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31st December 2012, 12:30 AM #1
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Wadkin EQ 4 speed Spindle Moulder with Frommia 4 speed power feeder and accessories
Hi guys,
Well I have been meaning to get photos of my recently acquired Wadkin EQ four speed spindle moulder, and all the bits and pieces that went with it (even some that had nothing to do with the spindle moulder). Inspired by Tony’s great buy, and all the wonderful information that Matty has at hand (and given that he did did say he would like to see some pictures several weeks back), I have finally pulled my finger out and taken some photos.
This spindle moulder is the four speed model with a two speed motor (1460, 2920rpm) controlled by a switch on the front panel, giving the speeds of 3000,4500,6000,9000 at the spindle, which I am lead to believe is a harder machine to find than the 2 speed. The spindle moulder came out of Lucas Heights Nuclear Power Plant (which at first I thought was just a good story until I saw the plates showing the asset numbers for the spindle moulder and the power feeder). Although it is painted radioactive green, I have checked and it does not glow when I turn the lights off.
Wadkin eq24.jpg
The spindle moulder came with a Frommia power feeder with 4 speeds (20,32,50,65 f.p.m feed rate). From the information plate (in German, Baujahr = construction date) the feeder was manufactured in 1963.
Wadkin eq22.jpgWadkin eq23.jpgWadkin eq16.jpgWadkin eq15.jpg
I have been unable to at this stage definitively date the Wadkin EQ, although I have sent an email to Lucas Heights (as in theory given that it was a government machine, and I have the asset number, I am sure there would be paperwork showing purchase date, etc). Obviously the feeder suggest a date of around 1963, however the feeder may have been changed or added at some stage. The motor plate has at the top BSS 613 – 1957, but I am not sure if this means the manufacture date of the motor?
Wadkin eq14.jpgWadkin eq13.jpg
Lucas heights nuclear reactor opened in 1958, so I was thinking 1957 could work if the spindle moulder was used during construction. I have an electrical diagram which was in the cupboard with all the accessories, which is dated 20-09-1977, but I am not even certain if it relates to this machine (also the wiring has obviously been updated at some stage to include correct earthing, so this may just be the date the wiring was updated).
Wadkin eq25.jpg
I guess the other item that suggests around 1963 is a safety instuction sheet dated October 1962
Safety instructions.jpgSafety instructions part1.jpgSafety instructions part2.jpgSafety instructions part3.jpg
I have not had a chance yet to even connect the spindle moulder to power (as it was hard wired), so I can only comment on the condition based on visual appearance, but I am very impressed with the care that was obviously taken to maintain this machine. The only negative I can say at this stage, is the fact that they had literally drenched everything in oil (obviously for storage when not in use, except the motor), which on the plus means everything still turns freely, but the wheels on the power feeder have also soaked up the oil, so I am unsure how I will remove this from the wheels?
Machine Plate.jpgWadkin eq.jpgWadkin eq2.jpgWadkin eq3.jpgWadkin eq4.jpgWadkin eq5.jpgWadkin eq6.jpgWadkin eq8.jpgWadkin eq7.jpgWadkin eq12.jpgWadkin eq11.jpgWadkin eq10.jpgWadkin eq9.jpgWadkin eq21.jpgWadkin eq18.jpg
The table top is in excellent condition, and the fences are equally good.
Wadkin eq20.jpgWadkin eq19.jpgWadkin eq17.jpg
Lots of added extras, some is very obviously part of the Wadkin EQ, but some other things I am not sure about, so I could really do with some help identifying some parts (which I think I might do a list of “can anyone help me identify the following” later).
wadkin EQ accessories1.jpgwadkin EQ accessories2.jpgwadkin EQ accessories3.jpgWadkin Greese L6.jpg
(There is still another spindle in the machine)
I am lucky enough to have the cutters for the Wadkin Tennoning Attachment
wadkin eq tennoning cutters.jpg
Two very bulky solid brass cutters, with blades attached (in excellent condition), this was an added accessory as shown in this diagram
Wadkin EG tenoning attachment.jpg
Unfortunately I don’t have the rest of the attachment, but I am wondering if these may be part of it
Wadkin EQ parts2.jpgWadkin EQ parts.jpg
The hard part is that it looked like they used the cupboard to store other parts for different machinery, like this sharpening attachment. It took me a while to work out that it was an optional extra for the Wadkin LS overhead router (I bet the guy with the overhead router is trying to work out how my tennoning attachment fits on his overhead router).
LS500 jig.jpg
Also in the cupboard was a riving knife and splitter, which I have no idea how it attaches to the Wadkin EQ.
Cheers,
Camo
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31st December 2012 12:30 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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31st December 2012, 08:14 AM #2
Camo, just a quick one, I gota scoot of and give a mate a hand for the day, but WOW you have done well on that find, I am amazed !!
Normally all the accessories get lost, misplaced or broken !!
From what I can see looking briefly, there are parts from 4 other machines in there too.
Yep a riving Knife for a table saw.
A set of upper and lower bandsaw guides.
A bunch of stuff from a Wadkin Chain sharpening system on a MA of MF Chain and chisel mortiser.
And the black colored plate and tie-down handle is not of a Wadkin tenoning attachment, it is of a more modern machine.
I will write up a more detailed post this evening for you !
till then ....
Melbourne Matty.
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31st December 2012, 09:31 AM #3
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Camo
Fantastic haul;world EQ accessory headquarters!
I dated my EQ from the motor plate,it gives year of manufacture.
Is the 2 speed motor an LDC?
Is there a change in power output between the 2 speeds?
I have an ASEA 3 phase 2 speed motor which has less power on the slower speed 4pole/6pole.
Just wondering how they achieved it.
Noticed some flip stops off a PK style fence in there also.
You lucky bugger
Cheers
Tony
Just found the motor plate pics which I had missed earlier.Brook not LDC; BSS 1957 refers to a british standard; so its post 1957.Last edited by AJOE123; 31st December 2012 at 10:09 AM. Reason: ps
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31st December 2012, 10:34 AM #4
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According to Graces Guide; Brook motors joined with Crompton Parkinson in the 1960s,nothing more specific.
So maybe 1957-1965 for a possible time span.
The first part of the motor serial number is hard to decipher;does it start with 65?
Cheers
Tony
Is the switchgear and contactor Brookhirst , or Brookhirst Igranic.
Brookhirst combined with Igranic in 1959 until 1970.
My EQ contactor is Brookhirst Igranic for 1963.
T
Just compared the contactor door ,brass plaque and internals with my EQ and PK and they look just like the PK (early) so I would be gunning for 1957-58 when Lucas Heights opened.
Original paint colour might help also,mine is a green grey(original);what is under that Radioactive green?
TLast edited by AJOE123; 31st December 2012 at 11:12 AM. Reason: ps
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31st December 2012, 11:54 AM #5
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I think a new photo is in order (I was trying to get a shot of the plate in very limited light, but I think this one is a bit better).
motor plate.jpg
Just in case it still isn't clear after I upload it (the detail is very clear in real life, just can't get it in the pictures), it is a Class "A" insulation, Frame "BS254", Serial Number "J54045", Volts "380 420", Phase "3", L AMPS "7.3", L Speed "2920 1460", Cycles "50", HP "5", Rating "CMR"
Can't comment based on actual use (obviously), and I am certainly no electrical engineer, hopefully someone will tune in with knowledge about 2 speed motors.
I would prefer to say "off a Stenner ABM style fence"
I had a look through the auction to see what had sold, and these two were the only substantial bandsaws listed in the auction.
Wolfenden bandsaw.jpgWadkin C8.jpg
There was no model details for the wolfenden, but the Wadkin Bursgreen was a C8. Of cause they might be completely unrelated, as the bandsaw may have sold before the auction along with the Wadkin MA MF which was definitely not in the auction (as if it was you would be reading a post about my new Wadkin MA MF).
Cheers,
Camo
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31st December 2012, 01:29 PM #6
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Some better pictures of the controller cover, controller plate, controller showing patent number (probably for just that part not the whole controller, I couldn't get anything on google looking for english patents), and the cover for the female socket for the power feeder (from what I could determine from google search "Rowco" H. Rowe and Co. merged with Hecla in 1969 to form Hecla Rowe, but then I already suspect pre 1963 due to the manufacture date of the feeder.
Controller2.jpgController1.jpgController.jpgController3.jpg
The colour on the inside behind the motor appears to be green grey, but it is a bit hard to tell in the light that is available in this part of the garage. The buggers really got every corner and underside, the usual places I look to find the original colour have been painted, I am sure pulling things off would start to reveal more, but I already have too many fingers in too many pies as it is.
Cheers,
Camo
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1st January 2013, 12:06 AM #7
China
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Thats agreat buy (envy envy envy)
I don't suppose you have book for the Frommia power feed
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1st January 2013, 12:50 PM #8
Camo, the Wolfenden Bandsaw is a AA model and I have my doubts wether the guides came of it, Wolfenden usually had a more refined set of guides.
I might do a little more searching, but they are defiantly of a very early machine..
The next pic below I am looking at the bottom RH corner, all those pieces are for a wadkin MF or MA, in particular the cog looking shapes come in pairs and are to suit a chain grinding attachment, they look like they take a .54" and a .89", not sure, I would have to place a chain over to see.
Cam I hope this helps with a few things, is there any thing else that your not sure of specify, caus I don't know where to start ...lol..
Happy New year Guys !!
Melbourne Matty.
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1st January 2013, 09:34 PM #9
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EQ Differences
Just a few pics of some EQ things re dating.
Pics of my EQ and old PK electrical boxes.
Picture of rear cover for my EQ; ? squared off after the Bursgreen takeover.
Also pic of Wadkin logo on base;now a separate plate screwed on.
The ID plate is still brass though.
The clean up is progressing.
The rise/fall screw now moves very smoothly as does the belt tensioner thread.
The table top is responding very well to scraping and a little phosphoric acid.
Will explore bearings a little more tomorrow.
Cheers
Tony
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1st January 2013, 11:16 PM #10
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Matty, as always a wealth of knowledge, thanks. The cogs have letters stamped on them from memory (I will have to look at later, not at home at the moment). I could do with some help with some other items, but I will sort through it when I get a chance and group the items I am not sure about in a photo (save stating the obvious, I value your assistance and would hate to abuse the help or your time).
Is the Wadkin sharpener in the picture your baby?
Do you have one of these power feeders? Do you know anything about them?
Unfortunately no manual, I have done a bit of a search on the Internet, but no luck so far. The company still seems to be active, Willkommen bei FROMMIA. Maschinen für die Holz-, Kunststoff- und Metallverarbeitung, but I haven't sent them an email (might help if I could read German). I have seen a few adverts of sold ones, so I don't think they are rare, but it looks to be a well constructed unit, just not sure what to do about the wheels.
Tony,
Thanks for the pictures. The PK control cover looks to be identical to my EQ from what I can tell.
I found the square cover interesting. I have seen the restored EQ's on the Internet often with square covers, and to be honest, I didn't realise they were original (I thought they were fabricated replacement for broken covers).
Cheers,
Camo
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2nd January 2013, 07:35 AM #11
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6th June 2013, 06:43 PM #12
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It pays to follow up on a lead!
Well guys an interesting development with the Wadkin EQ I acquired back in late 2012, that came from the Lucas Heights Nuclear Power Station.
I got an email back from the guy who was the last operator to use the spindle moulder, very exciting (I know I am a bit strange in the head), and I have spent the best part of 6 months communicating with him, as he had some other bits and pieces to offer me, but we just have not been able to arrange a suitable time for me to collect them. I didn't want to bring it up as I wasn't certain things would go ahead.
Well yesterday was the big day, and very well worth the wait in my opinion. Below are some pictures of the things he was nice enough to give me, I kept wanting to pay him something, but he didn’t want to take money and risk losing his job (he had permission to give them to me, but not sell them), and besides that he is just genuinely a really nice guy, and I think it made him feel good that the machine had gone to someone who appreciates it. Needless to say he is a truly generous person, as he was under no obligation to reply to my email, or offer me anything, so I am truly grateful and if he ever needs a favour he knows who to call.
LS Manual 2.jpgLS Manual 3.jpgLS Manual.jpgphoto 1 (1).jpgRobinson ET E Manual 2.jpgRobinson ET E Manual.jpgRobinson ET E Manual inside picture.jpgWadkin eq manual.jpgcutters.jpg
Just in case you think I have accidentally entered some duplicate photos, he really did have 3 Wadkin LS manuals and 2 Robinson ET/E manuals, one is a manual number 105 and a 105a (I thought it was interesting that these had 2 different machine test numbers, does that mean there were originally 2 Robinsons?). The steel that you see at the front of the cutters is actually the steel used to make the cutters.
The biggest surprise of all, was the last thing he showed me, this Wadkin setting gauge (have only seen them in photos otherwise I probably wouldn’t have known what it was).
Wadkin setting guage.jpgWadkin setting guage2.jpg
So I guess the moral to the story is, if you have a machine that you think you may know the providence of, don’t be afraid to send an email or two, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Cheers,
Camo
P.S. I am not sure if there is any interest, or if this manual is already in circulation (I am guessing that Matty has one), but I am happy to start a new thread about the Robinson ET/E and scan in the manual (it looks like a real beast and very advanced, especially with the fact that it had a motor brake lever as part of the off switch), and if anyone wants I am also happy to scan the EQ manual and the LS manual.
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6th June 2013, 07:52 PM #13
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6th June 2013, 08:19 PM #14
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Ross,
That would be great, I would really appreciate it (wasn't able to find much online about the feeder), now if I could just find out who is holding on to a copy of the Stenner ABM Table Saw Manual (come on Matty stop holding out on me
), and the location of a Stenner chain and chisel mortiser and the Stenner radial arm saw (so many dreams
.
Cheers,
Camo
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9th June 2013, 10:21 PM #15
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