Thread: Restored wolfenden chain mortiser

That's great to hear Greg!


Change of direction is another cool thing about 3-phase.

What motor did you end up using?

Cheers,
Paul

Hi Paul, I used a 3hp 2800rpm single phase motor,and it works fine. I didn't really need to change the motor direction, as a mate of mine said, why didn't you you just put the chain on the other way. I felt like a real dope as that solution never entered my mind. I've run it a few times,and am very happy. It cuts cleanly and quickly without any effort,and I cant imagine ever wanting to use a chisel mortiser again. I'll post pics this week,and although I'm happy with the outcome, it certainly is not a STENNER, but i love it anyway. Cheers Greg

Originally Posted by greggyboy

Hi Paul, I used a 3hp 2800rpm single phase motor,and it works fine. I didn't really need to change the motor direction, as a mate of mine said, why didn't you you just put the chain on the other way. I felt like a real dope as that solution never entered my mind. I've run it a few times,and am very happy. It cuts cleanly and quickly without any effort,and I cant imagine ever wanting to use a chisel mortiser again.

Easier to swap the wires
Unless you leave the power on

What is the smallest mortice it will cut?

I'll post pics this week,and although I'm happy with the outcome, it certainly is not a STENNER, but i love it anyway. Cheers Greg

Bloody Jack. We love him but we hate him.

Cheers,
Paul

G'day Greg
How about a couple of photo's of the finished restoration? Seeing you haven't put any up, someone had to ask.
My old mortiser has the drive sprocket for a chain attachment but not the mounting for the chain bar. Would you mind taking a couple of shots of the bar mounting bracket, may be able to fabricate something that would do the job.

Tony

G'day Tony, as stated in my previous posts, pics are on the way,I'm just waiting on my wife who is away at the moment to return,as she has the camera.I'll include some of the chain bar mounting. The bar on my machine is fitted to a solid mount which is welded not bolted to the machine. Mine is missing the chisel attatchment which would have been a bolt on fixture,and I'd like to see if i could get my hands on one,but am not too fussed, as after doing quite a few mortises with the chain,I can't imagine wanting to chisel mortise again. What make of machine is yours? and I'd be keen to see some pics as well. Cheers Greg

G'day Greg
Think you have already seen it in the "unnamed chisel mortiser" thread in this forum.

Do you know whether the bar for a chain mortiser is interchangable between different makes of machine (similar to chainsaws) or if each manufacturer has his own design?

Tony

Hi Tony, I'm not sure, but on yours it looks as though you would remove the chisel attatchment,and once removed,there may be a slot that will accept a chain bar. That is the way it is on my machine. Do yo have a sprocket fitted in front of the bevel drive gear? Cheers Greg

Finally here are some pics of my machine. I have the origional belt guard,but am yet to sand and paint it. I'm also going to make a guard for bevel gear(for chisel) and sprocket. Cheers Greg. PS. Paul the smallest bar and chain i have will do a 1/4 inch mortise. PPS. Tony,I caught up with a guy today who has a huge collection of old chains,bars and sprockets and my understanding from him is that all English type machines will accept the same bar. The last 2 pics I've added are as it looked when i got it.

That's a great job Greg ... I saw it when you posted it and had to step back to digest it

Great photos ... now I wanna see some video (Only child syndrome )

Would you say that the machine is basically a simple design ... just built to last?

BTW - have you seen The Awesome Power of the Chain Mortiser | Popular Woodworking Magazine
It looks a little tame actually
Where's the chips flying? ok I see it now - get them some jarrah to try it on.

Cheers,
Paul

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JoBIUwGGWI]Dictum Bench Class, Day 2 - YouTube[/ame]

Here's one I hadn't seen before:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX7bUf_oJJQ]Timber Jig - YouTube[/ame]

G'day Paul, I would definitely agree that my machine is built to last,and that is due to it's simplicity.Although the castings are fairly rough,all of the moving parts have been well machined,and there is not much that can go wrong with it,as it is nice and basic. The 2nd video you posted was amazing,and I've watched it a few times. Cheers Greg

Greg your Chain Mortise machine looks terrific, I do like the light grey color, if I recall a lot of the Wolfenden machine's were painted that way too, a very sympathetic restoration, well done.

Here's a little trip down memory lane below, courtesy of google street view,
It's not the way I remember it but at least the little office is still there...



Melbourne Matty.

Thought this older posting might be of interest.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f153/c...awbench-98605/

Originally Posted by beer is good

Thought this older posting might be of interest.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f153/c...awbench-98605/

Hi Beer is Good, (and it is)

If you like I will write up a description and history on your saw bench back on your original post.


Melbourne Matty.