Wadkin LA bench drill restoration

The paints barely dry on my last one and I've started another. I had no intention of doing this one yet but after using it a bit I noticed the bearings squealing like a stuffed pig so it has jumped the que. So while checking out the bearings I thought I may as well make it look pretty. This is how I got it a while back after a 13hr road trip because the seller wouldn't put it on a pallet for a courier.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps5hjgyohr.jpg


This one dates from 1952 and was made for the aircraft industry to do high precision drilling of non ferrous stuff. Its a shame its last place of work had been using it as a router. Poor thing only has 0.5hp in it


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psfhomexyi.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psyp9ul0ky.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pszdgagvz5.jpg


The motor is mounted with 4 wheels, one wheel is fixed position the other three are mounted with eccentric shafts to make adjustments for wear and to maintain the vertical position


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psoegx4i2f.jpg


Just to make sure I put them where I found them.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psk9vnchlg.jpg


Me thinks someone has been in here before me, this doesn't look very wadkin'sh


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshybmmjv8.jpg


Butchered spanner to get the nut off


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pspf1ysyvy.jpg


It was well greased if nothing else


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pscfn3m7zp.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wallace1973

This one dates from 1952 ...

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psfhomexyi.jpg

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Thanks Wallace, added to the "Wadkinitus" thread.

Cheers, Vann.

There seems to be quite a few asset tags on this. Can anyone make out what it says at the top of the sticker, Looks like BA Ltd?


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psioj6pybb.jpg


I quite like these isolators. This ones in rough shape inside the ceramic is cracked and loose. There doesn't appear to have been any provision for a on/off switch you just use the isolator.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psjf9te2jb.jpg


Because they are made from cast ali you cant really use anything too aggressive like a wire wheel. Otherwise you'd loose the writing. A little paint stripper an a stiff brush.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psxrmdj5k4.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psviif1b3i.jpg


When taking the tags off that are pinned I have learnt that its best to protect the tag from drill slippage. These pins were made of hardanium because it took ages to drill them. Even new HSS jobbers would barely touch them. After reducing the head I had to coal chisel the head off.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pszszbrsk2.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wallace1973

Can anyone make out what it says at the top of the sticker, Looks like BA Ltd?

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Looks like "8 A.C. Ltd" to me, not that it makes sense to me though

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psqrq31aii.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psxqide4cg.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pslzqqn6hi.jpg


Made some bits shiny


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pspw9n3rjn.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshgbsveie.jpg


More shiny stuff


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psrowgui2v.jpg


I wonder why the cable feeding the motor does not have an earth wire within it, instead it has wire wrapped around and attached on the clamp that holds the cable. The clamps have brass bolts.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psepnu36cs.jpg


derusted some more stuff


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pspagn4yct.jpg


A few bits are numbered


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pspibgisk9.jpg

A little more progress, this is the fence that came with the drill. Weird thing is the T-bolt doesn't fit the slot in the table.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps19al8ok7.jpg


I started removing some paint and noticed that the fence looked to be made from brass.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psj8hlxhwb.jpg


Then I started cleaning up the edge on the bobbin sander and realised the dust was grey, I could have sworn it was brass. It had a yellow hue on the bare metal.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshlcjpzjs.jpg


The table looked to be in decent condition.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psx14gxrrv.jpg


After cleaning it showed some weird damage


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psetr7nxfb.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psg0g3cmmw.jpg


I needed something to run the new wires through and found this in my junk box


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshxgo2zda.jpg


All cleaned up and shiny


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pszhl83dtr.jpg


I've been using some of that metal filler that I used on the mitre saw for filling casting defects. I like it a lot better than normal car bodge. It goes on easier and only needs one attempt at filling.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps8nxzjybp.jpg

I didn't put any updates of spraying up, didn't want to bore you's. One thing I'm not happy with is the paint sheen, theres one guy who mixes what I want perfect and one he always bodges it.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psuyqfwf6h.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psfjk2bruv.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psa8w0yvxc.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pstfeyyr1f.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psar3jxrne.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psrj8sfimk.jpg


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psdtig5qp6.jpg


I quite liked the finish on the fulcrum castings so have left them bare and used boeshield


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...pso1dfnndj.jpg


I had to make some 'T' bolts and found these handles in my stash, I think their off a RM planer


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...psoqisyakq.jpg


When I took the motor to bits I changed the top bearing and left the lower one because I was worried about damaging things so I cleaned the other bearing and re greased. After trying it for a bit their is quite a bit of resonance. It doesn't squeal like it did but I may have to change the bottom bearing if things don't run in.

Really great restoration. You got any plans for future restorations? Been loving all your threads.

Thanks, I've nearly finished an RS for a guy but I never had time to do a thread on it. I might be starting a JTA in the new year

Nice, if you go forward with it I'd love to see pics!