Hi all,
Thanks again for all the replies.
So good news and bad news. As I mentioned previously, I have purchased a Wadkin AGS 12" saw - unseen in person, but the seller provided lots of images and information and I was happy I knew what I was getting for the money - we agreed on a price (not cheap, but what I think the machine was worth). I work long hours, so it has since sat covered in its shipping wrap on a pallet in a shed here. It's the earlier fore and aft rail/fence. It does need a bit of work; paint, wiring, etc. Unfortunately, it is missing a left extension table - which I was aware of. But on closer examination (while still secured on its pallet), it is also missing the canting handwheel - not a big deal, juts something I noticed today. So I haven't taken the table off yet to investigate the internal structures, but hopefully it's all good!!
So... In my quest to have my complete dream Wadkin AGS 12", I found another for sale. It was in slightly nicer condition that my original saw, but it also was missing a side extension table! (The 12" x 34" extensions), so I thought this would be ideal as a donor saw or use the original as a donor. So again, tight on time, and a good distance from the seller, I was provided with details and images of the saw. Agreed a price (dearer then the first but I was still happy as it had the later style fence) and I arranged pallet collection. So I excitedly examined it on delivery! Bad news starts here....not only was it not a 12" AGS (it's a 10"), it wasn't even an AGS! It's a 10" BRT! Contacted the seller, but isn't answering.... That's that. From what I can tell is, the AGS and BRT are similar regardless.
So, as most people here have kindly parted their wisdom regarding parts not being compatible, I took a tape to the outside of the two saws for comparison. The cabinet of the 10"BRT is approximately 18" square (both the pressed steel main frame and the cast iron fame being similar/the same). The cabinet of the 12" AGS is indeed larger at approximately 21" wide by 22 1/2" deep. To make maters worse, even the canting handwheel of the 10"saw is 6" in diameter while the missing canting handwheel of the 12" saw (if the same size as the height adjustment) is 7 1/2"!!!
. So I'm not hopeful for internal components being compatible.
I'm not discouraged! I am really looking forward to restoring this saw for my workshop. But I need to source a table extension, handwheel, (and possibly something on the inside once I open them up) for it to make it complete. The other thing I have been considering is restoring the 10" saw also and keeping it, and making it part of an outfeed table as the only dimension of both saws the same, is the height at 34"!!
I'm really thinking of doing a detailed recording of the restoration for a thread here (or possibly a video for YouTube - I've never done one before) as I have gained so much from reading your threads here, I think its only right to give back.
Thoughts?
Does anyone have a spare 10" and 12" Wadkin AGS extension table under their stairs that they would part with?!
Also, to anyone who has restored their saws (
@deema especially), how would you suggest about restoring it? Should I just start pulling it apart?
Thanks again for all (and apologies for the long post!
Lamb