It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 10:30

Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Here's the place to talk about all your table saws, bandsaws, routers and dust extractors. In fact anything that makes noise and uses electrickery.

Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 25 Jul 2018, 17:09

I've been pretty busy doing lathes this year, I've done 4 but since I already did a thread on one I thought it pointless to do another thread. I'm now doing an morticer which I've never done before so looking forward to it.

I bought this about 3 years ago thinking it might have some good parts to salvage, but instead I'm going to try and resurrect it. Before I got it it had spent some time outside and since in my possession its sat out side smothered in waxoyle and covered with a tarp.

Image

Image

Image

Image

This one dates from 1946 which I think is wadkins wonder years

Image

I really like using waxoyle to preserve metal, it works its way into everything and helps loosen stuff

Image

I just love the way bolts that are 72 years old come out looking like this

Image

My first balls up

Image

They made proper insulating tape back in the day, the brass screws in is connector look new

Image

That motor and chain head are pretty heavy

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby Rod » 25 Jul 2018, 18:54

I used to use Waxoyl years ago, I’m glad it’s still available.
Good luck with the restoration.

Rod
User avatar
Rod
Old Oak
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:34
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby MattS » 25 Jul 2018, 21:37

Another tool resto :eusa-dance: :eusa-dance: love these!
MattS
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 771
Joined: 04 Jul 2016, 10:05
Location: In the Weald of Kent
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 26 Jul 2018, 18:05

Rod the can I have was from my first car when I was 17 and MGB, so that makes the can 28 years old :shock:

Abit more done, I started disassembling the motor which is always a challenge when I haven't done one of these before so a little heat a tap their.

Image

The MA has a little flat belt pulley on the back of the motor which is used for the chain sharpener.

Image

Image

I think someone made a cockup so covered it with the motor tag

Image

7hrs later and we have a bare main casting and boxes of bits

Image

Image

This is the couterweight which must weigh 20 stone, I had to lift the whole machine up and take this out of the bottom.

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby RogerS » 26 Jul 2018, 19:21

I love these threads.

What was the cock-up ?
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
User avatar
RogerS
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 13283
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:07
Location: Nearly finished. OK OK...call me Pinocchio.
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby Malc2098 » 26 Jul 2018, 19:31

Utter porn!!
Malcolm
User avatar
Malc2098
Sequoia
 
Posts: 7207
Joined: 03 Jul 2016, 11:10
Location: Tiverton
Name: Malcolm

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby DaveL » 26 Jul 2018, 21:04

RogerS wrote:I love these threads.

What was the cock-up ?
The hole in the motor casing.
Shame this was not ready when you were buying a mortiser Roger!
Regards,
Dave
My tool kit is almost complete, only a few more to get.
User avatar
DaveL
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1917
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:07
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Name: Dave

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby RogerS » 26 Jul 2018, 21:06

I meant the balls up in the earlier post
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
User avatar
RogerS
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 13283
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:07
Location: Nearly finished. OK OK...call me Pinocchio.
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby DaveL » 26 Jul 2018, 21:10

In the picture with the flange on the right side, it should been attached to the sleeve nut that was still on the thread.
Regards,
Dave
My tool kit is almost complete, only a few more to get.
User avatar
DaveL
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1917
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:07
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Name: Dave

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby RogerS » 27 Jul 2018, 08:02

DaveL wrote:In the picture with the flange on the right side, it should been attached to the sleeve nut that was still on the thread.


Ah, ta. 'E broke it, then :lol: Have to say I'm in shock and awe over Wallace's expertise.
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
User avatar
RogerS
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 13283
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:07
Location: Nearly finished. OK OK...call me Pinocchio.
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 27 Jul 2018, 09:09

Yeah it was a case of tappy tap tap in the wrong direction. It shouldn't be too hard to fix with my newly found skills at electric brazing :shock:
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby Robert » 27 Jul 2018, 13:37

I googled Wadkin MA when you first started this thread to see what it should look like. There were some for sale that came up too. Prices seemed quite high so I hope you do well if selling this once restored. You deserve it for the effort you put in.

As always enjoying the thread.
Robert
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2489
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 19:31
Location: Woodford Green
Name: Robert

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 27 Jul 2018, 23:58

Thanks Robert, this might be a keeper especially if I can get my hands on the chisel head. I've got a big old whitehead morticer that might have to find a new home.
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby HappyHacker » 29 Jul 2018, 11:34

I am looking forward to this thread. I have a T. Robinson & Sons Ltd, Rochdale mortiser, that looks similar, needing a bit of TLC. It has been in the garage for a couple of years now and is surrounded by piles of stuff so I cannot get a photo of it. I did take the table off while moving it, but it was too heavy to lift back on by myself. I must have had my Wheatabix the day I took it off.

Mine is machine No 25, type TH/E, size 12X6. It uses wire rather than chains on the weight and was being used until I bought it. I got some chisels and sharpening stuff with it.

Since retiring I get no time to do anything interesting, I have a wife and three daughters requiring stuff doing, all of greater priority than anything I may want to do :(

I will one day manage to tidy the garage sufficiently so I can take decent photos.
HappyHacker
Sapling
 
Posts: 316
Joined: 18 Jul 2016, 20:10
Location: Chester
Name: Kevin

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 30 Jul 2018, 08:31

I find when moving heavy stuff its easier to do a controlled drop/fall to the floor than trying to put something heavy back where it came from. A block and tackle is really usefull and I'm tempted to get one of those fold away engine lifts
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby HappyHacker » 30 Jul 2018, 19:00

Thanks for the tip. I have a block and tackle but the mounting is for different width of beam than is above the mortiser and I have not yet managed to find time to make it fit. I cannot remember any problem lifting it off but is was at a decent hight rather than trying to lift it off the floor.
HappyHacker
Sapling
 
Posts: 316
Joined: 18 Jul 2016, 20:10
Location: Chester
Name: Kevin

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby 9fingers » 30 Jul 2018, 20:32

wallace wrote:I find when moving heavy stuff its easier to do a controlled drop/fall to the floor than trying to put something heavy back where it came from. A block and tackle is really usefull and I'm tempted to get one of those fold away engine lifts


Mark, I've tried using those portable engine lifts for quite a few jobs and often the legs get in the way so that the jib has to be extended so far it does not have much lifting capacity.

Before splashing out on one try borrowing one first and see if it really is the machine that you need.

Bob
Information on induction motors here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBTVXx ... sp=sharing
Email:motors@minchin.org.uk
User avatar
9fingers
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 10035
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 20:22
Location: Romsey Hampshire between Southampton and the New Forest
Name: Bob

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 08 Aug 2018, 17:26

Thanks Bob, its either one of them or a pallet lift.
One thing about smearing the machine with waxoyle is it has done a fantastic job of protecting it but its a pig to remove. I maybe need a diesel pressure washer.

Image

Its just a matter of working my way through boxes of bits cleaning now.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Me thinks this chain bar is toast.

Image

I was extremely lucky to comes across part of the chain sharpener attachment

Image

And even more lucky to find the chisel head assembly, these things are seriously hard to fine by themselves.

Image

I also picked up this rotary table which I plan on using on my recessor.

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 13 Aug 2018, 17:56

A tad more done, you don't really realise how much time it takes to do this stuff. It took 3 hrs to clean up the handwheel

Image

Image

Image

The front safety guard has been damaged repaired and damaged again

Image

Image

There is a peice of casting missing so not sure how to go about a fix. It still has its bushing so maybe I could braze the bushing to the casting.

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby Robert » 13 Aug 2018, 22:38

Brazing the bush to the casting sounds like a bodge and I can't imagine you bodging anything. Could you grind the break flat and make some kind of saddle that could screw to tapped holes? Or a piece of thick pipe / turning cut lengthways and fixed over the bush?

I suppose if it was just a matter of cleaning the bits and reassembling anyone could do it. Your skill gets around problems that would stop most people.
Robert
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2489
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 19:31
Location: Woodford Green
Name: Robert

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 13 Aug 2018, 23:42

I was hoping I might be able to build up with bronze and then shape it.
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 17 Aug 2018, 17:03

A bit more done. The starter on this looked a bit worse for ware.

Image

After a bit of a clean it doesn't look too bad. if it dosent work I found another in my stash

Image

The chisel head was a bit fun to take to bits, whoever made the gear for the top made it an interference fit for some reason. It took a puller, a load of heat and a hammer on the end of the puller.

Image

Image

Some nice bronze caged double row bearings as you'd expect.

Image

The lever is quite a lump of steel.

Image

A little heat and some stilsons got it moving

Image

How much force do you think would be needed to bend a 11/2" bar

Image

Everything is pretty much disasembled and derusted so I started on the main casting.

Image

A bit of work with the dremmel to clean out the casting gunk

Image

Then starting with a bit bodge, I quite like using liquid metal body filler. Its harder than car stuff and you dont get those horrible pin holes.

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 28 Aug 2018, 21:51

This is the bit I accidently broke when disassembling. I ground the edge but left enough to align the break.

Image

Image

A bit bronze snot

Image

Image

The other broken bit was a bit more complicated, so I drilled and tapped then removed the old repair

Image

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby wallace » 31 Aug 2018, 17:18

Been a busy little boy.

Image

Image

The chains that attach the motor to the counterbalance weight were seized on loads of links so I just let them soak in wd40 and used an air line to remove crud.

Image

On the subject of the counterbalance which is a big chunk of cast iron, I was curious what it weighed because I struggled to move it around. 95kg

Image

Image

Image

I need to find a small handwheel for the forward/back adjuster but I've made some progress

Image
wallace
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 948
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 19:12
Name:

Re: Wadkin MA morticer restoration

Postby Rod » 31 Aug 2018, 20:46

Wow that’s some beastie - looking good

Rod
User avatar
Rod
Old Oak
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:34
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Name:

Next

Return to Machines & Power Toolery

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 9 guests