Thread: Wadkin surprise

Originally Posted by jasons673

image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgI was given a tour of the workshop and foundry, during a job interview, of the CNC machines, welding bay, valve testing station, the store, grinding room etc. oh and this is the pattern making shop.... Stop the bus! What are these things? Well I got the job but I've been drooling over these for the last 6 weeks. They don't have a pattern maker any more, so these have been Laying idle for the last little while, thought I'd share with everyone. Can't make much out on the name plate, but the thicknesser has PLA113 and the sander has JTA233. The coke can gives an idea how big they are, the thicky has an 8" adjustment.

Wow, very cool. This is the manual for the JTS Disk and Bobbin Sander http://www.wadkin.com/uploads/files/...rts%20List.pdf

To add to the coke can detail, the weight of this machine is 915kg or 1080kg with the dust collector, floor space 1675mm x 865mm. At a glance I couldn't find anything on the thicknesser, but I have been tempted by the sander before, so knew what I was looking for.

You seem to be close to me, so if you ever did acquire them (although if they have the space they would probably just hold onto them, I would imagine), I would love to see them in person (if it isn't too rude to try and invite myself.

These are no tiny machines, and if they offered them for sale, and you wanted to purchase them, just make sure you keep in mind potential hidden costs (bearings etc. if needed to be replaced can be expensive), but don't get me wrong if I ever had an opportunity to acquire especially the sander, I would be very interested, but I am just saying I would account for potential repairs in the price, then my heart would take over and I would buy it anyway.


cheers,

camo

I wish I lived near the both of you, then I would come down and help move those wonderful beasts of machines as well, I'd even bring beer for afterwards !!

Pretty sure the Thicknesser is a RL and the Disc and Bobbin is a JT,

Jason, also if you get those machines there is the added responsibility of finding and wearing a proper grey dust jacket when you use your Wadkin equipment !
I'm actually talking to my local MP at the moment, and trying to make it a mandatory ruling ...



Melbourne Matty.

Holy crap - what an amazing beast of a machine !

Did the disc sander part have any kind of brake??? That disc would take come slowing down once it gets up to speed.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Holy crap - what an amazing beast of a machine !

Did the disc sander part have any kind of brake??? That disc would take come slowing down once it gets up to speed.

It's only a tiny 4hp motor, so you just use your finger nails. The manual shows the parts list, and no brake listed.

cheers,

Camo

Jason,
If you do acquire the JT I have the aluminium guard for the disc.
Also the mitre fence for the disc table and some spare discs.
H.

I'd seriously like these machines in my own work shop, but the practicality and initial cost is daunting, if they were for sale. I have the room but... I like the idea better lugging timber down to work and using them there instead. The JT maybe... Camo what the point of braging, if I have no one to brag to? You'd be welcome!
Matty the thicky is a monster, the thought of moving, transporting ..... It may stay where it is for a while. The gray dust coat are OK, but I'd draw the line at wearing a tie and sensible shoes in the work shop! What year would you guess the thicky? I'll have a dig around for a manual.
CO thanks for the offer, do you have or use to have one of these machines?

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Holy crap - what an amazing beast of a machine !

Did the disc sander part have any kind of brake??? That disc would take come slowing down once it gets up to speed.

That machine looks very similar to one I used when I was in a cabinet-making class. No brake, but as the disc is guarded all the way round the edge it is fairly safe and can be left to wind down.......unlike a large bandsaw.
Good machine to use too.

CO thanks for the offer, do you have or use to have one of these machines?[/QUOTE]

Jason,
Long story, I have just retired and we had one of these in the Patternshop
of which I was the sole user. The powers that be decided to close down the cabinetmakers workshop where they had a later model one in better nick.
So I arranged to swap and in the move a few bits were removed to make them lighter to move etc. These bits are now just junk as the cabinet shop had the bulldozer put thru it over Xmas.
I don't think the Sander and Dr 36 inch bandsaw were still in it but I have been unable to find out what happened to them.
I was however given a quantity of Wadkin and other manuals by a friend for whom I moved the Wadkin chain and chisel morticer. She knew I was a
Wadkin nut so had grabbed these when she went to check out the gear.
I had a DR 36 and a Bursgreen AGS in the Patternshop also.
There has been numerous machines like these come up of late.
The foundry industry has collapsed and with the move from solid timber to muck
(MDF) the cabinetmaking industry is not interested.
A lot of these machines are given away or sold for scrap.
Companies a very wary of selling stuff which is not OH&S compliant.
I have recently scored a Wadkin disc and belt sander and an aboga drill etc.
I do have the room for this size of gear in my backyard shed but am more interested in car restoration nowadays.
H.

"Pattern maker" is not something you hear to often, more "CNC operator". And he probably loves MDF! Moving a 2 tonne car/truck around the shed in or out, is an easier task the plonking one of these machines in the middle of the shed. Although its a great excuse to have another shed built! Think I'll build a pole shed/barn next..... Somewhere to store the tractor and some wadkin equipment.... Dreaming again. Those catalogues would be interesting, you might have a few to complement mattys growing collection!