Thread: Cleaning up the Barker Bandsaw.

Originally Posted by auscab

The Paint looks good Matt, what is the right colour for the cast name on the back , Red ?


Rob

Rob, I have seen early machines lettering in red and later machines in cream.

Jack, if you like the Band saw, wait until I pick up the Barker 600 mm thicknesser ...


Melbourne Matty.

Originally Posted by L.S.Barker1970

Yes, we have a good supply coming through from Canada, BC and Vancouver island.
The there are many grades available, F7, F8, appearance grade, Clears no2, free of heart, free of knot, all depends what your budget is.
Some of the grades we have show the tightest grain, growth rings only milometers apart.
Oh yes, we also stock Kiln dried Oregon as well, in 150x50, 200x50, 250x50 and more ...

Melbourne Matty.

The last big job I did when I was working in Oregon we needed 24 12' long 8x8's for big posts. When they were delivered, 2 had a couple of small knots, the rest were clears! These were considered no big deal by the rest of the guys on the crew.
There was a firm based down in Weed in Nth. California that specialised in huge salvage Doug Fir. They were getting their stuff from all of the old timber mills that had gone under at the beginning of the 80,s. They used to mill whatever they needed to build the mills right on site. There were 60 and 70' long beams 24" by 16" in their yard. Just amazing timber.
There are still specialist firms that can get clear Q'sawn Fir any size you want it but you pay big time. A lot of the best and biggest goes to Japan for renovation work in their old traditional post and beam structures.
Hemlock is a junk timber in comparison that gives Fir a bad name because a lot of people, especially here, can't tell them apart, it rots at the sight of rain whereas good Fir is a premium boatbuilding timber.

Have fun,
Alli

Any way the Barker Bandsaw is all finished and up and going !
Alli thanks for the talk on oregon, its a timber I think that is very under rated, have a look at this cut out on a 50 x 500 mm curved bargeboard piece we are doing at the moment for a heritage building in the city.
Free of heart free of knots, very special timber, just amazing to see !




Melbourne Matty.

Nice wood and saw Matty. Is the knob on the upper wheel for grease?


jack
English machines

Originally Posted by jgforsberg

Nice wood and saw Matty. Is the knob on the upper wheel for grease?


jack
English machines

That's the tracking adjustment knob Jack, one turn will tilt the wheel to center the blade on the outside rubber.

Melbourne Matty.

Originally Posted by auscab

To NICE!!
I remember seeing that add , Was it the same one that had a nice early Wolfenden Buzzer ? 12" i think.

Rob

Hi Rob.

Sorry - only just noticed your question on those old pieces of machinery.

Yes, part of the equipment was an old 12" jointer - I think it was a Wolfenden - and it seemed to be in quite good condition, although needing a good clean and some maintenance. There was also a nice looking 24" thicknesser by ACE Equipment - apparently another old Australian (Sydney) manufacturer of woodworking machinery. I'm sure someone here will have a bit more information about the ACE company.

Ordinarily I would have been interested in both of these machines, but had only just bought a Wadkin 12" jointer and a Jonsereds 24" thicknesser. Once I get my new shed completed I will not pass up opportunities like these. Ideally, and where practical, I would like to have a workshop full of Australian equipment. I would happily sell equipment like the Jonsereds thicknesser in exchange for the ACE machine - same for the Wolfenden jointer, but that doesn't necessarily mean I would get rid of my nice Wadkin equipment.

As described, the joinery where these machines came from in South Sydney was very ramshackle and seemed to consist of an old shed which had had a few different sections added to it over the years. Many different and uneven floor levels, low-level flat roof sections joining fibro walls, and some nice old gear going for very cheap prices. It was a very difficult site to remove the equipment from, because of a steep driveway and several vertical walls & steps going up to the shed. One of the walls was 1.4m high, and it was necessary to negotiate all of this equipment from it's position and down the steps, over the 1.4m wall and onto a truck which was backed-up the steep drive. I'm sure that these conditions frightened many potential purchasers away.

The son was selling everything as he had no use for it, although he seemed to have a good idea of the capability of the various pieces. It was a nice opportunity for those with the means to remove the machinery safely and to pick up some good pieces quite cheaply. I only paid $350 for the Macson bandsaw and the Wadkin bandsaw sharpener, both of which appear to be fully operational.

Wayne

Very nice Matty, and a great piece of timber too.

Is the "No Smoking" sign observational or instructional ??? (by the looks of the cut it's observational )

Are you going to replicate the weathered piece in the background on the floor in pic#1 with the stickered billets below the saw?

Regards
John

Originally Posted by jcge

Very nice Matty, and a great piece of timber too.

Is the "No Smoking" sign observational or instructional ??? (by the looks of the cut it's observational )

Are you going to replicate the weathered piece in the background on the floor in pic#1 with the stickered billets below the saw?

Regards
John

John, the "non smoking sign has been on the machine for a long time, I started to remove it but it was stuck down well, so it can stay there.
I had an older chap looking at the saw the other day as he lit up a fag, he just grinned when I pointed to the sign, so yes, just for looks.
The other pieces are for the heritage job as well yes, that is a large finial on the floor that I have to make four of.
Well spotted too John, your eyes are better than mine, thanks for the questions !!

Melbourne Matty.