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  1. #106
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    Default I Found Them!

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    ...A further document dated 17th September, 1930, summarises all new machinery supplied.

    RB 1666d.jpg

    Included is that the 12 Bench Planers - High Speed were shipped as follows:
    - 3 to Auckland (nearest port to Otahuhu workshops) – value £176 6s 9d;
    - 3 to Wellington (nearest port to Hutt workshops) – value £176 6s 9d;
    - 3 to Lyttleton (nearest port to Addington workshops) – value £176 6s 5d;
    - 3 to Port Chalmers (nearest port to Hillside workshops) – value £176 6s 5d.
    an average value of £58 15s 6d each...
    In an attempt to identify just which RB buzzers make up these twelve, I've acquired copies of the test sheets for what I believe to be the first 15 RB buzzers off the Wadkin production line.

    RB 105.jpg RB 106.jpg RB 107.jpg RB 108.jpg

    RB 109 Test Sheet.jpg RB 110.jpg RB 111.jpg RB 112.jpg

    RB 113.jpg RB 114.jpgRB 115.jpg Test Sheet RB 116.jpg

    RB 117.jpg RB 118.jpg RB 119.jpg

    These test sheets have enabled me to pick out the twelve machines with certainty as being RB 106 to RB 117. A quick summary of the 15 machines follows:

    RB 105, test 4351, of 9th October, 1926;
    RB 106, test 4355, of 11th October, 1926;
    RB 107, test 4357, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 108, test 4358, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 109, test 4359, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 110, test 4360, of 13th October, 1926;
    RB 111, test 4362, of 13th October, 1926;
    RB 112, test 4365, of 14th October, 1926;
    RB 113, test 4367, of 14th October, 1926;

    RB 114, test 4370, of 15th October, 1926;
    RB 115, test 4372, of 16th October, 1926;
    RB 116, test 4374, of 18th October. 1926;
    RB 117, test 4375, of 18th October, 1926;

    RB 118, test 4544, of 14th December, 1926;
    RB 119, test 4545, of 15th December, 1926.


    It is rumoured that Wadkin started each model at #105 - and so far that appears to be the case (with the exception of their MN). RB 105 therefore is likely to have been the first off the production line - and the test page would tend to support that in so far as there is a lot more detail on that sheet than the others, and that machine was test run for 6 hours, whereas the following 14 machines were only test run for between 2:30 and 4 hours.


    RB 105 was flat belt driven and had a stand (the NZ Railway dozen were/are “bench” planers). RB 118 also had a stand, and RB 119 was also belt driven. In addition both RB 105 and RB 118 have "F.S.cutter blocks" (if I read that correctly)...

    RB 105c.jpg
    RB 105.

    RB 118c.jpg RB 118.

    ...whereas RB 107, RB 109 and RB 111 are noted as having a "plain cutter block". Both RB 113 (in Christchurch) and RB 116 (in my garage) have plain cutter blocks.

    I would guess that RB 105 was retained by Wadkin for their showroom - and
    was probably used for this artwork:

    RB 105a.jpg Catalogue cut from Melbourne Matty.

    Whereas the "railway dozen" came in this format.

    RB 314.jpg RB 116 during refurb.

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

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  3. #107
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    Default

    An updated list of the 48 Wadkin RB buzzers identified so far.

    RB 105, test 4351, of Oct. 1926;
    RB 106, test 4355, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 107, test 4357, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 108, test 4358, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 109, test 4359, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
    RB 110, test 4360, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 111, test 4362, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 112, test 4365, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 113, test 4367, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 114, test 4370, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 115, test 4372, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 116, test 4374, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 117, test 4375, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 118, test 4544, of Dec. 1926;
    RB 119, test 4545, of Dec. 1926;
    RBA 158, test 8623, of Sept., 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 rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  4. #108
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    Default And the Last.

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    In an attempt to identify just which RB buzzers make up these twelve, I've acquired copies of the test sheets for what I believe to be the first 15 RB buzzers off the Wadkin production line.

    snip

    RB 105, test 4351, of 9th October, 1926;
    RB 106, test 4355, of 11th October, 1926;
    RB 107, test 4357, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 108, test 4358, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 109, test 4359, of 12th October, 1926;
    RB 110, test 4360, of 13th October, 1926;
    RB 111, test 4362, of 13th October, 1926;
    RB 112, test 4365, of 14th October, 1926;
    RB 113, test 4367, of 14th October, 1926;

    RB 114, test 4370, of 15th October, 1926;
    RB 115, test 4372, of 16th October, 1926;
    RB 116, test 4374, of 18th October. 1926;
    RB 117, test 4375, of 18th October, 1926;

    RB 118, test 4544, of 14th December, 1926;
    RB 119, test 4545, of 15th December, 1926.


    It is rumoured that Wadkin started each model at #105 - and so far that appears to be the case (with the exception of their MN). RB 105 therefore is likely to have been the first off the production line - and the test page would tend to support that in so far as there is a lot more detail on that sheet than the others, and that machine was test run for 6 hours, whereas the following 14 machines were only test run for between 2:30 and 4 hours...
    Having found the first Wadkin RB buzzers made, I was curious to find the last. I asked my contact and he came up with this batch list.

    RB Batch List1.jpg

    Which indicates that the final RB (from the batch of 48 ordered in January, 1953) was RB 1025. He then checked out the Test Books and found a further four RBs - 1026 to 1029 - presumably made up from leftover parts (I guess they would have made extra parts to allow orders to be completed in the event of some parts being flawed/faulty).

    Here's the test sheet for RB 1029. Test 50921, carried out on 23rd January, 1955.

    RB 1029.jpg

    Note that RB 1029 was supplied to "George Henry". George Henry & Co. Ltd. were the Christchurch, New Zealand, agents for Wadkin.

    However it appears these final RB buzzers were not tested in order. The final machine to be tested was RB 1016. Here's its test sheet. Test 51235, carried out on 18th March, 1955.

    RB 1016 test sheet.jpg

    So Wadkin produced 925 RB buzzers - RB 105 to RB 1029 - over a period of 30 years, with the first one completed on 9th October, 1926 (RB 105) and the last on 18th March, 1955 (RB 1016).



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

  5. #109
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    Default Batch List.

    Having another look at the Batch List.

    RB Batch List1.jpg

    The list does not go back to the start of production in 1926, but starts with order "#1257" at the beginning of 1938.

    Going by the note in red, it would appear that the first five machine numbers had already been used, and so five new numbers were added at the end.

    RB Batch List.jpg

    So the batches were:

    A 1257 - RBs 390 to 413 - 24 machines commissioned 14th January, 1938;
    A 1315 - RBs 414 to 437 - 24 machines commissioned 3rd November, 1938;
    A 1423 - RBs 438 to 461 - 24 machines commissioned 26th June, 1939;
    A 1500 - RBs 462 to 485 - 24 machines commissioned 19th October, 1939;
    A 2170 - RBs 486 to 509 - 24 machines commissioned 6th March, 1945;
    A 2239 - RBs 510 to 533 - 24 machines commissioned 4th September, 1945;
    A 2258 - RBs 534 to 557 - 24 machines commissioned 30th October, 1945;
    A 2286 - RBs 558 to 593 - 36 machines commissioned 18th December, 1945;
    A 2320 - RBs 594 to 629 - 36 machines commissioned 15th February, 1946;
    A 2372 - RBs 630 to 701 - 72 machines commissioned 1st August, 1947;
    A 2406 - RBs 702 to 749 - 48 machines commissioned 9th January, 1948;
    A 2469 - RBs 750 to 797 - 48 machines commissioned 30th November, 1948;
    A 2547 - RBs 798 to 833 - 36 machines commissioned 7th February, 1950;
    A 2572 - RBs 834 to 905 - 72 machines commissioned 23rd June, 1950;
    A 2684 - RBs 906 to 977 - 72 machines commissioned 26th November, 1951; and finally
    A 2776 - RBs 978 to 1025 - 48 machines commissioned 28th January, 1953.

    It appears resources were diverted from RB production to more important machines - or to war work - during WW2, but then took off with a hiss and a roar through the second half of the 1940s. It also seems they liked to order machines by the dozen - with batches of 2 dozen, 3 dozen, 4 dozen and 6 dozen .

    But of more interest is the likelihood that machines of each batch had the same features. E.g. if one had a new design of fence then all in that batch probably had the new fence design.

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

  6. #110
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    Default Batch Match.

    The next thing is to match the known RBs to batches (including the two latest machines, RB 1016 & 1029).

    RB 105, test 4351, of Oct. 1926;
    RB 106, test 4355, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 107, test 4357, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 108, test 4358, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 109, test 4359, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand (RIP in 1987);
    RB 110, test 4360, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 111, test 4362, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 112, test 4365, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 113, test 4367, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 114, test 4370, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 115, test 4372, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand;
    RB 116, test 4374, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 117, test 4375, of Oct. 1926 - New Zealand - Wadkin & Co. tag;
    RB 118, test 4544, of Dec. 1926;
    RB 119, test 4545, of Dec. 1926;
    RBA 158, test 8623, of Sept., 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;

    Batch A 1257 - RBs 390 to 413 - 24 machines commissioned 14th January, 1938;
    RB 409, test 9969, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 1315 - RBs 414 to 437 - 24 machines commissioned 3rd November, 1938;
    RBA 418, test 10699, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RBA 422, test 11103, of 1938 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 1423 - RBs 438 to 461 - 24 machines commissioned 26th June, 1939;
    nil.

    Batch A 1500 - RBs 462 to 485 - 24 machines commissioned 19th October, 1939;
    RBA 464, test 14604, of 1940 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RBA 485, test 19730, of 1943 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2170 - RBs 486 to 509 - 24 machines commissioned 6th March, 1945;
    RBA 497, test 25435, of 1945 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2239 - RBs 510 to 533 - 24 machines commissioned 4th September, 1945;
    RB 512, (test no. unknown) - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RB 519, test 27047, of 1946 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2258 - RBs 534 to 557 - 24 machines commissioned 30th October, 1945;
    nil.

    Batch A 2286 - RBs 558 to 593 - 36 machines commissioned 18th December, 1945;
    RB 563, test 29408, of 1947 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RB 567, test 29231, of 1947 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2320 - RBs 594 to 629 - 36 machines commissioned 15th February, 1946;
    RB 611, test 30332, of 1948 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RB 620, test 30372, of 1948 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2372 - RBs 630 to 701 - 72 machines commissioned 1st August, 1947;
    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;

    Batch A 2406 - RBs 702 to 749 - 48 machines commissioned 9th January, 1948;
    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;

    Batch A 2469 - RBs 750 to 797 - 48 machines commissioned 30th November, 1948;
    RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;

    Batch A 2547 - RBs 798 to 833 - 36 machines commissioned 7th February, 1950;
    RB 830, test 39773, of 1951 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch A 2572 - RBs 834 to 905 - 72 machines commissioned 23rd June, 1950;
    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;

    Batch A 2684 - RBs 906 to 977 - 72 machines commissioned 26th November, 1951;
    RB 921, test 45225, of 1953 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch A 2776 - RBs 978 to 1025 - 48 machines commissioned 28th January, 1953.
    RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RB 1016, test 51235, of March, 1955;
    RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Stragglers - RBs 1026 to 1029.
    RB 1029, test 50921, of January, 1955 - New Zealand.

    Next I'd like to itemise features of the known machines within each batch. For example, the two machines in the final batch (A 2776) have RD/RM type fences, complete with handwheels for adjustment. RB 921 in the previous batch (A2684) has the RD/RM fence, but without the handwheel. So it appears that only the final 48 machines - and presumably the five "stragglers" - a total of 53 machines, came with the handwheel feature.

    However, the short editing times on this site means that any mistakes I make, cannot be corrected after 24 hours. Researching and itemising the features will require a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between photos and this thread and will inevitably result in some initial mistakes. Additional information that has come to hand over the duration of this thread means I've already made a number of incorrect observations, and a few mistakes, that are now "cast in stone" - unable to be corrected. I'm not happy to add more.

    Cheers, Vann.
    Last edited by Vann; 20th March 2021 at 07:43 AM. Reason: Late entry RBA 422 added (while I still can).
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  7. #111
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    Default

    Gees Vann, reading through your post it is just epic ! As Rob has pointed out, l see we don't have any over here down under ?! I will send you something to change that l think ..
    Thank you for all the information and hard work here, what a wonderful resource ..
    Melbourne Matty.

  8. #112
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    Default Wadkin RV Buzzer.

    With the order for the last batch of RB buzzers/surface planers/jointers being placed in 1953, and the last one completed and tested in 1955, the question of what replaced it comes to mind.

    Wadkin ordered the first RV buzzer in April, 1954. The RV is a similar machine to the RB. It takes the same knives (9¼" x 1 9/16" x ⅛" - part VP-2) in the same diameter cutterblock (5") - again with provision for moulding knives as standard. The tables are the same 5' long and the motor is the same 2hp. The noticeable changes are the motor has been moved into the base - and the fence has lost the handwheel adjustment. Oh, and the table 'draw-out' motion is more like the RD/RM.

    RV 1957 cat.jpg

    The first RV - RV 105 - never made it to the test bench. Whether the company decided to make a whole bunch of changes making it an oddity, or whether the first machine was damaged, is not known.

    But in July 1954 the company ordered a batch of 36 RVs (106 to 141), followed by a final batch of 48 machines (142 to 189) in September 1955.

    RV Batch List.jpg

    The first production RV - RV 106 - was complete and tested on 5th September, 1955 - six months after the last RB was tested.

    RV 106 52652 test sheet.jpg

    I have no information on when the last one was completed (nor whether there were any 'stragglers') but probably as few as just 84 RV buzzers were made.

    I've only found photos of four RV buzzers (and only kept the tag photos, so can't offer a type study). They are:

    Batch #1 (A 2868) - RV 105 - 1 machine ordered 5th April, 1954 (but never tested);

    Batch #2 (A 2921) - RVs 106 to 141 - 36 machines ordered 26th July, 1954;
    RV 106, test 52652, of September, 1955;
    RB 116, test 52657, of 1955 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch #3 (A 3070) - RVs 142 to 189 - 48 machines ordered 28th September, 1955.
    RB 152, test 56385, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RB 165, test 56742, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RB 177, test 57738, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.

    wRV 116 52657 UK.jpg wRV 152 56358 NZ.jpg wRV 165 56742 NZ.jpg wRV 177 57738 NZ.jpg

    And why only 84 RV buzzers?

    Around 1956 Wadkin merged with or bought out Sagar-Bursgreen. They found they had then three machines of this size: the Wadkin 9" RV; the Bursgreen 9" FS-2; and a Sagar 8" model. Of course the Bursgreen merger/buy-out was in order to obtain the cheaper construction features of Bursgreen designs - and the Wadkin-Bursgreen 9" BFT soon replaced all three predecessors.

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

  9. #113
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    Default Another RB.

    In my relentless (and no doubt fanatical) search for Wadkin buzzers, I found one in South Africa. With help from Colin62 I was able to get some photos from the seller.

    RB 763f.jpg

    Second type of fence. 3-spoke aluminium handwheels (4th type). Tin tag. Missing blade and belt guards.

    RB 763ca.jpg

    Full size "Brookhirst" switchgear door. And an isolating switch (which didn't come standard).

    However I was not able to read the Serial Number.

    wRB 763 37585 SA.jpg

    Maybe RB 765, or 766, or 763? The Test Number however, is clear: 37585 - of 1950.

    Using the test number I was able to source the test page for this machine:

    RB 763 test.jpg

    It's RB 763 - tested on 21st September, 1950, and ordered by Wadkin's Cape Town agents Rutherford (Pty.) Ltd.

    SA agents.png Part page from 1957 catalogue.

    So the machine is part of the 5th to last batch of RBs.

    Batch A 2469 - RBs 750 to 797 - 48 machines commissioned 30th November, 1948;
    RB 763, test 37585, of Sept. 1950 - South Africa - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag;
    RB 793, test 38322, of 1950 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag.

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

  10. #114
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    Default Rb 994.

    And one more in the UK.

    RB 994a.jpg

    RB 994b.jpg RB 994c.jpg

    Fourth type of fence - full RD fence with handwheel. 3-spoke aluminium handwheels (4th type). Cast tag. Full size "Brookhirst" switchgear door. Non-original switchgear and blade guard. And missing the steel handle that screws into the top of the fence.

    wRB 994 47891 UK.jpg

    RB 994 - tested in early 1954 (the 36th of 2803 machines tested at the Green Lane works that year).

    The machine is part of the last batch of RBs.

    Batch A 2776 - RBs 978 to 1025 - 48 machines commissioned 28th January, 1953.
    RB 994, test 47891, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RB 1010, test 50380, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RB 1016, test 51235, of March, 1955;
    RB 1024, test 50316, of 1954 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;.

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

  11. #115
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    ...It is rumoured that Wadkin started each model at #105 - and so far that appears to be the case (with the exception of their MN)...
    I recently obtained a copy of the test sheet for another machine with a #105 serial number - PK 105 (test 5695, of 8th February, 1928).

    PK 105 test 5695.jpg

    And there's one little gem of information, scrawled down the left hand margin:

    PK 105 test note.jpg "First machine of this type"

    That really confirms the story Jack picked up - that Wadkin started most models of machine at Serial Number 105.
    So for all you doubting Thomases (or Allisons) out there...

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

  12. #116
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    Default

    That’s amazing Vann !!

    The Birth of the PK on Wadkin paper work!
    It won’t be long until the PK is 100 years old .

  13. #117
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    Default

    So I have one of the first batch of pk's ever made Machine number 115

  14. #118
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wallace1973 View Post
    So I have one of the first batch of pk's ever made Machine number 115
    Yes, it looks like you have the 11th PK made.

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

  15. #119
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    Default Wadkin RV Buzzer - Corrections.

    Sometimes new information comes to hand - and proves you just plain WRONG .

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    ...The first RV - RV 105 - never made it to the test bench. Whether the company decided to make a whole bunch of changes making it an oddity, or whether the first machine was damaged, is not known...
    Not so. RV 105 was tested in 1954.

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    ...But in July 1954 the company ordered a batch of 36 RVs (106 to 141), followed by a final batch of 48 machines (142 to 189) in September 1955.

    RV Batch List.jpg

    The first production RV - RV 106 - was complete and tested on 5th September, 1955 - six months after the last RB was tested.

    RV 106 52652 test sheet.jpg

    I have no information on when the last one was completed (nor whether there were any 'stragglers') but probably as few as just 84 RV buzzers were made.

    I've only found photos of four RV buzzers (and only kept the tag photos, so can't offer a type study). They are:

    Batch #1 (A 2868) - RV 105 - 1 machine ordered 5th April, 1954 (but never tested);

    Batch #2 (A 2921) - RVs 106 to 141 - 36 machines ordered 26th July, 1954;
    RV 106, test 52652, of September, 1955;
    RV 116, test 52657, of 1955 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch #3 (A 3070) - RVs 142 to 189 - 48 machines ordered 28th September, 1955.
    RV 152, test 56385, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RV 165, test 56742, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RV 177, test 57738, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.

    wRV 116 52657 UK.jpg wRV 152 56358 NZ.jpg wRV 165 56742 NZ.jpg wRV 177 57738 NZ.jpg

    And why only 84 RV buzzers?

    Around 1956 Wadkin merged with or bought out Sagar-Bursgreen. They found they had then three machines of this size: the Wadkin 9" RV; the Bursgreen 9" FS-2; and a Sagar 8" model. Of course the Bursgreen merger/buy-out was in order to obtain the cheaper construction features of Bursgreen designs - and the Wadkin-Bursgreen 9" BFT soon replaced all three predecessors.
    I've found photos of five RV buzzers. They are:

    Batch #1 (A 2868) - RV 105 - 1 machine ordered 5th April, 1954;
    RV 105, test 48813, of 1954 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch #2 (A 2921) - RVs 106 to 141 - 36 machines ordered 26th July, 1954;
    RV 106, test 52652, of September, 1955;
    RV 116, test 52657, of 1955 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;

    Batch #3 (A 3070) - RVs 142 to 189 - 48 machines ordered 28th September, 1955.
    RV 152, test 56385, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RV 165, test 56742, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
    RV 177, test 57738, of 1957 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.

    Photos of RV 105 (currently located in Leicester, UK):

    RV 105a.jpg

    RV 105b.jpg wRV 105 48813 UK.jpg

    What's the chances that Pattern Equipment Plant No. tag is from the pattern shop at Green Lane?

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

  16. #120
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    Default Off Topic.

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    ...Photos of RV 105 (currently located in Leicester, UK):

    RV 105a.jpg

    wRV 105 48813 UK.jpg

    What's the chances that Pattern Equipment Plant No. tag is from the pattern shop at Green Lane?
    While perusing a certain international online auction site I spotted that tag again.

    RS 1108.jpg

    This time attached to an RS lathe.

    wRS 1108 36931 UK.jpg

    No decent photos of the whole lathe (it was crammed in among other junk).

    This one is located in Whitwick - around 12.5 miles from Leicester (where the RV is reputedly located).

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

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