ATLANTA -- Most of the focus at IWF 2016 is on new technology and innovation, but Timesavers took a minute to recognize the longest-serving Timesavers sanders. The winner was announced by Bob Williams of Timesavers at a meeting of distributors in the company’s booth at the show.

The oldest Timesavers sander still in service that was located belongs to Gary Smith’s Wood Shop in Virginia. This sander, Model Top 40 and Serial Number 657, was originally sold to Intercoastal Door Corp, in Long Island, New York, for $8,768 on Oct. 30, 1958. Smith recently retired from American Woodmark and has a home-based woodshop. He bought this machine about 20 years ago, and had to setup a custom drive to power the large three-phase electric motor on the 40-inch sander. He uses the machine to sand highly figured natural slabs for sculpture and furniture pieces.

Also of note, Southwest Traditional Furniture in Kerrville, Texas, has Model 352-2, Serial Number 7398 and was sold Sept. 29, 1976 to Lumber Woodworking Co. for $20,620. The current owner has used the machine for 12 years to calibrate glued-up panels for desktops, tabletops and other large surfaces.

Other older sanders recognized were Model 125-1HDMW, Serial Number 11315, used by KNWN Mfg. Inc. in British Columbia. This sander was originally sold to Rossignol Ski Co. on Dec. 16, 1981. The current user has had it for a year and uses it for ski and snowboard manufacturing.

The Woodshed, Inc. in Colorado Springs purchased Model 137-1HD, Serial Number 17752T on Feb. 25, 1986, and is still using the same machine for edge sanding, stripping stain and sanding rough wood. A newer Timesavers is used for final sanding and preparation.

Find out more by seeing Timesavers at Booth 6428.