Thread: Wadkin CK Radial Arm Saw

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

...Are these connectors something you can buy from eBay or Aliexpress etc?

Both those connectors came with the saw. I de-rusted them and the steel conduit, and repainted them. I've not had to buy any but doubt they'd still be made - though who knows? The UK would be the place to search (eBay UK etc.)

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

...How do you attache the flexi-conduit as circled below?...

The smaller one into the motor simply has a female thread that fits the spiral of the flexible conduit. The one out of the junction box uses two set screws to clamp the conduit - again with little lugs to grip the spiral grooves.

Cheers, Vann.

You can still buy Metal Flex Conduit and fittings here in Australia... Not sure about imperial thread though. I have seen it at places like CNW. I am sure any of the electrical supply places would be able to help you out.
Gaza

I did see some stuff on eBay and online at hefty prices. Alibaba seems to be well priced for this stuff:


Pa66 Stainless Liquid Tight Zinc Alloy Brass Hose Fitting Flexible Conduit Connector - Buy Zinc Alloy Waterproof,Straight Electrical Connector,Connector Product on Alibaba.com

Ouoro 12mm G3/8 Dgj Circlip Self Secured Union Zinc Alloy Connector Joint Fitting For Flexible Conduit - Buy Zinc Alloy Connector Joint Product on Alibaba.com

Another two CKs to add to the list.

CK 349 (test 5637 of 1936) - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tin tag (with Wadkin Ltd. "Manufactured in Eng..." tin tag);
CK 387 (test 6682 probably of 1936) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 514 (test 920x of 1937) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag (last digit of Test No. obscured);
CK 575 (test 10701 of 1938) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 778 (test 16792 of 1941) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 826 (test 21316 of 1943) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 862 (test 22326 of 1944) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 868 (test 22274 of 1944) - New Zealand;
CK 906 (test 23628 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 910 (test 23632 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 959 (test 24801 of 1945) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 968 (test 24953 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 977 (test 25398 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1011 (test 26563 of 1946) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag (RIP 2018);
CK 1035 (test 27145 of 1946) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1086 (test 28338 of 1947) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1149 (test 29897 of 1948) – New Zealand;
CK 1152 (test 30100 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1181 (test 30310 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1185 (test 30314 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1268 (test 32264 of 1949) - New Zealand- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1371 (test 35269 of 1949) - New Zealand- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1384 (test 35634 of 1950) - Australia- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1417 (test 36260 of 1950) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1460 (test 37501 of 1950) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1476 (test 38385 of 1950) - New Zealand;
CK 1606 (test 41504 of 1951) - New Zealand;
CK 1634 (test 42522 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1646 (test 42687 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1648 (test 42680 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1725 (test 45009 of 1953) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1778 (test 46032 of 1953) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1895 (test 48426 of 1954) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1913 (test 48716 of 1954) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2000 (test 50260 of 1954) - Australia - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2026 (test 50541 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2054 (test 50863 of 1955) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2083 (test 51268 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2095 (test 51427 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2110 (test 51928 of 1955);
CK 2114 (test 51932 of 1955) - New Zealand>England - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
BCK 57160 (probably of 1957) - New Zealand - Wadkin-Bursgreen aluminium sheet tag;
BCK 57315 (test 57992 of ~1958) - New Zealand (RIP 2015).

CK 514.jpg wCK 959 24801 UK.jpg

Note that CK 514 has the open base frame - like CK 349 and CK 387.

CK 514b.jpg CK 514 of 1937.

Cheers, Vann.

Hello from Nelson NZ, I've just recently bought CK949, test 24569, Wadkin Ltd. Machine is generally in reasonably good order, but obviously hasn't been maintained for a long time. Expect bearings will need re-greasing, etc. There is a lot of play in the rise and fall mechanism in the vertical column. Any advise on servicing, acceptable oils and grease, etc, appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Sparkyrock

Hello from Nelson NZ, I've just recently bought CK949, test 24569...

Hi Sparkyrock. Thanks for chiming in.

CK 949t.jpg
CK 949, test 24569, would date to 1945. Thanks for clarifying the Test Number (my best guess/decipher was 24668 ).

Some more pictures, stolen from the Trademe listing:

CK 949a.jpg

CK 949b.jpg

Looks to be mostly there and in reasonable condition. Shame the original switchgear has been replaced - but probably more electrically compliant as a result.

CK 949d.jpg

Nice to see the brass finger guard is there at the front of the blade flask. I could be wrong, but I think that brass knuckle guard (attached to the handle) should be rotated 90 degrees to protect your knuckles from the blade as well.

CK 949c.jpg

Originally Posted by Sparkyrock

...There is a lot of play in the rise and fall mechanism in the vertical column...

One of the ball lever handles should tighten that once you've finished adjusting the height.

Originally Posted by Sparkyrock

... Expect bearings will need re-greasing, etc...
...Any advise on servicing, acceptable oils and grease, etc, appreciated...

I use Mobil DTE Heavy-Medium oil and Mobil XHP-222 grease for bearings - as the local Mobil agent contacted Aus for advise, and came back with these as modern equivalents to the Wadkin Grade L.4 oil and Wadkin grade L.6 grease (as specified in the Wadkin PK Operating and Maintenance Instructions).

I hope this helps.

Edit: your Trademe profile says you're in Auckland .

Cheers, Vann.

Get a load of this non-Wadkin CK radial arm saw.

CKc1.jpg CKc2.jpg CKc6.jpg

Made in New Zealand by RA Hammersley Ltd of Christchurch.

CKc3.jpg

Motor by Flather & Co. Ltd. of Leeds, UK (never heard of them!)

CKc4.jpg CKc5.jpg

It's almost an exact replica of an early Wadkin CK like mine - with the open base. The main differences I can see are: 1) the motor and it's mounting, and 2) the position of the height adjusting wheel.

I wonder if they made many? After all, if you look at the locations of known CK saws (3 posts up) you'll see the vast majority were sold in New Zealand .

Cheers, Vann.

I have nine CK saws to add - bring the total to 52.

CK 324 (test 4843 of 1936) - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
CK 349 (test 5637 of 1936) - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tin tag (with Wadkin Ltd. "Manufactured in Eng..." tin tag);
CK 387 (test 6682 of 1937) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 514 (test 920x of 1938) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag (last digit of Test No. obscured);
CK 575 (test 10701 of 1939) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 778 (test 16792 of 1941) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 817 (test 19865 of 1943) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 826 (test 21316 of 1943) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 862 (test 22326 of 1944) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 868 (test 22274 of 1944) - New Zealand;
CK 906 (test 23628 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 910 (test 23632 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 949 (test 24568 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 959 (test 24801 of 1945) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 968 (test 24953 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 977 (test 25398 of 1945) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1011 (test 26563 of 1946) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag (RIP 2018);
CK 1035 (test 27145 of 1946) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1086 (test 28338 of 1947) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1149 (test 29897 of 1948) – New Zealand;
CK 1152 (test 30100 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1170 (test 30196 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1181 (test 30310 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1185 (test 30314 of 1948) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1268 (test 32264 of 1949) - New Zealand- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1301 (test 33676 of 1949) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1360 (test 35029 of 1949) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1371 (test 35269 of 1949) - New Zealand- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1384 (test 35634 of 1950) - Australia- Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1417 (test 36260 of 1950) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1460 (test 37501 of 1950) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
CK 1476 (test 38385 of 1950) - New Zealand;
CK 1606 (test 41504 of 1951) - New Zealand;
CK 1634 (test 42522 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1646 (test 42687 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1648 (test 42680 of 1952) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1725 (test 45009 of 1953) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1740 (test 45277 of 1953) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1778 (test 46032 of 1953) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1895 (test 48426 of 1954) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 1913 (test 48716 of 1954) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2000 (test 50260 of 1954) - Australia - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2026 (test 50541 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2054 (test 50863 of 1955) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2083 (test 51268 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2095 (test 51427 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2110 (test 51928 of 1955);
CK 2114 (test 51932 of 1955) - New Zealand>England - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2161 (test 52844 of 1955) - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
CK 2223 (test 53887 of 1956) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
BCK 57160 (probably of 1957) - New Zealand - Wadkin-Bursgreen aluminium sheet tag;
BCK 57315 (test 57992 of ~1958) - New Zealand (RIP 2015).

Originally Posted by Vann

...you'll see the vast majority were sold in New Zealand .

United Kingdom - 7 machines;
Australia - 2 machines;
New Zealand - 42 machines.

Cheers, Vann.

Back in May, 2017, Auscab asked me to pick up some Wadkin-Bursgreen trenching heads for his BRA radial arm saw. Here are the parts I collected, photographed shortly before posting across the ditch.

CK1.jpg

That was 6 months before I acquired my Wadkin CK. Ever since I've been keeping an eye out for trenching heads for mine - but usually they go for more money than I'm prepared to pay (for something I don't actually have a use for). Both BRA and CK have 1" spindles.

I did manage to pick up a pair of these.

CKEG.jpg

But they're too big, the bore is 1 1/4" - and like bad girls, they've got no nickers.

Recently, while on holiday in the South Island, I was talking to a fellow Waddie and he "long term loaned" me his (he has a Wadkin CC which has an 1 1/4" spindle so they don't fit his).

I've been sharpening the knives and nickers - and felt it was appropriate to make a box to protect the sharpened edges.

I'd saved this shot of a box from the interweb.

CK3a.jpg

But decided to make mine wider - because I've attempted to standardise box sizes so that my boxes might stack better.

Here's the almost finished box with the almost sharp knives.

CK5.jpg CK4.jpg

Cheers for now, Vann.

PS. Is nickers spelt knickers when referring to tools?

I don't know about the Wadkin-Bursgreen BRA, or even the Wadkin CC, but the Wadkin CK uses a drive pin.

CK 30.jpg Drive pin threaded in to back flange.

CK 31.jpg The blade then goes over the drive pin.

CK 32.jpg Followed by the outer flange.

CK 33.jpg And finally the pin is hidden by the nut.

Plenty of people don't bother with a drive pin, but I had a hell of a job getting the blade off this old rusty CK (that I bought for parts).

RB 504.jpg

After I'd managed to get the nut undone half a turn on the rusty spindle the blade came loose. After that there was no way to prevent the spindle from rotating and it took many swear words over several weeks before I finally managed to get the nut and blade off. So I'm a believer in drive pins.

And they're necessary to keep the trenching heads 90 degrees apart.

CK 35.jpg Note the slotted end of pin peeking through the hole.

The drive pin in my CK measured ~6.7mm diameter. It was very sloppy in it's threaded hole. It turns out the thread is 5/16" BSW (~7.94mm). I decided I'd need to make some new drive pins.

They can't be too long as that would prevent the spindle nut from tightening. So I settled on making three drive pins:
- a short one for when using a saw blade;
- a long one for when using trenching heads with the maximum number of spacers; and
- an intermediate length pin.

Cheers for now, Vann.

A couple of these went recently at an Auction up in Toowoomba a few months ago. I was thinking of throwing my hat in the ring for one but annoying the auctioneer had a matter of a couple of days as a window to clear out the joint and was during the week so could get there for pickup!

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

A couple of these went recently at an Auction up in Toowoomba a few months ago...

Do you have a link to the auction, or photos?

Cheers, Vann.

Unfortunately not it was on Graysonline. They had about 12 Wadkin machines going, was very exciting to see all the kit. Most things went for a pretty high price as it caused a Wadkin frenzy!

Originally Posted by Vann

...Here's the almost finished box with the almost sharp knives.

CK5.jpg CK4.jpg

Box complete.
CK 39.jpg CK 40.jpg

Sharpening not yet complete .

Cheers, Vann.