A New Class of Wadkin PK.

In my relentless pursuit of boring Wadkin facts I recent acquired "Batch Lists" for the Wadkin PK, the Wadkin PKF (fixed table version of the PK) and something called a Wadkin PKQ :?.

Attachment 496843

It looks like they only made two - one ordered in 1958 and the other in 1960 (the last year PKs were made, I believe).

I have no idea what they did to a PK to make it a PKQ? Wallace had a PK with an extra long sliding table - but it was still classified a PK/PKA.

Note that the serial numbers start at #105 :;.

Cheers, Vann.

You sure find the obscure ones don’t you?
Q comes after P in the alphabet so maybe they were weird hybrids of a PK and PP.:rolleyes:
H.

Attachment 496847

Me too !!!

I've never seen a PKQ. I'd never even heard of one will I got the batch list.

So if you've got pictures for me.... :q

Cheers, Vann.

How weird, maybe a prototype or a special order machine. I have a pk quotation file detailing the various options available. I will check that but I'm sure it doesnt mention 'Q'

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Originally Posted by clear out

You sure find the obscure ones don’t you?
Q comes after P in the alphabet so maybe they were weird hybrids of a PK and PP.:rolleyes:
H.

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Hi H.

Have you still got your red PK - PKA 785?

According to the batch list for PKs it was part of the same batch as my PKA 800. Batch #A 2117, for 24 PKs (PKs 779 to 802) was ordered on 31 October, 1944, and both our machines were built in 1945. Our two are the only ones I've tracked down from that batch.

Did I mention my interest in boring Wadkin facts ? :roll:

Cheers, Vann.

I moved my PK on when I bought a Martin.
It now resides in Canberra in a mate’s workshop.
It still has the wooden fence I cobbled up.
The mate was loaned the leg and extension sliding table from another mate whom I’ve lost contact with.(Dunno if he still has his PK?)
He was also loaned the long fence to suit from a different source.(A furniture maker/designer who’s on the coast, who I must catch up with before one of us croaks).
All this occurred about 30 years ago.
I have a 1945 Wadkin catalogue somewhere in the stash.
H.
ps I didn’t paint it red Mark did that. (Not that I’m complaining my RS10 was blue by me):D

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Originally Posted by clear out

...The mate was loaned the leg and extension sliding table from another mate whom I’ve lost contact with.(Dunno if he still has his PK?)
He was also loaned the long fence to suit from a different source.(A furniture maker/designer who’s on the coast, who I must catch up with before one of us croaks)...

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When you do catch up, any and all PK photos gratefully accepted - with an extra helping of gratitude if there's a clear tag photo :q.

Cheers, Vann.

So were the two 'Q's the last pk's made, are there any more batches afterwards

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Originally Posted by wallace1973

So were the two 'Q's the last pk's made, are there any more batches afterwards

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The first PKQ was ordered in 1958 (21st October). There's no info on when it was completed.

Twelve days later 24 PKs were ordered. Three further batches were ordered for a total of 112 PKs (or 111 PKs and 1 being built as a PKF), the last of these batches being ordered on 23rd October, 1959.

Attachment 497057

The second PKQ was ordered in December, 1959/January, 1960. That was the last PK/PKF/PKQ ordered - though presumably built alongside the final 40 PKs (which we know were being tested well into 1960*)

* Wadkin Green Lane carried out tests 61865 to 63924 in 1960 = 2060 machines, averaging just over 170 per month. The highest known PK is PK 2276, with test number 62557 = the 693rd test that year - suggesting it was tested early in the 5th month (May, 1960). There are 30 higher numbered PKs for which we have no information - but we do know Wadkin didn't always carry out testing in serial-numerical order.

Note: that PKFs were modified PKs - they were taken at random from existing PK orders. It does not appear that the PKQs were taken from existing PK orders - suggesting they were maybe very different from the standard PK.

Cheers, Vann.

ps More info on the Canadian forum Wadkin PK Generations -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum (editing times are too short here - which doesn't allow updating/correcting of posted info)

"The first PKQ was ordered in 1958 (21st October). "
Top day that.. my birthday.

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Originally Posted by Gaza58

"The first PKQ was ordered in 1958 (21st October). "
Top day that.. my birthday.

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Gaza, could you check your tag - you may be a PKQ. Although I reckon your birthday is more like your 'test' date. I suspect you were ordered up to 9 months earlier (to give your castings a chance to 'season').

Cheers, Vann.