Thread: Just joined the Wadkin club.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

What is that first machine with x-y table overhead router, or drill? It's a lovely beast.

It's a pattern maker's mill, the smaller model WS. The "kindy" version of their range of pattern maker's mills.
Wadkin started out building mills, that was what made them different to all the other firms. Oliver in the US was the only other firm to produce them for years.

Have fun,
Alli

Originally Posted by Allison74

Wow!
Does that mean I got robbed?

Nah, I think it means all of yours have been "re-liveried" in the later colour scheme, so as to look newer than they really are (the opposite effect to what us demented iron lovers want).

But don't panic - somewhere under that Bursgreen green you may well have some REAL grey Wadkins .

Nice machines BTW.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

Nah, I think it means all of yours have been "re-liveried" in the later colour scheme, so as to look newer than they really are (the opposite effect to what us demented iron lovers want).

But don't panic - somewhere under that Bursgreen green you may well have some REAL grey Wadkins .

Nice machines BTW.

Cheers, Vann.

Original green. 1950 for both of them.
I have no idea where this fantasy comes from that all Wadkin machines were some glossy grey colour.

Grey is just for those who want a "pretty" machine.
Maybe it's a male thing like hot rods and sports cars.
I just want a machine to do it's job.
Though I'm happy to admit that the green is a terrible colour. I'll be painting mine a steel blue when I get time and after I move them into my new shop, but there are a lot of other things to do that are more important.

Have fun,
Alli

Originally Posted by Allison74

I have no idea where this fantasy comes from that all Wadkin machines were some glossy grey colour.

I'm sure you can buy grey in satin and matt as well

Originally Posted by Allison74

Grey is just for those who want a "pretty" machine.
Maybe it's a male thing like hot rods and sports cars.

Painting old iron is more fun than actually using the machines - isn't it? Okay maybe it is a male thing. Then again, my wife prefers things clean and tidy - I bet I could get a nice shiney painted tool into the lounge with less complaint that a scruffy old hard working tool

Originally Posted by Allison74

Original green. 1950 for both of them.
Though I'm happy to admit that the green is a terrible colour.

I like green (I'm a greenie at heart). But if a machine has been repainted in the past, and if I feel the need to repaint part or all of it, I'll try for the original colour. It's not important, but it makes me happy (there's that male thing again ). If it's in original paint I'm more likely to leave it alone. It looks (from the poor photos) that my 1951 RTA woodlathe is in grey. I'm blowed if I know how Wadkin decided which machine would be what colour (in the early 1950s).

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Apparently the old bloke who owned it is in his 80's and used to make furniture for the Queen, did all the the stuff for some fancy named place the Queen owns that meant nothing to me but sounds impressive.

You Have Bill Jacksons saw there Dale , a fine cabinet maker indeed!! I went and checked his workshop out before his move a few weeks back and there were a few more things there for the same price . He's a real character . One of my favorite older guys in the trade to sit and listen to about his days working in England and here. He can talk! And he's enthusiasm for a life spent at his workbench is just incredible. There are articles that have been written about him Ive seen before.Possibly in the Aussie Wood Review I think ? He did work for top people here and around the world. Parliament house here as well. A nice bloke, very traditional with his woodwork from years of hand work on Antiques .

Nice Saw too , the ability to cut standard sheet size is handy .
I wonder if it does the 4' it must be able to support the 8' length with its sliding table ?

Rob

Nice Saw too , the ability to cut standard sheet size is handy .
I wonder if it does the 4' it must be able to support the 8' length with its sliding table ?

Rob[/QUOTE]

I remember back in the 1970s we were using one of these saws and had a sheet of 32mm muck (MDF) on the slide and on pulling it back all the way the saw started to tilt backwards.
It was not bolted down, which we promptly did.
H.

Rob, I should try and contact him and see if the riving knife, blade guard and mitre are still around.
The guy who gave me the saw knows your Dad.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Rob, I should try and contact him and see if the riving knife, blade guard and mitre are still around.

They closed the door for the last time this morning and as far as I know are now in Tassie. They sorted and went through all their gear so I would guess if it had been there it would have been sent . I may be checking in to pick up something that was left with the guy next door so I will ask any way.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

The guy who gave me the saw knows your Dad.

Did He , yep Ive met quite a few of them. One of the lucky ones