Thread: Wadkin PK Gen 4

Thanks Mark - haven't tried the chisel trick. I got the main body 99.5% down to bare metal - short of sand blasting, it'll be good enough for the filler to go on next. After that whole experience what I learned was:

• The twisted know wire wheel is much quicker but heaps more messy and back breaking
• The paint stripper is a pain (literally) when you get it on your skin, it's slow as I did the 2-3 x applications to get all the paint to resolve\dislodge (thanks for the guidance Rob). It does save your back as scraping paint off is easer than man handling a heavy large angle grinder. I do now have a lovely multicoloured paint mess on the concrete of my garage - probably could have put cardboard down in hindsight. I go over the whole thing with the wire brush to flick any residue off & any bit of remaining paint.

WadkinPK-Paintstripped.jpg

They are a handsome beast in the raw.

Flipped the tabletop and found what looks to be some sort of machining? Can't for the lift of my figure out what this may be. There are 3 holes that were drilled into the tabletop perhaps this was some sort of provisioning for a backing plate - can't think why thou???


20230602_194239.jpg 20230602_194313.jpg

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

Flipped the tabletop and found what looks to be some sort of machining? Can't for the lift of my figure out what this may be...

According to the "Operating and Maintenance Instructions" for the PK saw, the saw has a maximum depth of cut of 4 1/4" (108mm) - presumably fitted with an 18" blade. At least a couple of PKs I know of will only cut ~3 1/2" (89mm) deep.

For example, both Auscab's PK 1892 of 1956, and my own PKA 800 of 1945, will cut 110mm deep, however PKA 805 also of 1945 (in Christchurch, NZ) will only cut 3 1/2" deep with an 18" blade.

I've seen it suggested on the Canadian forum that some PKs were specially modified for extra depth of cut. Whether that modification was to allow the full 4 1/4" depth, or whether it was to increase the depth beyond 4 1/4", I do not know.

Anyway, I would suggest that machining may have been to maximise the depth of cut on your saw. You suggest not?

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

According to the "Operating and Maintenance Instructions" for the PK saw, the saw has a maximum depth of cut of 4 1/4" (108mm) - presumably fitted with an 18" blade. At least a couple of PKs I know of will only cut ~3 1/2" (89mm) deep.

For example, both Auscab's PK 1892 of 1956, and my own PKA 800 of 1945, will cut 110mm deep, however PKA 805 also of 1945 (in Christchurch, NZ) will only cut 3 1/2" deep with an 18" blade.

I've seen it suggested on the Canadian forum that some PKs were specially modified for extra depth of cut. Whether that modification was to allow the full 4 1/4" depth, or whether it was to increase the depth beyond 4 1/4", I do not know.

Anyway, I would suggest that machining may have been to maximise the depth of cut on your saw. You suggest not?

Cheers, Vann.

Interesting, but the difference between 108 - 89 = 19mm and the machining in the pic looks less than that, so it maybe that it was done for a greater cut than 4 1/4" like you suggested, we will have to see once it is all put back together

I'll keep you posted chaps - I did measure the depth of cut before I pulled it apart but can't remember what it was

BTW - I have a little stopper that will bottom out the height adjustment on mine. Not all PKs had this looking at some historical posts from Mark (Wallace on here).

Not sure what the go is. When I go the saw I couldn't get the blade to tilt much at all. Both pins look to be OK so I won't bother to replace them. Perhaps the tightness was due to gunk build up.

I see a lot of people having to replace the pins:
wadkin PK restoration

20230818_122849_resized.jpg

Thats a bit interesting - the 'thrust' bearing cage is a bit dodgy. No idea how it could possibly get into that state? Went and saw General Bearing Company to see if they had something. It took ol'mate a couple of phone calls and paging through a book that looked about 70 yrs old to finally find something. It's on order and I'll get it in a few days ... $40 (£20) pretty expensive bearing! I probably don't need to replace it as the bearing runs smoothly despite the cage damage.

20230818_144258_resized.jpg 20230818_140840_resized.jpg

What would munch that bearing up like that?
Its on the end of the shaft that raises or lowers the blade through its vertical motion yeah? Could the blade have been held up by gunk and then let go and dropped/ That would be like hitting that bearing with a hammer wouldn't it?

No idea Rob - it's very weird still can't figure it out!

Picked up the new bearing for the rise fall gears. Very slow progress on the saw, I have so many other pending things around the house calling for my attention!

Bearing.jpg

Cam across this guy on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jdwoodcrafter/

This Thomas White SK saw looks very similar to the PK - I am guess at some point Wadkin acquired the moulds from White?

Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 10.00.39 am.jpg Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 10.01.41 am.jpg Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 10.01.01 am.jpg Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 10.00.54 am.jpg

Righto - looks like there has been a conversation about these saws before: T. White & son sk -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum