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Thread: Wadkin RB Buzzer
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2nd January 2019, 06:31 PM #91
I found a photo of another RB tag - from the UK. RBV 231, test 1041. I don't have any photos of the machine, nor have details of what year it was tested.
wRBV 231 1041.jpg
So here's a New Year's update of the list of known RB buzzers:
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBV 231, test 1041 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBV 255, test 2359/2559 of maybe 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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2nd January 2019 06:31 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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25th March 2019, 07:05 PM #92
Hello Vann, what's your opinion on the old style fence slide as apposed to the more traditional rack and pinion
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25th March 2019, 08:37 PM #93
I have insufficient experience with either to give you a knowledgable answer. However...
Both my Wadkin PK saw and my Wadkin RB buzzer have fences that slide in dovetail grooves. It's a bit clunky. In the case of the PK dimension saw, there is a micro-adjuster that gives the accuracy needed once the slide is locked down (the micro-adjuster is a pleasure to use). In the case of the RB the "clunkiness" doesn't affect anything as precision is not required.
The Rev. Forsberg (the High Priest) has the rack and pinion on his RM planer/thicknesser, and has it running freely so that he can almost spin the handwheel for easy adjustment. He's said he's looking to acquire an RB - but a later model with the rack and pinion. He obviously thinks they're sufficiently superior in use to be worth waiting for (but then again he's the High Priest, so his Wadkins have to be of the highest standard ).
I want to true up my timber and either fence will allow that with the same accuracy. Being a weekend woodworker, I don't see myself using my buzzer enough for the sliding adjustment to become a nuisance. If I used my machine on a daily basis, maybe I would find the handwheel adjustment sufficiently superior (if I could find one at a suitable price).
HTH.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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29th March 2019, 10:18 PM #94
Slim Pickings.
Not a lot of RB buzzers on the market in recent times, but here's one that showed up in England.
RB 519a.jpg
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946.
wRB 519 27047 UK.jpg
Note the second type of fence, and the second (knobbed) type of handwheel (for adjusting table height). Also the narrow "Brookhirst" door.
RB 519f.jpg RB 519c.jpg
Finally the motor: a 2850rpm, 2hp motor by English Electric.
RB 519m.jpg
And an updated list containing the 33 Wadkin RB buzzers indentified so far.
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBV 231, test 1041 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBV 255, test 2359/2559 of maybe 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - ;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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6th April 2019, 12:22 PM #95
No.34.
I spoke too soon - here's another from England.
RB 793a.jpg
RB 793, test 38322, of late 1950.
wRB 793 38322 UK.jpg Highest numbered RB tin tag (so far)
Note the second type of fence...
RB 793f.jpg
and the final (fourth) type of handwheel - 3-spoke aluminium.
RB 793hw.jpg
Also looks like the original Stop/Start buttons have been replaced by something more modern.
RB 793ss.jpg
And an updated list containing the now 34 Wadkin RB buzzers identified so far.
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 231, test 1041 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 255, test 2359/2559 of maybe 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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14th March 2020, 04:05 PM #96
No.35.
It's been a long time (nearly a year) since I updated this thread. Then again it's been along time since another RB showed up.
This one is from the UK. It's the first RBD to show up - the 'D' indicates it was built as a DC powered machine.
212a.jpg
Now sporting a modern (finned) AC motor.
212b.jpg
Note the second type of fence... (the lowest numbered RB with this type of fence - so far).
212d.jpg
And the first type of main casting, with arch... (the highest numbered RB with this feature - so far).
212g.jpg
It has the second type of handwheel - solid (not spoked) cast iron.
212c.jpg
Also note the earlier stand - without a built-in electrical cabinet.
212h.jpg No "Brookhirst" door.
It has the standard, 3 stud 'clamshell" cutterblock fitted to all Wadkin RB buzzers.
212e.jpg
And the additional 2 stud "clamshells" for moulding knives (not fitted to the first dozen RB buzzers at least)
212f.jpg
RBD 212, test 700, of ???
wRBD 212 700 UK.jpg Lowest test numbered RB tag (so far).
During the past year new information has come to light, on the Test numbering of earlier Wadkin machines (pre 1939).
Just a few years ago we thought maybe the first two digits of the test number was the year of manufacture (even though it was obviously wrong in places). Then someone (wallace?) got hold of the test numbers for each year (from 1938 on anyway).
We thought that maybe the machine serial numbers started at 100 or 101, then someone (Jack?) heard from an old Wadkin employee that they started most series at 105 and (with the exception of MNs) that seems to be true.
I've noticed some anomalies in the test numbers. My own RB for example, is one of the first produced, being RB 116 (of 1925) with test number 4374. Two obviously later models: RBV 231 and RBV 255 have earlier test numbers (1041 and 2359 respectively). I asked at AMS about test number 1041 and initially they couldn't find it.
Originally Posted by AMS
wRBV 231 1041.jpg RBV 231, test 1041.
Does that mean there were three machines with the same test number? Yes apparently...
Originally Posted by AMS
This machine is obviously newer than my RB (test 4374) of 1926 - so it can't be numbered in the first sequence. The test number (test 700) is lower than 1000, so it can't be numbered in the second sequence. It's therefore the 700th machine tested in the 3rd sequence, started in 1931.
As RBV 231 is also from the 3rd sequence, and was tested in 1932, I conclude that RBD 212 was tested after the start of the 3rd sequence in 1931, but before Test 1041 of 1932.
So here is an updated and revised list of the 35 Wadkin RB buzzers identified so far.
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBD 212, test 700, of 1931 or 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 231, test 1041, of 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 255, test 2359, of 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
It looks like RBA 158, RBA 183, RB 190 and RB 193 - previously thought to be from 1937 & 1938 - are actually earlier machines from the 1st sequence - based on their Wadkin & Co. (pre-1936) tags
Cheers, Vann.Last edited by Vann; 15th March 2020 at 09:59 AM. Reason: Corrections and additional information added.
Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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15th March 2020, 08:16 PM #97
Amazing research Vann . A single one has not turned up in Australia ?
Rob
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15th March 2020, 09:51 PM #98
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17th March 2020, 09:29 AM #99
Okay, info in from AMS:
RBA 158, test 8623, of September, 1930, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of May, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of June, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of July, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBD 212, test 700, of July, 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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18th March 2020, 09:47 AM #100SENIOR MEMBER
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That makes my brain hurt
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18th March 2020, 01:15 PM #101
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18th March 2020, 01:21 PM #102
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3rd April 2020, 06:11 PM #103
No.36.
Wallace this week sent me some photos of an RB he's just acquired.
RB 356.jpg
Looks like the cutterblock guard has been given a hard knock , bending the supporting shaft - lets hope there's no other damage.
It's a early-ish machine, from the Wadkin & Co. era - RB 256, test 2360.
wRB 256 2360 UK.jpg
As both the serial number and the test number are one higher than RBV 255 of 1934, I think it's reasonable to presume that this buzzer also dates to 1934.
Note the second type of fence...
RB 358.jpg
...and the second (knobbed) type of handwheel.
RB 359.jpg
No "Brookhirst" door on this one, just the rounded opening at the back, matching the one at the front of the stand.
RB 357.jpg
Also note that there's no opening in the side of the stand for the On/Off buttons. All the electrics were external on these early machines.
RB 360.jpg
And finally the motor: a big ugly single-phase beast. Wallace says it appears to have been single-phase from the factory - the first single phase RB listed.
RB 361.jpg
And an updated list containing the 36 Wadkin RB buzzers indentified so far.
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of September, 1930, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of May, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of June, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of July, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBD 212, test 700, of July, 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 231, test 1041, of 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 255, test 2359, of 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 256, test 2360, of 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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3rd May 2020, 11:53 AM #104
Way back on page 3 of this thread I wrote:
Well, I'd never heard of The Luton Tool Company, so when this "bench" buzzer showed up recently, I thought I'd record it for posterity - or as a comparison with Wadkin.
Luton1.jpg
Note that this is a 6" model - more comparable with Wadkin's 6" RA than the 9" RB. I assume Luton also made an 8" or 9" model.
Luton2.jpg
Luton3.jpg Luton4.jpg
Luton5.jpg Steel lips (good), but no skewed knives (not so good).
Interestingly, I could find no reference to The Luton Tool Company on the Vintage Machinery site, and plenty of references to "Luton", but none to The Luton Tool Company on Grace's Guide either. Must have been a small company.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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10th July 2020, 12:13 PM #105
No.37 - Look Ma, No Motor!
A rather rusty specimen to add to the database.
RB4a.jpg
RB4b.jpg
It's a early Wadkin Ltd. machine - RB 409, test 9969 - of 1938.
wRB 409 9969 UK.jpg
This machine is different as it's flat-belt driven. I knew that lineshaft drive was an option but this is the first flat-belt driven RB seen. Note the flat pulley on the end of the cutterblock spindle - and the lack of electrical information on the tag.
RB4p.jpg
The previous RB in the list is Wallace's recent rebuild - RBV 256 of 1934...
...while the next listed is RBA 418, which is also from 1938.
Like both of those machines this has the second type of fence...
RB4fe.jpg
...and the second (knobbed) type of handwheel.
RB4k.jpg
But when it comes to the base casting this one shows a few changes since RB 256. They've added an opening for On/Off push-buttons under the infeed table (and then blanked the opening, as this has no electrics). And they've deleted the rounded opening at the back, adding a switchgear compartment with a full size "Brookhirst" door (presumably empty as no electrics). Some later RBs had a narrower "Brookhirst" door.
RB4br.jpg
Note that the two cast 'lugs' for the motor bracket have not been drilled and tapped for the four mounting bolts. What I don't see is any provision for a belt shifter.
And an updated list containing the 37 Wadkin RB buzzers indentified so far.
RB 109, test 4359, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
RB 113, test 4367, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 116, test 4374, Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RB 117, test 4375, of 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
RBA 158, test 8623, of September, 1930, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBA 183, test 9335, of May, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 190, test 9407, of June, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 193, test 9452, of July, 1931, - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBD 212, test 700, of July, 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 231, test 1041, of 1932 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RBV 255, test 2359, of 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 256, test 2360, of 1934 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag;
RB 409, test 9969, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RBA 666, test 32855, of March 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 677, test 32956, of 1949 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 733, test 35300, of 1949 - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 734, test 35301, of 1949 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 745, test 35560, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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Wadkin PK - Can I fit a Single Phase Motor to a wadkin pk table saw?
By Pommy Ker in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERYReplies: 17Last Post: 30th December 2015, 06:31 PM -
Wadkin PK manual link and other wadkin manuals
By Pommy Ker in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERYReplies: 0Last Post: 29th December 2015, 07:56 PM -
I need a buzzer!
By Torre in forum JOINTERS, MOULDERS, THICKNESSERS, ETCReplies: 5Last Post: 25th November 2008, 07:07 PM -
jointer/buzzer HP
By tikiland in forum JOINTERS, MOULDERS, THICKNESSERS, ETCReplies: 5Last Post: 18th September 2007, 08:45 PM