so, and I find myself in Edison, New Jersey, to bring home a saw that looks and runs like it just left the factory. Much thanks to a fellow named Roger (and his relative Eric who posted it online and made it happen).
Here’s a few photos of the saw, as it was in the workshop where I picked it up…
So I brought this wonderful machine back home to Pennsylvania, last-minute bundled in contractor bags for a 2-hour drive in pouring rain…
The route back passed through Chester, New Jersey, once home to the original Mr. Sawdust School in the late 1970’s. The building itself has been entirely abandoned for years, but I decided to take time to go by there. I’d looked at it on Google Earth more than once, always intending to go there and get myself inside – even just for the feeling of being back in a place that was such a big part of our family’s history – and the story of Mr. Sawdust. Decades later, bringing home a DeWalt of the same era that my grandfather made quite famous, I took a few minutes to find the place, and enjoyed one of those small, nostalgic moments where you get to feel connected to someone who isn’t here anymore.
The route back passed through Chester, New Jersey, once home to the original Mr. Sawdust School in the late 1970’s. The building itself has been entirely abandoned for years, but I decided to take time to go by there. I’d looked at it on Google Earth more than once, always intending to go there and get myself inside – even just for the feeling of being back in a place that was such a big part of our family’s history – and the story of Mr. Sawdust.
Decades later, bringing home a DeWalt of the same era that my grandfather made quite famous, I took a few minutes to find the place, and enjoyed one of those small, nostalgic moments where you get to feel connected to someone who isn’t here anymore.
One of my favorite old photos, taken after one of the early workbench-construction classes.
A rough composite I’d made a while back, after I managed to find the building on Google Earth.
Wally sitting inside the old school/workshop, in this same building.
While I’ve never been someone to let a “no trespassing” sign get between me and somewhere I want to explore, with my daylight nearly gone and about a dozen “stupidly unsafe” entry points ruled out, I made the rational call to save getting inside for another day. Everything I could see inside, from every angle of the structure, told me I wouldn’t trust the floors under my feet.
It didn’t much matter though. Just stopping by and taking time to imagine the old days of the early school – that was all I wanted to do.
All that is just a roundabout way to say this: if the story of the Mr. Sawdust School had ended with this place, this building, all of this would be a little heartbreaking. But you probably know the story didn’t end there – entirely thanks to Wally Kunkel (his son), the school was reborn – a woodworking school you have to see to believe – and there’s a whole new story unfolding there. Everything about the new school you’ll find at mrsawdustschool.com (or mrsawdust.com/school for a quick overview page I’d put together.)
So here’s a few shots of this fine machine that’s found a new home with me. The motor purs, it cuts with precision, and looks just fine. Since I already have a few other saws that each work just fine, I’m going to dedicate this particular one to experimenting with a lot of the different ideas I’m always toying with – and give it some Mr. Sawdust personality. For the moment though, I just swapped out a few badges and emblems… :)
— David
