SS Universal Hold Down of Magna Vintage - How Common is it?

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:24 am

I recently acquired a complete boxed set of the SS Universal Hold Down parts made by Magna Power Tool Corporation. From the instruction booklet I can find a date of July 1957. Pictures of some of the parts can be found in Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone by Decristoforo (older version).

I am impressed with this set especially the quality of the parts; no plastic anywhere. I just wondered if anyone else out there has this hold down set? Was it standard issue with the early SS? Do you use it and like it? I haven't had a chance to put mine to use yet.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:43 am

[quote="WmZiggy"]I recently acquired a complete boxed set of the SS Universal Hold Down parts made by Magna Power Tool Corporation. From the instruction booklet I can find a date of July 1957. Pictures of some of the parts can be found in Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone by Decristoforo (older version).

I am impressed with this set especially the quality of the parts]

They were an accessory(not std with mark 5) that are apparently sought after by many considering the prices paid on e-bay. There was an earlier hold down option that consisted of leaf springs and some 'plumbing' parts that used a tapped hole in the back end of the miter gauge bar and the back end of the miter gauge slot in the table.

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:29 pm

So it was begun with the Mark 5. Interesting. I wonder why they don't make something like this yet today? I suppose that is a stupid question given if it made money they would make it. Thanks for the info JPD.

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:30 pm

I too have one I found in a box of miscellaneous SS parts I picked up. Mine is missing the main spring steel hold downs. Anyone have any ideas on where I might find a replacement part or suitable substitute?

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:09 pm

I would think you could find some spring steel and make a pair of these. Not sure how they temper the spring in the steel, but that could be researched I'm sure. Then you could buy regular steel and temper the spring into it once it was properly shaped. If you need the dimensions on the springs let me know and I am happy to provide the measurements.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:42 pm

I use the UHD and it is a fine accessory.

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:30 am

WmZiggy wrote:I would think you could find some spring steel and make a pair of these. Not sure how they temper the spring in the steel, but that could be researched I'm sure. Then you could buy regular steel and temper the spring into it once it was properly shaped. If you need the dimensions on the springs let me know and I am happy to provide the measurements.

I was thinking I would probably have to hunt down some spring steel. I would appreciate the measurements. Thanks.

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:58 pm

14" long, by 3/4" wide by 3/16" thick. Mine are blued and turned up on one end by 2-1/2" in an arc that can be duplicated using a 6" diameter circumference. The bluing makes me think the spring was tempered into the steel after bending the ends. Anyone out there know about tempering steel so it will spring?