Thread: Wadkin MA

I've started overhauling some of the bars. Half of them I can't seem to get the bolts out as they are rusted. I've already broken a couple of flat head drill bits and some bolt heads have snapped off. For the ones I can't get out I'll have to drill them out and find replacement bolts (not sure were I'll find the specific bolts)

What sort of grease would I use to lube the bearings?

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Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

I've started overhauling some of the bars. Half of them I can't seem to get the bolts out as they are rusted. I've already broken a couple of flat head drill bits and some bolt heads have snapped off. For the ones I can't get out I'll have to drill them out and find replacement bolts (not sure were I'll find the specific bolts)

What sort of grease would I use to lube the bearings?

Id be trying just a little bit of heat around the screws . A fine gas tip on the oxy torch . That never fails to free stuff up . They are probably hard steel and screws though and heat will alter the temper . Not good but better than a break . Test the hardness with a file first. I haven't done that yet . Will try tomorrow maybe .

The roller bearings at the tip . They generally get soaked in the Bar oil the chains soak in . Most guys keep chain and bar soaking in a pool of bar oil . I just use what ever chainsaw bar oil I have . Ive seen pictures of nice cabinets holding different size bars and chains with the lower half sitting in a pool of oil . I have wanted to do the same . No time for that yet , What I have done is machine a deep mortise in some scrap wood , put the right amount of bar oil in the hole and slip it over the chain bar at night, on the MF. That's if I'm using the machine the next day . A piece of wire holds it up high . Next day just unhook it and let the chain drip clean for a while . Then give it a spin to lose the rest before mortising the job .

I found a picture I saved off YouTube of a Jamie Ward demo which doesn't seem to be on YouTube any more .
See the copper bath for the oil.

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Thanks Auscab. Will give it a go.

That oil bath idea is awesome!

I came across this picture - a breakdown of all chain mortiser parts. Not all bars are equal - these come with a grease cap. I really need to go through and see what I need from driving sprockets perspective as of what I have it's a bit skimp!

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Attachment 498983

Well I have found a guy in the UK who can provide me with one component of this part, see below.

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So really then it's the 'body' that I would look at perhaps getting made up. I still want to go and see the guy who sold me the machine as he reckons he use to have it but he's workshop is in such a mess! I've spent about 30mins the other day looking around to no avail. I go and take one more look and failing that consider alternatives.

Hi Charlie,

My MA is missing that component as well. I will most likely be using the mortice chisels more than I would the chains but it would be nice to have the option there and also have it back to original working order. If you do go down the route of getting one made up or waiting for Andrew to get some cast, I'd love to be involved.

Cheers
S&S

OK - cool. Not sure when Andrew was thinking of getting some made up BUT he did say next year. I've been trying to get on to a guy up here in Queensland who does casting work to see what this may look like. The more complicated part is the block part. The front chain tensioning mechanist is the easier part to make by the looks of it.

G'day Charlie,

Last time I commented on this thread I mentioned that I too was missing the chain block from my MA, which was disappointing but if it wasn't for your initial post I wouldn't have known it was missing in the first place so, thank you for sharing with us.

Upon realising the chain block was no longer with the machine I took the same approach as you did, contacting the guy I bought it from. Tracking him down was no easy task, being that I purchased the MA 18 months ago and only had one contact that wasn't answering my calls. So I found an old message/email I had sent to the gentleman I purchased the machine from and asked if he had come across any other parts of the machine in his travels, specifically the chain block. I accompanied the message/email with some photos of what I was after and waited for a response. Months went by with no answer so at that point, I settled on the fact I was never going to find this missing part and that I'd have to have something made up if I was to ever use the chain mortice function.

Just last week I received a phone call out of the blue one afternoon. The gentleman on the other end introduced himself and immediately I knew who it was. It was him, the guy I' been chasing for the past few months. He then proceeded to ask "I believe you bought a mortice machine from me some time ago and you were missing a part, is that correct?" (yes) "Well, I think I'm holding that missing part in my hands right now." He asked me to confirm and when I saw the pictures I was over the moon. Somehow, someway, he found the missing chain block.

Don't give up searching mate, keep on looking, its gotta be somewhere.
Here are some photos of the chain block for reference.

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PS-I do have the original MA manual if you would like a scanned copy to have on file.

Cheers S&S

Thats fantastic news! I'd love a scanned copy of the manual - will message you on Instagram

Spend an ENTIRE Saturday looking, be methodical, it must be there. We’ve found stuff many times after people have already “had a good look”.

The mate down in Tassy his missus calls this a ‘boy look’.
She’s usually not wrong, embarrassing how many times your better half finds stuff after you’ve given up.
H.

I may send the misses to go have a look. Well I'll give it one last look and see if the guy is there this weekend - better than spending $$$ on getting one made up

Does anyone know where I can get one of these driving belt for cutter grinder made?

I also have a need for an old drill press I recently bought also.

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Search for 'power transmission belt' and you will see quite a few possible suppliers. I was a customer of both Habasit and Siegling in my working life - Habasit - Power Transmission Belts and Belting product ranges – Forbo Movement Both have a huge range of materials to make custom made belts used in the packaging industry (amongst others). They are based in Sydney but probably have a representative in Brisbane who could look at your sample and advise a suitable material for your application.

Hope this helps.

Alan...