Thread: FE 404 thicknesser

Welcome to the forum James.

Hi James.

Nice - a real thicknesser (I've just bought a 12" Tanner - as Wadkins are just too big for my garage/workshop).

Yours is made in 1964 (in case you haven't worked that out already).

Originally Posted by triplejim

...Does anyone have a manual? tks James

FE404-2.jpg

There are some Wadkin manuals online - but I don't know if there's one for the FE - I'll have to find time to check later...

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by triplejim

And what fitting is used for the oil lines?

Hey James.. those oil nipples look like the sort you use an oil gun... sort of like a Grease gun but for oil... I have never seen the type in your picture but many metal lathes use them. You just put the nozzle into the cup and squirt the oil past the spring loaded ball in the center. A normal Oil can may do the job if you can make it seal in the cup.
Gaza

The nipples will probably be running to bearings, so a general purpose ISO 68 hydraulic oil should be a pretty safe bet.

Not sure about the gearbox itself, manual transmission oil might be the go if you can't get any more specific recommendations.

Originally Posted by Vann

...I'll have to find time to check later...

Well I've searched all the websites I can think of - without success. The only thing I can find is this page from Wadkin's 1958 catalogue.

FE 24%22.jpg

It's not in the 1957 catalogue, so maybe 1958 is the first year of production?

Cheers, Vann.

What a weapon! 10 out of 10 for pure style and character! Are you going to do a full restore?

many tks for all the replies
Ive purchased new sets of blades, a few repairs to the outer casings, will grease/oil all and then start on the rest of the machines
then to connect ducting

CBD14ABA-E738-4435-8091-B9A56EF9A866.jpeg
I have the same oiling ports on my Martin table saw,after trying a few different types I found one like this worked well. I ordered it through an engineering supplies store.

good advise, think I have one of those here somewhere,,,

Originally Posted by Vann

...It's not in the 1957 catalogue, so maybe 1958 is the first year of production?

I'm guessing this is quite a rare machine. I had a look at the "Wadkin by Test Number" thread over on the Canadian forum Wadkin by Test Number -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum and the earliest FE listed is FE 115 (test 58923) of 1958. Also listed that year are FE 119, FE 122 & FE 137. Two more in 1960 (FE 204 & FE 220) and another two in 1963 (FE 343 & FE 351) and finally two in 1964 (FE 387 & FE 404). As Wadkin started most models at 105, that makes exactly 300 machines (and likely a handful more) with your FE 404 being the latest known FE.

I guess they were too well built (= too expensive) and probably replaced by something cheaper in the Wadkin-Bursgreen range.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by triplejim

Morning All, Im currently working on an FE404, rewired a new DOL starter and its running well
Have attached a few pics, can you advise what oil is recommended for the gearbox?
And what fitting is used for the oil lines?
Does anyone have a manual? tks James

Nice looking Project James. Love to hear the story of how you came across that .
What sort of woodwork do you do? I like the Wadkin gear.
I see two mortisers behind it , What are they ?

Rob