Waddie Magnet

[Vann]

On Friday afternoon (in the rain) I had this delivered.

392947 392949 Wadkin CC 3292, of 1956.

I had it dropped at the roadside, as our driveway is very narrow at the top - too narrow for even a medium size truck. Yesterday the weather was beautiful, and I made a lot of progress stripping it down. I needed an allen key in a size I don't own, to get the carriage rollers out. I borrowed one this morning, and I was just outside (expecting more rain) removing the allen head bolts...

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...when a van going by (ours is a quiet side road) screeched to a halt, the drive jumped out and ran back to me. He said "That's a Wadkin". - You just have to be a Waddie to tell that's a Wadkin from what was left on the roadside :roll:.

It's nice to meet a kindred spirit in the flesh (yes, I can communicate with you guys, but I've never actually met any of you - though I hope to put that right some day).

Anyway, it turns out that the guy just loves old woodworking machinery, especially Wadkin gear. He runs a small one man business out of an old factory, and most of his gear is Wadkin. He said he has an identical saw to the CC, only his is older (with less aluminium and more cast iron). I showed him my PK (what can be seen of it where it's stored) and he thinks his might be the same (he recognised the mitre fence), and says he has two Wadkin spindle moulders.
I've got his address, and I'm invited to visit his workplace. I can't wait (this Wadkinitus is uncurable, apparently... :no:).

Cheers, Vann.

[bueller]

Awesome get Vann! I have to admit the old Wadkin machines really tickle my fancy but sadly they don't seem to come up in WA very often. Seen a couple of sliding panel saws and a couple of RAS but they were all from the Bursgreen era.

Dream machine would be a Waddie 10" AGS, I'd be a happy man if I could add one of those to the shed.

[wallace1973]

I've got a CC that I got given of Nathan, it came to me in lots of bits because he started a refurb then didn't have time. Its in amazing original condition. It is a one with a smaller cut. I'm very tempted for it to be my next project.

[bueller]

I've got a CC that I got given of Nathan, it came to me in lots of bits because he started a refurb then didn't have time. Its in amazing original condition. It is a one with a smaller cut. I'm very tempted for it to be my next project.
That sort of thing terrifies me for some reason. I've actually come across a couple of machines like that in the last few months, had to pass on them because I was worried I'd find bits missing.

[Vann]

...Anyway, it turns out that the guy just loves old woodworking machinery, especially Wadkin gear. He runs a small one man business out of an old factory, and most of his gear is Wadkin...
I've got his address, and I'm invited to visit his workplace...I got the opportunity to visit today. The guy's got a great set-up consisting solely of OWWM, mostly Wadkin.

Unfortunately due to lack of time and low batteries in the camera, I didn't get to itemise all his gear. But for a start, here's his Wadkin CC.

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The CC is missing the original blade guard, and the cover over the motor brake. Other than that, it looks to be in original condition.

I didn't have time (nor suitable clothing) to crawl under the table looking for a tag.

Cheers, Vann.

[Vann]

He has two spindle moulders.

This one which is his regular user.

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And this one, which has only recently been acquired - EV 580 (test 2949) - pre-1937.

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Cheers, Vann.

[Vann]

He has three machines for buzzing and thicknessing.

A Bursgreen buzzer.

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An RE thicknesser - REA 403 (test 28379) of 1947.

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And a nice RM under & over, that I completely managed to miss when taking pictures :doh: (next visit...).

Cheers, Vann.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Thanks Vann,
I'm enjoying the tour !

Melbourne Matty.

[Vann]

A nice RS lathe (RS-8" I think) RS 815 (test 25539), of 1945.

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This lathe came with two banjos, and a engineers-type tool holder (not currently fitted) for patternmaking. The motor has been moved, with a gearbox in between, giving multiple speeds and reverse (I'm not sure if it's still the original motor - forgot to look). No tripod for outboard turning.

Cheers, Vann.

[wallace1973]

Mmmm

[Vann]

MmmmIs that a Mmmm!! or an Mmmm?? As in: are you enjoying this - or have I got my facts wrong?

Cheers, Vann.

[bueller]

A nice RS lathe (RS-8" I think) RS 815 (test 25539), of 1945.

394700 394699 394701

This lathe came with two banjos, and a engineers-type tool holder (not currently fitted) for patternmaking. The motor has been moved, with a gearbox in between, giving multiple speeds and reverse (I'm not sure if it's still the original motor - forgot to look). No tripod for outboard turning.

Cheers, Vann.
Christ on a cracker that thing is beautiful.

[Vann]

He has three saw benches.

Firstly this cute little SNR. SNR 224 (test 13678), of 1940 (I'm going to show my ignorance here: this thing looks more like the SO saw in the 1936 Wadkin cattledog).

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Then this big grunty PD, PD 454 (test 7974) which is pre-1937 (again showing my ignorance: this one looks like the SP & SR saws in the 1936 Wadkin cattledog).

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And finally, the pièce de résistance, a Wadkin PK - jewel in the crown of any Wadkin collection :q. PK 1479 (test 43686) of 1952.

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Complete with slider extension, but missing it's double mitre fence, protractor, and crown guard.

Cheers, Vann.

[camoz]

Vann,

Nice!!! Thanks for sharing, very enjoyable to see these machines and clearly in use

[wallace1973]

Mmm as in I'm really enjoying it.:p He has a nice collection. I like that little saw bench. He likes his black paint

[auscab]

Thanks Vann , great thread !! its a treat to see something like this turn up .
What a sight!
Its great coming across guys who knew the good gear and collected before the internet . Is that how this guy did it ? reading adds and traveling to go see it at sales.
And he has the space to set it out and use it .

Rob

[Vann]

...Its great coming across guys who knew the good gear and collected before the internet . Is that how this guy did it ? reading adds and traveling to go see it at sales.
And he has the space to set it out and use it .He was telling me he bought his first machines through Trade & Exchange - a newspaper type magazine that has most likely been killed off by the likes of Trademe. His shop is still in the final throws of setting up (his dust extractor and cyclone are in position but not yet operating - lots of sawdust :cool:). And of course he's recently acquired the second spindle moulder. He had a lot of his machines in storage until he moved into his current premises just a few years ago.

It's a good thing you're not closer Rob. I'd come out to your place and document your machines too... :; :U.

Cheers, Vann.

[Vann]

He has a very nice chain & chisel morticer - a Sagar if I remember correctly.

394831 You're right Wallace, he does like his black paint :U.

Then there's this thingamejig (not sure what it is - I didn't take the time to figure it out - I had eyes only for Wadkins :roll:) which appears to be an Oliver (Oliver of Grand Rapids, MI, USA or Manchester, England?).

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And lastly, this large bandsaw, which he thought might be a Haigh.

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The bandsaw was fitted with the same Chaco guides as mine, but he's fitted the saw with a massive resaw blade, and made up his own guides to suit (with wooden wear strips). I forgot to measure the diameter of the wheels, but I think it's a 36" machine.

Edit: Oh, and it's a leftie too.

There is another piece of OWWM that I forgot to photograph - a three-head tenoner - which he thought was also made by Haigh. It was one of his favourite machines. The only one he demonstrated running.

There were other bits and pieces. A modern-ish drill press; a small bandsaw; a user made horizontal borer; etc.

I'll go back some time, in a month or three, and take some more photos.

Cheers, Vann.

[L.S.Barker1970]

That thingamjigi is a No 410 Quick self-squaring sash clamp.

Melbourne Matty.

[Vann]

That thingamjigi is a No 410 Quick self-squaring sash clamp.Thanks Matty. What's the brand?

Cheers, Vann.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Thanks Matty. What's the brand?

Cheers, Vann.

Found the same in one of my oliver UK catalogues, didn't get a chance to run through the US stuff yet, it was getting late and I needed my beauty sleep.

Melbourne Matty.

[Vann]

...I'll go back some time, in a month or three, and take some more photos. I was passing through today, and called in again.


...The CC is missing the original blade guard, and the cover over the motor brake. Other than that, it looks to be in original condition.

I didn't have time (nor suitable clothing) to crawl under the table looking for a tag.It wasn't easy, he had a compressor dovetailed in next to the CC, but I managed to get a few pikkies of the CC tag. It was a case of lean over the table, point the camera in the general direction of the tags, and take a picture. Not a fat lot of good though... :C

401908 I can't make out a thing :~.

Nor did I get the tag of his newly acquired spindle moulder last visit.

401910 401911 401912

Better luck here: EPA 1406S, Test SC4602.


...A Bursgreen buzzer.

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FS2 56198 with a 9" wide x ~5' long table.


...And a nice RM under & over, that I completely managed to miss when taking pictures http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/actions/doh.gif (next visit...).

The RMA has a 20" wide x 6' long table.
401918 401920 401922 It doesn't look like he uses the "under" very often :no:.

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RMA 839, test 20962, of 1943 :o.

Now this is a turn for the books. This is the very RMA that replaced a Preston Woodworking Machinery Co. line-driven Planer & Jointer (Preston #1188, of 1929), and is the subject of my ramble about acquiring a Wadkin during WW2 http://www.woodworkforums.com/f299/workshop-war-wadkin-198752

and therefore sat next to my Preston bandsaw for 43 years :cool:.

Cheers, Vann.

[Vann]

Okay - so after distracting myself with that RMA, I'll continue the tour.

No post on old Wadkins is complete without a few gratuitous pictures of a PK, so here are some more:

402034 402011 402012 I took a picture of the protractor because it's missing from my PK.

He has the long cross-cutting fence for the sliding table, but finds it too heavy, and uses an aluminium fence. The right-hand table is made of ply (not a Wadkin original).


A nice RS lathe (RS-8" I think) RS 815 (test 25539), of 1945...Confirming it's an RS-8, with a bed ~ 7' long.


He has a very nice chain & chisel morticer - a Sagar if I remember correctly...Yes, definitely by J. Sagar & Co. Ltd.

402015 402016 402017 402018



...

Then there's this thingamejig (snip) which appears to be an Oliver (Oliver of Grand Rapids, MI, USA or Manchester, England?).

394830
That thingamjigi is a No 410 Quick self-squaring sash clamp.

And the white plaque behind the two handwheels definitely says "Manchester".


And lastly, this large bandsaw, which he thought might be a Haigh.

402033Still no confirmation on the brand, but two more photos for your enjoyment.

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Cheers for now, Vann.

[Vann]

...There is another piece of OWWM that I forgot to photograph - a three-head tenoner - which he thought was also made by Haigh. It was one of his favourite machines. The only one he demonstrated running...This time I remembered to photograph it:

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402036 Carriage fully retracted.

402037 Carriage in mid position.

402042 Carriage fully extended.

Cheers, Vann.

[bueller]

Doing the lords work Vann, cheers!

[auscab]

Your doing great things here Vann ! Thanks .
I concentrated on the favorite machine of your friend, his tenoner . Is that Babbit bearings on the heads ?looks it ?? I cant see a way of oiling though ?
it looks like original belt drive possibly as well ? I dont know .
I know why its his favorite machine I think. Because they take care of what was a time consuming job and do it in a fraction of what it used to take before you got a tenoner. They look complicated and space consuming but once you get one you feel like stopping and bowing your head in respect every time you pass it . Of course part of that respect is because they can also eat your arm off to the armpit in a second as well !! if you get stupid on it . I bet he loves it .
I never get tired of PK pictures and set ups either. I like his extension !
I also like those "Run the chain slack" signs. Sweet looking Mortising machine.
Rob

[Vann]

...There is another piece of OWWM that I forgot to photograph - a three-head tenoner - which he thought was also made by Haigh. It was one of his favourite machines. The only one he demonstrated running...


This time I remembered to photograph it:

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There's an identical machine listed on ePay UK, which the seller says is a Sagar.

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I guess Sion will know for sure.

Cheers, Vann.[/QUOTE]