Thread: W.Canning & Co.

So it would have looked a little something like this

Dale - here's the pedestal I was referring to (and a couple of other for scale...Waldown 8" cast iron on the left and GMF 8" welded steel on the right). It stands 29" high, but has no makers marking anywhere. You can see the similarity in the bordered cutouts to your pedestal, and their clear purpose illustrated in Peter's posts above.

IMG_1658 small.jpg

Regards,
John

I do see the similarities, and also some subtle differences.

Apart from the obvious step in the ledge and foot. The top on mine has raised and ground mount points on each corner, and below where the bolts pass through the corner is recessed back so you can do the nuts up. I can also see these features in Peters drawings. items C + D and the first image P13.

I can't quite tell from your photo but yours seems to have wide ground flats running front to back. I think yours may also be substantially smaller. Can one man lift it?

I would agree yours is designed for a floor fitted belt based on the cut outs/recesses in the flanges. It is interesting to ponder the history of the items. Based on the branding of mine and although they made other things their specialty was polishing machines so it is a good bet mine did have one sitting on it in a previous life. I wonder if your was the same or had a different use, I also wonder based on the similarity of design if it was a typical design style of the period across various manufacturers. If not possibly yours is a canning also but relied on the machine above it to display the branding.


It's all of no real importance or significance in the scheme of things but I enjoy thinking about it.

Dale,

I'm glad your back posting, and I'm really trying to be nice, but I disagree with what you have said about Japanese Chrome Plating being the best. I don't do it because I am an expert on Chrome plating (in fact it sounds like you may have far more experience than me on the subject), what I disagree with is you can't be that strong about a topic, but rely on hearsay to back it up, it's a similar issue to what caused us to butt heads last time. Again it's such strong words "the only good chrome comes out of Japan", but firstly we can't discuss the issue with the people who told you this, and we have no way of knowing if they are experts or just as Peter suggested being involved in a peeing contest.

Originally Posted by lightwood

I'm pretty certain I've ID'ed the company that made / sold that stand, and the era it was from. Did it from book, with pages and pictures.
And now we are wandering well of topic into more of an opinion based discussion. Something I don't want to get involved in.
Had a gut full of that stuff a while ago....so I'm going back to reading books, and occasionally these forums. Then maybe popping my head up when I have something material to add.

Peter

Peter,

I would have loved to see more and hear more from you on the subject (I'm sure that book has more to offer), but thank you for what you did provide, it was very interesting.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I have to strip, paint and decide what to put on top. Were these old castings surfaced with lead filler, where we would now use bog?

Dale,

This is a possibility due to the age of the frame, some companies seem to have and some didn't. In case you had not considered it, be aware that it is also highly likely the paint is lead based, there are test kits available (most hardware's should stock them). I won't advise you how to proceed if it is lead based, it is a personal decision and there is plenty of reading available on the subject with a search. With most machines I have worked on, I have found that I can just remove the effected surfaces (flaking), clean up, fill and paint over, this approach seems to be hold up, and looks good if you focus on your preparation.

This is a nice pedestal and definitely worth the effort.

Cheers,

Camo

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I do see the similarities, and also some subtle differences.

Apart from the obvious step in the ledge and foot. The top on mine has raised and ground mount points on each corner, and below where the bolts pass through the corner is recessed back so you can do the nuts up. I can also see these features in Peters drawings. items C + D and the first image P13.

I can't quite tell from your photo but yours seems to have wide ground flats running front to back.

You're seeing it correctly...but the ground flats are far from precise...more like an angle grinder used during fettling.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I think yours may also be substantially smaller. Can one man lift it?

Ouch..no need to get personal !!!! It's about 45kg (guestimate)

Originally Posted by DSEL74

It is interesting to ponder the history of the items. Based on the branding of mine and although they made other things their specialty was polishing machines so it is a good bet mine did have one sitting on it in a previous life. I wonder if your was the same or had a different use, I also wonder based on the similarity of design if it was a typical design style of the period across various manufacturers. If not possibly yours is a canning also but relied on the machine above it to display the branding.

It's all of no real importance or significance in the scheme of things but I enjoy thinking about it.

Agreed - I'm certainly not claiming lineage to Canning, just observed the similarities and pondering its origins....I did find it under a GMF grinder, but it was attached by an intermediate steel plate...certainly not original.

The work head you've added to your pedestal looks to make a great combination.

Regards
John

John,

I can easily lift a Waldown pedestal (I've had them in & out of the car boot many times), but it is a bit of a struggle with two men to handle the Canning one an wouldn't fit in the boot either.

The work head you've added to your pedestal looks to make a great combination.

Yes that little unit is quite nice. It will be part of my display collection, which I hope to set up with a small line shaft one day. The base I intend to put to more regular and practical use in the main workshop supporting an everyday use machine atop of it.