Working tool
00
days
12
hours
09
minutes
08
seconds
Current bid
€ 55
No reserve price
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Selected by Ashley Calvert
He has 15 years of experience trading 20th century glass and antiques.
Estimate € 130 - € 200
 | €55 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €50 | |
| €1 |
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Antique diamond sawing machine/precision workbench from the Netherlands, made of cast iron and brass, in reasonable condition with heavy use and possibly missing small parts; dimensions 13 × 15 × 19 cm, weight about 5 kg, dating to circa 1900–1910.
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Description from the seller
Antique Diamond Saw Machine / Diamond Working Bench – Cast Iron and Brass – ca. 1900–1920
A rare and authentic piece of industrial heritage from the early mechanical era of the diamond industry (Amsterdam / Antwerp). This heavy precision sawing bench was used to cut rough diamonds with extreme accuracy using an ultra-thin phosphor bronze saw blade and diamond powder.
Description & Operation
The device is built around a solid, profiled cast iron bed with original black lacquer (japanning), designed to absorb vibrations completely during processing.
Balanced lifting arm: The central arm pivots between centers and is equipped with a solid brass hollow-weight. This counterweight ensures an extremely constant, minute pressure of the diamond on the rotating saw blade to prevent crystal fracture or blade deflection.
articulated vise / clamp: At the front there is a multi-adjustable brass clamp head with finely adjustable knurled screws, allowing the stone to be precisely oriented to the crystal plane (the saw surface).
Horizontal saw axis: The axle runs between brass center bearings and carries the characteristic saw blade.
Depth limiter: Equipped with a vertical lead screw with knurled locking nuts on a free foot to accurately limit the saw depth.
Thanks to the interplay of the dark cast iron, the warm patinated brass, and the sculptural lever construction, this instrument is not only historically interesting but also a striking decorative object for lovers of scientific instruments and curiosities.
Specifications
Object: Diamond saw bench / precision workbench machine
Application: Diamond processing (cleaving and sawing craft)
Period: Ca. 1900 – 1920
Material: Cast iron, brass, bronze and steel
Dimensions: 30 × 15 × 19 cm (l × w × h)
Weight: Ca. 6–8 kg (solid cast iron version)
Condition
In authentic, unpolished state with fine patina of age and use. All mechanical parts and adjustment screws move smoothly.
Points of attention:
There is a visible vertical hairline crack in the cast iron of the lifting arm, just below the top adjustment screw (see detail photo).
The mounted saw blade on the shaft shows edge wear and edge chips consistent with age and workshop use.
Antique Diamond Saw Machine / Diamond Working Bench – Cast Iron and Brass – ca. 1900–1920
A rare and authentic piece of industrial heritage from the early mechanical era of the diamond industry (Amsterdam / Antwerp). This heavy precision sawing bench was used to cut rough diamonds with extreme accuracy using an ultra-thin phosphor bronze saw blade and diamond powder.
Description & Operation
The device is built around a solid, profiled cast iron bed with original black lacquer (japanning), designed to absorb vibrations completely during processing.
Balanced lifting arm: The central arm pivots between centers and is equipped with a solid brass hollow-weight. This counterweight ensures an extremely constant, minute pressure of the diamond on the rotating saw blade to prevent crystal fracture or blade deflection.
articulated vise / clamp: At the front there is a multi-adjustable brass clamp head with finely adjustable knurled screws, allowing the stone to be precisely oriented to the crystal plane (the saw surface).
Horizontal saw axis: The axle runs between brass center bearings and carries the characteristic saw blade.
Depth limiter: Equipped with a vertical lead screw with knurled locking nuts on a free foot to accurately limit the saw depth.
Thanks to the interplay of the dark cast iron, the warm patinated brass, and the sculptural lever construction, this instrument is not only historically interesting but also a striking decorative object for lovers of scientific instruments and curiosities.
Specifications
Object: Diamond saw bench / precision workbench machine
Application: Diamond processing (cleaving and sawing craft)
Period: Ca. 1900 – 1920
Material: Cast iron, brass, bronze and steel
Dimensions: 30 × 15 × 19 cm (l × w × h)
Weight: Ca. 6–8 kg (solid cast iron version)
Condition
In authentic, unpolished state with fine patina of age and use. All mechanical parts and adjustment screws move smoothly.
Points of attention:
There is a visible vertical hairline crack in the cast iron of the lifting arm, just below the top adjustment screw (see detail photo).
The mounted saw blade on the shaft shows edge wear and edge chips consistent with age and workshop use.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
5 kg
Country of Origin
Netherlands
Material
Iron
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
19 cm
Width
13 cm
Depth
15 cm
Estimated period
1900-1910
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