Thread: An Intriguing Re-Motor - Wadkin RA Buzzer.

I came across photos of a Wadkin RA buzzer that had been remotored. I thought the way it was done was intriguing.

But first a bit about the RA.

I don't know when the 6" RA was introduced, but it's illustrated in a 1928 Wadkin publication I have.

RA1.jpg RA from Wadkin Booklet #173 of 1928

And like it's bigger brother the 9" RB, it was originally offered as a "Bench planer"

Ra2.jpg Illustrations from a 1928 catalogue which I believe was post by Clear Out of this forum.

RA3.jpg

The motored RB (i.e. non-flatbelt driven) was powered by a rear mounted motor through a herringbone gearbox that resulted in the cutterblock rotating at 4000rpm. The smaller, cheaper RA also had a rear mounted motor, but connected directly to the cutterblock shaft, giving a claimed speed of 3000rpm. But the actual speed of a 2 pole motor is closer to 2800 rpm - which is less than ideal for a buzzer.

By 1930 (and possibly several years earlier) the RB was no longer offered as a bench planer, and the motor was moved to the cast iron stand - and the herringbone gears were replaced with vee belts.

The motored RA, on the other hand, continued to be offered as a bench machine and a stand mounted version was introduced. The motor remained out the back on the cutterblock shaft.

RA12.jpg Note Special Feature 2. "Can be placed on bench... or supplied with a metal stand..."

Eventually the bench mounted option was no longer offered and the motor was moved to the stand - like the RB - which allowed the cutterblock speed to be raised to a more acceptable 5000 rpm. Probably at the same time the horsepower was increased from 1/2 hp to 1 hp.

WadkinRA1949.jpg From 1949 catalogue.

The highest numbered RA I've found is RAD (originally a DC machine) of 1944, but the above illustration is believed to be from 1949 - probably the last year the RA was offered, as it's replacement - the 6" Wadkin RR was in production in 1950.

Cheers, Vann.