Thread: Wadkin MA

Will do Vann - there are 'belt' manufacturers around the place - will likely try one of them. This is the other machine I need a belt for: Antique Rapid Drill Press

We use these guys...

Ammeraal Beltech - Belting Solutions - Home AU

Melbourne Matty.

Legend Matty! They have a place in Brisbane - bonus!

I've taken a look at Wadkin & Co, and early Wadkin Ltd Machine tags -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum that Camo wrote many moons ago. It's not overly clear on how to determine the age of these machines or probably more to the point my skim read hasn't allowed me to make logical sense of it all.

Can anyone advise on the age of my MA? Test # 39738

WadkinMA-Plate.jpg

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

WadkinMA-Plate.jpg

That Machine & Test Number are already on the list the year is 1951

Originally Posted by Camelot

That Machine & Test Number are already on the list the year is 1951

I thought I had shared it with Vann previously but couldn't remember when or how

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

I've taken a look at Wadkin & Co, and early Wadkin Ltd Machine tags - ...

Unfortunately that thread is now out-of-date and most assumptions have been found to be wrong:
- the first two digits of the test number are NOT the year of the test; and
- most Wadkin models started with machine #105, not #100.

Charl, I'm surprised you were looking at that thread and not the "Wadkin by Test Number" thread at the same site. Wadkin by Test Number -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum - where you would have found the info you were after.

Camelot is correct, your MA dates to 1951.

Cheers, Vann.

The anarchists at work in the Wadkin inner sanctum back in the day gave you

MJ43
MN78
MN 90

Just to mess with those who wanted order.
"Long live the Revolution"!!!!

Have fun,

Alli

Originally Posted by Vann

Unfortunately that thread is now out-of-date and most assumptions have been found to be wrong:
- the first two digits of the test number are NOT the year of the test; and
- most Wadkin models started with machine #105, not #100.

Charl, I'm surprised you were looking at that thread and not the "Wadkin by Test Number" thread at the same site. Wadkin by Test Number -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum - where you would have found the info you were after.

Camelot is correct, your MA dates to 1951.

Cheers, Vann.

It might be the case that with Wadkin Bursgreen Tags the first 2 numbers are the year of manufacture.

Originally Posted by Allison74

The anarchists at work in the Wadkin inner sanctum back in the day gave you

MJ 43
MN 78
MN 90

Just to mess with those who wanted order...

Indeed Alli, just to mess with me...

Originally Posted by Camelot

It might be the case that with Wadkin Bursgreen Tags the first 2 numbers are the year of manufacture.

Yes it looks like that's the case with Wadkin-Bursgreen*, but definitely not with Wadkin, Green Lane Works.

* But then that's what we thought about Wadkin, until we got proof it wasn't the case .

Cheers, Vann.

Whats the best way to clean up these cutters?
• Rust removal
• Sharpening of cutters and scribing knifes

I find a wire wheel will round 90º corners. I do have Evapo-Rust so perhaps removing the cutters and leaving them overnight will remove the rust then I just got to figure out how to sharpen the bits.
With sharpening, I thought of sticking some wet-and-dry to a piece of glass or using a wet stone and using this to sharpen the cutters.

WadkinMA01.jpg WadkinMA02.jpg WadkinMA03.jpg•

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

Whats the best way to clean up these cutters?
• Rust removal
• Sharpening of cutters and scribing knifes

I find a wire wheel will round 90º corners. I do have Evapo-Rust so perhaps removing the cutters and leaving them overnight will remove the rust then I just got to figure out how to sharpen the bits.
With sharpening, I thought of sticking some wet-and-dry to a piece of glass or using a wet stone and using this to sharpen the cutters.

WadkinMA01.jpg WadkinMA02.jpg WadkinMA03.jpg•

Not seen those on an MA before I think the rust remover would be good and then treat it with a sealing spray to prevent flash rusting, for the sharpening do you have a diamond flat stone or Card

Whooops - was supposed to be posted under the Wadkin BRA post

Thanks - I do have some good stuff which works well to protect called Renaissance wax:

Renaissance wax is used by customers in the following ways: To protect metals such as silver, brass and copper from tarnishing, on collections of all types of metals (old coins, locks and keys, arms and armour both original and replica), on both the wood and metal surfaces of vintage cars and musical instruments, on bronze sculptures inside the home and outside exposed to the elements, on marble and granite worktops to prevent staining and on smooth leather items. These are just some of the applications the wax has been used on.

It has a crystalline structure much finer than totally natural waxes, a property that confers a highly efficient moisture resistance. Countless statues and monuments in city streets are now protected by Renaissance wax from weathering corrosion. Arms and armour, steel and kitchen equipment of brass and copper in historic house museums, are kept bright and corrosion-free.

No matter how often the wax is used there is no loss of clarity, so that fine surface detail is never obscured. Repeated use of the wax deepens the lustre, reflecting more light from surfaces and making them more ‘lively’. When thinly applied and rubbed out to full lustre, the wax film is (and remains) glass-clear, with no discoloration either of the wax or the underlying surface.

Renaissance wax is free from acids (pH neutral) and will not damage even sensitive materials. For example, photographs for exhibition or of historic value are waxed to protect the image from the natural acidity of hand or environmental pollutants. The wax does not stain or darken even white paper.

On furniture or wood carvings the wax delicately enhances grain or ‘flame’ patterns. It protects existing finishes such as French polish and can also be applied directly to sanded, unfinished hardwoods without need of sealers. Waxing is the last process in hand-made furniture and in the creation of wood, stone or metal sculptures. But it is the first aspect to be appreciated by hand and eye. The clarity and lustre of Renaissance wax makes an instant visual appeal.
The silk-smooth touch of the matured wax film gives added pleasure, compared to the ‘drag’ of fingers leaving trails across the softer beeswax polishes.

Its unique qualities make it ideal for protecting all surfaces from environmental attack or handling. The wax is, for example, replacing the preservative oiling of arms and armour in museums. The wax film is hard and dry and does not, like oil, remain sticky and attract atmospheric acidity. Exhibits are more comfortable to handle.