wadkin planer restoration

[wallace]

Hi all, I bought this litlle 6" planer off ebay awhile back but have just started cleaning it up.

I have cleaned the tops up abit but they are still pitted in places, does anybody know if its expensive to have them re-ground?

I wasn't planning on taking everything apart but when I took the bearing caps off I noticed somebody had overpacked them with grease, so I took everything apart and cleaned in parafin. I'm pleased the hoffman bearings are in really good condition.

I dont suppose anybody knows the paint code for 'wadkin' grey. I tried to colour match it for my lathe and it turned out pants.

 

[wallace]

Have done some more work, I used car filler because the castings are pretty poor.

I then sprayed it with a zinc based primer

I went to my local motor rewinders to see if they had a suitable motor lying around, and found this wadkin motor

I think it may have come off a planer, 3hp 3000 rpm.
I've been looking for the correct colour to spray it, I have found a colour which looks pretty close RAL 7000.

 

[jimi43]

Good LORD...that's a monster!

Looks like you know what you're doing and that motor is a beast!

I look forward to watching this with interest...one of my most favourite hobbies..restoring classic British machines (and the occasional American one!)

Cheers for posting!

Jimi

 

[adidat]

a very interesting thread, cant wait to see the finished item.

ohh i loves me abit of cast iron

adidat

 

[Karl]

You might find this thread of interest.

Cheers

Karl

 

[wallace]

I think the motor came off a planer thicknesser, does anybody know where I can get some knives for it. Also does anybody have a switch that I could buy. I'd like it to look more in keeping with its age. I have a modern starter switch but it doesn't really look right.

 

[Doug B]

does anybody know where I can get some knives for it. .

I get mine for my wadkin from Doug Perry at cutting solutions.

http://www.cutting-solutions.co.uk/index.html

 

[wallace]

Thanks for that

 

[bosshogg]

Wallace...If you give me a PM, I have a set which are of no more use to me, 6"ers...bosshogg

 

[wallace]

Hi all, I have done some more work today. I went to get the paint which was a bit of a knightmare, I found the colour on the net but when I got it mixed it turned out to be the wrong colour so the chap had to colour match it to the motor coul I took with me. I did it in enamel and did about seven coats.

 

[wallace]

Da Daaa! finished, well almost just have to wire up the switch and put some knives in.

Next I think I'll tackle my wadkin pillar drill

 

[Blister]

Very nice

Its good to see the old girl up and running again

:wink:

 

[wallace]

I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. Total cost to buy it get a motor and a dol starter and paint £90. Plus I had fun messing about with it.

 

[jimi43]

I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. Total cost to buy it get a motor and a dol starter and paint £90. Plus I had fun messing about with it.

Bimey! You could have got a Rexon one cheaper than that new! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Seriously though...what a great project! And it looks the bees knees now...

I love seeing old ladies like this restored to their former glory and put to work and that one should serve you well for many generations to come!

Bravo! =D>

Jim

 

[Benchwayze]

You made a great job of that. Looking at it, I'd say it is what I should have done when I first invested in a planer. Trouble was, at that time, all the Wadkins were in full daily use, and a secondhand one cost almost as much as a new one!

It gives me a warm feeling to see machines like this transformed from a pile of apparent junk. And Wadkin? For me they are the best of their type.

Hope it gives you many long years of service.
Regards
John

 

[tomatwark]

Lovely job , But I think I see a square block in it.

These are really dangerous and were made illegal many many years ago.

The cutters can come out , but more important is the fact that if you happen to get you fingers in the block it can drag you hand in,
where as a round block will spit you back out.

I would not even think about using this machine myself, but it is up to you if you do, I would be very suprised if you can find a company who will sell you cutters for it.

I am really sorry to put a dampener on your hard work but thought you should know the risks.

Tom

 

[Benchwayze]

Oh dear...

I can't quite make out the block myself, but square blocks are 'unnerving' to use, and they make more noise too ISTR.
I would think you could get hold of a cylindrical block that would fit. Wadkin spares are available I believe.

best of luck.
John

 

[wallace]

Thanks for the concern chaps, but there is some more bits to it. there are two semi circle bits that bolt on to either side to make it round. Does that make it any better?
Mark

 

[tomatwark]

That sounds better, but how do the cutters clamp in to the block?

Tom

 

[wallace]

Hi Tom, I'll take a pic tomorrow. I think the knives are just clamped between the main body and the semicircle bits.
Mark