This arrived at my place yesterday.
Attachment 424397 Attachment 424396
I first saw the saw back in April. When I went to look at two other Wadkin CK saws the seller had listed.
Attachment 424394 My photo, taken in April.
It's been listed off and on since then.
Attachment 424395 Sellers photo.
Radio alarm saws just don't sell over here. A month ago there were six listed, 5 CKs and a CC. Woodlogic bought the CC. The CK seller was threatening to scrap the saws. I looked at this one and thought just the tags were worth the $50 asking price (I priced a reproduction cast Wadkin tag and the local brass foundry quoted me over $300 each for ~5). Unfortunately these tags are brass plate, not cast. A work associate was travelling to Christchurch (where the three saws were located) with his ute. He was prepared to bring the saw back. It was a no brainer...
Attachment 424398 Attachment 424399
Interesting to note that one tag is "Wadkin & Co." while the other is "Wadkin Ltd". The change was made ~1936, so I guess that dates the machine to 1936, give or take a year. The 1936 Wadkin catalogue (available on the Vintage Machinery website) generally just says "Wadkin", but one page mentions "Wadkin Ltd." - while all the tags that are clear enough to read say "Wadkin & Co.". Old artwork I guess.
The same cattledog shows an almost identical version of the CK.
Attachment 424404 The main vertical frame members are closer together - otherwise it's identical.
Note the crank handle at the top of the column - like a PK (and other) saw's crown guard adjuster.
Attachment 424400 Attachment 424407
Later CK saws have a handwheel located in such a position that it's not necessary to go around the back of the saw to adjuster the blade height.
For angled horizontal cuts the entire vertical column pivots in the top of the casting (at bench height). There are presets for common angles. Likewise the saw can do vertically angled cuts by means of rotating the horizontal rail. Unlike later models, this early CK does not have angles marked to degrees.
Attachment 424403 Here you can see the preset notches, and lever at the bottom of the photo.
I love the hollow castings. I bet that was a huge core for the molders to maneuver.
Attachment 424402
There are two brackets on the front leg. I suspect they were to mount the Brookhirst Ltd. switchgear. Wadkin started casting switchgear cabinets into their machine frames about 1937-38.
Attachment 424401 Attachment 424406 Attachment 424405 The two cattledog cuts show "Brookhirst "switchgear cabinets mounted on an RD buzzer and an SO saw.
Incidentally, the cast frame on this saw is cast-iron. At least some post-war CK saws had cast aluminium frames.
The motor and carriage are also in my garage.
I bought the saw for the tags and a few other spare parts such as knobs and handles (and I wondered if the cast frame might make a suitable grinder stand or sharpening station). However, it is complete and the blade spins freely and without wobble. The two front carriage slider bearings turn freely - if the two back ones are also in good nick, and if the motor runs, I might just throw the machine back together and use it for a while. Unfortunately garage space is at a premium (see 1st two photos) - and I've got two more machines coming :B.
Cheers, Vann.