Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default Thomas White & Sons Chain & Chisel Morticer 2x2hp motors

    Anyone know much about the Thomas White & Sons Chain & Chisel Morticer?
    Photo Index - Thomas White & Sons - chain & chisel morticer 2x2hp motors | VintageMachinery.org
    Possibly from around the 1950s (at a guess it was the model before the NJ)
    Weighs about ~900kg
    Looks similar to a Wadkin MF?

    the above looks different to the model below: Thomas White & Sons NJ Chain & Chisel seen here...
    Photo Index - Thomas White & Sons - NJ chain chisel | VintageMachinery.org

    ThomasWhiteMorticer01.jpg
    ThomasWhiteMorticer02.jpg

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    It’s very good machinery Charlie . I like that second link . Those gate keeper latches to the lever arms are a good idea . The fact that you can reach up and pull the wrong lever arm easy on the Wadkin MF is my biggest winge about the machine . If ever I let someone else use it I go through that with them and lock off one of the arms with the depth stop if it’s not being used, as I do for myself to stop an accidental plunge of the chain when I don’t want it .

    I have an older White chisel and chain from the line belt days with an electric motor fitted . Something I bought just for the cool look of it and maybe to run it one day .
    I have no idea how to easily get a picture up the right way using the phone . I’ll fix it later . Rob
    83FE0F0A-C4ED-4E58-826D-4CDA6DACAB4A.jpeg

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Thanks Rob, well have to confess the only morticer I have used is a hammer and chisel - but like I mentioned on SMS am keen to look into doing roubo benches for enthusiasts. Still waiting for word back on this. If it's a goer at 900kg I think my 80kg frame isn't going to be much help in both loading it and unloading it at my place - this would have to be a job for the pros.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Petone, NZ
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,808

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by auscab View Post
    ...I have no idea how to easily get a picture up the right way using the phone . I’ll fix it later .
    Huh, I have no idea how to even put up a photo from my phone . But I can do it from the computer easily - here you go.

    White RobC&C.jpg

    I just looked up the records of the workshop where I did my apprenticeship. I always thought they must have been Wadkins, but it appears I was taught on one of two White chain & chisel mortisers. These would have been bought in 1955 to replace machines lost in the Wood Mill fire of May that year.

    Ota3211a.jpg Machines 3236 & 3236 on this list.

    We had the machines demonstrated to us, and cut a test piece or two, but I was never stationed in the Wood Mill so never got to use either machine in anger.

    White made some very nice looking machines (as well as some ordinary ones). This rusting White ED radial arm saw looks nicer than anything Wadkin produced.

    ED2.jpg
    ED3.jpg ED5.jpg

    But what must be the most interesting of them all is the White SO swing saw - watching the motion as it swings is like watching ballet.

    aWhite11.jpg

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Interesting saw looks pretty radical!

    I spoke with the owner of the morticer I am eyeing off. It's complete with spare chisels and chains which is perfect. Would there be some sort of price guide I would follow in negotiating a price?

    My biggest issues is transport.
    At the pickup location the shed has 3m high roller doors so most trucks won't fit that have a Hiab / Hi lift crane.
    At the destination (my shed) the roller doors are only two meters high

    So what I am thinking is I jack it up somehow and get pipes under it then role it into position (hopefully) where a crane can access it.

    How have others gone about moving these machines and lifted them up onto a back of a ute or trailer?

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    In between houses
    Posts
    1,784

    Default

    I sold my Robinson one( very similar) for $2500. They are very heavy, very top heavy. Your idea of using pipe rollers and crow bars is the best way in my opinion. Just book a crane truck don’t even think about a trailer, just too hard. Bear in mind it’s a machine that won’t see a lot of use unless you are making lots of framed doors, which is why I sold mine it only got used two or three times a year.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft View Post

    How have others gone about moving these machines and lifted them up onto a back of a ute or trailer?
    Hi Charlie. You saw the other thread on here a few down from this one atm didn't you ?
    HELP getting new antique bandsaw into my workshop (Northern Sydney)


    If you don't do that then you could buy one of these .
    Maintenance | machineryhouse.com.au

    You would need it at both ends so a little work putting it up and taking it down . I have a similar thing I got for $50 . It looks like $50 worth of rough welded scrap but it holds ok .

    If you don't invest in a trailer, shifting and lifting gear and the tie down stuff then cost of paying for transport and lifting with a truck and crane will add up to quite a lot with your intentions of doing this more than once .

    The cost of buying interstate isnt so bad though . If a seller can get a machine tied or screwed onto a pallet it works, and its under 1200 KG. And its not larger than one pallet. Otherwise its two pallets worth. Then a trucking company can get a 1 ton Wadkin from a Sydney location to me in country Vic for around $350 to $400 roughly . That would be the carrier Picking up from seller , Take to Sydney depot , Load on Semi, go to Melbourne depot . Gets picked up by another company and taken to country depot near me 2.5 hours out of Melbourne . I drive ten minutes and they load onto my trailer . I lift off my trailer at my end with My $50 gantry .

    If its within my driving range and the seller cant lift onto my trailer then I do the ramp thing in the other thread link.

    They are top heavy too . Ive got pictures somewhere of a Wadkin MF all Busted up and on its side through inexperience

    Rob

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Thanks Rob, I did read through the HELP getting new antique bandsaw into my workshop (Northern Sydney) thread - good ideas.

    I think perhaps my best bet for this chain and chisel morticer is to:

    A) Partly disassemble it more so to protect any bits and pieces that may be at risk in moving it either myself or professionally.
    B) Leave as is and get some eye bolts and hire a gantry and pick it up as is - probably my best bet!

    20200209_082219.jpg Eye-Bolt.jpg

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Well the morticer ended up being re-listed and went within hrs of it being listed. Not really sure what it went for but I was initially offered it for somewhere in the 3 digits range!

    My instigations into the possibility of buying such as machine taught me a lot. The knowledge and thought that I put into every aspect of buying and transporting a 950kg has prepared me for when the next opportunity arises. What it ultimately taught me was:


    • Don't hesitate, strike while the iron is hot. If the opportunity presents itself and everything sounds right and your gut says just do it, don't have a minute of hesitation.
    • Be ready to roll. Have everything in place so you can jump in the car and drive to the pickup point. For me this means:
      • Buy a mobile gantry, block & tackle and lifting straps
      • Hiring a trailer at short notice shouldn't be a major issue

    • Have the cash at hand and easily accessible


    I missed out this time, big time! I was deflated after viewing if (when it was first listed), to be told it was sold! It was a beautiful machine, well made, solid and came with all the fruit. Will keep my ear to the ground for a Wadkin, White, Robinson, Sagar & Jonsered or Danckaert
    Screenshot_20200213-205419_Facebook.jpg

  11. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft View Post
    Will keep my ear to the ground for a Wadkin, White, Robinson, Sagar & Jonsered or Danckaert

    Bad Luck with that one Charlie . They keep turning up .
    You left out the MIGHTY BROOKMAN .

    I love this picture.

    Have a look at this thing next to the Wadkin MF which is off the ground on a small pallet . So lucky the picture was taken next to the MF for comparison .

    Its got two air operated clamps for holding the stock at the push of a button . And air operated plunge of the heads so no levers , just press that foot lever bottom right and it would plunge in and come back up I'd say ?

    IMG_1276.jpg

    Rob

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Petone, NZ
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,808

    Default

    Also left out Smith as well as Haigh...

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Wow the Brookman looks to be the mother of all morticers! I may need to kerb my aspirations for the time being, I have two bandsaws that need a restore. I'll start a new thread...

Similar Threads

  1. Thomas White Radial Arm Saw
    By woodlogic in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERY
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 3rd November 2022, 12:49 PM
  2. QUEENSLAND Chain morticer for sale, Gympie Qld
    By graham.murfett in forum WOODWORK - Tools & Machinery
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11th October 2018, 10:59 AM
  3. Wolfenden Chain Morticer
    By pmcgee in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 18th April 2012, 10:12 PM
  4. Chain Morticer parts
    By Patonga in forum JOINTERS, MOULDERS, THICKNESSERS, ETC
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 20th April 2011, 12:37 PM
  5. Chain morticer ????
    By Dirty Doogie in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 15th August 2007, 02:27 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •