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View Full Version : Wadkin Restoration or Angus ascending.



RETIRED
19th November 2012, 04:15 PM
Following on from this thread http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/robbos-new-acquisition-159514/ we are in the throes of restoring the Wadkin RS to its former glory or better.

When it arrived it looked like this, 2 shades of green, red and bits of orange so the electricians could recognise the smoke bits.:D

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After looking at it sit there for a few days and drooling over the prospects of what it will be, we stripped everything (including plaques ) except the spindle as the bearings seem quite sound.

We then proceeded to sandblast all the minor parts that could fit in our sandblasting booth

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The larger parts, headstock, bed etc. were cleaned with an angle and die grinder. I think this was a Monday machine after a bad weekend because there was still that much casting flashing left on there that I could build another bed for it.

It now looks very pretty without all the sharp bits.

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Most of the electrical components have been discarded bar the motor and original switch gear (all original) and will be relocated to the headstock. The main switch will be on a lead so that it can be moved to get out of the way when starting.

I will probably have a reversing switch fitted as well.

That is the progress after 5 days. The workshop is covered in dust and flaked paint but we are making progress.

wheelinround
19th November 2012, 04:39 PM
What not enough turning work you have time to play with other toys:p

OR is TL learning new skills

edited to fix spelling I had my bats after the balls

RETIRED
19th November 2012, 04:52 PM
Bit of both.

dai sensei
19th November 2012, 05:36 PM
So what colour is it going to be, the original Wadkin blue/green, or an Angus maroon?

Scott
19th November 2012, 05:53 PM
So what colour is it going to be, the original Wadkin blue/green, or an Angus maroon?

Salmon Pink :D

artme
19th November 2012, 06:00 PM
Pity I'm not there to join the fun.:q

tea lady
19th November 2012, 06:38 PM
So what colour is it going to be, the original Wadkin blue/green, or an Angus maroon?Apparently the original colour is supposed to be something akin the battle ship grey. :cool:

smiife
19th November 2012, 06:43 PM
watching with great interest:U
cheers smiife:2tsup:

nz_carver
19th November 2012, 06:47 PM
Green to match every think in the work shop

RETIRED
19th November 2012, 07:04 PM
Apparently the original colour is supposed to be something akin the battle ship grey. :cool:Yep.

tea lady
19th November 2012, 07:12 PM
It now looks very pretty without all the sharp bits.

So definately should be called Angelina then. :D

specialist
19th November 2012, 07:30 PM
It's nice to see an old cracker get a new lease of life. I am keen to see the end result. Have pulled up a stool.

Mobyturns
20th November 2012, 06:42 AM
It's nice to see an old cracker get a new lease of life. I am keen to see the end result. Have pulled up a stool.

Me too! :U

Were any of these old castings wiped with lead to fair the castings??

RETIRED
20th November 2012, 07:01 AM
Me too! :U

Were any of these old castings wiped with lead to fair the castings??No, they used fibreglass filler and in some cases a lot of it.

Mostly to flatten the mould joints.

I have levelled these out or blended them in.

dr4g0nfly
20th November 2012, 07:55 AM
This is not a chore, it's a labour of love.

If there was a concourse competition for lathes (like there are for cars) I'd bet on this one.

wheelinround
20th November 2012, 08:47 AM
Salmon Pink :D



If he leaves it to AM it'll be PURPLE

Rod Gilbert
20th November 2012, 09:45 AM
This would have to be a dream for all sick addicted turner's I did my first turning as a 1st year apprentice pattern maker on a wadkin pattern maker's lathe at tech in Brisbane and still remember the feeling the tic tic of the belt,standing on that foot pedal to change speed's what an experience. There was also a
sanding machine that was as I recall about a 30" disk on one side with a bobin sander on the other that went from about a 3/4' -about 10" and I can't recall if it was part of or separate sharpening station which was an oil filled slow stone, leather wheel and a cone stone for inside gouge's they were all incredible machine's. This one will I am sure bring great pleasure in the restoration for yourself and a large number of others will be reflected in the pleasure of using this fantastic machine.
Regards Rod.:2tsup::)

TTIT
20th November 2012, 02:21 PM
That beast would look awesome in Super Dark Navy Blue :cool: . . . and I don't think I've ever seen a lathe that colour (the poxy water-colour blue Carbatec use doesn't count :puke: )

michael_m
20th November 2012, 02:43 PM
I have the perfect colour scheme (http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=201.htm)

_fly_
20th November 2012, 02:49 PM
That beast would look awesome in Super Dark Navy Blue :cool: . . . and I don't think I've ever seen a lathe that colour (the poxy water-colour blue Carbatec use doesn't count :puke: )
My record is a pretty dark blue.
but a dark midnight blue would be ok.
Find some grafitti kids and have it mural put on it.
Little guys climbing ladders....

RETIRED
20th November 2012, 02:55 PM
I have the perfect colour scheme (http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tartan_info.cfm@tartan_id=201.htm)You volunteering? :roflmao: I did contemplate putting the Robertson tartan on the leg.:D

rsser
20th November 2012, 03:39 PM
Have a look at paint-on Galmet Hammered Metal Finish in 'Macho Grey' (I kid you not).

GJ's legs came up a treat with it.

Lovely old machine you got there .

dai sensei
20th November 2012, 08:01 PM
I'm sure Julie has some nice glitter :rofl:

nz_carver
20th November 2012, 08:46 PM
I'm sure Julie has some nice glitter :rofl:
Why are you all out ??:q

Paul39
21st November 2012, 05:51 AM
As an old geezer who can lose things right in front of me, I like lighter colored machines, white walls, and lots of light.

I suspect any of 's lathes, nice paint notwithstanding, is not going to spend much time polished up and covered with a cloth, to be shown to dinner guests holding a cuppa whatever.

The 1995 Woodfast green is nice. For all the talk of nice paint jobs, any lathe that will be used to have finish applied to a turning will shortly look like the back side of a cow stall in winter.

artme
21st November 2012, 07:35 AM
Have a look at paint-on Galmet Hammered Metal Finish in 'Macho Grey' (I kid you not).

GJ's legs came up a treat with it.

Oh to see them!! Got a photo?:D:D

RETIRED
21st November 2012, 09:11 PM
Have a look at paint-on Galmet Hammered Metal Finish in 'Macho Grey' (I kid you not). Unfortunately I already have the paint.

GJ's legs came up a treat with it. I checked them out today. Musta washed em cause they is white and ugly.:D

Lovely old machine you got there .Thanks Ern.

RETIRED
21st November 2012, 09:16 PM
All the parts bar the tail stock have now been cleaned and we are starting to paint and assemble. The titles of the pics are self explanatory.


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nz_carver
21st November 2012, 09:30 PM
Nice another toy allmost done:)

nz_carver
21st November 2012, 09:33 PM
Is that a yellow tekna tool in the back there ??
or have you been over feeding the woodfast mini:q

RETIRED
21st November 2012, 10:29 PM
Is that a yellow tekna tool in the back there ??
or have you been over feeding the woodfast mini:qYep, nope.:D

Pat
22nd November 2012, 04:36 AM
Is that a yellow teknatool in the back there ??
or have you been over feeding the woodfast mini:q

NZ, you should recognise the TL 1000/8.

You had one:;

, good looking toy. I think anyone else might have had to struggle with the sheer size . . . a Forklift and chain block do come in handy.

RETIRED
22nd November 2012, 06:51 PM
It is getting closer.

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Scott
22nd November 2012, 07:04 PM
It is getting closer.

Thanks for restoring this for me :D

RETIRED
22nd November 2012, 07:25 PM
Thanks for restoring this for me :DIf you can carry it in your hands I won't be trying to stop you.:D

Scott
22nd November 2012, 07:42 PM
If you can carry it in your hands I won't be trying to stop you.:D

What? You're not going to deliver? :D

DJ’s Timber
22nd November 2012, 08:17 PM
If you can carry it in your hands I won't be trying to stop you.:D

What about if I come with my own gear to move it :D

RETIRED
22nd November 2012, 09:05 PM
What about if I come with my own gear to move it :D :pNope. Hands only.

Many years ago when the railways were State owned they used to put the new rails in stockpiles along the railway lines.

Someone asked a person in authority if they ever had any stolen.

His answer was, "No, but if one person can pick it up and take it, they are welcome to it."

Sawdust Maker
22nd November 2012, 09:14 PM
Nice looking restoration :2tsup:

nz_carver
22nd November 2012, 09:48 PM
Hey what's the specs on this new little toy of yours?
I"d take a shot in the dark to say MT 2? With a M30 3.5 thread to match its brothers and sisters?

Grumpy John
22nd November 2012, 10:27 PM
Hey , show 'em the brass plates.

RETIRED
23rd November 2012, 08:15 PM
All the components have been sandblasted and cleaned so today I assembled the compound rest after painting it.

After nearly 55 years or more the tolerances are fantastic. I had to remove some paint on the load faces because the feed wheels would not rotate with it there.

Cleaned the rack and reattached that.

Polished the bed and then fitted the rest in place and loosely adjusted the gib strips. They will be finely tuned after some use.

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Bit of a shame when it is so nice and clean but I then oiled all the bed and the oil holes on the rest. Movement is a little tight at the moment but everything has to seat in.

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Finished assembling the saddle on the bed.

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While this was going on the belt which was in good nick has been shortened by an inch and new clip fitted.

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The ID plate as it looks now.

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nz_carver
23rd November 2012, 08:29 PM
that's looking so nice:2tsup:

Knowing you and I know that this lathe was on your wish list
is it safe to say at this point
your as happy as a fat kid locked in a cake shop rite now ?

RETIRED
23rd November 2012, 08:47 PM
that's looking so nice:2tsup:

Knowing you and I know that this lathe was on your wish list
is it safe to say at this point
your as happy as a fat kid locked in a cake shop rite now ?No.:hpydans::hpydans2::clap2::woot: I lie a bit sometimes.

Paul39
24th November 2012, 03:26 AM
,

That is beautiful. I am green with envy.

wheelinround
24th November 2012, 08:00 AM
We now await video of test turn/s

NeilS
24th November 2012, 08:04 PM
The titles of the pics are self explanatory.


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"The Heart" should really be called "A beautiful bowl lathe about to be mucked up by adding a long bed"... :whistling2:

But, have to admit that it has gone to a much better cause...:2tsup:

nz_carver
24th November 2012, 08:22 PM
I'd hope your not calling a bowl turner? Lol
it looks like it will make a monster bowl lathe come to think of it :U

RETIRED
24th November 2012, 08:45 PM
"The Heart" should really be called "A beautiful bowl lathe about to be mucked up by adding a long bed"... :whistling2:Ya Hathen :D

But, have to admit that it has gone to a much better cause...:2tsup:Thank you. Rather interesting manufacturing technique: One headstock did all the models.

The extra holes were for different beds to allow a higher centre height. Change the height of the leg and Presto, new lathe.

NeilS
25th November 2012, 09:35 AM
ya heathen :d



... :)

clear out
29th November 2012, 05:45 PM
I had 2 of these. The first a 8 footer no saddle or out board gear bought it at auction here in Sydney in bits on a pallet. The second was the same as yours bought it at the SRA auction when they sold up the Patternshop and foundry. I fitted it with a C & H 2hp mechanical variable speed motor gearbox unit.
This worked well you put it on the correct speed pulley to rough and then turned the speed up with your foot as it came into balance. Did a 1200 dia desk on a similar lathe whilste in Fishwick at Don Lees.
I replaced mine with a longer Sagar and added a Hamada metal lathe headstock with a range of 80 to 1500 rpm, did some 2400 dia jobs on it.
If you fit the reversing switch how will the faceplates stay on?
The Hamada had the typical metal lathe set up but the Wadkin is just threaded.
Nice bit of gear, I probably have the instruction book somewhere and definitely have cattle dogs and brochures,some from the 50s.
Enjoy
H

NeilS
30th November 2012, 10:09 AM
SRA auction



...for the interstaters and those OS, SRA is State Rail Authority of New South Wales

wheelinround
1st December 2012, 09:32 AM
...for the interstaters and those OS, SRA is State Rail Authority of New South Wales

No its not its Sitting Round Always

NeilS
1st December 2012, 09:51 AM
No its not its Sitting Round Always

Yeah, there was a bit of that too...:D

clear out
1st December 2012, 10:40 AM
Yeah, there was a bit of that too...:D


Garden Island was the old ladies home and Cocko Docko was the old men's home.

For all the derogatory name calling like it or not these places were where the tradesmen were trained,
unlike the mining companies ripping billions out of Oz and importing foreign labor.:no:
H.

RETIRED
1st December 2012, 06:17 PM
Been busy with work but the tailstock was dismantled and cleaned, re oiled and assembled then painted.

The smoke man (electrician) has been in and started wiring it up.

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He will finish it next week. Glad it is him and not me as it more wires than a substation.:D

I have the new oil cups and they will be fitted soon.

DJ’s Timber
1st December 2012, 07:09 PM
Looking good , let us know when it's running and I'll come down for a visit

Paul39
2nd December 2012, 11:21 AM
He will finish it next week. Glad it is him and not me as it more wires than a substation.:D

I take it you have 3 phase, 2 speed motor, forward & reverse, and magnetic starter / switch?

You might want a kill switch on a wire and with a magnet so it can be put on the tailstock, or off to the right somewhere. All it takes is two wires parallel with the off button.

Nice if something gets funny in top gear and motor on high.

That is a sweet, sweet lathe. A wonderful Christmas gift to yourself.

RETIRED
2nd December 2012, 12:18 PM
I take it you have 3 phase, 2 speed motor, forward & reverse, and magnetic starter / switch? Yes

You might want a kill switch on a wire and with a magnet so it can be put on the tailstock, or off to the right somewhere. All it takes is two wires parallel with the off button.

Nice if something gets funny in top gear and motor on high.

That is a sweet, sweet lathe. A wonderful Christmas gift to yourself.

There will be a remote starter fitted.:D

Pat
2nd December 2012, 01:23 PM
There will be a remote starter fitted.:D

Is that the same as a garage remote . . . load up a wobbly piece, retire around the corner and start it, if it doesn't shake the building down in the first minute, tentatively look around the corner . . . and find another dent in the roof:;

wheelinround
2nd December 2012, 02:33 PM
Is that the same as a garage remote . . . load up a wobbly piece, retire around the corner and start it, if it doesn't shake the building down in the first minute, tentatively look around the corner . . . and find another dent in the roof:;

Thats what I do and use, my trusty ALDI remote.

RETIRED
11th December 2012, 08:05 AM
More progress.

The switches have been fitted and the electrician has just about wired it all up so we will have smoke soon.

The banjos have been welded and need cleaning off and they will be a goer soon.

Proceeding nicely albeit a bit slow.:D

RETIRED
26th August 2013, 07:18 PM
Well 9 months after starting (hmm, a pregnancy) Angus is born, finally going and ready to work.

A few dramas have delayed the progress:

Work got in the way.:rolleyes:

The motor was pulling 15 amps instead of the rated 5. So rather than muck about we had it rewound but the rewinder got a little crook so we had to wait. Turns out it was my fault.

Remember when buying a second hand machine to get ALL the information about its switching. This had been wired up with a variable speed that was taken off before delivery. What this means is that the motor had been rewired with "Delta" wiring. The electrician wired it up as per the wiring diagram which is "Star".

I had forgotten about it until the rewinder mentioned it. (slap myself.)

The bearings sounded OK until a load was put on them so they have been replaced too. Oh so sweet and quiet except for that lovely sound of the leather belt slap.:D

The reversing switch has been fitted but won't be used because the belt comes off in reverse.:roll:

Banjos have been made.

So that people won't complain about it being too clean I did a quick rough out to put some sawdust on it.:D

It is so quiet and just purrs.


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Pat
26th August 2013, 07:30 PM
Cool, cant wait to see Angus in real life :U

Sawdust Maker
26th August 2013, 08:14 PM
looks good

I reckon that motor would be precisely where I'd want to put my left foot :doh:

I'll have to wander down and have a tyre kick

smiife
26th August 2013, 08:21 PM
hi ,
looks fantastic,well done on the renovation:cool:
thats not a pen blank you have in it .....................is it :roflmao::roflmao2:

cheers smiife:2tsup:

NeilS
26th August 2013, 08:22 PM
That's one lovely looking lathe you've got yourself there .

Deserve you right, I reckon.

PS - I shudder to think what a beautifully made lathe like that would cost to be manufactured nowadays.

TTIT
26th August 2013, 10:18 PM
Sweet :2tsup: Bring it to Prossy so I can have a play on it :;

powderpost
26th August 2013, 10:47 PM
looks good

I reckon that motor would be precisely where I'd want to put my left foot :doh:

I'll have to wander down and have a tyre kick
Wear your steel caps...
Jim

RETIRED
27th August 2013, 08:17 AM
Thank you all. Smife, wash your mouth out :roflmao:

Grumpy John
27th August 2013, 08:29 AM
Those new bearings must have gone in pretty easy, or woere you able to pick them up earlier? Sorry I missed the launch, did you crack a bottle of shellawax over the headstock :p.

RETIRED
27th August 2013, 09:13 AM
It just slid together as easy as.

No Shellawax but a cup of tea was tipped into my headstock.:D

Paul39
27th August 2013, 01:27 PM
The reversing switch has been fitted but won't be used because the belt comes off in reverse.:roll:

After it has been run a while the belt may conform to the crowned pulleys and stay on OK.

Did the motor have to be rewound to the delta, or were the connections to the windings able to be changed from the star?

I'm assuming you had it rewound to single speed and use a VFD?

The back of the carriage looks as though it has or can be fitted with a taper attachment. Yes?

Such a nice lathe!!

RETIRED
27th August 2013, 03:19 PM
After it has been run a while the belt may conform to the crowned pulleys and stay on OK. That is what I am hoping for.

Did the motor have to be rewound to the delta, or were the connections to the windings able to be changed from the star? It is now star.

I'm assuming you had it rewound to single speed and use a VFD? Nope. Rewound to its original 2 speed. For most of my work I don't need variable speed.

The back of the carriage looks as though it has or can be fitted with a taper attachment. Yes? The tailstock can be offset if you use the compound rest.

Such a nice lathe!!It is.

tea lady
27th August 2013, 03:29 PM
Angus purring? Just seems wrong. More like he should be called Barry White or something. :hmm:

RETIRED
27th August 2013, 04:54 PM
Depends on which Angus

This
angus & julia stone - chocolates & cigarettes ( with lyrics ) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggk2HGK5RWE)

or this
AC/DC - Back In Black - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA)

:D

Sawdust Maker
27th August 2013, 09:28 PM
wrong colour for the AC/DC tune :doh:

and I was going to say the chocolates and cigarettes should have been tea and cigarettes until I read the lyrics :U



It would be a cool added touch if when you fired Angus up the opening bars of 'Back in Black' came from the heavens :2tsup:

tea lady
28th August 2013, 12:16 AM
Choose the Angus required for the job in hand. :D

oreos40
28th August 2013, 12:32 PM
have you used the compound yet? it will set up as a terrific copy lathe. nice job on the overhaul looks like a new machine!

hughie
30th August 2013, 09:35 AM
No Shellawax but a cup of tea was tipped into my headstock.:D


I just love tradition......:D

Christos
30th August 2013, 08:19 PM
It is truly amazing how things come out in the end.