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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    Brisbane
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    Default Wadkin MF - Is it worth it?

    I know of a Wadkin MF that I am considering for a restoration project. I've not seen it yet but will go take a look to see if its not too far gone. It sounds like it's had a rough life;


    • Motor needs rewiring - Not sure what exactly this means, as in a full rebuild? Possibly ~$500 ?!?!?
    • No switch gear - Could get this off eBay from the UK but we are probably talking £150
    • No chain or chisels - A set of each may be about £150 so £300 all up
    • Front turn wheel - I dare say I'd have to improvise and find a cast iron wheel I can retro fit, estimate it'll be about $100.
    • Other bits and pieces - Bits and bobs & re-respray / re-grease at a guess this may be $200 !?!?!?

    At a guess it won't have the chain sharpening tool on the side

    WadkinMF.jpg

    SO at an absolute guess this would cost around AUD$1500 to bring it back to spec and looking good + the negotiated cost of buying it (should be 3 figures). It'll take my own sweat equity to restore it and would assume this would equate to 100hrs +/-.

    So, is it worth it?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    $1500 would be acceptable for a machine of that calibre, if you could purchase the same machine new it would $6-7,000.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Perth
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    407

    Default

    Is it the one pictured cause that one looks to be in reasonable nick already.

    Sent from my Nokia 4.2 using Tapatalk

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,354

    Default

    Hell yeah!

    I dunno if you've looked around, but any new mortisers for that price or less tend to be 1HP(ish), chisel only and quite flimsy in comparison to that ol' gal. Basically it's higher end home hobbyist gear.

    You may find a comparable 2nd-hand one for similar price but it'll likely either be snapped up very quickly or you'll be inheriting the cost of rebuilding it anyway when you find out why they sold it so cheaply.

    Mind you, I'd be looking very closely at the mounting points for the chisel & chain to ensure there's no damage or missing parts there... that's where things could get expensive and I'm wondering why they've gone walkabout. eg. if someone salvaged them for another machine did they take anything else, like the sprocket?
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    In between houses
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    1,784

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    Charlie 6ft if you’d care to PM me I might have some news that you want to hear.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Thanks guys, no not the one pictured that was just for reference. I am on the fence with a machine that needs a decent amount of work and expense. The DN I am restoring although fairly complete has been a bigger task than anticipated and in hindsight not sure if I would have taken it on again if the opportunity presented itself.

    I do wonder how machines part with bits - especially that big lovely large turn wheel!

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
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    Default

    I went to take a look at the MF yesterday. Here are the pics (terrible pics as it was overcast, the machine was covered in dust and there was no lighting):

    20201230_192127_resized.jpg 20201230_192249_resized.jpg 20201230_094156_resized.jpg 20201230_094255_resized.jpg20201230_094305_resized.jpg 20201230_094336_resized.jpg

    I didn't take a mega detailed look but this is what I could see that needs doing:

    1) Turn wheel missing
    2) Original switch gear missing
    3) Chip shoot missing\bracket broken
    4) Cast repair (brazing?) done on the chisel mortiser side
    5) Bolt on slider snapped and will need extruding and replacing
    6) All wiring looks to have been chewed through by rats - effectively requiring re-wiring and new switch. Unsure if motors are good as it's obviously not operational

    There was this bracket but not sure where it went or what it does?

    20201230_192218_resized.jpg


    The machine has no tooling apart from a rusty chain (which would be cactus) and what looks to be a 1" braker.

    There is a possibility of this being brought up to being in a usable state (a bit of risk involved) or a good parts machine. You would be spending an unknown amount (upwards of $1 - $2.5k + sweat equity) to bring it back to an original spec machine.

    I'll keep it in my back pocket for now as I will patiently wait on another machine I'd much rather prefer but won't be confirmed for some time.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    uk
    Posts
    456

    Default

    The brass door is missing from the chain side, there was one on ebay for silly money £15O. I have had a one with the motor leads in similar condition. I got new leads soldered on near the motor. I know a guy who is parting out an MF, not sure what bits he has left. I got the starters off him. I think I have a spare set of on off switch that goes above the motors.
    Theres alot of time involved in taking one of these to bits

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
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    Default

    Thanks Mark - I think I'll let this one go given it's state, someone may find it worth the effort. The bronze guard is there I didn't get a pic of it (was on the ground as was the rear Wadkin Controls door).

    Cheers
    Charl

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Petone, NZ
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    2,808

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wallace1973 View Post
    ...I think I have a spare set of on off switch that goes above the motors...
    And I have a large-ish Wadkin handwheel that will probably fit.

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft
    I think I'll let this one go given it's state...
    That machine would be a good parts machine - if the price is low enough. And if you can acquire another wreck also at a low price.

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

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