Wadkin PK Sliding Table.

Hi PK owners out there. I have a query.

But first some background. I bought my PK (PKA 800 of 1945) in 2015. It came with two mitres - and it soon became apparent it had some accessories from a second PK (the second being a 1955 machine). Originally PKA 800 was not supplied with an extension for the sliding table - but when it came to me it had an extension table (just the table - no stand, no long fence). I made up a box for the extension and put it aside (no room in my garage workshop for the extension). However, recently I managed to pick up a PK sliding table extension complete (extension, stand with angle, long fence, and pivot for same).

When I tried the long fence I found the pivot wouldn't screw into my sliding table. the pivot has a 5/8" BSW 11tpi thread, while my table only has a 9/16" BSW 12tpi tapped hole :~.

Similarly, the main mitre pivot pin on mine wouldn't stay in the pivot hole. Initially I thought the thread had stripped. But when I tried the pivot pin of another PK (the one I got the extension pieces from), it screwed in perfectly. So I measured my mitre pivot pin as being 9/16" BSW 12 tpi, while the hole in my table has a 5/8" BSW 11tpi tapped hole.

No, I didn't put the wrong pin in the wrong hole :roll:.

However, IIRC Jack has said the mitre pivot hole is 1/2" BSW (12tpi) on his. So there seem to be a whole bunch of wrong size holes in my sliding table. Here's what I've got:

Attachment 493222

Blue circles indicate 1/2" BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes;
Yellow circles indicate 9/16" BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes; and
Red circles indicate 5/8" BSW (11 tpi) threaded holes.

I believe the red holes should be 1/2" BSW (blue), and the yellow holes should be 5/8" BSW (red). I've spoken with Auscab and that's what he's got on both his old PK (PKA 390 of 1937) and his newer PK (PK 1892 of 1956).

Can I ask if anyone else has anything different?

Cheers, Vann.

I've just watched Jack Forsberg's great Youtube video on the Wadkin PK features.

Using the picture of mine, I've marked up the holes in his:

Attachment 493223
Blue circles indicate 1/2" BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes;
Red circles indicate 5/8" BSW (11 tpi) threaded holes; and
Green circles preset holes for when the main mitre is located in the secondary (lower) position.

His has the same hole sizes as Auscab's two machines. But in addition, he has an extra 1/2" BSW tapped hole at the very bottom (heavy blue circle to the left of the filler strip). Like mine he also has an extra preset hole (green circle and arrow - LH side), and unlike mine his has a further preset hole (green circle and arrow - top left), which I believe neither of Auscab's machines has.

Cheers, Vann.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vann

...His has the same hole sizes as Auscab's two machines. But in addition, he has an extra 1/2" BSW tapped hole at the very bottom...

---

On closer examination of mine, I find the small hole in that location is actually a 1/2" BSW tapped hole that was (until yesterday) full of gunk. So I too can screw in a handle like Jack does.

Attachment 493297 Jack demonstrating his PK sliding table.

Cheers, Vann.

That handle is a good idea.
When I was an apprentice a Pom tradesman managed to run over his thumb on the sliding table. Sort of flattened it a tad.
I guess he was pulling it back and gripped it with his thumb underneath
I can’t remember if it was a Wadkin?
We did have a RS and an RU.
H.

This is the sliding table off PK 1857.

Attachment 494356
Blue circles indicate 1/2" BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes;
Red circles indicate 5/8" BSW (11 tpi) threaded holes; and
Black arrows indicate preset holes for the main mitre. The circle marked 'A1' is the pivot point for the double mitre. The circle marked 'A2' is the pivot point for the double mitre when located in the secondary (lower) position. Note that one is 5/8" BSW while the other is 1/2" BSW (the latter being the original size for both I believe).

I guess the owner only ever used the upper pivot hole as the mitre pivot pin is 5/8" BSW.

Cheers, Vann.

Anyway, I want to be able to (eventually) fit the sliding table extension WITH fence, to my saw.

I could tap the offending 9/16" BSW holes out to 5/8" BSW - but with one being 12tpi and the other 11tpi it going to have to cut a new thread. And with the difference in diameter being 1/16" (1.6mm) = 1/32" either side - part of the old thread will most likely remain, weakening the new thread. And as the number of bastardised holes in my table (and PK 1857's table) show, threads in cast iron are vulnerable at the best of times.

So I decided a new pin would be a better solution - made to fit the existing 9/16" BSW thread in the table. A friend offered to make one up for me - out of an old bolt he had.

Attachment 494360 Old 5/8" BSW pin top, new 9/16" BSW pin bottom.

The new pivot pin ready for a trial fitting on Saturday.

Attachment 494361

It's amazing what can be found hiding inside an old bolt :q. The pin head is 1 1/2" dia. so the old bolt must have been ~ 1 3/4" diameter.

And the finished product parted off and trial fitted today.

Attachment 494362

Attachment 494363

And that's only half the fence (it's about 3' long). Then on top goes a ruler that's 7' long!!

Cheers, Vann.

Nice Pin from that Old bolt ! Your going to like using that cross cutting set up . Super accurate!

You have that other screw I pointed out. We may have spoken about it . What do you think its for ? The ruler bar cant be moved
by it , it being screwed down at three points. I was wondering if it was for the drilling of the three screw holes ? Adjusting the bar dead in place to the blade before drilling ? But why keep it on the saw after that? Seems the half the saws Ive seen have lost them and the other half has them still . But they do nothing .

Attachment 494393

Interesting, looking at mine ...

The blue holes are all the same size. Assume the sizes are:

Blue circles indicate 1/2" (12.7mm) BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes
Yellow circles indicate 5/8" (15.874mm) BSW (11 tpi) threaded holes; and


Attachment 516289

I also have these Purple circled holes in the main table. The Blue circles below are the same as above.

Attachment 516290

I should just measure them ay!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

...The blue holes are all the same size. Assume the sizes are:

Blue circles indicate 1/2" (12.7mm) BSW (12 tpi) threaded holes
Yellow circles indicate 5/8" (15.874mm) BSW (11 tpi) threaded holes; and

Attachment 516301

---

Hi Charlie. Yes those are the sizes those holes should be. But check. Find a 1/2" BSW and a 5/8" BSW bolt and try them in the holes. I've found two tables (including my own) that have odd or bastardised holes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

...I also have these Purple circled holes in the main table. The Blue circles below are the same as above...

---

The two green circled holes (below) should be 1/2" BSW - for bolting down the crown guard column.

Attachment 516297

I don't know what the other holes (blue and purple) are for, but they are not original. I assume the blue circled holes were for a power feed or similar. You might want to check them to see if they're 1/2" BSW (12tpi), 1/2" UNC (13tpi) or M12.

Nice to see some pictures of your "new" saw.

Cheers, Vann.

I just noticed on my gen 1 it doesn't have any presets for the mitre.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wallace1973

I just noticed on my gen 1 it doesn't have any presets for the mitre.

---

Interesting. I have a few photos of PK 110, PKA 196 and PKA 200 (all Gen 1 machines) but none are clear enough to determine whether the sliding tables have presets. However there is a photo of the double mitre that was with PKA 200.

Attachment 516486

Note that there is no provision, on the main mitre casting, for the spring loaded shaft that engages the preset holes :o.

So I guess the preset holes (for 0, 30 and 45 degree settings) were not a feature of the early PK dimension saws.

Cheers, Vann.

Good pictures of early table markings are hard to get . I was asking around for them some months back.

Ill have to go take a good picture of 390 as well.

Mark sent me this a while back.
PK 115
Attachment 516489

Bendigo Ordinance Factory altered Base PK. No Number unfortunately.
No preset holes.
Attachment 516490 Attachment 516491

PK 266. I cant see them here. I can make out the holes in the slot though so if they are there they should be noticeable.

Attachment 516493

PK 364 Bruce Keneth sent me with preset holes.
Attachment 516492