Thread: Wadkin RE ?? Sold on Gumtree

Originally Posted by clear out

How tall are they Matty?
Here’s pics of mine before disassembling it, over 6ft.
I guess about 4ft minimum would be ok, love the wheels.
I hear Greg is after Furphy cart stuff,I am selling one for a mates widow.
Put it on here a while back just for fun.
H.

Hi Henry, with out the steel boxes they are around waist height.
Melbourne Matty.

Good news... The purchaser of this machine has made contact and shared some images.... It is actually MN78 test 2191
Thanks Raymond for sharing.

Wadkin MN Thicknesser 78-001.jpgWadkin MN Thicknesser 78-002.jpgWadkin MN Thicknesser 78-003.jpgWadkin MN Thicknesser 78-004.jpg
Enjoy

Nice looking machine and a great price.

Well this has set the cat among the pigeons.
The Gospel from on High is that Wadkin machine numbers start at 105, apparently an ex Wadkin worker confessed this at the temple.

I've wondered when an earlier machine might turn up but it is always chance that something like that survives.

Have fun,
Alli

There's an exception to every rule Alli. This is only the second Wadkin to show up with a serial number below 105 - but these are the only two Wadkin (out of ~400 machines). Both exceptions are MNs.

Satistically, there's a problem. Either a higher than can reasonably be expected number of pre-105 machines have been scrapped (they would be the oldest after all), or Wadkin started most models at or about #105.

One example is the RB buzzer. New Zealand Railways bought 12 of these before Wadkin had even begun production - so it's reasonable to expect the machines delivered were amoung the first. Of the twelve delivered are serial numbers #109, # 113, #116 (mine) and #117.

I think the High Priest of the Wadkin Temple got the good oil on the "numbers start at 105" theory. Unfortunately there's a disbeliever on a beach somewhere in Oz (her second name is possibly Lucy - short for Lucifer ).

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

There's an exception to every rule Alli. This is only the second Wadkin to show up with a serial number below 105 - but these are the only two Wadkin (out of ~400 machines). Both exceptions are MNs.

Satistically, there's a problem. Either a higher than can reasonably be expected number of pre-105 machines have been scrapped (they would be the oldest after all), or Wadkin started most models at or about #105.

One example is the RB buzzer. New Zealand Railways bought 12 of these before Wadkin had even begun production - so it's reasonable to expect the machines delivered were amoung the first. Of the twelve delivered are serial numbers #109, # 113, #116 (mine) and #117.

I think the High Priest of the Wadkin Temple got the good oil on the "numbers start at 105" theory. Unfortunately there's a disbeliever on a beach somewhere in Oz (her second name is possibly Lucy - short for Lucifer ).

Cheers, Vann.

Hi Vann,
I'm happy to play the game

"Exception proves the rule" Works just as well for your jointers1 Maybe they were the ones that started at 105 & all the rest started at some other number. Just as valid a conclusion!

"Satistically, there's a problem. Either a higher than can reasonably be expected number of pre-105 machines have been scrapped" Check your list of machines by date. The first CC you have is over 600 and it has a test no of 1453.
Maybe they started at 3 or 400. otherwise a lot of early machines scrapped! about 40% of the Wadkin machines made up until then.
There is no paper work or records from back then and there is no way to know what happened and I doubt anyone knows.

There was so much certainty about the old claim of how to date machines and that turned out to be a fantasy.
I think it's funny that there is any grasping to one version or another. The machines are good and they work, I have 6 Wadkins now.
All the rest of the stuff is an extra for me it is just entertainment as far as I can see.

I think all the work you've done on your lists is great.

Have fun,
Alli ( the cynic from the beach) or should that be (the heretic from the beach)

The more interesting conversation then the sequence numbers with the ex green lane works Employee was the experimental room at the back of the factory. Directly behind the 1930 addition. This is where they would on occasion buy German machines strip them down to see how they made them. Molders mainly. It was quite competitive in the late 60s early 70s keeping ones intellectual property. To a certain extent England was left somewhat industrially intact. So it had to run all designs to pay for the war. Whereas the German industrial complex was completely built from scratch after World War II . After Nurenberg trials it was said that France would be the industrial power or that it least it would be the horse and Germany would be the cart.

I suspect numbers prior to 105 are built before 1926. We still have not found the factory location for the K line for aircraft machinery . Vann Here’s keeping up with the tradition.


https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTX-bynW8O/

Hah. Individually numbered brass nuts - starting at #105. I love the humour.

Cheers, Vann.

I just love the chase...... trying to workout what was the truth from the little bits of evidence that surfaces from time to time.

Hi Vann how are you doing?

Close but no cigar!!
EQ 106 42438

Lucky because I can't stand cigars!

Keep the Faith!

Have fun,
Alli

Originally Posted by Allison74

Close but no cigar!!
EQ 106 42438

Come on Alli, you can do one better than that. What about PL 105, test 4818 .

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

Come on Alli, you can do one better than that. What about PL 105, test 4818 .

Cheers, Vann.

Just trying to help you keep the Faith Vann, wouldn't want you straying from the path.
I'll keep an eye ought for any other contenders for iconoclastic no's!


Personally I'm happy with MN 78 Mate! Though you should probably cover your eyes, it might be a Siren tempting you.

Have fun,
Alli

Originally Posted by Allison74

...Personally I'm happy with MN 78 Mate! Though you should probably cover your eyes, it might be a Siren tempting you.

Speaking of temptation (and keeping on topic) I had to resist the urge to bid on this lovely 1945 beastie.

REA1.jpg REA2.jpg wREA 316 24540 NZ.jpg

REA 316 (same vintage as my PK). It would have made a great replacement for my Makita 2030 thickie - but as woodworking is a hobby for me, I have to fit every thing in a two car garage - so I had to control myself (it wasn't easy ). I had the same problem with a $250 RM a couple of years ago.

Cheers, Vann.

ps And it's nice to be able to use the "Manage Attachments" function again.